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COMMITTEES & DEPARTMENTS
Association of Bahá'í Women (Northern Ireland)
Major Conference in Northern Ireland
The Association of Bahá'í Women (Northern Ireland) hosted a very successful one-day conference called "Creating Violence-free Families" at the Balmoral Conference Centre on 17th April. Around seventy people attended to listen to the high-profile speakers, including Eddis Nicholl OBE, Head of Children's Services South and East Belfast and Deputy Chief Inspector Judith Gillespie, CARE Co-ordinator of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The ABW (NI) were delighted to welcome Wendi Momen who gave a stimulating talk on "the Causes". She emphasised the need for spiritual input. Following an introduction by Hazel Holmlund, representative on the Executive Board of the European Women's Forum, presentations on the facts and effects of violence in the family were made by representatives from concerned agencies such as Women's Aid. The need for "personal development" was explored and "the way forward - an inter-agency approach" discussed. The afternoon was devoted to five workshops, including topics such as "the home environment" and family violence being a "human development issue".
Among those attending was the new Human Rights Chief Commissioner for Norther Ireland, Professor Brice Dickson, who later congratulated the Association for Bahá'í Women on an excellent conference. He stated that he would be bringing up the whole issue of violence in the family when he addressed the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva later that month.
Association of Bahá'í Women (Northern Ireland), contact: Mrs Marie Whiteside, 32A Beverley Crescent, Newtownards, BT23 3UN Tel: 01247 823285
Committee for International Pioneering and Travel Teaching
Further goals for the UK
At its meeting on 5th June the committee learned that the European Board of Counsellors had asked the UK Bahá'í community if it would be willing to take on another sixty-seven pioneering and travel teaching goals. Within minutes the committee's response was YES! Now we in our turn look towards the community to enable the UK meet all its outstanding goals.
The pressure is now on as we have about nine months to achieve the goals we have been given. We offer a huge selection of countries to choose from, and various summer activities and schools that can be attended perhaps with an idea of staying on afterwards to do some travel teaching.
If you have qualifications in education there are numerous Bahá'í schools that need good teachers. Can you speak another language? If so we can find a country to suit your expertise.
Make your MARK by offering to go pioneering or travel teaching. Let us make sure that the United Kingdom community meets all its GOALS and then some. We are asking a lot but if we don't do it who will - the whole world is wanting PEACE and SECURITY. We can help them attain it. Act, act now, and keep on acting.
The CIPTT will be on stage at the National Conference in Scarborough in November - then you will hear the drum beat and the bugle call for virtually the last time for this plan. Come along and be moved to serve the Call of Bahá'u'lláh and make history.
We can tell you of various pioneering opportunities available and/or summer schools. We are sure to find a country for you to travel teach in - go on pick up the phone - it's good to talk.
Can you speak another language?
If you are able to speak a foreign language and would be willing to give a fireside talk in the UK or abroad, please contact Edgar Boyett (details in the box below). The Committee for International Pioneering and Travel Teaching already have out-reach plans and ideas for minorities in this country and travel teaching trips abroad. Please get in touch if you think you can help.
Think about sunshine, think about Cyprus
After a four and a half hour flight from the UK you land on the beautiful island of Cyprus. The Bahá'í history of the island goes back to the time of Bahá'u'lláh, when four Bahá'ís were exiled to Cyprus.
For years this lovely country has enjoyed the company of pioneers from all over the world. Non-Cypriots are not permitted to work, unless employed in an off-shore company. This means that many pioneers have had to leave after a limited amount of time. This island is ideal for people who are self-supporting. Retired Bahá'ís would have a comfortable life, enjoying the sunshine. The cost of renting an apartment is very reasonable and the standard of living comparable to the United Kingdom.
Advertisments for Cyprus claim that "the sun shines eleven months out of twelve". They are right! It only rained on two days during January and February when I was there. Winter temperatures in seaside towns range between 12 - 16 centigrade. It was a joy to leave behind the dreary grey of England.
Bahá'í communities in the Greek part of Cyprus are small, but dedicated in their service. Perhaps Iranian friends who miss the Persian sun could spend Autumn and Winter there to support the handful of wonderful pioneers by meeting and teaching warm-hearted Cypriots. Of course all nationalities are very welcome. Please consider going - they are in great need of help.
