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COLOMBO, NOVEMBER 27, 2006: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was on Sunday conferred doctor of philosophy (Holistic Medicine) by Open International University for Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka. The degree was conferred on the world renowned spiritual leader during the 44th World Congress on Alternative Medicine held in Sri Lanka. Swami Sadyojathah, a senior disciple of Sri Sri, received the degree on his behalf from the First Lady of Sri Lanka, Shiranthi Rajapakse.
Sri Sri has brought a holistic dimension to healthcare by reviving ancient healing techniques and practices and presented them in a way that is suitable for modern lifestyles. In 1982, he cognized the Sudarshan Kriya, a profound breathing technique that releases stress and toxins at the physical, mental and emotional level, promoting better overall health.Open International University for Complementary Medicines was founded in 1962 under the tutelage of World Health Organization to advance the scientific study and professional practice of medicines and to promote and disseminate knowledge and philosophy of medicines.
On Sunday, December 26, 2004, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 shook the western coast of Northern Sumatra. The earthquake spawned a series of tsunamis that traveled across the Indian Ocean from Indonesia to Africa’s Eastern Coast. The waves left in their wake, an unprecedented natural catastrophe that led to extraordinary loss of life and economic damage. The earthquakes and resulting tsunamis have left over 30,974 dead, 4,698 missing and 553,287 displaced in Sri Lanka. (Source: Government of Sri Lanka, Center for National Operations, 2/1/05). One-third of those affected are believed to be children, many of whom have been orphaned.
The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) is an international humanitarian non-governmental organization, which works for the propagation of human values in the political, economic,industrial, and social spheres throughout the world. IAHV is in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In association with its sister organization Art of Living Foundation (AOLF), IAHV implements programs of sustainable development through human values, service and empowerment. IAHV has successfully provided services in 5 major areas of need known as 5H (Health, Homes, Hygiene, Human Values, and Harmony in Diversity) program. IAHV has also provided emergency relief assistance and support to the affected national societies in both the short-term effects of disaster as well as the post-trauma stresses that haunt survivors.
Within three hours of the advent of the tsunami, more than 500 volunteers of the IAHV and AOLF began direct relief work in the worst affected areas of India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. IAHV volunteers from around the world have been supporting the direct relief efforts.The international media, including BBC, NPR, FOX and other wire outlets have recognized both the scope and depth of the IAHV programs and, in particular, the holistic approach taken by the organization.
Relief: Providing food, water, shelter, medical care and other relief supplies.
Trauma Care: Providing trauma camps that help the survivors to cope up with the shock & fear.
Rehabilitation: Long term planning for the rehabilitation of survivors. Plan includes -
• Providing orphanage for the orphaned children.
• Providing agricultural homesteads
IAHV has provided around 250 tons of relief supplies and 100,000 liters of drinking water . In coordination with the ASPIC Benevolent Foundation for Children, IAHV volunteers have been providing food, water, clothing and blankets to the affected children (including a children’s camp that houses over 5000 potentially orphaned children). Truckloads of basic amenities such as food and clothing, medicines and tents have been distributed in the following cities: Jaffna, Matara, Biblilama, Ahamsima, Kudalave, Kirinth, Thisha, Akurusha, Galle, Kalmunai, Karativu, Nintavur, Akkaraipattu, Palamunai, Samanturai, Sainthamaruthu, Kattanjudi, Batiicaloa, Trincomalee and Mutur.
A fully equipped team of over 45 doctors and paramedical practitioners have been conducting medical camps in Kirinth and Galle. In the weeks following the disaster, they have also been providing vaccines against water borne diseases like cholera, typhoid and malaria, treating those with wound infections who did not seek immediate medical attention. On January 5, 2005, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of IAHV and the Art of Living movement met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka The Honorable Mahnida Rajpakse and discussed the modalities of immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation of the victims.
The Prison Smart Program to over 900 inmates in Welikada Prison Colombo and Jaffna Prison. It helps prisoners to break free from the cycle of violence, helping them to reintegrate into society and reduce their levels of stress and angst within the prison walls. Over 900 prisoners from the Wellikada Prison in Colombo and Jaffna Prison, Jaffna District have done this programme. A definite transformation and an enriched life has been articulated by the prison inmates and endorsed by the prison officials.
