YMCA Timor-Leste: A Season of Growth, Celebration, and Visionary Planning!

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YMCA Timor-Leste: A Season of Growth, Celebration, and Visionary Planning!

The final months of 2025 were marked by significant organizational milestones, empowering youth achievements, and joyful community celebration, all driving forward our commitment to the YMCA 2030 Vision.

1. Organizational Renewal: Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The AGM served as the bedrock for Good Governance and Sustainability, ensuring the YMCA remains relevant, accountable, and strategically focused on its long-term goals.

Component

Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions

Alignment (YMCA 2030 Vision)

Attendance & Renewal

39 Participants, including 27 newly joined young people and 15 student members. This influx successfully achieved the goal of youth-led organizational renewal, significantly lowering the average age of decision-makers.

Movement Growth & Good Governance: The strong youth representation ensures future leadership and sustainability of the movement's mission.

Strategic Approvals

Attendees unanimously approved: 1. The new Operational Manual (standardizing procedures). 2. The 2026-2027 Business Plan (securing medium-term financial and program stability). 3. The 2026 Annual Plan (setting clear, measurable objectives for the coming year).

Sustainability & Accountability: Establishing robust policy and planning documents provides a transparent framework for operations and resource management.

Board Readjustment

New Board Structure Approved: Marcos Pinto (Presidente), Alda Sarmento (Vise), Harun Boavida (General Secretary), and 7 Members. The restructuring optimized governance for efficiency and oversight.

Good Governance: Clear roles and responsibilities were established to enhance strategic direction and compliance.

2026 Program Focus Areas

Key Focus: Education (Formal/Training Center), Mobilizing Resources for Sustainability, Strengthening Ecumenical Movements, and Youth Actions in Response to Climate Change.

Impact & Relevance: Programs are directly addressing critical local and global issues, ensuring the YMCA's relevance to community needs and the planet's well-being.

Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions:

  • Goal: Strengthen Governance and ensure organizational sustainability.
  • Result: Approval of the Operational Manual, 2026-2027 Business Plan, and 2026 Annual Plan. This provides a clear, approved strategic roadmap and operational transparency.
  • Action Details:
    • Youth-Led Growth: The attendance of 27 newly joined young people signifies successful youth mobilization and renewal, laying the foundation for a sustainable, youth-led movement.
    • Leadership Restructuring: Board members' positions were readjusted to ensure effective leadership and oversight:
      • Presidente: Marcos Pinto
      • Vise: Alda Sarmento
      • General Secretary: Harun Boavida
      • Member: Antonio BS da Silva
      • Member: Lourenca Freitas da Piedade
      • Member: Rev. Levi de Vasconcelos
      • Member: Julio Martins
      • Member: Cesaltino Pinto Soares
      • Member: Lourdes Correia da Silva Lobato
    • 2026 Program Focus Areas: The meeting established key programmatic actions for the upcoming year:
    1. Education: Formal schooling and strengthening the training center.
    2. Financial Sustainability: Developing mobile resource generation initiatives.
    3. Ecumenism: Strengthening activities with ecumenical movements.
    4. Climate Action: Developing youth-led actions responding to climate change.

2. Empowering Youth: Japanese Language Speech Contest Victory!

A proud moment on November 27, 2025, highlighted the success of the YMCA Training Center's commitment to quality education and global competence.

Component

Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions

Alignment (YMCA 2030 Vision)

Achievement

Mr. Jaozinho Porto de Barros (YMCA Training Center student) won the Champion title in the Beginner Category out of 24 student competitors.

Global Citizenship & International Exposure: This victory validates the effectiveness of the language curriculum in preparing youth for international opportunities and employment.

Action Detail

Jaozinho's success was the result of resolute, consistent coaching from his instructor and participation in extra-curricular speaking practice groups, directly translating acquired language skills into a competitive achievement.

Youth Empowerment & Education: Provides a tangible example of personal development and the value of non-formal education offered by the YMCA.


Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions:

  • Goal: Foster Global Citizenship and International Exposure, enhancing youth employability.
  • Result: A YMCA student secured the Championship against 24 competitors, validating the quality and dedication of the language training provided by the YMCA Training Center.
  • Action Details:
    • Skill Development: This victory directly highlights the effectiveness of the Japanese Language training program, providing students with valuable, globally recognized language skills.
    • International Exposure: Participation in the JICA contest builds cross-cultural competencies and connects youth to international opportunities (e.g., scholarships, work in Japan).
    • Inspiration: Jaozinho's success serves as an inspiring example of personal achievement for all students in the YMCA community.

3. December 2025 Highlight: Community Celebration: Annual Christmas Party????

The year concluded with a heart-warming celebration on December 14, 2025, at the YMCA Community Center in Terra Santa.

Component

Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions

Alignment (YMCA 2030 Vision)

Participation

A vibrant group of 93 participants (34 youths, 59 children) came together. This high attendance rate demonstrated the YMCA's success in mobilizing and engaging the local community during the festive season.

Community Cohesion & Well-being: The event provided a safe, inclusive, and joyful space that directly promotes social cohesion and spiritual well-being for vulnerable children and youth.

Action Detail

The party featured youth-led games and activities, ensuring the celebration was not just hosted for the community, but was actively organized by the youth members, strengthening their leadership and sense of ownership.

Youth Empowerment & Spiritual Development: The event functioned as a platform for youth to practice leadership skills while celebrating the spiritual values of the season.

Result-Based Analysis & Key Actions:

  • Goal: Promote Community Cohesion, Spiritual Development, and Well-being.
  • Result: A heart-warming event successfully brought together 93 members, strengthening the sense of a shared YMCA family and providing a safe, inclusive space for celebration.
  • Action Details:
    • Social Cohesion: The high participation, especially the focus on children and youth, fosters social bonds and spiritual well-being within the community, reinforcing the YMCA's role as a family-centered institution.
    • Inclusivity: Hosting the event at the Community Center reinforces commitment to local community service and accessibility.
    • Spiritual Nurturing: Concluding the year with a Christmas celebration aligns with the YMCA's core values, nurturing the faith and spiritual development of its members.

4. Looking Ahead: YMCA Youth Commitments for 2026

During the AGM, our committed young members decided to champion several ongoing and new activities in 2026, demonstrating their powerful dedication to personal and community transformation.

Focus Area

Planned Activities for 2026 (Detailed Actions)

Alignment (YMCA 2030 Vision)

Employment & Career

Job Seeker Assistance: Bi-weekly workshops providing essential support through resume review, interview simulations, and basic professional skills training to enhance youth employability in Timor-Leste.

Youth Empowerment: Direct, practical support to transition young people into the workforce.

Spiritual Development

Monthly Bible Study: Continue the monthly sessions focused on theological reflection and practical application of faith to improve daily life and strengthen ecumenical relations.

Spiritual Development & Ecumenical: Nurturing the faith and values of members, as a core mission of the YMCA.

Leadership & Global Reach

Leadership Program (July 3-9, 2025): A major collaborative event with Igreja Protestante Iha Timor Lorosa'e (IPTL) The Protestant Churches in Timor-Leste for 150-200 youth and church leaders from 14 municipalities. The program will focus on ethical leadership and community service.

Global & Local Impact: Investing in a new generation of value-driven leaders across the nation.

Global Representation

World YMCA Council: Through the support of YMCA Australia, two delegates from YMCA of Timor-Leste will participate in this global governance event, bringing local voices to the world stage and sharing best practices back home.

Global Citizenship & Movement Strengthening: Increasing international exposure and learning for greater institutional capacity.

We thank all members, staff, and volunteers for making the end of 2025 a success and look forward to the exciting plans and programs ahead in 2026!

Pictures

Wishing everyone a peaceful New Year filled with hope and opportunity!