Fwd: Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (UK) Newsletter - May 2005

[Guest guest]

Authentication-Results: mta153.mail.re2. from=ssehv.org.uk; domainkeys=neutral (no sig)

Tue, 24 May 2005 17:50:47 -0400

Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (UK) Newsletter - May 2005

"Ravi Narasimhan" ravi_narasimhan_in

"ssehv-newsletter" feedback

 

Sathya

Sai Education in Human Values (UK)

NEWSLETTER - May 2005

A monthly e-zine of the British Institute of Sathya Sai Education

www.ssehv.org.uk

Dear Readers

Welcome to the May 2005 issue of the email newsletter.

This month:

Inauguration of The African Institute of Sathya Sai Education

- TAISSE twins with BISSE -

 

Love, Life & Freedom - Youth Empowerment in Oldham

View from the Entertainment World

Training Update

Calendar of Values Alive Events

Story: The Orchid and the Roses by Leslie Ann Hayashi

Please don't forget the SSEHV National Day on Saturday September 17th. To

reserve your place, please contact Pamela Nash (+44 (0) 1784 244494). More

information about the event is available at www.ssehv.org.uk.

If you have any feedback about this newsletter, or if you'd like to share your

experiences of SSEHV, please write to us.

Kind Regards,

The Newsletter Team

Un information

Inauguration of The African Institute of Sathya Sai Education (TAISSE)

- TAISSE Twins with BISSE

On

30th April, SSEHV practitioners and guests from across the globe gathered

in Ndola, Zambia, to attend the official inauguration of the African Institute

of Sathya Sai Education (TAISSE).

The

guests of honour at this joyful event were the Hon. S. Chilufya Kazenene,

Copperbelt Provincial Minister and His Worship, the Mayor of the City

of Ndola, Cllr Chanda Mushota.

The Sathya Sai Girls' School choir greets the overseas delegates with music

On

the eve of the inauguration ceremony, the first batch of graduates from

TAISSE were presented with their diplomas and certificates amidst music,

applause and celebratory dancing.

The

Inauguration day itself began with a march by the children from the Sathya

Sai Boys' and Girls' Schools around the local village, headed by the Kamfinsa

Police Brass Band, which was greatly appreciated by the villagers. While

the children enjoyed a well-earned ice cream after their two-mile march,

hampers were distributed to local needy elderly people and orphans. There

then followed the cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of a plaque

by the Honourable Minister to officially open the beautiful new Institute

campus. In keeping with the devout Christian beliefs of the Zambian people,

prayers were said by Rev Kabonde, and the event was punctuated and further

uplifted by powerful spiritual songs from the UCCZ Chifubu Church Choir.

The 600-strong march through the village begins in the Boys' school grounds

TAISSE is housed in a beautiful single story building surrounded by mango trees

Addresses

included those made by the Honourable Minister and both Victor and Genevieve

Kanu. Victor spoke about the UN-HABITAT's Sanitation, Hygiene and Water

for African Cities programme which is using SSEHV as part of its concerted

programme to alleviate water shortages throughout the continent. SSEHV

has also now been adopted for UN-HABITAT's Water for Asian Cities programme.

Victor announced the drilling of four water holes in different locations

across Zambia to provide clean drinking water to areas that are currently

deprived of it. He also told the assembled delegates, parents and local

dignitaries that the International Selection Committee of Business Directions

(BID), made up of a group of companies and prestigious professionals,

has decided to present the World Quality Commitment International Star

Award in the Gold Category 2005 to Sathya Sai School, Ndola, Zambia for

achievement leadership, quality, innovation and excellence in education

and training. Both these declarations were greeted with rapturous applause.

He went on to declare that TAISSE is twinning with its UK equivalent,

the British Institute of Sathya Sai Education (BISSE). BISSE and TAISSE

will collaborate closely on the UN-HABITAT programme, share training and

teaching materials and produce joint publications.

Gifts

were presented to the overseas delegates who had come from countries including

USA, Australia, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the UK.

In the evening a cultural programme was held which included African traditional

dance, Indian traditional dance, songs and video. The Mayor spoke very

warmly of his extended connection with the Sathya Sai Schools and Victor

and Genevieve Kanu's long, dedicated and determined work to build a school

for boys, a school for girls, and now also an educational institute on

a place that just 12 years ago was barren and dangerous bush-land.

View of the Girls' School campus

These

occasions were suffused with love, happiness and gratitude and were immensely

inspiring for all those who attended.

Top

Love,

Life and Freedom - Youth Empowerment in Oldham

A

nine-week youth project in Oldham took place from February to April with

the aim of generating unity and bringing communities closer together.

Seven young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds joined the project

which was a partnership between Oldham Council for Voluntary Youth Services,

Peaceful Solutions (a charity that works to bring SSEHV to people in Burnley

and Oldham) and a local youth club.

The youth decided on the first week that they wanted this to be an anti-racism

project and came up with the idea of calling it 'Love, Life and Freedom.'

They chose this theme after a discussion about looking at the opposites

of the problems they face in Oldham in order to focus on the positive

factors in their lives.