Pouri Habibi for CIPTT
Think about Cyprus, and clear out your book shelves
The Bahá'ís of Limassol have re-formed their local Assembly and are holding regular weekly firesides. At the moment they are trying to build up a library and would be very happy to receive any spare books/pamphlets/leaflets. Please send to: Lesley Habibi, PO Box 56951, Limassol, Cyprus. You will be helping to further the Cause of this very important island.
Cyprus stones for the fountains
Following a request from Mr Sabha, the Mount Carmel Bahá'í Projects manager, a shipment of hand-picked stones from the beaches of Cyprus was delivered to the Bahá'í World Centre. The stones have a high destiny on Mount Carmel as they are being placed in the arc-shaped pools surrounding the fountains in the centre of each terrace leading to the Shrine of the Báb. The National Spiritual Assembly of Cyprus initiated a campaign to cover the cost of the project which represented an historic point of unity in the community. When friends from Cyprus visited the World Centre last November they were happy to see some of the stones in the fountains on terrace 19.
Committee for International Pioneering and Travel Teaching - contact: Edgar Boyett, 12 Lapwing Grove, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7DZ. Tel: 01483-568926 e-mail: 106131.1062@compuserve.com www.warble.com/Bahai/Pioneers/ Information on summer schools in the UK and overseas - www.bahai.org.ssi
Year of Service Desk
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Chad?
Serene Freemantle left the UK last autumn, after National Conference, to serve in Chad at the Etoile Brilliant School; the first YOS youth from the UK who has ever done so (as far as we are aware). We had a glowing report on Serene, published in the Jan '99 issue. Here is an (edited) update from Serene and her hosts in Chad.
Serene writes -
I visited the south of Chad for over a month. It was amazing, I was in one small town for two weeks with no means of communication, no electricity or running water. It wasn't really that difficult and it was beautiful, despite the hardships. There were no lights at night so people go to bed when the sun goes down and get up with the sunrise. I met loads of Bahá'ís who were really happy to see me. I've become a bit of a celebrity within the community! I attended the National Convention which was really inspirational and with loads of singing and dancing.
Nigel and Lynn Whitehouse, long term pioneers to Chad from the USA, with whom Serene stayed, wrote to YOSDesk -
As for dear Serene... We would like to keep her permanently. She has really connected with the African youth. In the south of Chad she worked in several centres, teaching the Faith and sharing her wonderful musical talents. We had a youth conference before the National Convention. The youth animated the event with music. It was quite invigorating to take a break from sitting for several hours on wooden benches in 45 degree heat, and then have everyone get up and sing and clap to the beat of African drums while the youth led the group of a hundred friends in one of their own songs.
Serene shared her musical talents. At one point she accompanied a young lady on the guitar while she recited the Tablet of Ahmad. It touched the hearts of all present. Each evening, hundreds of youth and children from the neighbouring village crowded around the Institute site looking for Serene. She will really be missed. It is most unusual for foreigners to visit this country at all. But for a young lady to come and participate in their music and discuss issues with them on an equal basis is really a marvellous experience.
Serene was a delight to have in our home. As I was returning from the farm today, Moksia, our foreman mentioned how his children would miss Serene. She really made a difference to their lives. We get practically no visitors here from the outside
world. So children have a very warped sense of foreigners, which is re-inforced by the rare contact with outsiders, who are generally not overly sensitive to the feelings of children. The favorite song in the villages goes, "The whites say that we are dirty". All the children know this song and tend to chant it whenever we go by. So having a young British Bahá'í visit with them and teach them songs, and praise their progress meant more than you can appreciate without having lived here for a long time.We can't thank the Year of Service Desk enough for helping to make this possible.
Nigel and Lynn Whitehouse
YOSDesk Team - Sylvia Miley, 97 Waterloo Road, Southport, PR8 4QN. Tel/fax: 01704 551514. Esmyr Koomen, Tel: 01865 407887 e-mail: yosdesk@koomen.demon.co.uk www.warble.com/Bahai/YearOfService