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AOL Zimbabwe was established in 1998. The first course was conducted in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo. Since then, more than 2000 people have benefited from a wide range of courses offered by AOL, including the Part 1 & 2 courses, Art Excel, YES, DSN, Teachers’ Training Courses, & Breath Water Sound.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar first visited Zimbabwe in October 2003. He gave a talk on Re-awakening Human Values to 3000 people at the Harare International Conference Centre. He also met with Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Mrs Grace Mugabe.
Over the past year AOL volunteers have conducted Breath Water Sound programs training 700 people, the majority of them women, in Murewa North and in suburbs in Harare, namely Mbare, Tynwald, Mufakose, Epworth and Emerald Hill in Harare. With the support of our AOL family in Bulawayo, a peanut butter machine was donated to the women of Chitate, Murewa North, who have already packaged and proudly labelled their peanut butter bottles, which are now available in local supermarkets.
Our first CD, entitled Uthando (“Love”) is a compilation of beautiful devotional songs in English, Sanskrit and African languages. The music was done by a popular local band, Afrika Revenge, who were a hit at the recent Silver Jubilee celebrations in Banglore. The volunteers were inspired to raise funds to enable rural youth to undergo the Youth Leadership Training Program. A number of the songs were compiled by the volunteers after their life-changing experiences at the Silver Jubilee celebrations, and the CD is an offering of gratitude to Sri Sri and a gift to our One World Family.
Art of Living changed me inside-out. A lot of my former hang-ups which pulled me back in life and made me experience less of my potential have vanished through daily practice of the breathing techniques taught at the course. I have so much enthusiasm, positivity and gratitude for each experience I encounter - at home, at work and with my friends. And the secret is, all this goodness and vitality was locked up inside me, hidden by accumulated stress which manifested as all manner of negative emotions - including fear, anger, resentment and depression. In other words, the Real Me emerged, and I am much more valuable the world in general, and to all around me as a result.
Mutsa Remba, Commercial lawyer, Harare
The Art of Living Silver Jubilee, February 2006 experience in India was extremely enriching and refreshing. On numerous occasions I wondered whether I was not already in heaven!! The experience was absolutely unbelievable, with so many nations and diverse cultures with the main aim of promoting peace and happiness. My wife was completely surprised about the change in me. Ever since, I have been more peaceful and happy than ever before. The very experience of seeing Guruji at such close range was quite enlightening. The way he handled the whole proceedings was just too amazing!!!
Jerry Borerwe, Banker, Harare
When I heard about the course i really wondered does life ever have an art but this is what I now know. Of course it is always said "sky is the limit" but I always thought it was one of the riddles around until attended the Art of living course. I am young woman living with HIV I lost my husband to AIDS after six months later I lost the love of my life my grandmother. When my husband died his relatives took away everything and I ruled I will never greet them, they will never see the child again, I told myself I had nothing a person with nothing has nothing to lose. So I said to myself don't worry you will buy everything you had in marriage and will be happy. I told myself that I love people and I want to work tirelessly for people living with HIV like me, then I volunteered to do that through The Centre, while doing that I would sometimes regret. sometimes just blamed myself, sometimes imagine dying of AIDS and begin crying once I cried while counseling someone. I just had a fear of the unknown although I am a very strong person I always thought there shall come a time for me to be happy until the wonder working course. Now I am a complete free someone I haven't bought all that i wanted but I feel rich and light in my heart I see myself as a flower once again, believe me I really can't explain but I was born again. One thing that really touched my heart was to know that loving your enemy was more important than loving those you already loved well I have known this through my spiritual belief for long but I mean I didn't know it was that easy. Now I went to see my husband's young brother he was so surprised but happy he gave the child a genuine hug. I don't believe I used my money to go there and still be this happy. I am glad that I have started fulfilling Sri Sri's wish to put a smile on every face I know with support from Bhamini, Ebrahim, Alka and other good people from The Art of Living I will put more smiles around the world.
Eunice Kapandura
My name is Sophia Mafuwa. I am 45 years of age, from 83 Airport Road, Bulawayo. I have been struggling with hypertension since 1995 up to recently when I started the exercise with the Art of Living Foundation. In February 2005 I had taken the Breath, Water, Sound workshop. Since I started these exercises my health has improved so much, especially my hypertension which used to range from 150/100 to 180/120 had been reduced to 130/90. I also used to suffer from stomach ulcers but due to the exercises and food awareness taught on the course and the restricted diet I am following, I have not had too many problems with them anymore. Thanks to these exercises, my health has drastically improved and I thereby encourage everyone out there to be involved in such exercises because they turn out to be very helpful and healthy.
(Sophia Mafuwa)
Two years ago I suffered from asthma. I was on Ventolin Servent and Fuxotide inhalers. I completed two Basic courses and began practising the Sudarshan Kriya regularly. I began noticing that these techniques helped me and gradually I stopped using the inhalers. Monthly check –ups reveal that my lungs are clear, although I keep my inhalers near by just in case I need them. I thank the Art of Living Foundation for keeping me well.
(Valiram Nagrani)
I was diagnosed as having thalassaemia (anaemia). The medication I used to take was as follows:
6 Ferrous Sulphate tablets per day
6 Folic Acid tablets per day
6 Pyridoxine (B6) tablets per day
I also required a B12 injection every third week. Since I did the Basic course and DSN Course also in 1999, I began practising Sudarshan Kriya regularly. My condition improved to such an extent that I no longer depended on the above medications. It has been nearly two years since I have stopped taking any medication.
Anila Naik
Nine years ago I underwent surgery for a thyroidectomy. After this operation I had to take one Eltroxin tablet per day, as a supplement in order to replace the hormone thyroxin. This tablet was taken for eight years. I began practising the Sudarshan Kriya regularly. Within six months I went for regular Thyroid function tests. My doctor discovered that there was no longer any need to take Eltroxin as the tests were completely normal.
Bhasha Naik
I was on insulin injections since August 1996. My sugar level was 29.7. I used to inject myself twice daily for the past five and half years. Thanks for the course which changed my life. Two days after the course my doctor told me to stop injections and tried tablets which did not work. I can hardly believe it but it was true. I am now on diet only. I used to be very sick at times but, now I am healthier, stronger and happier. No more complications.
Enereta Takawira
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