Changing Lives : Changing Communities

The  YMCA YWCA World Week of Prayer 2006 was celebrated during the month of November throughout the local YMCAs and YWCAs in Bangladesh. The World movement of the YMCA and YMCA had set the theme of the prayer meeting “Changing Lives: Changing Communities” for this year.

In Dhaka the YMCAs and the YWCAs jointly held a prayer meeting on Saturday, November 18, 2006 at Dhaka YMCA Recreation Center. Members from both the organizations attend the prayer meeting.

Marcel A. Gomes, President of Dhaka YMCA and the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh, welcomed all at the prayer meeting

Dr. Haimanti Corraya Mou, Vice President of YWCA of Dhaka  welcoming the members

Joyce M. Das the National General Secretary of the YWCA of Bangladesh lead the inaugural prayer.  She especially prayed for the country, as we are passing our days in political uncertainty. She prayed that God the Almighty give the necessary providence to the political leaders of the country, so that peace and harmony prevails in our  country. 

Duncan Chowdhury, National General Secretary of the YMCA, reading from Luke Chapter 4: 14-19, about Christ’s preaching in the Synagogue,  underscored the need of the YMCAs and YWCAs to take the preferential option of the poor, marginalized as Christ did so. To take side for the poor instead of doing only charity for them is to empower them so that they can enjoy the abundance of life. In doing so, it will be possible for us to celebrate the Lord's Year of Jubilee in a meaningful way in the days to come.

Dr. James T. Das, Professor of Institute of Business Administration of Dhaka University spoke on the occasion. He shared his personal experience in changing oneself as well as the community. He emphasized the transformation of the inner-self first in order to change the society. “We must look into our own weaknesses, try to overcome those in order to transform the community” he said. 

Rina Das, President of the National Council of YWCA of Bangladesh, offered a vote of thanks to all those who were present.

Tarsicius Palma, General Secretary of Dhaka YMCA was the M.C. of the occasion and the youth members of Dhaka YMCA participated in the choir.

The prayer meeting ended with a concluding prayer lead by Barnabas Binod Biswas, the Vice President of Dhaka YMCA.

Photo credit : Tarsicius Palma