Dear Friends,
We write
today to introduce and ultimately with the hope to sustain a program
initiated during the course of our January 2005 Yoga Teacher Trainer
Course. As participants from over 13 countries including: Australia,
Austria, Bali, Canada, Chile, England, Germany, Greece, India,
Ireland, Portugal, Taiwan, and the U.S.A., during our course a
great desire was felt to help elevate the conditions of those
who live in the surrounding villages and children who attend the
nearby schools. Hence, in the last week of our Teacher Trainer
Course, an idea was manifested; this idea has taken shape and
become realized through the creation of The Seva Scholarship Fund
(SSF).
The primary
vision of SSF is to provide assistance to families, in and around
the Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Trimbak, who are unable to meet their
basic requirements, such as adequate food/ nourishment, shelter,
and clothing; by helping families meet their daily basic needs,
we hope to create an opportunity and motivation for children to
be educated, and hence, more adequately prepared to excel in life.
The work began
with an educational initiative. We adopted a school near the Yoga
Vidya Gurukul and are working to improve the conditions and environment
in-where children learn, as well as enhance their educational
experience with yoga, music, arts, and character development.
Then the vision
expanded; a few of us became concerned that the surrounding communities
have little or no access to water and electricity, and we desired
to also help alleviate these hardships. Hence, a small and simple
idea, grew larger day be day, and now exists to serve many different
communities in many different ways.
We encourage
you to embrace, participate, contribute, and evolve the SSF. Through
your involvement you will not only immensely benefit the lives
of people living near the ashram, but you will also have an unbelievable
opportunity to continue in your self-development through the practice
of Seva (Selfless Service).
We, the January
2005 Yoga Teacher Trainer Class simply wish to share some of the
opportunity that we have in life with others. We wish to realize
and become more aware of how our existence is influencing the
surrounding communities.
The SSF is simply a vehicle through which one may channel their
creative energies to positively benefit and proactively empower
children and families, to enable them to have more control over
their life-situation.
Possibly some of you shall join us in our well wishing and make
the surrounding mountains shine with even greater brilliance.
Sincerely
in the Spirit of Service,
