Y.M.C.A. IN EGYPT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1941, Page 2

Y.M.C.A. IN EGYPT

EXTENSION OF SERVICES • SMALL CANTEENS ESTABLISHED IN DESERT. ; PRESENTATION OF TALKING FILMS. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) A DESERT CAMP, October 24. Whenever New Zealand troops move, units of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. move with them. Wife so many of our troops now in the desert the Y.M.C.A. has extended its operations from the base camps to the desert and is rendering a fine service in tending to the wants of the soldiers who are scattered over an extensive area. The chief activities of the Y.M.C.A. in the desert at the moment are the establishment of small canteens in localities which will serve as many units as possible, provision of free hot drinks, the showing of talking films, and regular shopping excursions to Alexandria where an endeavour is made to satisfy the wants of thousands of soldiers. There are now seven Y.M.C.A. canteens with the troops in the desert and they are intended merely to supplement any existing services which may not be adequate. The canteens have been established in an area where there are no retail N.A.A.F.I. stores. While most units or sub-units have their own canteens they carry very light stocks. These Y.M.C.A. canteens have proved most helpful and purchases from toilet articles to tinned fruits and soups may be made. They are usually found near a main road and as a result are now familiar rest-ing-houses for troops from other colonial or from English units. The New Zealand Y.M.C.A. is at least one place in the desert “where the billy boils all the time,” and the free hot drinks are most acceptable in the cooler weather that is now being experienced. OPEN-AIR ENTERTAINMENT. The presentation of talking films to the troops is a service that has been enthusiastically received everywhere. The Y.M.C.A. now has two mobile cinema units travelling all the time showing films in different centres each night. In a foreword to each programme it is explained that the equipment has been made available through National Patriotic Funds. Suitable sheltered localities are selected as outdoor theatres and each programme is shown to a large audience comprising al! ranks. The predominance of great-1 coats indicates, the extent to which the temperature has cooled off during the past month. One of the greatest hardships suffered in the desert is the isolation from shopping centres, which deprives the soldier of the opportunity of making an occasional purchase of an article not usually procurable in canteens. It may even be a present he wishes to buy. Many of the troops now entrust such missions to Y.M.C.A. officers and when one of these officers makes a purchasing trip to Alexandria he is armed with sheaves of shopping lists. No request is declined and all reasonable efforts are made to make the purchase. Sometimes such a shopping expedition lasts for two days with little time allowed for meals and purchases vary from fountain pens and thermos flasks for own use, to silk stockings and a variety of other popular articles chosen for sending home as presents. MANY USEFUL SERVICES. Many other useful services are performed such as the distribution of writing paper and envelopes and free reading material. There is no stipulation that the reading matter be returned. as long as it is kept circulating. Visits are also made to the hospitals, although the rate of sickness is not very high in the desert at the moment. The canteen tents are used for church services on Sundays and any denomination may use the tent. Frequently as one congregation files' out from a song ( service another may be ready to file L in to attend Mass. ( The staff is only a small one and all these services performed by the ’ Y.M.C.A. involve long hours of work > for the officers concerned. They do j not complain about that, but are pleased to know they are doing something > that is appreciated. They are on splenr did terms with all ranks of all units, > which is only natural, as they have done much to make life in the desert bearable.