YMCA Sri Lanka Prepares for the Emergency Relief Work with Support of the PSG

Last Updated (Monday, 03 October 2022 12:18)

In the early months of this year, Sri Lanka, as a nation, was forced to face the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. The economic tribulation was nothing of the likes our little island nation had ever experienced, even during a three-decade-long civil war. Experts and economists the world over pointed squarely at unsustainable debt, white-elephant infrastructure projects, and widespread internal corruption as the source of the island nation's economic woes. Being a democratic society, there was political upheaval as masses of citizens rose in protest over the rising cost of living. Daily stories of death and despair of many dot the news, as it has for many months.

The political upheaval resulted in the cabinet's resignation and, finally, the resignation and self-exile of the President, whose family has controlled Sri Lanka for most of the last decade. This resignation resulted in the appointment of a new President, who has since taken office and cracked down on activists, and organizers, including young university students, priests, monks, and other social activists throughout the country, resulting in an air of fear and an erosion of democratic values in governance. Most recently, the nation saw the appointment of high-security zones in metropolitan Colombo overseeing most of the country’s administrative offices and hotbeds for those expressing peaceful dissent. These high-security zones now include the premises of both the National Council and the Colombo YMCA. The state is cracking down on activists by arresting and charging them under a draconian civil-war era law known as the “Prevention of Terrorism Act”, a law which has been used over the years to target civil rights activists and jail them for an indefinite time. Many remained imprisoned for over twenty to thirty years without being formally charged. The nation to concede that once more, disappearances and abductions are part and parcel of life on the island.

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"99 Giving Day"——China YMCA in Action

Last Updated (Monday, 03 October 2022 12:49)

In response to the call for China Charity Day on September 5, "99 Giving Day", an annual philanthropic campaign, brings loving care into action. The activity runs yearly from September 7th to September 9th, boasting China's largest internet-based charity day.

In 2022, NCY China took advantage of this platform to promote 17 programs from local YMCAs and YWCAs, supporting them in social mobilization and fundraising. Those programs focus on rural services, care for the elderly and people with disability, children's welfare and health, environmental protection, etc.

Participating in the “99 Giving Day” activity aims to explore and expand new charity fund-raising channels, encourage innovation, and promote professionalism and cost control. Taking this opportunity, we will expand our program outreach, attract more people, enhance our capability and expand our social impact. NCY China hopes to make good use of "Internet plus" technology, promote the new model of social service program for China YMCA, attract more warm-hearted enterprises and individuals, serve more vulnerable people, and benefit society. All of those are our eternal pursuits.

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A beginning of the cooperation between YMCA Brisbane and YMCA Mongolia

Last Updated (Monday, 03 October 2022 12:19)

In September, the president of YMCA Mongolia visited the Australian YMCA camp in Brisbane. The work and activities that YMCA Brisbane does at their camp are fascinating. School kids spend three days in the Survival program to develop their life skills and capabilities.

One of the most notable things was that the camp facility was built by a strong, passionate yet professional Y Board, staff members and volunteers and their governance and operating system were significantly strong and healthy.

Read more: A beginning of the cooperation between YMCA Brisbane and YMCA Mongolia

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.

Read more: PSG Meeting for Timor Leste YMCA