News 1-2011

Appeal for donations for YMCA/YWCA Japan

On March 11, a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami destroyed vast areas in Northeastern Japan. The local YMCAs in Sendai, Tochigi and Morioka as well as the YWCA of Sendai were also affected and their buildings were damaged. Nevertheless, these local YMCAs and YWCAs provide help and support for the affected population in their areas. Meanwhile, the national councils of YMCA and YWCA of Japan have appealed for donations in order to support the relief activities.

The original appeals from the national YMCA/YWCA councils and details regarding the donation account can be found here:

Donate via YMCA World Alliance

Donate via World YWCA

Destruction of olive trees in Palestine continues

On Tuesday, 22 February 2011, once more a Palestinian farmer suffered the loss of olive trees destroyed by the Israeli army. A total of 150 olive trees were cut down and uprooted on his ground in Jaba'a, near Bethlehem. Izzat Abu Latifa, who has been planting and growing olive trees with the support of his children and grandchildren for 40 years, is desperate and hopeless. Read the detailed report from the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) about this incident here.

2011: The European Year of Volunteering

The theme of the year 2011 is “volunteering”. Throughout Europe, heartfelt thanks are dedicated to the thousands of volunteers because without them many things would not be possible in our society. Sport events, such as Horyzon’s 2-hour runs, could not take place without voluntary helpers, soup kitchens would have to close their doors, associations and clubs would disappear. In Switzerland, approximately 3’000’000 people are volunteering in various forms. This accounts for 40% of the total population. On average, around 700 million hours of voluntary work are performed each year. However, a decline in voluntary work can be observed when comparing the latest figures with older ones. Therefore, several activities and campaigns will be launched in 2011 in order to encourage people to volunteer more. For this purpose, the newly launched website www.freiwilligenjahr2011.ch (in German, French and Italian) informs about and coordinates the activities and campaigns happening in Switzerland. Additionally, Swiss and European activities can be followed live on Facebook . Detailed information about European activities can be found on www.eyv2011.eu.

Horyzon says "Thank you"

Volunteers, who want to dedicate themselves in the projects of Horyzon’s partner all around the world, have been approaching Horyzon for many years. These volunteers not only make a valuable contribution to the interpersonal dialogue and international understanding, but they also are of great help with mastering the daily tasks on site. Whether as teachers, group leaders, sports coaches, administrative clerks, or as support for planting olive trees, Horyzon’s volunteers are always welcomed warmly and their work is highly appreciated in the projects. Back in Switzerland, they tell fascinating stories about their rich experiences and impressions and they facilitate the understanding of different living conditions of the millions of children and youths in the countries where the projects are located. They become intermediators between developing and developed countries, bearers of hope. They are ambassadors of a united world. Horyzon would like to thank all their volunteers warmly for their commitment, their inexhaustible dedication and for their unpayable help. Please visit our website for additional information regarding voluntary services.

Valentin, a volunteer in Colombia, tells about the fight of the youths for a nonviolent future.

During the four months in which I was working for the projects of YMCA Colombia, I was able to gain a broad insight into the rich culture, the everyday life, and the problems of a deeply riven society. The everyday life in the country of coffee, salsa dance, and the richest biodiversity of the world is heavily affected by poverty, social inequality, and by the armed conflict lasting for already 50 years. With the aid and support of the YMCA, the youths in Colombia have the opportunity to find alternatives to the violence and to develop and pursue new perspectives, visions, and ideals. After some months working in the projects, I can assess better how far-reaching the positive changes are that are triggered by the YMCA projects. The effects of the YMCA projects reach far beyond the direct beneficiaries. The impacts reach a remarkable part of the society through the participating children and youths, their families, the voluntary employees, and through the dense institutional network of the YMCA. What impresses me most is the inexhaustible energy of the YMCA employees. Day after day, they bring Colombia closer towards the long-desired peace. My voluntary service was an amazing and intensive experience. I can strongly recommend a voluntary service within the YMCA Colombia to anyone who would like to learn what building peace means.