On October 18, 2023, the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees (WFYR) held its second virtual gathering, exploring YMCA activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Approximately 50 attendees from around the globe met to learn about the region’s initiatives and catch up with friends, delve into recent meetings and projects, and hear from YMCA leaders. President Kohei Yamada, World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee, and the CEO of the Latin America and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, Antonio Rodrigo Merino, were among the featured speakers.
WFYR’s Franco Savoia and other leaders took a moment to reflect on the challenging situations in Palestine and Israel; Ukraine; and Afghanistan, which recently endured a devastating earthquake resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 lives. Said Franco, “I cannot help but think of the real pain and suffering they are experiencing, and our prayers are with them.”
Empowering communities: YMCA LAC
Antonio Rodrigo Merino provided an overview of the history of the YMCA in the region. Its first YMCA was established in Barbados in 1880, marking the beginning of remarkable growth. Over the years, the YMCA Movement expanded rapidly, and today, the Alliance supports 25 Movements in 400 communities, impacting the lives of 1.5 million people. These programmes predominantly focus on children, adolescents, and young people, many of whom reside in areas of poverty.
