YMCA's Founder's Day

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) world over observes its Founder's Day on 6th June. In 1844, life in the city of London began degrading to unprecedented low level and the youth were enmeshed in all types of vices. Sir George William the founder member organized a youth group with average age of 25, to emancipate them from this sad social situation.

Main feature: YMCA is an ecumenical international youth movement that has rendered yeoman service mainly to youth for the past 161 years. YMCAs in all the continents are strongly supported by the World Alliance of YMCAs (WAY), established in 1855 and operating from Geneva to be meaningful instruments in their respective societies.

WAY relates with World Council of Churches in Geneva and the Vatican in Rome as well. It has its YMCA affiliates in 130 countries with 12,000 member associations, and around 30 million members. In Sri Lanka there are 38 YMCAs, which have 10,000 members and 50,000 programme participants.

They have been serving the nation since 1882, with the founding of the first YMCA in Colombo. The National Council of the YMCAs (NCY) of Sri Lanka which was established in 1962 and thereafter registered under a Act, No. 7 of 1967 of Parliament of Ceylon, is coordinating the activities of the affiliates.

Mission: Commitment to its mission has led the YMCA to work with all people in the communities, irrespective of religion, race, gender or cultural background. This commitment has also led the YMCA to work for social change, addressing the root causes of issues and problems faced by the people.

In addition, it provides recreational and sports facilities, educational activities, as well as services to refugees and displaced people. Greater emphasis is given to peace reconciliation, human rights Gender concerns, empowering and rebuilding activities. Its programme focus has made it a rallying point for all people of goodwill.

Priority: YMCA Tsunami Response Committee headed by Eraj Wijesinghe, backed by the National President Ravi Algama has embarked on a massive rebuilding programme costing Rs. 400 million involving 15 affected YMCAs namely Ampara, Akkaraipattu, Battiacaloa, Dehiwala, Galle, Kalmunai, Kallar, Kaluwanchikudi, Komari, Matara, Moratuwa, Negombo, Point Pedro, Trincomalee and Valachchanai.

A comprehensive plan with midterm and long-term phases provide support towards, Educational aids/scholarships, Home recovery, Self employment seed capital, repair to partially damaged houses, reconstruction of completely damaged houses, Livelihoods, Vocational training, Counselling and Community centers. Required financial support has been pledged by the YMCAs abroad through the WAY and the Y' Care International UK and Ireland will monitor and ensure supply of funding Chrisantha Hettiaratchi, the National General Secretary will direct the implementation together with the newly appointed Programme Director, Nihal Jayatunga. Implementation is further augmented with the appointment of Base Coordinators at the site. Assistance will be made available to any victim in those mentioned areas through the YMCA with recommendation of the State authority.

Significant event of the day will be giving the first Flag to the Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga. Other YMCAs will sell the first flag to selected dignitaries in their respective areas and volunteers will solicit support towards Y services.

Founder's Day celebrations will culminate at the 40th AGM to be held at Jaffna YMCA on 19th June with the participation of 100 delegates from the 38 affiliates.

At the AGM YMCAs will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the World Alliance of the YMCAs.

A 20 member contingency will participate at the final celebrations during 19-21 August in Mumbai, India.

(The National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka)