YMCA

 YMCA is the acronym for which is known in general terms to the Young Men's Christian Association an organization that Spanish is recognized by the name of Christian Association of Young. It is a social group made up of young people of Protestant beliefs, which has a worldwide presence.

The YMCA was created on June 6, 1844 in London. Its founder, George Williams, wanted to keep young people away from gambling and drinking, as well as providing them with a space for recreation in the face of the harsh working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.

This organization is considered one of the largest and oldest NGOs in the world. It is made up of 120 autonomous national organizations throughout the planet, although with a greater presence in Anglo-Saxon countries.

There are a series of terms that we must define to talk about the YMCA, these are: solidarity , volunteerin, organization and action.

Solidarity is absolutely altruistic and consists of understanding the other's situation and being willing to collaborate with what they need. The solidarity commitment is making the decision to carry out the tasks that are necessary in order to ensure that others have a more pleasant life.

Volunteering consists of helping other people with something they need, it is an act of solidarity and altruism for which no remuneration is received in exchange. It should not be defined as a disinterested action since the one who offers help is extremely interested in meeting the needs of the other.

The organization is essential to carry out volunteering. It is not enough to commit and be willing, you have to draw up a plan, decide what to do and how, so that the results of the effort are as expected. It is necessary to plan conscientiously and join forces in order to guarantee safe and efficient help.

Action implies the implementation of all other points. It is said that volunteering is done in action and it is true, it is very important to plan and take the initiative, but it will only be known if there is a real commitment to solidarity when you take action.

The objectives that have motivated the YMCA's action for 160 years are to reduce inequality and poverty and achieve a more just world together. For this, they have dispersed the action in various corners of the world, establishing themselves in more than 120 countries to be able to work more conscientiously on what each one needs, to build improvements in the quality of life of the inhabitants of each place.

In the resolutions that they projected on the document entitled World Alliance of YMCAs held in Geneva, they expressed a high commitment to resounding changes in our societies in pursuit of a more just world and with opportunities for all. It was presented and approved at the UN as one of the projects that should be taken care of and many other NGOs have joined this initiative to achieve these ends.

Very popular sports were promoted within the YMCA , such as basketball (or basketball ), volleyball and indoor soccer . In 1946, the World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations made headlines around the world for being awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their good deeds and efforts to help war refugees.

The activity of this group is very varied and includes educational institutions, residences, youth camps and sports groups. There are even universities that were created with the support of the YMCA.

Although there is also a similar organization known as the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), both are independent and open to both sexes.

Finally, it should be remembered that the musical band Village People was a great promoter of the YMCA, dedicating a choreographed song to it that became an immediate success during the '70s and that still maintains its popularity today.