YMCA Vietnam Partner Support Group Meeting

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YMCA Vietnam Partner Support Group Meeting

20-23 July 2025, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs Partner Support Group (PSG) Meeting for the YMCA Vietnam was held on 20-23 July in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The meeting was organized as part of the continued efforts to strengthen the YMCA Vietnam. It specifically aims to provide a platform for the stakeholders to understand and adopt the regional and world YMCA MS vision, goal and process on movement strengthening; to understand the existing reality, status, operation and plan for sustainability of YMCA Vietnam and; to facilitate initial assessment of the needs and initial conversation on the plan of action to address the needs.

As part of the agenda, the members joined the YMCA Vietnam team during its charity home and children in hospital program called ‘Brighten Children’s Smile’. The members also met the volunteers who have helped ran the activities. Similarly, the members had the chance to meet with the participants from Cambodia who are in Vietnam for an on-going “We Care’ Project. The We Care project is a kind of service-learning program among young people that promotes a more responsible and more sustainable tourism. This activity gave an opportunity for the PSG members to see how projects are conducted on the ground.

The discussions focused on the organization’s current status, challenges and future plans. It was noted that the YMCA Vietnam needs to transition from a project-based volunteer organization to a membership-based structure to help address its need to expand and diversify its board members. In addition, the discussions focused on the following key points that will facilitate the development of strategies for sustainable growth:

  • Board structure and governance
  • Income generating program and social enterprise planning
  • Financial management and reporting
  • Staff development and training
  • Infrastructure planning

Specific action points were also explored in the meeting from which the stakeholders committed to support and collaborate. The meeting was attended by Ramona Morales Chair, MS Committee (Philippines); George Vincent, Vice Chair, MS Committee (India); Peter Ho, General Secretary, YMCA of Hong Kong; Asir Pandian, General Secretary, Madras YMCA; My Hanh, President, YMCA Vietnam; Rachel Thuy, YMCA Vietnam Project Coordinator; Vu Thi Ngoc Nhi, Youth Leader; Nam Boo Won, General Secretary, APAY; Maria Cristina Miranda, Movement Strengthening Coordinator, APAY; Tom Banguis Jr., President, YMCA of Makati, Inc. and Magda Gana, General Secretary, YMCA of Makati, Inc. as observers.

 

By: Maria Cristina Miranda, MS Coordinator