Dear Readers
Welcome to the November 2004 issue of the email newsletter and apologies to our readers for the late publication for the month.
In November's Issue:
If you have any feedback about this newsletter, or if you'd like to share your experiences of SSEHV, please write to us.
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SSEHV Used in Crime Prevention
As reported in last month's newsletter, Barbara Edmondson and Sheila Swift have run a one-day Values Alive Event followed by a series of Values Alive After School Clubs for a small group of children from a particularly under-privileged estate in Oldham. This is part of a Crime Prevention Initiative known as On Track that works with children that live in particularly high-crime areas.
After the full-day event, Barbara reported:
There
were only six children, four boys aged seven to ten years and two girls
aged nine and ten. The estate where they live is really tough with burglaries,
drug abuse and many other social problems. All the boys had behavioural
problems and learning difficulties. The girls had attitude problems. The
girls responded really well but it was harder with the boys as they had
problems in getting on with each other.
The first part of the day was difficult as hardly any of the children
had had breakfast so they were all hungry. As soon as they were given
fruit and drinks in the break they settled down and we were able to progress
with the programme. The children were introduced to the five values and
the value of the day was peace. We split them into two story groups and
one of the groups managed to perform a puppet drama. One boy aged ten
joined in and enjoyed it even though he is normally unable to mix with
other children.
These children usually are ok in one to one situations with their social
carers but find it difficult to get on with other children in groups.
The hope is that we can help them to get on better with others.
Barbara and her niece Julie have now completed
four Values Alive After School clubs with the children, and Barbara reports:
We
have now done four two-hour sessions since we did the half term day, concentrating
on a different value each time.
It was an unusual setting - in a converted council house which was in
the middle of being refurbished, so there was not much space. The children
normally dropped in and out of the centre when they felt like it so it
was hard for them to stay still for any length of time and concentrate.
They all had particular problems relating to their lifestyles. Two of
the children had lost parents due to drug abuse, one very recently. Another
boy who was educationally subnormal told us he had hardly seen his father
since he was born and it was clear that he was very angry. His 'hobby'
was eating, and when asked what the word "love" meant to him,
he replied "Pizza". One highlight was when my niece, Sarah,
who has been a ballerina, showed the children some dance steps. This particular
boy enjoyed it so much and joined in with her. He also decided to change
his breakfast from crisps to yoghurt and banana after Sarah talked to
him about healthy eating.
We
got on really well with the children and I think we learned as much as
they did. We learned how to go with the flow and not to be too attached
to the result.
SSEHV Parenting Workshop Inspires Participants in Elstead
Participants at the Workshop
Sylvia Wade writes:
Simon, my husband, and I hosted and took part in a parenting course on the weekends of 16/17 and 23/24 October. There were twelve of us including the facilitators. It was a delight to have everyone in our home, and the course was enjoyable and experiential which meant we all got to know one another and were at ease with each other very quickly. I really enjoyed the course and the way we were involved in the learning process. The five values of truth, love, peace, right conduct and non-violence, innate in each of us, were called forth by the lectures, the sharing in pairs and as a group. This highlighted to me the ways in which it is necessary to feel and experience these values in ourselves in order to live them out with our children and everyone we meet. We are, in effect, role models and this helps to bring out the values in our children so they can live happier and more fulfilled lives by becoming more aware of themselves, their relationships with others and the world in which we live.
I feel this is what the course gives, a greater awareness of these innate values, how they can be experienced within, how they can be expressed in everyday life, and how by connecting with our children (and others), through this common bond, we can enrich their lives and our own.
The living of the values makes us stronger and more able to cope with life. It makes us happier and more open to all that life can offer us. It makes us aware and conscious of what is going on within and around us. We connect with each other and our world instead of simply reacting to events.
There is a lot in the course, but I feel that if I become just a bit more aware of the things that adversely affect others, especially children, and the way I can change those things by really listening, being open, asking questions, being aware enough to simply smile or hug another, then this is a good beginning, and the values will begin to grow and expand into more and more of my life and the lives of those closest to me.
Training Update
All SSEHV courses are free to attend, although a 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
Intensive Foundation Course, Pinner, Middlesex
Tuesday 28th December - Module 1
Wednesday 29th December - Module 2
Thursday 30th December - Module 3
Friday 31st December - Module 4
Saturday 1st January 2005 - Module 5
Sunday 2nd January - Module 6
For more information or to reserve a place, please
contact Pamela
Nash (01784 244494)
SSEHV
Parenting Workshop, Portsmouth, Hants
Wednesday 19th January 2005, 6.30-9.30pm - Module 1
Wednesday 26th January - Module 2
Wednesday 2nd February - Module 3
Wednesday 9th February - Module 4
Wednesday 16th February - Module 5
Wednesday 23rd February - Module 6
Wednesday 1st March - Module 7
For more information or to reserve a place, please contact Juliet
Bell (02392 824892)
SSEHV
Parenting Workshop, Leicester
Sunday 9th January 2005, 9.30am-5.00pm - Modules 1 & 2
Sunday 16th January - Modules 3 & 4
Sunday 23rd January - Modules 5 & 6
Sunday 30th January, 9.30am-2.00pm - Module 7
For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Dipak
Kumar (0116 222 3658)
SSEHV
Parenting Workshop, Pinner, Middlesex
Tuesday 18th January 2005, 6.45-9.45pm - Module
1
Tuesday
25th January - Module 2
Tuesday 1st February - Module 3
Tuesday 8th February - Module 4
Tuesday 15th February - Module 5
Tuesday 22nd February - Module 6
Tuesday 1st March - Module 7
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.
