YMCA Research

Name of location: YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association)

Exact Location: 1 Orchard Road  

                            Singapore 238824

History of Location:

In 1900, many officials and missionaries sent the English National Council an appeal to set up the YMCA in Singapore. G.W.Lovell, a businessman, wrote a letter to the National Council in 1901 to set up the YMCA in Singapore as well. This was because he wanted the British youth in Singapore to get to not be tempted to be engaged in gambling and other vices. Robert Pringle, who was one of the important people who started the YMCA in Bombay,India and Colombo,Sri Lanka, was later sent to Singapore. With his knowledge, the YMCA was founded at No.1 & 2 Armenian Street in 1902.

YMCA reached out to the youth in Singapore and also promoted volunteerism and community work through camps and various programmes to help those who were less fortunate in Singapore.

In 1904, YMCA was relocated to another building in Armenian Street,known as the Zetland House which was the former American Embassy. After several years passed, further expansion was needed for the building. The government had granted the YMCA a 999-year lease for an Orchard Road site in the Dhoby Ghaut area and two years later, the YMCA officially moved to the Orchard Road premises.

From 1942 – 1945, during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, the YMCA building was seized and turned into the place where there was interrogation and torture headquarters of the Japanese Kempeitai (Secret Military Police). The Japanese tortured the people using electric shock, water torture and other cruel methods. In this period of time, the YMCA building brought fear to people due to wartime activities.

After the war, the British wanted to demolish the YMCA building and open it as a memorial to those who suffered under the Japanese. However, it was used as a Forces Centre for a Salvation Army Services Welfare team from India. After much discussion, YMCA reclaimed the building and later resumed operations at the Orchard Road building in 1946. In 1979, the nine-storey YMCA building was constructed. On the 24^th of November 1984, the YMCA building at 1 Orchard Road was reopened and is the acting headquarters of YMCA.

Today, YMCA has established itself as a charity and through various activities, volunteers reach out to the less fortunate and needy in Singapore. YMCA also organizes international exchange programmes which allow students to make a difference to the lives of the less fortunate overseas.

Why was it chosen

The YMCA building in SIngapore, needed further expansion as they were being recognised in the society more. The previous location where the building was did not have enough land space to do so. Furthermore, it would be easier for people to navigate their way here since it was Orchard and they can use the many sign boards that tell tourists the place they are at. Furthermore, since there were a lot of Christians in Singapore and all should be helped. They have chosen Orchard as it is a central location for people from north, south, east and west, making it easy for the people to travel.

 Credits:

http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/beautiful-buildings-and-a-tale-of-buried-treasure-under-a-bridge-memories-of-stamford-road/