YMCA International Department
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Welcome to the Blog! We are hoping this will be a resource and space of interest on Global Issues and the Local Awareness & Education events. Please keep checking back to stay up to date and we'll do our best to keep it interesting! If you would like to signup to receive our updates in an email, please contact the International Programs Specialist.
Peace Week A Success!
November 2011
Congratulations and thanks to our youth artists for creating a magnificent art exhibit and to all of our nominees & our 3 recipients. Thanks Cambridge & KW for helping us recognize those in our community who inspire us all in peace!
Music Around the World!
Summer 2011
This summer, the YMCAs International Department was busy with Camp Presentations around Cambridge & KW! The instruments were a big hit—as you can see with a participant from African Cultural Safari Camp (hosted by Jacqui Terry). We explored instruments from around the world & everyone got an opportunity to try their hand at being a musician! Here, a girl is playing one of our hand drums from Zimbabwe.
Drought in Eastern Africa
Only July 22, CIDA announced that it will increase financial support to East Africa and create the East Africa Drought Relief Fund, where CIDA will match every dollar that and individual Canadian donates to a qualified charity between July 6 and September 16, 2011.
Charities accepting donations include: Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF. The following link provides a more detailed list the CBC has put together of organizations that are collecting donations.
International Exchange
April/May 2011
During the month of April, a staff from our YMCA had the opportunity to see and engage with the programming done by our Zambian partners. She was given the opportunity to spend time with youth from the program we are partnered with, as well as visit the other programs offered by the YMCA of Zambia.
For the month of May, a youth leader from Ndola, Shuko, came to visit our YMCAs. The visit was to understand more of Canadian culture, the programs of our YMCAs and to strengthen our growing relationships across the YMCA. Shuko says he is leaving with a mind full of possibilities and excitement about the YMCA as a large and involved movement. In both of our YMCAs we share the desire to engage in meaningful ways with our communities and help to build strong youth!
Shift Outlook 2011
March 5th, 2011
About 40 youth gathered this past Saturday from YMCAs across Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Burlington and Flamborough to learn together about culture and to learn more about stopping racism. We played "Bafa Bafa" and got a better understanding of how racism gets started. We heard from our guest speaker about culture and how we can speak up! Everyone is excited for the next time we can meet, learn and get excited to bring it back!
World Aids Day
December 1, 2010
On November 29th we shared information about our partnership with Zambia through a coffee night at the Little Bean Coffee Bar. A special thank-you to our musicians who generously donated their time and all who came out. On December 1st we joined with ACCKWA at St. Mark's Lutheran Church for a candlelight vigil to remember those who are living with, or have passed from HIV/AIDS. We are very grateful for our partners overseas and our local partners who are working to educate youth about HIV/AIDS.