STORY
The Emperor and the Flower Seed
Long ago, in a far off kingdom, there lived an Emperor who loved nature. Everything he planted burst into bloom. Up came flowers, bushes and even big fruit trees, as if by magic! Of everything in nature, he loved flowers most of all, and he tended his own flower garden every day. But the Emperor was very old and he knew he should choose a successor to the throne. Who would his successor be? And how would he decide? As the Emperor loved flowers so much, he decided that flowers would help him choose.
The next day, it was announced: "All men, women, boys and girls throughout the land are to come to the palace.'' The news created great excitement throughout the land amongst all the people.
In a nearby village, there lived a young girl named Serena. Serena had always wanted to visit the palace and see the Emperor, and so she decided to go. She was glad she went. How magnificent the palace was! It was made from gold and was studded with jewels of every colour and type - diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals and amethysts. How the palace gleamed and sparkled! Serena felt that she had always known this place. She walked through the palace doors into the Great Hall, where she was overwhelmed by all the people. It was so noisy. "The whole kingdom must be here!'' she thought.
There then came a sound of at least a hundred trumpets, announcing the arrival of the Emperor. All fell silent. The Emperor entered, clutching a small box. How fine he looked - so noble, so elegant! He circled the Great Hall, greeting every person and presenting something to each one. Serena was curious about the small box he had. "What was inside?" she wondered. "What was he giving to everyone?"
At last, the Emperor reached Serena. She curtsied and then watched as the Emperor reached into the small box and presented her with a flower seed. When Serena received the seed, she was happy and fascinated all at the same time.
Then the sound of trumpets filled the Great Hall once more, and everyone was quiet. The Emperor announced: "Whoever can show me the most beautiful flower they have grown in a year's time will succeed me to the throne!''
Serena left for home filled with wonder over the palace and the Emperor, clutching the flower seed carefully in her hand. She was certain she could grow the most beautiful flower. She filled a flowerpot with rich soil, planted the seed carefully and watered it every day. She couldn't wait to see it sprout, grow and blossom into a magnificent flower!
Days passed, but nothing grew in the pot. Serena was worried. She transferred the seed into a bigger pot: filled it with the best quality, richest soil she could find: and watered it twice a day, every day. Days, weeks and months passed, but still nothing happened. By and by the whole year passed.
Finally spring came, and it was time to return once more to the palace. Serena was heartbroken that she had no flower to show the Emperor, not even a little sprout. She thought that everyone would laugh at her because all she had to show for the whole year's effort was a pot of lifeless soil! How could she face the Emperor with nothing? Her friend stopped by on his way to the palace, holding a great big flower. "Serena! You're not going to the emperor with an empty pot, are you?" said the friend. "Couldn't you grow a great big flower like mine?"
Serena's father, having overheard this, put his arm around Serena and consoled her. "It's up to you whether you go or not," said her father. "You did your best, Serena, and your best is good enough to present to the Emperor."
Even though she felt reluctant to go, Serena also knew she must not disregard the Emperor's wishes. Besides, she also wanted to see the Emperor and the palace again. And so Serena traveled once more to the palace, holding the pot of soil in her hands.
The
Emperor was happy to see the Great Hall filled with his subjects, all
proudly displaying their beautiful flowers, all eagerly hoping to be chosen.
How beautiful all the flowers were! Flowers were of every shape size and
colour. The Emperor examined each flower carefully and thoroughly, one
by one. Serena, who was hiding in a corner with her head bowed down, wondered
how he would choose, since they were all so lovely.
Finally, the Emperor came to Serena. She dared not look at him. "Why
did you bring an empty pot?" the Emperor demanded.
"Your Majesty," said Serena. "I planted the seed you gave me and I watered it every day, but it didn't sprout. I put it in a bigger pot with better soil, but still it didn't sprout. I tended it all year long, but nothing grew. So today I brought an empty pot without a flower. lt was the best I could do."
When the Emperor heard those words, a smile spread slowly over his face, and he took Serena by the hand. Serena was frightened. She wondered if she was in some sort of trouble.
The Emperor led her to the front of the Great Hall, and turning to the crowd, he exclaimed: "I have found my successor - the person worthy of ruling after me!"
Serena was puzzled. "But your majesty," she said, "I have no flower, just this pot of lifeless earth."
"Yes, I expected that." said the Emperor. "From where everyone else got their seeds, I do not know. The seeds I gave everyone last year had all been roasted. It would have been impossible for any of them to grow. Serena, I admire your great courage and honesty to appear before me and speak the truth. I shall reward you with my entire Kingdom. You will be the next Empress.''
Many versions of this story exist, the original author is unknown.
Questions
1) Why do you think the Emperor chose Serena to be his successor to the throne?
2) Do you think Serena would make a good Empress? Why?
3) Do you think the Emperor was a good ruler? Why?
4) Have you ever been in a situation where, like Serena, you did something different to everyone else because you knew it was right? How did that feel?
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