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Inspired by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s vision of a violence-free and stress-free world, volunteers of the Art of Living in Oman are always ready to make their presence felt wherever and whenever required.
The following are some of the major service projects taken up the Oman Chapter of the Art of Living.
Bringing relief to those affected by Cyclone Gonu: The day the cyclone Gonu receded and left a trail of destruction in its wake in Muscat and surrounding areas, volunteers of the Art of Living reach; ed aid to the affected areas by joining hands with the government agency, Oman Charitable Organisation. By the evening of the first day after the cyclone, the vo lunteers had colleted blankets, sheets, pillows, water, foodstuffs; etc and were distributing the same in the severely affected areas of Muscat. In fact, the Art of Living was the first volunteer group to ; team up with Oman Charitable Organisation for the relief operations.
As the reports of utter devastation started to pour in, volunteers commenced a donation drive and within a few days, they were able to collect tinned food, milk powder, clothes, drinking water and many other items sorely needed in the affected areas. A sizeable amount of cash was also donated to both Oman Charitable Association, Dar Al Atta and the Omani Women's Association, organisations working towards rehabilitation of the people in the severely affected areas.
Soon the art of Living began trauma relief programmes in various parts of Oman. Free medical camps were also immediately alongside the trauma relief camps.
The Art of Living organized ‘Sandy Triathlon’ in co-operation with the Oman Charitable Organisation and the Ministry of Sports at the Intercontinental Beach, Muscat on ; July 20, 2007; to ; raise funds for rehabilitating the victims in the Wilayat of Quriyat. The event helped raise around RO6,000.
 Lebanon Relief: When the conflict broke out in Lebanon in 2006, the Art of Living Oman collected almost 4000 kgs of food, blankets and clothes for the war affected people. The same was shipped to Lebanon through Oman Charitable Organisation and Aramex.
Tsunami Relief: In response to the worldwide call of the Art of Living Foundation to support relief efforts after the tsunami waves of December 26, 2004, the Muscat chapter mobilised contributions in cash and kind and channelled the same for relief operation in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Local volunteers actively motivated people from all sections of Omani society to chip in this humanitarian project. As a result, cash contributions worth $20,000 were channelled to the IAHV accounts in Chennai and the US. Also several tones of relief materials such as tents, utensils and clothes were shipped to Colombo from Muscat.
Go Green Oman campaign: To combat the impending dangers of global warming, the Art of Living Oman has initiated a campaign to plant Simarouba Glauca (Laxmi Taru) saplings, a tree that can grow under any geographical condition. So far, 400 saplings and 4,000 seeds have been distributed for plantation in different parts of Oman.
Model Village Project: The chapter initiated a major drive to generate support the project o construct shelter for destitute women in a model village on the outskirts of
Bangalore. So far the chapter has contributed donations enough to provide homes to over 15 families.
5H Walk in support of Bedouin: In 2001, AOL Oman in association Oman Charitable Association and Oman Athletic Association took up a project to support a few Bedouin (local nomad tribes).
Carried out under the aegis of 5H Program, a Walk was organised to generate fund for the project.
Gujarat Earthquake: In 2001, the AOL volunteers in Oman collected 1000 kg of clothes and other relief material for the Gujarat earthquake victims and also sponsored rebuilding of new houses for the victims.
Blood Donation Drives: Every quarter, the Oman chapter of AOL runs a blood donation drive supporting two blood banks under the aegis of Ministry of Heatlh, Oman. The drive has been so successful that the Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman, has hailed the contribution of the organisation and awarded special awards consecutively in the last four years. The chapter is sounded out as a ready donor in the lean month of Ramadan where local population doesn’t donate blood owing to the month-long fasting. These blood donation drives are preceded by an awareness campaign by setting mobile information units at key locations such as shopping malls.
Child Care Project: Volunteers of AOL has developed a very productive relationship with a child-care centre (orphanage) run by the government to Oman
In 2004, the ministry of Social Development awarded the Art of Living for its work which included stress elimination workshops for caretakers and inmates, and English classes for the children. From time to time, volunteers organise regular visits and spend times with the inmates. Special events are organised during major festivals such as Eid to reassure the inmates that there plenty of people who cares for them.
Food Collection Drive: Starting this 2003, Oman chapter of AOL, in association with Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), has launched a regular food collection drive for feeding the poor, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Foodstuff collected is handed over to OCO for distribution among poor people in the various parts of Oman. Clothes and other essentials are collected and distributed from regularly. AOL also works with Dar al Atta for distribution of foods to the needy.
Flood Relief: In 2003, a village in one of the districts was devastated by a flash flood. The Oman Chapter of AOL responded with quick relief by collecting foodstuff (over 4 tones) and going into the village and distributing the food packets to the needy first hand.
Spreading Ayurveda: The two bring the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda to people of Oman, a Sri Sri Ayurveda Clinic was opened in 2006. This clinic provides consultation, diagnosis and therapies.
 Medical Camps: To provide healthcare to the needy, medical camps are held twice a month – one at Indian Embassy and another at a labour camp. Apart from providing free consultation and diagnosis, both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicines are also provided free of cost.
London Seasons: The Indian Ambassador to Oman and his wife hosted a dinner in the honour a group of 30 lady philanthropists from London who have evinced interest in the activities of the Art of Living. AOL volunteers presented a slide s how and spoke about its involvement in various humanitarian service projects all over the world. The outcome of this programme was a charity ball that will be held in London in December 2007, the proceeds of which will go towards the upliftment of the girl child in India.
Nurturing human values in children
Kids 4 Kids: Kids 4 Kids, a month long programme was held in December 2005, to raise awareness of human values. Students of the Indian School took part in the programme. Painting Competition for Kids: Art of Living Oman organised Art to Heart painting competitions for school children from different parts of Oman to promote human values among children.
Labour Camp Initiative Seva groups organise cleanliness drives in labour camps from time to time by cleaning toilets and other facilities at several labour camps where living conditions are not so healthy.
Regular public meditation: Realising the need for a spiritual aspects in its service initiatives to bring out complete upliftment, the Oman Chapter has been regularly conducting public meditation sessions, particularly for those who have not done the Art of Living courses. It has also organised many mega evening of music, meditation and wisdom.
Art of Living Courses: In addition to regular Part I courses, the Oman Chapter also organise DSN, Art Excel, YES, Part II and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation courses from time to time.
Special Arabic Courses: With a view to reaching out to the locals, Art of Living Oman has started organising Part I courses in Arabic. Several courses and introductory sessions have been held in Arabic in the last few years.
Breath, Water, Sound Workshops: Several free BWS workshops have been organised regularly for special groups such as laborers. |