Dear Readers
Welcome to the July 2004 issue of the email newsletter.
This month:
...... 
- Lancashire
County Council backs SSEHV
- Don't Miss the UK's SSEHV National Day - Saturday September 11th
- Training
Update
Half day INSET for professional teachers in Coventry
- Story:
Plain
Truth
A chance encounter at a desert oasis leads to unnecessary suffering
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
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Values
Alive Event kicks off the summer holidays in Brent
"I learnt how to love. I really felt peaceful," was how one child summed up the experience of a five-day SSEHV event that took place in a primary school in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent, from 19th to 24th July.
116 children aged six to ten years attended, and all the activities during the week were designed to help them experience and practice the five human values of peace, love, truth, right conduct and non violence. These included singing, silent sitting, story telling, martial arts, board games, yoga, arts and crafts and sports.
The large team of volunteers, headed by Joyce Power, also started and ended each day with breathing, relaxation and silent sitting exercises, so that they were calm and peaceful in their interactions with the children.
Feedback from children and parents, without exception, was very positive, with many youngsters expressing disappointment when the end of the week came round all too soon.
"It was clear from the things they said and the way they behaved that the children had truly understood the values," said Joyce. "And all the parents expressed gratitude to us for doing good work, and asked us to do it again in future, for a longer period."
Following are some excerpts from the written feedback received.
Comments
from the children:
'I
did really enjoy the camp. It was loving…. It was non-violent'
'…First I was nervous. I didn't know the camp was going to be like this but it was the most favourite camp I ever had. I will feel unhappy when this camp is gone…'
'…I learnt that it is bad to lie. You should never swear. We should be peaceful and not fight with anyone. I really loved being at the camp.'
'…I learned that by using the five human values, you will become strong..'
'…I felt welcomed and I felt calm….I am going to miss all of you teachers because you were gentle, kind, perfect…I wish the summer holiday camp would continue until the end of the summer holidays because I really enjoyed myself.'
'….I am very happy…'
Comments
from parents:
'We
found that the children really enjoyed their experience at this summer
camp. They also learnt many positive ways in which to enrich their lives.'
'S said that he enjoyed the camp and had learnt a lot within the week…Each day he came home with a very positive attitude. He made new friends... talks a lot about the environment and has a positive attitude towards people.'
'..It's a good experience for children and they learn something different from everyday life…'
'The summer camp was a new experience for my child. She enjoyed every day and when she came home, she reflected on the new things she had learnt…'
'…My child is more able to understand the human values such as right conduct, truth, love and peace. She will make good use of what she has learnt at the camp.'
'…This has been a positive experience for A. It's helped his social skills, confidence…'
'…Unfortunately, P missed one day due to illness, but kept saying she could hardly wait to get better so that she could continue with the camp….She also showed a marked change in her behaviour and attitude at home as well….'
'…..The main benefit was she was kept away from TV for five days. So a good experience in all...'
'R really enjoyed herself at the camp. She seems to be more assertive and aware of things around her….This camp was a very good idea, well organized and with very friendly staff. Keep up the good work.'
'…. It seems to be a good idea to teach children human values while having fun at the same time.'
Comments
from volunteers:
"…
I valued the camp very much…"
"…The whole event was a wonderful experience for me and I will cherish the memories of to the end of my days…"
"…The kids taught me a lot about being human and expressing that…"
"…excellent,
very well organised…"
In June, Barbara Edmondson was invited by a family centre in Oldham, near Manchester, to run a programme for local children who have been identified as facing particular challenges in their homelives.
Fifteen children aged between four and 13 attended a two-day Values Alive Event at the family centre, run by a team of seven volunteers. Activities included lots of singing, silent sitting, talks on values and acting out stories.
In one exercise, the children were asked to name good qualities that they perceived in their classmates. Each child was then presented with a certificate detailing all their positive qualities, so they had a permanent reminder of their own value to others.
When the group was asked to think about ways they could help others in their day to day lives, responses included, "Don't put lit paper through neighbours' letter boxes," and "Don't nick car stereos."
"You could see the impact that SSEHV was having on the children by the second day," said Barbara. They came in at the start of the day and sat down calmly. This was very different to Day One when there had been a lot of mucking around and disruption. For these children, sitting still and feeling calm is a major achievement."
Barbara
will be running further Values Alive Events for children in Oldham from
23rd to 27th August and Burnley from 13th-15th September. If you would
like to find out about SSEHV training and volunteering opportunities in
Burnley or Oldham, please contact
Barbara.
Lancashire County Council backs SSEHV
Around 100 children in Burnley had a taste of SSEHV this month when Lancashire County Council Youth and Community Services teamed up with Peaceful Solutions, Burnley, to co-ordinate a series of seven short sessions for 12-20 children per session.
The children came from numerous local community groups, including east Lancashire Deaf Society.
A team of just four volunteers, headed by Barbara Edmondson, ran all seven sessions over a three day period from 13th-15th July. Barbara commented, "Each group of children spent half a day or one to two hours with us, depending on what else had been organised for the day, so we had to be very flexible. We used the SSEHV programme in its entirety, with lots of singing and drama, and stories from the new Book 1. The children loved acting out the dramatised stories.
"The three volunteers working with me had just completed their SSEHV training in Burnley in April. What a great opportunity to put their training into action!"
Two of the community groups involved in the event have expressed an interest in working with Peaceful Solutions in future to implement more SSEHV programmes.
