Aranchi Raala

The YMCA

Today is June 6th—a day of great historical significance for anyone interested in youth work.

Exactly 181 years ago, on June 6, 1844, during the Industrial Revolution in England, a young man named George Williams, who had moved to London to work as a tailor, founded the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) along with 11 others in a small room in London.

Historical records show that all of them were young Christian men who studied the Bible together to seek the spiritual, mental, and physical guidance needed to establish such an organization. However, what is even more important than the event itself is understanding what motivated George Williams to create a youth-focused organization.

During the Industrial Revolution, a large number of young people from rural areas migrated to London to work in factories. At the same time, hostels were built across the city to accommodate these workers. Alongside these developments, pubs and clubs began to appear in large numbers. Many young workers, after finishing their shifts and returning to their hostels in the evening, found themselves with little to do and were drawn into the activities of these clubs and pubs. As a result, there was a rise in anti-social behavior across London.

Seeing this, George Williams realized there was a need to provide alternative, positive activities to steer young people away from these vices. He gathered a small group of like-minded individuals and formed the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). In its early days, the YMCA focused on Bible study, but it soon expanded its activities to include indoor games and recreational activities.

One of these early games involved throwing a ball through an iron hoop fixed to a wall in a small room—a game that would later evolve into what we now know as basketball. Another game, which involved dividing into two teams and passing a ball over a net without letting it touch the ground, became the sport of volleyball. The YMCA is therefore credited with introducing both basketball and volleyball to the world.

If one were to write in detail about the origins, development, and current status of the YMCA, it would fill an entire book. What began as a Bible study group focused on spiritual growth has now expanded globally, adapting to the needs and realities of various countries.

The YMCA has made a special contribution to the development of children and youth. It has also extended its services to those affected by war and conflict. Moreover, the YMCA has initiated deep discussions on the root causes of war and has significantly contributed to peace-building efforts around the world.

In Sri Lanka, the YMCA established a special department for peace-building in 1983 and has carried out many initiatives through it. Today, the YMCA operates in over 120 countries worldwide. As a global alliance, it supports and coordinates the work of YMCAs across different regions. The World Alliance of YMCAs is headquartered in Geneva, while the Asia-Pacific Alliance is currently based in South Korea.

The YMCA also plays a vital role in promoting international cooperation by conducting various youth exchange programmes.

In Sri Lanka, the YMCA has made a significant impact in the field of sports. At one point, it trained nearly 400 sports instructors. A notable milestone in this effort was a large-scale training program held in 1972 at the Welimada YMCA Camp and Conference Center, where the Chief Guest was the then Prime Minister, Hon. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

The first YMCA in Sri Lanka was established in Colombo in June 1888. Since then, 38 local YMCAs have been founded across the country, including in Jaffna, Navaly, Point Pedro, Batticaloa, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Mannar, Negombo, Rambukkana, Kalmunai, Ampara, Kallar, Pamunugama, and many other areas. These local YMCAs are coordinated by the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka, national secretariat  at St. Michael’s Road, Colombo 3.

Mr.Richard Janz serves as the President of the council, and the General Secretary is Niranga Fernando.

We believe that if any organization is seeking inspiration for youth development in Sri Lanka, the YMCA stands as a model worth emulating.

— News Guy

Editor: Aruna Shantha Nonis