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

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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