Y’s Men in the Balkans
Y’s Men Clubs are the NGOs that provide good services for communities. Originally the Clubs supported YMCA activities mostly ( Y’s Men mean the Men of YMCA). Nowadays this may be recommended but is not a rule anymore - other associations, schools, orphanages etc. benefit from this their support. Y’s Men International is a worldwide organization and the Clubs exist the countries covered by the Balkan Project.
From the point of view of the YMCA Europe Balkan Project, the most useful model of relationships has been worked out in case of Bulgaria. Initially, very good relationships were established between the YMCA and Y’s Men’s Club in Plovdiv. The latter one has mother club in Denmark, Randers Y`s Men`s Club, which is actively involved in all this cooperation. The Plovdiv YMCA, which is one of the best organized in institutional and programme terms in the Balkan Region, has benefited from this cooperation a lot: thanks to the common efforts they managed to get by premises for the office and activities and the cooperation is still developed. This model of relationships is worth promotion by all means.
Mr Arne Christensen who represents the Danish Y’s Men in Bulgaria is also a member of the Bulgarian YMCA Partner Group. Thanks to this he has the insight in all the Bulgarian YMCA’s affairs and is helpful in solving vital problems of this movement.
Founding Y’s Men Clubs in places where local YMCAs are being developed is possible in other places in Bulgaria or Romania. In February 2010, Y’s Men from Denmark provided training to the Y’s Men and YMCA leaders from Bulgaria and Romania (Constanta). The trainers were the Y’s Men from Plovdiv, who hosted the event:
Arne Christensen – Y’s Men International – Region Denmark – Coordinator BG/DK
Assen Fichev – YMCA Plovdiv – Secretary
Kjeld Kjær Madsen – Randers Y`s Men`s Club – Chairman world outlook committee
Leif Repsholt – Y’s Men International, Region Denmark – Vice-district governor
Tatyana Vancheva - Y’s Men`s Club Plovdiv President 09/10
Adam Rychlik, as YMCA Europe representative was also asked to the address to the participant.
The follow up was similar training in Constata (picture), Romania in August 2010. The next training is planned for February 2011 in Plovdiv.
Adam Rychlik - YMCA Europe Regional Secretary
Links:
Y’s Men International: http://ysmen.org/
Y’s Men Club Plovdiv: www.danube.ysmen.dk/bulgaria/



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