Women Empowerment: HIV-AIDS

Shabari

Shabari The beautiful villages in the North-East of India have been ravaged by many challenges, due to lack of infrastructure, callous development, and militancy. Shabari created a revolution in education in the Northeast, and presently takes care of 46 tribal schools, most of which teach first-generation learners. She has gone door to-door, encouraging parents to send their children to school. Shabari’s dedication to a progressive Northeast has helped galvanize development and create a better future for the residents there. “The inherent qualities like love, care and compassion were already there in me like other women. Gurudev’s vision has empowered my vision. The boundaries of my family have spread until the horizon. By Guruji’s grace, courage and confidence got reflected in me for spreading his knowledge and sharing love and compassion with people living in places where even a gutsy man would be afraid to go.”

Mawahibal shaibani

Mawahibal shaibani The Art of Living began its work in Iraq in 2003 with a focus to bringing some relief and peace to its people. Several teachers from around the world were sent to Iraq in the face of ongoing bombings to conduct trauma care workshops, provide relief materials where possible and create opportunities for rehabiltiation. Mawahib Al Shaibani is an international faculty member for The Art of Living Foundation and Program Coordinator in Iraq. Realizing that her life’s work lay in humanitarian service, she became a teacher for the Foundation and began acting as aliason for its community projects in the Middle East. She works with other NGO’s government agencies and ministries, and communities on programs for social and humanitarian causes. She has facilitated numerous workshops in schools, corporations and other institutions and co-ordiantes the Women Empowerment Projects including vocational training of Iraqui women in Baghdad and Karbala. It is remarkable to note that in land where women’s rights is an active issue and women in leading responsible roles are few, the coordinator for all this relief work is a woman. “Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is my inspiration. Watching him work selflessly, tirelessly, enthusiastically, joyously - working towards making life a celebration on this planet - that is what inspires me to take on the challenges.”

Deepali Patel

Deepali Patel started the first Art of Living programs in the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, The Youth Leadership Training Programs and the 5H programs she has taught have helped build inroads towards sustainable development and harmony between communities. “For me it is an honour and a privilege to be an Art of Living teacher. The last 10 years have been the most fulfilling years of my life. The Art of Living touches the very core of human beings and you instantly become a part of them, of their world, their lives. The more I give the more I receive. It has opened up my heart in dimensions I never knew possible. Before, my life was limited to my family. Now also, it is limited to my family, just that my family has grown so big, spanning continents. I never thought that would be possible for me. Sometimes I marvel at all the love that I have in my life.”

Katrien

Katrein has dedicated her time to teaching inmates around the world. The techniques taught on the Prison Program have transformed the lives of many bringing new hope and new life. She shares:“In my first Prison Program in Belgium, now more than one year ago, I met a man named Macro. He practices sadhana since he has done the course. Among other things, he wants to travel to testify about the change in his life and the value of Art of Living practices and knowledge. I have personally been touched by his humanness in an inhumane system and by his sincere longing for goodness, non-violence and love. - Katrien, Prison Program teacher, who taught Marco. “I wish what you wish for: inner peace, inner strength, inner love, understanding and a future. I live in the present. All I care about now is love, life, and Art of Living and the possibility to have a second chance maybe one day. -Marco, a transformed inmate

Dafna

Dafna Paz Katrien Dafna Paz Katrien Hertog, and Nouran Gergues, both teachers of The Art of Living, have been conducting trauma relief courses and garnering relief materials in Israel and Palestine. During the war in Lebanon, Dafna co-ordinated the relief work in the underground shelters of Haifa, and Katrien conducted a program in Jerusalem, which brought together secular and religious Jews, Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. Katrien and Dafna both have helped in carrying out peace initiatives along the Wall that separates Israel and Palestine.

Snjezana

Snjezana Nisevic, is director of The Art of Living programs in Kosovo and Albania. The Kosovo area of the Balkans has been an embattled area throughout history for almost 2000 years. The Art of Living has carried out special courses for women’s welfare. Over 180 abused women underwent the course to help them alleviate shame, guilt, a sense of isolation and distrust. “I have been working with trauma victims in the war from Balkan and especially Kosovo since early post-war days. The Art of Living program has helped them to move beyond the trauma. Our ultimate objective is to build a foundation in Kosovo that will lead to peaceful co-existence, the nonviolent resolution of disputes, and a feeling of belonging among all people regardless of race, religion or ethnicity for generations to come.” – Snjezana