YMCA International
The YMCA of Yarmouth is part of the World Alliance of YMCA’s and all levels and ages of staff and volunteers participate in international activities in a large variety of ways. Because Canada is part of the developed world and well off compared to many other countries that are part of this Alliance, we often provide support both financial and personnel to the less wealthy. The unique beauty of working internationally with the YMCA is that we have people running active Y’s in a large number of countries and their contribution to society can be increased immediately when support is provided. For example, during the recovery from the Tsunami in Asia, money sent to the Sri Lankan YMCA, was parcelled out to Y’s that were not destroyed, and staff and volunteers immediately went into the damaged areas and provided needed assistance. We did not have to wait for travel plans to be made, planes booked and people to move from one country to another. We already had Y people there.
The YMCA of Yarmouth has been involved in a number of international projects, always in association with other YMCA’s. Most recently the YMCA of Yarmouth, along with 12 other YMCAs and YM-YWCAs of the four Atlantic Provinces, will be developing a major, multi-year relationship with the YMCA in Honduras. With assistance from CIDA, (Canada International Development Agency) the combined contributions from all the Y’s will support a major project in this Central American country. Unlike North American YMCA’s that focus on gym and swim and related activities, YMCA’s in Central America focus on human rights issues, citizenship and leadership development. A lot of the rights and privileges that we take for granted are still being worked on. The agreement with Honduras was signed in November of 2007 and will become active during 2008 and run for a minimum of 3 years.
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