Trauma Relief is what sets IAHV apart from many NGOs. IAHV has played a key role in trauma relief in conflict situations (such as in Iraq, Kosovo, New York (9/11) etc.) and during natural calamities (such as the earthquake in Gujarat, India). It continues to play a significant role in providing relief to the population in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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One of the most overlooked and yet, most significant, aspect of any disaster relief is that of combating the trauma that the survivors go through. After the tsunami, relief workers reported that many of the survivors found it difficult to sleep or even close their eyes. They were afraid to walk, especially after sunset, in these areas, in view of the large number of bodies that have been recovered. It is in this scenario that the IAHV and Art of Living Foundation have been conducting workshops and counseling. Our workshop helps people overcome shock and trauma and offer emotional solace, provides immediate relief from deep anguish and depression, reduces dependency on alcohol and other substances, quells violent tendencies among victims and helps them to come to terms with the situation.
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IAHV has been conducting trauma relief camps and counseling sessions. So far 40 such camps have been conducted covering more than 18,000 people in the worst affect Amparai district. Camps were conducted in Kalmunai, Karativu, Nintavur, Akkaraipattu, Palamunai, Samanturai, Sainthamaruthu, Kattankudi and Batticaloa. Offered the Art of Living Trauma Relief Program to over 18,000 people including women and children across the Island. This includes health & hygiene programs and material relief for the tsunami displaced and internally displaced people ( IDP`s) due to the two decade old ethnic violence.
The Youth Leadership Program was offered to over 500 youth across the districts of Jaffna, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya and Hatton. Youth from the various regions of Jaffna and Trincomalee participated. Several misguided youth took this opportunity to discover their potential to contribute positively to society by taking up social responsibilities and foster harmony. As a testimony of their transformation and newly acquired skills and attitudes, some of these youth were selected and trained to offer the Breath-Water-Sound Awareness Program in their environs. Over 50 programs were delivered by our trained youth, to the socially and economically backward rural masses benefiting over 2500 people across the Island. This successful program has unfortunately been scaled down for want of financial support to train disgruntled youth and sustain the well-motivated transformed youth leaders. Conducted over 50 Breath-Water-Sound awareness workshops benefiting over 2500 people.
“For the hundreds and thousands of survivors, this group is providing much more than just food and water.”
--Fox News, Austin, TX
...It was in this atmosphere of confusion and frayed tempers that the Art of Living volunteers were not only providing relief materials, but also conducted courses for the affected people that would help them maintain their composure.
--The Hindu, Chennai
Orphanage A Children’s Home & educational complex at Wellavaya Provincial Council Area, Moneragala Dist, Sri Lanka for Tsunami affected children (200 children). This facility will address the needs of quality primary education and housing 200 orphaned children. There is an existing land of 5 acres with an infrastructure of 2500 sq. ft. owned by ICADA, an NGO. ICADA (Integrated Community Agricultural Development Agency) is leasing the land to Art of Living Foundation, Sri Lanka for 20 years at a very minimal cost. We propose to add to the existing infrastructure to be able to accommodate 100 children in the first phase and another 100 children in the second phase. Construction in progress for a 200 bed Residential Children`s Home and pre school in Wellawaya ( Monaragala District) the most economically backward area of south-east Sri Lanka.Constructed a pre school for the tsunami displaced children in Karaveddy, Vadamaradchhi, Jaffna District. Emphasis at the pre-school will be on the following:
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Learning the basic subjects and languages in a practical manner
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Recreational and creative activities
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Health and Hygiene
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Self-esteem and pride in themselves
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Human values – creating a sense of belongingness
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Awareness and respect for nature
Proposed to construct `Temples of Knowledge` in each district of Sri Lanka reinforcing the theme of `ONE WORLD FAMILY` as envisioned by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to meet the following Human and social development and welfare objectives - foster human values; respect and understanding of world religions; library and computer facilities and delivery of the Art of Living stress - elimination programs. The physical structure of the `Temple of knowledge` would be a contemporary hub for the rural community, wherein a main lounge with simple rooms will facilitate activities to meet the defined objectives.
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