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Dear Bahá'í Friends,
In order to establish the foundation of stronger
Bahá'í communities in Africa, the International
Teaching Centre has been considering various approaches to
increasing the number of educated Bahá'ís in that
continent. In that regard the Continental Pioneer Committee for
Africa has been asked (letter from the International Teaching
Centre dated 26 November 2000) to encourage the
Bahá'í youth from different continents to consider
undertaking undergraduate, graduate and post graduate studies at
universities in Africa, particularly in South Africa, where there
are several universities. It is hoped that this will provide
opportunities to introduce the Faith to these universities.
We are also directed to encourage professional
Bahá'ís from around the world to travel-teach to
Africa, giving talks in institutions of higher learning which in
turn may create further opportunities to present the Faith to
university students and staff.
In consultation with a number of counsellors and
Bahá'í academics, it has emerged that to work towards
the above objective it is helpful to consider the following:
1 – It is necessary to gather information
regarding educational opportunities at universities in Africa to
assist prospective Bahá'í students in securing
enrolment. We are in the process of completing this task and we
welcome any enquiry in this regard. As a starting point, there is a
website (http://studysa.co.za) which provides detailed information
regarding all the 21 universities and 15 technikons in South
Africa.
2 – Although the educational standards among
the institutions of higher learning in Africa vary widely, there
are indeed universities in this continent that offer
internationally recognized programmes comparable with the very best
in the world. The misconception that an undergraduate degree from
universities in Africa might disadvantage an individual from
further studies or in one's professional life should be alleviated
by the many examples of success that prove otherwise. The
widespread use of email and internet has given the universities in
this continent similar access to information and learning
facilities as most universities in the world.
3 – There are many offers of Youth Period of
Service for Africa; such offers may be combined with a study period
at an educational institution where the Bahá'í
volunteer could play an active role in setting up of a
Bahá'í Association among the students and staff.
There are several examples of successful projects such as the
University of Botswana Bahá'í Association which in
collaboration with the Association for Bahá'í Studies
in Southern Africa have arranged for several seminars on
Bahá'í themes at universities in southern Africa. The
Continental Pioneer Committee for Africa can channel offers to the
countries and universities where the offers may be utilized most
effectively.
4 – There are many university programmes
worldwide that allow part of the programme to be taken elsewhere.
Bahá'í students from all continents may be encouraged
to choose a university in Africa for such supplementary
courses.
5 – Bahá'í professionals could
look for professional and academic conferences in their fields
which are held in Africa and make arrangements to spend some time
giving talks in institutions of higher learning. Alternatively, or
in addition to such programmes, travel teaching trips for such
professionals may be arranged by the Continental Pioneer Committee
for Africa with the help of the relevant National Spiritual
Assemblies.
The Continental Pioneer Committee for Africa
appeals to you for co-operation and any suggestions to fulfil the
wishes of the International Teaching Centre in spreading the Cause
of Bahá'u'lláh among the university students and
staff in this blessed continent. A continent so close to the heart
of our beloved Guardian, whose people Bahá'u'lláh
referred to as the "pupil of the eye".
With loving Bahá'í greetings, Farhad
Aghdasi, for Continental Pioneer Committee for Africa.
If you are interested in pioneering or
travel-teaching to Africa, please inform the CIPTT of your
interest.
Latvia: Urgent Request for Pioneers
Pioneers are required in Jelgava, the fourth
biggest town in Latvia (pop. 76,000). Jelgava is 45 minutes away
from Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is a student city as it hosts
the department of agriculture of the University of Latvia.
There is high unemployment in this area so any
would-be pioneer would have to be able to sustain themselves
financially. There is a Bahá'í Centre in Jelgava,
which could be also used as a home for a potential pioneer. There
are opportunities for volunteer work, e.g. in the orphanage or in
some NGO capacity.
A Caretaker (or couple) is required for the
National Bahá'í Centre in the capital, Riga. The
caretaker would be required to become involved in, and also to help
stimulate, the life of the local Bahá'í community.
Accommodation is available. For further information concerning a
pioneering move to Latvia, please contact secretariat@bahai.lv and
please let the ciptt know of your interest. batchelor@clara.net
Study Circle Group in Samoa
The photograph below shows a Study Circle group in
Samoa. It's called "Unity in Diversity" because the members are
diverse in cultures and ages, but unified in belief.
Back Row: (left to right) Ripatu, a local youth
due to go to Haifa for the opening of the Terraces; Steve Percival,
member of the NSA of Samoa, who is half Samoan and half Tongan;
Wendy, his wife from America; Helene, from Australia, who is
married to a Samoan; Rhonda, who is half German and Samoan; Tom
Sier, son of Maureen and Nick from Scotland; Wesley Baker, visiting
musician from America, but now living in Uganda. Wesley is spending
a year singing in all the Temples and is also on his way to
Haifa.
Front Row: (left to right) Rita Green, UK pioneer;
Winnie, a newly declared Bahá'í at 65, previously a
Catholic nun for 40 years, who is part American Indian from the
Dakota tribe; Joe, son of Steve and Wendy and the youngest member
of the Study Circle; Greta, mother of Steve and Rhonda and of
German origin.
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