My Journey with YMCA: A Brief Reflection of my participation in the 39th ASC

Last Updated (Friday, 27 January 2023 17:28)

I am Nimey, from Cambodia, one of the girls, among others, raised in an orphanage. I didn’t have a mother to take care of me, but thank God, to be raised by God’s love, and guidance as my life started in a Christian family. I also needed my parent’s love and care, which I didn’t receive; the orphanage staff became my and my sister’s parents. After schooling, I left the orphanage with a lot of uncertainty. At the age of 20, a friend from college introduced me to a part-time teaching position, which was when I got to know YMCA in 2017. 

I was a part-time English teacher. I didn’t know deeply about the YMCA, but about 5-6 months later, the Y school announced a full-time teacher, so I applied to be full-time teacher. While working with children and getting involved in most Y programs, I found many children needing proper clothes, food, care and love. That reminded me of my stay at the orphanage centre. That touched my heart, and I wanted to bring love and smile to these children. That was also my encouragement when I was working directly with those children. While working at the YMCA, I considered it a call that God wanted me to do something for the children; I believe it is my mission. I started as a part-time teacher and now working as an acting national general secretary of YMCA Cambodia. It was not a smooth journey, but I found God’s grace and hope for the children our YMCA has been working with. It took a lot of effort in this journey with YMCA. I realized it's because of the Christian values I am here with YMCA! 

It’s been 6 years and 2 months with the YMCA. I got to know YMCA history and the work of other Ys movements, which helped me understand God's calling and how we can be blessings to other people through the YMCA mission. 

My participation in the 39th Advanced studies course

The ASC has given me a better and deeper knowledge of various topics/ subjects. The session on Creative worship and liturgies helped me with more ideas and tools on how to create or lead the worship creatively and meaningfully that will have an impact on people or in the churches. As a Christian organization, how can we serve our community effectively can transform the challenges into an opportunity for everybody, especially young people, to change their society and make a better future for the new generation. And how we can link the values of what we believe in helping and impacting people around us. 

The YMCA mission in context helped to understand the history and the mission of the YMCA. I got to know deeper about the YMCA's legacy and history on how it was started and formed, with a clear vision, mission (statement), and core values. The YMCA mission statement, revised from Paris Basis - Kampala principles to Challenge 21, has continued serving people. And how the YMCA mission and movement have kept spreading everywhere on all continents. That inspired me as part of the YMCA and how we can identify our mission in our context with a clear vision and mission.

The Movement Strengthening and Relevancy highlighted the Christian foundation, youth-driven, membership and as a community-based organization. It is vital to me as I am in a leadership role at the YMCA. It helped me to be able to reflect on my YMCA practice and what we can impact/give back to our community. It is imperative to know our identity, with a clear vision and mission, so we can recognize the issues in our society and how to respond effectively. Moreover, as a Christian faith-based organization, how can we work inclusively with people or stakeholders from different contexts, such as beliefs, backgrounds or conditions, to benefit and give value to our society. 

The Interfaith Dialogue showed that we all could work together, share a common value, and give back to our society. It was a new experience and made me think positively about other religions. The session on Gender Justice helped me to have a more profound understanding of it and also benefited me to know more about how to respond to and adapt it at my YMCA, like other subjects on climate crises. Why are there climate crises and natural disasters? How can we be a part of the solution as YMCA? 

Contextual Theology is a broad topic, but I got to understand better how different contexts can come together and work for the marginalized people of our society. Ecumenism and Ecumenical Movement enabled us to work inclusively with people and partners from other faiths and contexts. 

Youth empowerment and leadership helped me understand the definition of Empowerment and leadership and some techniques to use to be a good leader.

Last but not least, the session was about proposal writing, and the preparation or guideline for the re-entry plan was helpful to me. It helped me to understand and learn more about how to write a proposal to respond to the need of my YMCA. 

I got an opportunity to join the 39th advanced study program. I joined the program with the expectation of having profound knowledge about the YMCA. Also, an opportunity to connect with other YMCAs, understand the relevant issues in my societal contexts and share common values and passion on our journey with the YMCA to inspire and be inspired by other participants. I am very much grateful to the APAY for the opportunity given to me to join the 39th ASC!

By Nimey Rin
Acting GS, Cambodia YMCA
Participant of the 39th ASC