To
best understand the following concept it is imperative to have a
though understanding of the YMCAs MV with the Colombia context.
a.
Mission
The
starting and ending point of the reasons why the YMCA exists, is
TO SPREAD GOD'S KINGDOM 4
in order to build a community which can experience love, justice,
peace and reconciliation to get to life's plenitude in harmony with
all the creation. To do so, every member of the YMCA must face some
challenges that will be prioritised according to the context.5
b.
Vision
Every
person involved in any YMCA activity or role must understand, assume
and experience the principles in the institutional mission, reflecting
them in a personal, group and community level. These principles
must be expressed by assuming concepts and attitudes and putting
them into a individual and collective life project as it is shown
in the "Development Pyramid"6
c.
Principles
The
YMCA supports its principles and policies on THE TOSANZO STATEMENT,
in the following terms:
The
YMCA is a Christian organization, ecumenical (no confessional).
The
YMCA is a voluntary, independent, and autonomous organization.
The
YMCA is a juvenile movement but it involves people of all ages.
The
YMCA is an international organization.
The
YMCA is a partners organization with open participation.
The
YMCA is a fraternity and it works for the benefit of people from
different race, credo and social condition with no discrimination.
The
YMCA is not affiliated to any church, ideological belief or political
party.
The
YMCA educates people to be responsible leaders, but it doesn't
involve any political belief.
The
YMCA has a diverse program which fulfills the locals needs.
4.
Kingdom is understood as the space where God reigns, according to
Walter Kasper in "Jesus is Christ" pages 87-107 . de. "SIGUEME"
Salamanca 1992.
6.
Instrument used with the people involved in the formative processes
to show their degree of internalization and appropriation of the values,
principles and objectives of the mission and objectives of the mission
of the YMCA.
d.
Values
The
YMCA has been inspired by Christian Values and the Universal Human
Rights Declaration, to adopt the next values as a platform to work
on:
These
values also include acceptance, respect for what is different and
commitment to the Universal Human Rights Declaration.
e.
Objectives
The
YMCA has adopted the next objectives: at an individual level
In
the individual level
To
promote integral development by discovering skills and talents to:
Increase
the (self-acceptance), self-esteem, the self-confidence and self-respect.
Understand
and experience Jesus teachings.
Adopt
responsible attitudes and behaviors with respect to the family,
community and society.
Appreciate
and take care of the physical and mental health.
Develop
social, ecological, and political conscience at a local, national
and international level.
Develop
leadership skills.
In
the Collective level
Challenge
XXI
Sharing
the good news of Jesus Christ and striving for spiritual, intellectual
and physical well-being of individuals and whole of communities
Empowering
all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities
and assume leadership at all levels and work towards an equitable
community
Advocating
for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights
of children
Promoting
dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and
ideologies and confirming the cultural identities of people and
promoting cultural renewal
Committing
to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people
and oppressed racial and ethnic minorities
Seeking
to be mediators and reconcilers in situations of conflict and
working for meaningful participation and advancement of people
for their own self-determination
Defending
God's creation against all that destroys it and preserving and
protecting the earth's resources for coming generations
Physical
and intellectual improvement of the person and the integrity of
our communities.
f.
Target population
The
YMCA of Bogotá works with people of all social classes and
of all ages and conditions, making special emphasis in working with
the most vulnerable poblation and young people, ages 11 to 14 with
a leathership context.
g.
Programmes
In
order to fulfill the needs and characteristics of every kind of
population and to achieve its mission, the YMCA offers the following
programs:
HOME
ABANDONMENT PREVENTION PROGRAM
ASSISTANCE
AND PROTECTION CENTRES FOR CHILDRENS
KINDERGARDENS
AND PRE-SCHOOLS
YOUTH
AND EXPANSION
VOLUNTEER
PROGRAM
CULTURAL
PROGRAMS
INTERNATIONAL
PROGRAMS
GEORGE
WILLIAMS SCHOOL PRIMARY
The
articulation between the different programs facilitates the access
to people, groups and communities in their different contexts, to
the services, as it can be seen in the next chart: CLICK
