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Welcome to the April 2004 issue of the email newsletter - and apologies to our readers for the slightly later publication than usual for the month. In this Issue:
If you have any feedback about this newsletter, or if you'd like to share your experiences of SSEHV, please write to feedback@ssehv.org.uk. Kind
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April has been an exceptionally busy period. It has seen 4 Values Alive Events (formally Camps) involving large numbers of children, parents and volunteers. The largest, with over 100 children, took place near Wembley. A string of Volunteers' reports have pointed to the visible changes taking place in the behaviour of children, who were particularly challenging at the outset, during the course of the week.They also pointed to the satisfaction of being part of a programme that contributes so strikingly to the well being of children, their families and their communities. As a result of the Events taking place in the Manchester area, the Burnley Youth and Community wants us to participate in a residential week for children; the Burnley Play Association wants to employ SSEHV trained people and a Women group and a Family Centre have shown interest in our Parenting Programme. The Values Alive Events are excellent examples of SSEHV in action and generate a lot of interest and concrete developments. Values Alive 5 Day Event at Dockenfield, Surrey - report by Lark Beecham, BISSE Area Co-ordinator. A lively and fun packed five day event was organised and carried off by Bahnoon Agnew at Four Winds Centre, Dockenfield during the Easter holiday. 30-35 children and 20+ volunteers were taken through SSEHV lessons and games, singing sessions, clay and play, drama workshops, musical instrument sessions, and nature activities. This all took place at Four Winds in the spring countryside and warm sunshine. The volunteers worked with great dedication and enthusiasm to provide the children with an experience of the five values through the organised activities and their own example. Much goodwill generated an atmosphere of vibrant creativity that raced towards a final afternoon of performance for the parents. Treasured creations made from clay, some of which were actually glazed and fired in a specially made kiln, were taken home by the children. The accommodating venue and its peaceful surroundings was very much appreciated by everyone. The beauty of nature in springtime balanced and restored us as we carried out the programme of activities.
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Workshops and presentations took place in 4 schools affecting a large number of teachers, RE coordinators and Heads. As a result several schools have expressed the intention of adopting the programme commencing from September. The Head of a Roman Catholic Primary, at the end of our presentation, acknowledged that our activity amounted to "sharing love" with her teachers and that our programme was so simple and yet so effective in transmitting sound values to children. It is encouraging to see a greater and readier acceptance of the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme.This could be ascribed to a number of factors such as:
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The following report was received on the Oldham Holiday School We had a lovely 4 days in Oldham at a new venue.We had been asked to do a holiday school in a 'Family First' Centre.The manager of the centre,a social worker, had heard about the holiday school we had at Christmas and thought that we would be able to bring communities together by holding it their centre.The centre was really beautiful inside but the area was in one of the worst areas I had ever seen. There were 20 -23 children and we had 5-8 people,all trained in SSEHV.There were three people who had recently done the training so they were able to put that training into practice immediately. Every holiday school develops differently depending on the children,staff and venue.This time the children especially liked group singing and group activities. I had asked a newly trained member to really concetrate on developing games and play. We were lucky enough to be able to lunch outside on 3 of the days. The most beautiful and surprising times were when the children remained silent whilst they were eating their lunch. A beautiful moment was when little girl remarked during an SSEHV lesson.''What you see in others is really what is inside you.'' Out
of the mouths of babes. |
