SA YMCA

Since the devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on 12 January, YMCA Haiti and its international partners have been responding to the urgent needs of affected communities and developing plans for long term rehabilitation.

Read more on ymca.int

A month ago 2 Swedish interns, Gustaf Bratt and Helena Lewandowska arrived on our shores. After a few days of orientation, co-ordinated by Thys Nell, they parted ways. Helena flew to Cape Town where she is working with the W Cape Regional Office supporting their work. Gustaf is based in Durban and spends 3 days a week supporting Naitonal Office work and 2 days a week supporting the work of the Durban Student YMCA. They are still with us another two months.

Thanks, Helena and Gustaf, for your positive contribution to the SA YMCA.

In November 09 the National Leadership Team met to discuss key issues and to continue the planning process for 2010. A first for us was inviting one of our Partners - Swedish YWCA/YMCA, represented by Helena Nystrom, into the meeting. It was an opportunity for her to experience the commitment and dedication of the Leadership Team in seeing SA YMCA grow in impact and reach.

From the 28th Sep to the 4th Oct the National General Assembly was held in Amanzimtoti. 
The National Council meetings were held in Amanzimtoti in October 2009 and were attended by representatives of all local YMCAs.  These meetings included leadership training and envisioning of national priorities. They were reported to be the best National Council meeting the SA YMCA has held in years.

Administration of the meetings was ably done by the Pietermartizburg YMCA which enabled the key staff such as a the National General secretary to focus on the task of communicating, envisioning and getting meaningful feedback from participants.

Interest groups met over two days prior to the full Council meetings in which topics of relevance were discussed. Interest groups were (1) Managers and Program staff  (2) Youth   (3) National Executive committee

For the first time in many years, the SA YMCA awarded the Order of the Red Triangle. It was awarded to Shakes Tshabalala of Soweto YMCA for his many years of faithful and steadfast service to the YMCA movement in South Africa. It was indeed a moving occasion when he was presented with the award and brought back that all important aspect of recognition of service. This is something that will be further developed during 2010