Young Women's Christian Assocation (YWCA)

YWCA Penang (12 August 2016)


Young Women's Christian Assoication (YWCA) is an organization founded by Christian women for women and girls from the age of 12 years onwards sharing and working together irrespective of race and creed, with people of all faiths and none. In Penang it is located at Jalan Masjid Negeri (behind the state mosque).

YWCA was founded on the basis of Christian values and its avowed purpose is to declare its message through all its activities. It is a membership organization. Each and every one of the members is responsible for the YWCA - what it does and may become. The members cooperate and share responsibilities of different backgrounds, thus making the YWCA a democratic organization.

The YWCA is an inter-denominational movement and includes women and girls from all sections. In its membership, it has been from the beginning trying to meet the needs of its members of different races and religions through various kinds of service - Hostels, Clubs, classes and activities. One of the most distinctive elements is and continues to be, prayer, service, faith and action. Penang had the distinction of being the first town in the then States and Straits Settlement of Peninsula Malaya, to be chosen for a YWCA. In 1909, Miss Fairburn, a British missionary, threw open the doors of her home in Dato Keramat Road to the needs of young women. She acted as President, Secretary and Treasurer. They started as a weekly Bible reading and prayer group, which grew and expanded its activities.

Young Women's Christian Organisation, Penang
© YWCA

Young Women's Christian Organisation, Penang
© YWCA

Young Women's Christian Organisation, Penang
© YWCA

From 1941 until 1946, all the Y records and minute books were lost, due to the war. Information about the YWCA history from 1909-1941 were gathered from the old members of the Y in 1946 by Miss Ivy Sabapathy and read out to the members at the YWCA meeting held at 5.00pm 13th September 1952.

In 1958 YWCA Penang moved to its present location at Jalan Mesjid Negeri (behind the state mosque). YWCA Penang runs a kindergarten and has meeting room, hall and accommodation rooms for rent. Then and now, there will also be activities like cooking class, floral arrangement class, computer class and zumba class.

YWCA on Google Street View

Address

YWCA Penang
8A Jalan Mesjid Negeri
11600 Penang
Phone: 04 828 1855/828 0741

The hall at YWCA Penang
© YWCA

The meeting room at YWCA Penang
© YWCA

The YWCA kindergarten
© YWCA

Lodging is available at the YWCA
© YWCA

YWCA is on the map of Green Lane