PSG Meeting for Timor Leste YMCA

Last Updated (Monday, 03 October 2022 12:20)

A Partners Support Group (PSG) meeting for the movement strengthening of Timor Leste YMCA was held via zoom on 5th September 2022. Participants of the meeting include: Antonio da Silva, GS, YMCA Timor Leste; Gilbert Chin Chia-Yu, Asso. GS, Taipei YMCA; Sugino Utako, International Secretary, NCY-Japan; Ishibashi, Executive Secretary, NCY-Japan; Kenjiro Nakamura, Executive Secretary, Kumamoto YMCA; Kang Hyung-Kyu, Executive Secretary, Yeosu YMCA-Korea; Nam Boo Won, GS, APAY; Lee Yun-Hee, MS Coordinator, APAY.

The meeting started with an opening prayer led by Gilbert Chin, followed by a short introduction by each participant. Thereafter, Antonio da Silva, GS of Timor Leste YMCA, presented a report for the first half year of 2022 that was pre-circulated to the PSG members by mail. His presentation covered language classes, non-formal education, soccer training, and YMCA kindergarten programs. In his financial report, GS Antonio was complimented by the PSG members for the surplus made during the first 6 months of 2022, with a total income of US$6,732,55 and a total expenditure of US$ 5,759,35. While appreciating the YMCA’s performance towards self-reliance, there was a recommendation that the finance of the main office and that of the YMCA Kindergarten should be integrated into one financial management.

There were also discussions on how to re-activate the TL YMCA’s soccer program to attract children’s participation and their parents into YMCA programs and activities. Yeosu YMCA reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the YMCA's soccer program. Kang Hyung-Kyu, Executive Secretary of Yeosu YMCA, expressed his wish to visit the TL YMCA when the soccer tournament is conducted in 2023. GS Antonio will send a comprehensive program plan on the soccer tournament to Yeosu YMCA to facilitate the visit of Yeosu YMCA leaders next year. Another important issue raised by the PSG was for GS Antonio to contact the landlord of the land wherein the YMCA building had been constructed. It is crucial for the future development of the TL YMCA to receive an official letter from the landlord guaranteeing the use of the land for the coming 10 years at least. As an alternative, it was also discussed that TL YMCA might pay a small amount of rental fee to the landlord to ensure the long-time use of the YMCA building and the surrounding land space.

The discussions followed Antonio’s presentation of the program plan for the second half of 2022 based on the written report sent to the members earlier by email. His presentation included some progress made so far and challenges ahead as follows:

Progress made so far:

- TL YMCA will continue to develop the quality of the ongoing programs

- TL YMCA has registered with the Ministry of Justice successfully.

- Having started in 2018, YMCA Kindergarten “Boa Esperança YMCA” continues to grow

- TL YMCA will continue to develop the Japanese Language Course as a youth empowerment program

- TL YMCA will strengthen its relationship with the surrounding community

- We will stabilize the operation of the YMCA with financial self-reliance

The challenges of YMCA Timor Leste:

- Lack of sufficient financial resources to implement the program

- Resources in language and writing skills to prepare project proposals

- No support from the Government

- Strong need to develop income generation programs through non-formal education, language course and - Renting the Tent and chairs to the public, as well as the Kindergarten program.

Finally, the PSG members expressed their collective wish to visit in 2023 to have a face-to-face PSG meeting and have an in-depth discussion with the TL YMCA board and youth members for the sustainable development of the YMCA in the future. The meeting was closed with a closing prayer led by Kenjiro Nakamura.

by Lee Yun-Hee, MS Coordinator