Mukti Acharya

The Young men Christian Association is a world wide Christian ecumenical, Voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on and the genuine involvement of young people, which seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. The YMCA is present in 126 countries around the world and over 60 million members. YMCA is movement, which strives to meet the challenges and needs of young people in their own cultural contexts and aims at equitable, sustainable and amicable development of individuals and communities. Since its foundation in 1844 by Sir George Williams in London, YMCA has maintained a Christian central purpose. It welcomes into fellowships of those of all faiths, creeds and religions and those of none. YMCA is founded on Christ's ideal of sacrificial love. Its activities are promoted by concern of others.

Glance into YMCA history

J. Nasmith invented basketball in 1891 at Springfield YMCA college, USA

A YMCA member G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1896.

The founder of Red Cross Society Henry Duna was once the National General Secretary of Swiss YMCA.

The YMCA was the first to organize Night School for workingmen.

The YMCA is the pioneer all camping Trekking and Youth Programs.

In Nepal, YMCA was established from the grass-root level in 1990 under the leadership and the hard work of Mr. Mukti Nath Acharya. His Majesty's Government of Nepal registered it in 1997. It aims to reach out the youth of 75 districts in Nepal irrespective of their religious belief, sex caste, language and culture to mobilize their efforts for the constructive work of society. It is a volunteer, ecumenical membership based Christian layman organization. So far, it has been extended in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Kavre, Birgunj, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Dolakha, Dhading, Dang, Hetauda and Sarlahi Districts. Student YMCA is one of the Sister organizations of Nepal YMCA.

Mission of Nepal YMCA

Nepal Young Men Christian Association is an ecumenical membership based indigenous volunteer organization dedicated to the spiritual, Physical, mental and social development of individual and the community working for justice, peace and development.

Objectives

- Providing opportunities to youth for their physical, social cultural and economic well being.

- Ecumenical efforts for justice and peace. Building public awareness about the people's related issues.

- To protect the Himalayas from environmental degradations and preserve its bio-diversity.

- Educational and training programs for disadvantaged children and women.

- Youth/women leadership development training activities.

- Empowering marginalized people and caring for the broken communities.

- To be a watchdog on issues of human rights violation.

- To act as a peacemaker between different religions, races, languages and cultures.

- Providing necessary training and skill development for jobless people.

- Educating the youth against exploitation corruption and the caste system which is still present in our country.

Nepal YMCA has 1500 members throughout the country and 13 local Associations. The National Council is constituted by the local YMCAs which is the highest decision-making body.

Programs and Activities

Nepal YMCA has established a youth center to develop youth leadership and has mobilized their efforts for the constructive work of the country. YMCA hostel is located in Kumaripati, Patan.

Nepal YMCA has established community development center to train and empower marginalized people.

Nepal YMCA is fighting against the social evils and hazards such as girl trafficking, caste system and trying to bring equity in the society.

Income generation programs such as goat rearing, poultry farming, vegetable farming. Candle making, chalk making and producing other handicrafts are going on in order help poor people.

Nepal YMCA has imparted the new vision for 21st century to confront of the great Himalayas environment degradation. Since its establishment Nepal YMCA has been actively engaging in afforestation program, to make community forest, biogas plant (Gobargas) and solar energy programs in rural areas. It has also been preserving endangered animal and plant species. Nepal YMCA has been planting 5000 trees in many parts of the country every year.

Nepal YMCA is doing advocacy work against girl trafficking problems in Nepal and has provided scholarship for orphans, disabled and street children for schooling.

Mass literacy campaigns have been launched in remote villages where Nepal YMCA is uplifting the lives of Dalits and poor villagers.

Nepal YMCA has established vocational training centers in Lalitpur, Hetauda and Kathmandu to conduct courses such as tailoring, computer training, English Language program, haircutting, beauticiain, candle making and soap making trainings etc.

Nepal YMCA has been trying to mobilize young people for peace and development as well as encouraging their creative work in the community and doing advocacy work for their welfare.

Educational, environmental and cultural study tour programs have been organized in order to expose the biodiversity of the country and has promoted cultural exchange between Nepal and other countries. YMCA Nepal has counducted study tour programs for school and campus students in different places of the country.

School programs have been organized where students and teachers are given lectures about HIV/AIDS or reproductive health awarness classes and other related topics such as drug abuse, girls trafficking issues etc.

Membership

Membership can be obtained through authorized persons of the local YMCA and one can become a part of the international Community. Members will be welcome by the Associations generally throughout the world. There are two kinds of memberships, Full members and Associate members. The YMCA membership card will be honored in any of the 123 countries where YMCA is officially established.

Nepal YMCA is sole authorized organization for any affairs/activities related to the YMCA works in Nepal.

For Further Information please contact:

National Council of Nepal YMCA

Ward No. 19, Kumaripati, Patan

G.P.O. Box:-4349,

Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone No. : 00977-1-5536897

Fax No. 00977-1-5573486

E-mail : ymcanepal@wlink.com.np