Originally, it was intended that the participants would create a banner

to express the theme. However, on consultation with the young people it

was decided instead to make a rap about 'Love, life and freedom' as this

was more suited to their interests.

Creating a rap about 'Love, Life and Freedom'

(Apologies for the poor image quality - original photo)

"The

project addressed low self-esteem by looking at the creative ability of

each individual," says Barbara Edmondson, one of the Peaceful Solutions

volunteers. "For example, those who couldn't rap designed the CD

cover or helped with the initial philosophy of the rap and the lyrics.

We constantly encouraged and supported the young people in their work

even when they felt their skills where not adequate. We didn't focus on

racism but instead put our energy into looking at the opposite of racism

and how to achieve this. Bullying was actively discouraged. Although initially

a problem, as the group evolved, the young people started to respect each

other more. This was especially noted when comparing the changes in behaviour

week by week."

The young people created the project and it was delivered in a way that

they decided would be the most relevant and creative for their own interests.

A DJ from Manchester was brought in to help develop the rap, which delighted

the group, who thrived in his presence. This also appealed to young people

who where not part of the group, and the organisers were repeatedly asked

when they would be running this project again.

A DJ teaches the young people rapping skills

(Apologies for the poor image quality - original photo)

The

project did encounter numerous difficulties due in part to the environment

in which it was operating. There was often violence outside the centre,

loud music, computer games and other young people disturbing the group

from different rooms in the youth centre. Despite these challenges, the

Peaceful Solutions team was pleased with the outcome.

Barbara concludes, "This was a successful project as we managed to

engage challenging young people in themes that to them seemed alien and

difficult to grasp initially. The greatest difficulties were young people

who displayed signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and

who came to the project with food that added to this behaviour. Midway

through the project we introduced healthy eating and drinking throughout

the sessions. This seemed to aid their behaviour and communication skills.

The healthy-eating, combined with their deepening understanding of and

compliance with the reflection exercises we introduced to them, caused

them to become gradually calmer and easier to work with. We saw huge changes

in the behaviour and outlook of the young people who stayed right through

to the end of the project. They became more relaxed, happier, less agitated

and more respectful of themselves and others."

Top

View

from the Entertainment World

by Conchita del Campo

I

teach at a large theatre school in Central London and over the years my

colleague, Jane Atkinson, has always impressed me with her efforts to

raise the pupils' awareness of ethics and right conduct. A few years ago

she participated in the Sathya Sai EHV course in Pinner and used some

of the modules as lesson plans for her classes. She was very enthusiastic

and has encouraged me to do the course for my self-development and to

hopefully integrate it in my field of work.

Jane's

drama productions at the college have really inspired and motivated the

students to focus and develop their human values. Giving them the necessary

strength of character and resilience required to succeed and even survive

in their chosen professions. These tools are invaluable because these

students are also constantly subjected to influences that are denigrating

and abusive.

Personally

I feel the entertainment business has a big influence on society and needs

a boost of good moral conduct and especially of non-violence. I wish the

Sathya Sai EHV programme could be integrated into everyone's education,

as it has provided me with the knowledge necessary for putting spiritual

theories into practice.

I

have been very positively impressed by the presentation and format of

the Sathya Sai EHV course. The teaching materials available in the form

of manuals, posters and CDs of songs are excellent and the supervision

and support system aids confidence and inspires the teacher into activity.

Top

Training

Update

Here

is the feedback from one participant at a recent SSEHV Parenting Workshop:

"I

thought the Course was excellent. I would recommend it to others. It raises

awareness of oneself and our relationship with others, especially children.

It gives ways of being which can be applied in any situation and a way

of learning from experience."

All

SSEHV courses are free to attend, although a refundable photocopying deposit

of £10 may be required at registration. Details of all our training

courses, together with contact information and dates can be found on our

website at www.ssehv.org.uk,

in the Training section.

Forthcoming

SSEHV courses are:

SSEHV

Foundation Course, Croydon, Surrey

28th May - Module 2

4th June - Module 3

11th June - Module 4

18th June - Module 5

25th June - Module 6

2nd July - Module 7 (optional)

Sessions run from 9am-4pm (apart from Session 1 which is from 8am-3pm).

For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Bina

Valsan (0208 688 4598)

SSEHV

Parenting Workshop, Pinner, Middlesex

26th May - Session 1

2nd June - Session 2

9th June - Session 3

16th June - Session 4

23rd June - Session 5

30th June - Session 6

7th July - Session 7

Sessions run from 6.45pm - 9.45pm on Thursday evenings

For

more information or to reserve a place, please contact Pamela

Nash (01784 244494)

SSEHV

Intenstive Parenting Workshop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

24th-28th July 2005

For further information

or to reserve a place, please contact Margaret Harris (01743 873650)

SSEHV

Intensive Foundation Course, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

7th-12th August 2005

For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Margaret

Harris (01743 873650)

SSEHV

Intensive Foundation Course, Pinner, Middlesex

Saturday 6th August 2005 - Module 1

7th August - Module 2

8th August - Module 3

9th August - Module 4

10th August - Module 5

11th August - Modlue 6

13th or 14th Aug - Module 7 (optional)

For more information or to reserve a place, please

contact Pamela

Nash (01784 244494)

If

there is no course scheduled in your area but you would like there to

be one, we can arrange one as long as there are a minimum of ten people

who would like to attend. Please contact Pamela

Nash for more information.