Don't
miss the UK's SSEHV National Day - Saturday, 11th September 2004
The next annual forum for SSEHV practitioners and those interested in the programme will take place at Bentley Wood High School, Bridges Road/Clamp Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7, on Saturday September 11th 2004.
The programme will include talks by educationalists, teachers and practitioners in values education, as well as music, interactive sessions and a delicious lunch! The event is free to attend and open to everyone, although prior registration is required.
For
further information or to confirm your participation, please contact Pamela
Nash (tel 01794 244494).
The week-long intensive SSEHV Foundation Course taking place in Pinner in August is now full. If you would like to take advantage of this very powerful and uplifting immersion in human values in future, booking is now open for the December course, taking place from 28th December to 2nd January (see below). To find out more, please see the Training section of our website (www.ssehv.org.uk) or contact Pamela Nash.
The following training courses and workshops are scheduled to take place in the coming months:
SSEHV
Foundation Course, Leicester
Sunday 1st August - Module 3
Sunday 8th August - Module 4
Sunday 22nd August - Module 5
Sunday 29th August - Module 6
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Michele
White
SSEHV Foundation Course, Coventry
Sunday 19th September - Module 1
Sunday 26th September - Module 2
Sunday 3rd October - Module 3
Sunday 10th October - Module 4
Sunday 17th October - Module 5
Sunday 24th October - Module 6
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Prabha
Govindji (024 76440996)
Parenting
Workshop, Croydon
Saturday 18th September
Saturday 25th September
Saturday 2nd October
Saturday 9th October
For more information and to reserve a place, contact Bina
Valsan (0208 688 4598)
Parenting
Workshop, West Sussex
Saturday 16th October
Sunday 17th October
Saturday 23rd October
Sunday 24th October
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Lark
Beecham (01424 812407)
Half
Day SSEHV INSET for professional teachers, Coventry
Thursday November 4th, 1.00-4.00pm
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Prabha
Govindji (024 76440996)
SSEHV
Intensive Foundation Course, Pinner, Middlesex
Tuesday 28th December - Module 1
Wednesday 29th December - Module 2
Thusday 30th December - Module 3
Friday 31st December - Module 4
Saturday 1st January - Module 5
Sunday 2nd January - Module 6
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Pamela
Nash
A merchant was resting at an oasis in a desert. He was on his way home after a long journey. Though he was only a few hours away from his destination, he was impatient for news of his family.
A vagabond who had been hired by a trading caravan happened to pass by. He had taken his pay and then deserted the caravan as he did not like to work. He was thirsty, but the oasis was dry. Looking around, he saw the merchant drinking water from his leather bag. The vagabond thought, "If I make friends with him, he will certainly offer me some water."
The vagabond walked up to the merchant and stood before him saying, "Sir, you do recognise me, don't you?"
The merchant looked at him for a while and said, "Well…er…I am sorry, I can't remember when and where we have met before."
"Sir, I have often passed through your village on business. In fact, I've just come from there."
"I see. Do you happen to know any of my family?" asked the merchant eagerly.
"Why, I know all of them," came the reply. "In fact, I know all about your household."
"Good. I am delighted to meet you!" enthused the merchant. "Since I have been away from my home for a long time, I am extremely anxious to know about my dear ones. How is my dear wife?"
"Fine, Sir. She is looking forward to your return," said the vagabond.
"Thank you. Tell me, how is my son, Ali?"
"Be assured of his good health, Sir. He has looked after the family very well during your absence," the vagabond replied.
"Thank you very much. Did you look at our new building? How is it?"
"It is wonderful, Sir," replied the vagabond.
"It is very kind of you to say so. Please tell me now if you know anything about my camel."
"The camel is fine, Sir."
"0h, how shall I thank you for all the good news!" cried the happy merchant. "Please tell me about one more thing. How is my pet dog?"
"Sir, it has become the best watch-dog in the village," replied the vagabond, and added, "My throat is very dry from talking so much!"
"Thank you, thank you very much, my dear friend. I shall not bother you with any more questions," said the merchant and resumed drinking from his leather bag.
When the vagabond saw that the merchant had no intention of giving him any water, he became angry. He thought, "I should now say something that will make the fellow leave his water bag here and run to his home."
At that very moment an antelope appeared from a corner of the oasis and disappeared into the desert. The vagabond, seeing it, muttered as if to himself, "How I wish that this gentleman's dog were alive! No antelope could ever escape the dog."
"What did you say, my friend? Did you refer to my dog? Do you mean to say that my dog is dead?" asked the merchant, anxiously.
"Yes! Your dog died of eating too much of your camel's flesh," replied the vagabond.
"But how did my camel die?"
"Well, of course, he had to be killed for your wife's funeral."
"Good God! But how did my wife die?"
"Of grief caused by your son Ali's death."
"Alas! My son then is no more? How did he die?"
"Your new building collapsed while he was inside it!"
The merchant got up and like a mad man dashed the water bag on the ground and ran in the direction of his village. The bag burst and the thirsty desert sand instantly drank up all the water. With a heavy sigh, the vagabond said to himself, "If I had simply been honest and asked for some water, perhaps he would have obliged me. But it is too late to think so now."
QUESTIONS:
1. What name would you give this story?
2.
How do you think the vagabond in the story behaved?
3. Why did he tell so many lies?
4. How do you think the merchant behaved?
5. What did the vagabond learn?
6. How did you feel when you heard the story?
7. Did the story remind you of anything in your own life?
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