37 Prefects learn leadership with YMCA

YMCA of Pamunugama organized a prefects for the schol prefects in the area. 37 prefects from 4 schools (Peralanda Vidyalaya, Pitipana Vidyalaya, Thalahena Vidyalaya and Kepungoda Vidyalaya) participated the training programme which held on 24 October, 2016 at the Pamunugama YMCA Main Hall. YMCA organize several similar training programmes annually and this was the first one for the year 2016.

Mr. Aruna Shantha, who is a Leadership Trainer and experienced YMCA leader facilitated the event. YMCA thank all the principals of participated schools and teachers who attended the event along with prefects. 

Mr. Shelton President Pamunugama YMCA welcoming the participants

Mr. Nonis facilitating an activity

Learning from each-other through activities

Students practicing their skills

Photo Credit: Isuru Nonis

Pamunugama GS attended the "Ocean in a Drop" Training for Professional youth Workers

Professional Youth Workers Association (PYWA) of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Youth Section of Commonwealth Secretariat in London organized a one week training of Trainees (TOT) for a selected group of professional youth workers in Sri Lanka. Event was organized to enhance the professionalism of the youth work sector in Sri Lanka in both government agencies and NGOs.

22 professional youth workers attended the training from 11 - 17 September held in Kithulkanda Mountain Resort in Padukka. Ridma Fonseka, General Secretary of the YMCA of Pamunugama also was among participants of the event.

Couple of resource persons from Pravah and Commutiny in India facilitated the event. During the programme a modules prepared as a guideline for youth work was covered. YMCA of Pamunugama thank PYWA for the opportunity given to Ridma Fonseka to take-part in the event.

Come-Share Foundation meet students at Pamunugama YMCA

Mr. Derek on the left sitting next to Mr. Shelton

Come-Share Foundation has been working with the YMCA for over period of decade since the Tsunami Disaster in 2004. Come-Share has supported over 120 individual students with their education in various levels including Advanced Level, University, Professional Courses and Vocational training.

Earlier today (10. 09. 2016) Mr. Derek Ross-Meredith a director of Come-Share Foundation met with students supported by Come-Share Foundation through the YMCA of Pamunugama. Meeting was held at the YMCA Meeting Room. 

During the meeting Mr. Derek explained to students on the objectives of the Come-Share Foundation and encouraged students to make use of the available opportunities. Students also expressed their views and shared their plans with Come-Share Foundation. There were 20 students and 7 parents attended the meeting. Representing YMCA of Pamunugama Mr. Shelton Peiris, Ridma Fonseka, Aruna Nonis also joined the meeting. 

Students sharing their vies and appreciations

YMCA Mountain Hike

In Negombo before the journey started on 02. 09. 2016

Pamunugama YMCA organized a mountain hike from 02 - 05 September, 2016 in the Knuckles Mountain Range in Matale District. This was organized as an open event for YMCA members. 8 young people from YMCA signed-up and joined the trip. 

Group started the journey by Motorbikes on 02 evening and reached first destination which was a friends house in Ibbagamuwa in Kurunegala. After having a rest during the night, the journey resumed around 6 am towards Atanwala where the group met the local guide and parked motorcycles.

Around 12.00 noon group started hiking towards Duvili Elle which was the final destination for the day. Due to lack of time group had to abandon original plan of reaching Duvili Ella and settled by a river with a nice view for the night. Group cooked dinner and had a good rest till next day morning.

Around 10.00 am in the morning on Saturday group started to walk back to the village (Atanwala) where lunch was prepared by the time group arrived  at Guide's (Agara Ratne a friend of YMCA) home. After having a rest the group enjoyed a freezing bath in the river flows by the village and enjoyed the evening on a flat rock by the river. On the next day morning group first had to fix one of the bikes which had  punch before leaving for homes. YMCA of Pamunugama look forward to organize similar events as these events will train young people to work in a team as well as to face challenges.

During a break

Annual Trip of Pamunugama YMCA Children to Ambuluwawa and Saradeil's Village

Children of the Pamunugama YMCA Childrens' Club had their annual picnic on 24 August, 2016. During the picnic they visited Environmental Conservation, Development and Bio Diversification Centre in Ambuluwawa. This situates about 3567 ft above sea level. Children had a chance to have a walk through the lash green nature and to climb the steep temple built insite the conservation.

Then they proceeded to  Saradiel's Village in Uthuwanganda. Saradiel is known as the Robbin Hood in Sri Lanka from 19th century. In this village, the story of Saradiel is described through sculptures and the life style of 18th century people in Sri Lanka also recreated through various arts.

25 children, 4 parents, 3 YMCA representatives joined the picnic.

Walking through the nature in Ambuluwawa

Climbing down the Ambuluwawa steep temple

All together

Listening the the story of Saradiel

GCI Field Visit in Pamunugama

Participants of the Global Citizenship Institute (GCI) Programme participants are currently having their field visit in Pamunugama area. YMCA of Pamunugama is hosting the field visit. GCI is under the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and GCI programme is an annual event to raise awareness on globalization and to train young people to become global citizens.

During the field visit, YMCA of Pamunugama is trying to educate the participants on various global and local issues effecting the community in Pamunugama. 

Field visit started on 19th August Friday with an presentation and a dialogue on the proposed Financial City to be build in the see in Colombo. Mr. Ravindra Kariyawasam an environmentalist gave a comprehensive presentatation on the background and enviorenmental impact on the proposed project while Rev Fr Sarath Iddamalgoda who is an leading activist in Sri Lanka explained the group about why this project negatively effect to the people in the community and the political rationals behind this project. Mr. Aruna Fernando who is a Fishery Folk leader explianed on the negative impact towards fishermen from this project. 

Participants arrived at the Pamunugama YMCA on 20th Saturday morning. Day started with an orientation to the Pamunugama area, home stay and the work of the Pamunugama YMCA. Mr. Aruna Nonis facilitated the orientation. Following the orientation group visited a local harbor project in the area which has only contributed to the sea erosion.

Then the group had lunch together and settled in the 4 houses where they are going to be hosted for next couple of days. In the evening group joined with a Field Visit in the Negombo lagoon. During the boat trip in the lagoon GCI participants witnessed the pollution taken place in the Negombo lagoon and the mass scale deforestation of Mangrove plants. Fishing in the Negombo lagoon during the boat trip also was a novel experience to the group. 

On Sunday 21 August, 2016 group spent the morning with the families where they were hosted. After the having lunch together with Pamunugama YMCA leaders the group spent time playing cricket with Pamunugama YMCA youth. Later in the evening group had two meetings with a fishermen leader and a local politician in the area. 

Pamunugama YMCA thank APAY and National Council of YMCAs Sri Lanka for giving the opportunity to facilitate the field visit. 

Presentation Proposed Financial City by Mr. Ravindra Kariyawasam

Field visit to the local harbor project

Sri Lankan lunch at a local restaurant

Fishing in the Negombo lagoon

Boat Trip in Negombo lagoon