Top

Calendar

of Values Alive Events

The

following Values Alive Events are currently recruiting volunteers:

28th-31st

May - Four day Values Alive Event, Milton Keynes

Contact: Nirasha Ramlugan

31st

May-3rd June - Four day Values Alive Event, Broadstairs, Kent

Contact: Selvam Padiachey +44 (0)1843 871374

24th

- 27th July - Four day Values Alive Event, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Contact: Margaret Harris +44 (0) 1743 873650

26th

- 30th July - Five day Values Alive Event, Wembley, North West London

Contact: Joyce Power +44 (0)8723 9916

If

you would like to volunteer at any of the above events, please contact

the relevant co-ordinator named above for each event. Opportunities are

available to both SSEHV trained and non-trained volunteers. If you can

attend for the duration of an event, that is preferable, but it is not

a requirement. If you just want to come for a day to see how it feels,

that's fine too.

Accommodation

can usually be arranged free of charge for volunteers travelling long

distances - please discuss with the event co-ordinator. Volunteers' children

are invited to join in the event too. New volunteers may be required to

attend a briefing meeting before the start of an event. Help will be provided

with formalities such as police checking, and all relevant information

and support will be provided.

If

you would like your child or children to attend one of the Events, please

contact the relevant co-ordinator for further information.

Top

STORY

The

Orchid and the Roses

by Leslie Ann Hayashi

One

day, in a beautiful rose garden, a small potted plant was set near a row

of tall rose bushes. Only a foot high, the new plant had just a few broad

sturdy leaves instead of the many smaller delicate leaves of the elegant

roses. Its thin white roots did not burrow into the ground but climbed

all over the sides of the grey cement pot. Unlike the rose bushes which

were adorned with many coloured blossoms, this plant had only two tiny

buds near its centre.

The

stately roses studied the new addition to the garden with great curiosity.

"Do you suppose it's real?" a yellow rose whispered.

"I'm not sure. It doesn't dance with the wind," answered a pink

rose, bending gracefully in the breeze.

Peering

into the grey pot, a peach colored rose remarked, "I don't think

it's a plant at all. There's no soil in the pot, only rocks."

Hearing

their comments, the mystery plant was deeply hurt and couldn't bring herself

to respond. Hearing no reply, the roses quickly lost interest in her.

One

day, the plant's purple buds, which had grown almost as large as the plant

itself, opened. The roses stared in awe at the light purple flowers hanging

side by side like two large stars. In each of their dark purple centers

was a splash of yellow like the warm smile of the early morning sun.

"What

beautiful flowers!" exclaimed the red rose. "Do they have a

scent?"

The peach rose bent over and sniffed. "Yes, but it's faint, like

yesterday's rain - nothing like our fragrant perfume."

"The flowers don't have as many petals as our blossoms and they're

not round!" The pink rose sounded confused.

Leaning over, the yellow rose asked, "Excuse me, what kind of plant

are you?"

There was no answer.

"Perhaps it can't hear," murmured the peach rose.

"Perhaps it can't speak," added the pink rose.

Finally

the potted plant could not remain silent any longer.

"I am an orchid," she stated firmly.

"A what?" cried the roses.

"An orchid, O-R-C-H-I-D," the plant repeated.

"An orchid? You're so different from us. You live in a pot and your

roots don't spread through the ground. Your leaves and blossoms are..."

"Excuse

me, but I've heard all of your comments before. Orchids and roses are

different. That's why I seem strange to you even though I'm not all that

strange really."

The

roses fell silent for a while and thought.

The

red rose was the first to speak: "Oh, we're terribly sorry. We didn't

mean to hurt your feelings."

"We simply forgot our manners. Please, please, forgive us,"

the pink rose added quickly.

"Let's enjoy the lovely sunshine and the gentle breeze together,"

the yellow rose suggested eagerly.

"Yes, let's be friends!" the roses chorused together.

The

orchid looked at their eager faces. The roses had not meant to be mean;

they had simply been curious. Although roses and orchids look different,

together they make the garden a very beautiful place. Slowly the orchid

smiled, knowing they would be wonderful friends for a very long time.

Questions:

1. How did you feel listening to the story?

2. Were the roses being mean in the beginning? Why do you think so?

3. Why do you think the orchid did not respond to the roses' comments in the beginning?

4. Have you had a similiar experience? How did you feel?

5. What does this story teach us?

6. What do you like most about your friends?

Top

Un

This

newsletter is sent once a month to rs. If you prefer not to receive

further newsletters then please send a blank email with the word ''

in the subject box to: leave-ssehv-newsletter (AT) list (DOT) sathyasaiehv.org.uk

 

To ,

click

here.

Top

Copyright

© 2005 British Institute of Sathya Sai Education (BISSE). BISSE is

a non-profit organisation committed to promoting human values in education.

Registered address: The Glen, Cuckoo Hill, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 2BE United

Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8429 2677 Email: feedback (AT) ssehv (DOT) org.uk