ANANDA KUTIR EDUCATION
TRUST
Invites you to become a partner in the
Asanas for Education Mandela Day Campaign
WHY A SCHOOL?
Education is drawing out from within the highest and best qualities inherent in the individual
~ Swami Sivananda~
“The lifestyle of children today is extremely demanding and unbalanced as a result of a demanding academic curriculum, compulsory participation in extra-mural activities, extra-tuition, compulsory sporting activities, social life, poverty, unstable households and neglect. This has led to children being over stressed, overworked, becoming involved in substance abuse, developing destructive peer relationships and drifting further away from their peaceful divine innate nature.
Statistics and the media clearly show the destructiveness this lifestyle has had on children today. There is an increase in drug and alcohol abuse, bullying at school, theft, teenage suicide, emotional instability, increase in fear as a result of demanding academic and sporting activities.
The strategic focus of the government is prevention and rehabilitation through educating learners at school and establishing rehabilitation centres for behavioural modification. This however does not address the individual as a whole being, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental as part of a family and community, resulting in short term behaviour changes with lapses. At school, children are expected to excel and outperform one another in sport which results in unhealthly competitive behaviour.
The approach of the Children of Light School would be to develop the inner qualities, draw out latent potentialities and competencies of the child, thereby assisting them in self-realising their interest and true potential. This may also enhance self-development.
In today’s age of technology and social media, children have minimal exposure to being in nature and experiencing the peace, tranquility and freedom that nature and the environment has to offer.
Today’s society inspires violence, which is evident with toys, popular films, computer games and heroes which leads to a rise in crime and decline in values.
With financial and social demands placed on parents, family time is minimal. Children often do not grow up with positive role models and as a result cultivate self destructive behaviour. The basic elements of moral and good values, such as sharing, giving, love, respect and unity are lost.
CHILDRENOF LIGHT SCHOOL
VISION
Integral Education that nurtures the innate divinity and potential of children and youth
MISSION
To provide education that focuses on the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual development of children and youth by establishing independent schools based on the principles of Integral Yoga
OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHOOL
Free, quality education for all children regardless of gender, race, disability, creed, religion and social background with an emphasis on under privileged communities
A curriculum based on and infused with living values of Integral Yoga
A school where the classroom is a sacred, safe and loving environment
A school which nurtures and brings out the innate divinity of each child
‘ASANAS FOR EDUCATION’ MANDELA DAY CAMPAIGN
THE MANDELA LEGACY
Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation
~ Nelson Mandela ~
There is no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children
~ Nelson Mandela ~
We owe our children –the most vulnerable citizens in any society –a life free from violence and fear
~ Nelson Mandela ~
BECOME A PARTNER IN BUILDING THIS LEGACY
Sign up for your studio to be part of the Asanas for Education Campaign
Encourage all your students to support this cause
Offer a 67 minute yoga class on Mandela Day 18 July 2014 and donate the proceeds to Children of Light School
Share this presentation with any other studio you are affiliated with. Invite them to join this wonderful campaign
It does not end on Mandela Day, you can partner with Ananda Kutir Education Trust in this wonderful Project for Humanity by supporting this cause in various ways
PROJECT TIMELINE
2011 In August 2011 a group of parents, who have been attending the Ananda Kutir Ashrama’s programme and have gained immense benefits from participating in Integral Yoga activities, got together to initiate a children’s yoga programme. This programme takes place once a month, with an average of 25 children from various faiths attending on a regular basis. After 18 monthly children’s yoga day programmes, the parents notably observed how the children and their families benefitted from the yoga days and were keen to extend this programme to schools. Various workshops were held with key representatives from the education sector. This idea did not seem viable at the time as schools are currently over-exhausted with extra mural activities and curriculum demands. As integral yoga clearly has had positive effects on the children, a bold and confident decision was made to start a school and integrate Divine Life Education with the formal academic curriculum.
2012 Children of Light School
2013 Board of Trustees Elected and Trust Deed developed. Ananda Kutir Ashrama named Founder of Children of Light School. Strategic Planning Workshop was held with senior officials from the Department of Education and other key stakeholders with experience in school education. Strategic meetings were held to develop a business plan. Spiritual education classes were offered for all members of the school team in order to keep growing spiritually in their own lives. A special School Blessing Ceremony was held on the last day of Navaratri. A research study essentially determining the impact of Integral Yoga on learners over a specific timeframe will be conducted at the school identified for the pilot project.
2014 Pilot Project kicks off with yoga classes at Village Todds Primary Garden Village Maitland. A meeting was held with community leaders and parents of Maitland Garden Village to explain the Yoga is Life Programme which will be implemented at Village Todds in order for this model to be researched. A brochure was developed with the basic FAQ’s of Yoga in order to clear any misconceptions and address any questions parents and community leaders may have. By March 2014 teachers from Garden Village Todds had observed a remarkable change in children attending yoga classes. Fundraising for running costs as well as land and building begins.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT SCHOOL
Founded by Ananda Kutir Ashrama
NPO Number 031418NPO
CONTACT
Triveni Fredericks –Fundraiser
+27 71 885 2410
trivenifredericks@colt.org.za
www.facebook.com/childrenoflightschool
http://colt.org.za/asanas-for-education/
www.anandakutir.org.za
CHILDREN OF LIGHT SCHOOL
Founded by Ananda Kutir Ashrama
NPO Number 031418NPO
BANK DETAILS
Acc: Holder: Ananda Kutir Ashrama
Acc: no: 275500551
Branch Code : 025009
Ref: Asanas for Education