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"RIGHT NOT SPITE" by Carole Alderman Jessica was the most popular girl in the class. All the other girls looked up to her and wanted to be in her gang. Jessica was very proud of her status and zealously guarded her position as leader of the gang. Any girl who tried to become a member of the gang without Jessica's permission soon found herself ostracised by the members of 'Girl Power' who all took their lead from Jessica. In the middle of the Autumn term a new girl joined the class. She and her family had moved to Dublin because her father had been offered a position at one of the largest hospitals in Ireland. Padma and her parents came from Bangalore, India. Dr. Patel has studied medicine in India and had worked in France for two years. Padma loved living in other countries and learning to speak different languages although she did miss her grandparents very much. She could speak Hindi, English and French. The Patels were very excited at the prospect of living in Ireland; they had heard very good things about the people and the country. So, as she set out for her first day at school, Padma was filled with a sense of joyful anticipation. She held her mother's hand and as they walked along she was humming softly to herself. On arrival at the school the Headmistress welcomed them. Padma kissed her mother goodbye and was taken to the classroom by the Headmistress. Miss Richards greeted Padma most warmly and introduced her to the class. At break all the girls gathered around Padma eager to know where this beautiful little girl came from, as she looked so exotic. Padma happily regaled her fellow students with the stories of her adventures at home in India and on her travels. At first Jessica didn't mind. But as Padma continued to get a lot of attention, she withdrew and sat apart from the cluster of chattering voices. She began to feel an intense dislike of Padma. She felt put out and didn't realise that she was experiencing jealousy. "This classroom is big enough for one of us," she thought angrily. "How can I get rid of her?" she thought. Over the course of the next few weeks Jessica used her powerful and manipulative influence to slowly exclude Padma until no one spoke to her. Padma could not understand this. "Why are the girls treating me like this?" she cried to her Mum and Dad. "They were all so nice before. I've done no harm to them. I don't understand what's happening, but I know that Jessica really does not like me and the others always do what she says. I'm so unhappy." Padma's parents were very upset and did not know how best to help their daughter. They prayed that God would show them how to help their daughter. Jessica was studying the piano and each Friday after school she cycled to her music teacher's home which happened to be near where Padma lived. One evening as she was cycling home after the lesson, as she past Padma's house she thought bitterly how much she hated her. Jessica laughed to herself because none of her friends dared to speak to Padma anymore, she had seen to that. Serves her right! Interfering little nobody. Deep in thought Jessica didn't see the dog running across the road. She swerved to avoid hitting it, knocked against the kerb and was thrown over the handlebars. Jessica landed with a very loud thud on the path, banging her head hard. She lay on the ground dazed and in shock. She was aware of a pain down one side. Blood was oozing from her leg, elbow and hand. She become aware of someone telling her to lie still until help came to see whether she could be moved. She felt hands gently lifting her off the ground and reassuring her that everything would be all right. She looked and saw that it was Padma and her Mum and Dad. Oh, the embarrassment of it all. Dr. and Mrs. Patel had been leaving the house and seen what had happened. Although they had an important engagement, they had called an ambulance and also went with her to the hospital. They had rung her parents too who met them there. After being examined, dressings were put on her wounds and she was allowed to go home. The Patels accompanied her and her parents home. She was worried about her bicycle, but Padma assured her that she had put the bike safely into her own garden when Jessica had been taken to hospital. Jessica was mortified. Tears started to trickle down her face. She was felt guilty for the misery she had caused Padma. Despite her selfishness, Padma had done the right thing by her. The Patel family was being so kind, so loving, and so helpful. While their parents were talking, Jessica used the opportunity to apologise to Padma. "I'm so sorry I was such a bully," Jessica confessed. "I suppose I was jealous of you and felt that the other girls might not like me anymore. But in spite of my spiteful behaviour you helped me, Padma. You sacrificed your evening, Padma. And your must have been so looking forward to it. From now on, can we be friends?" "Oh yes, Jessica, but I only did what anyone would do for someone who was hurt in an accident," said Padma. "I couldn't live with myself if I had not helped you. I'm so glad we can be friends". The girls hugged each other. On coming into the lounge, Jessica's parents were pleased to see her sitting next to Padma with a great big smile on her face. As they were leaving Jessica asked Dr. and Mrs. Patel if Padma could come over to her house to play sometimes. "Yes, of course," they replied. "I'm looking forward to school on Monday," said Padma. QUESTIONS: |
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Copyright
© 2004 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: enquiries@ssehv.org.uk |