A friend of mine recently sent me information about a wonderful initiative in Africa. I think it provides a great example of applying the values that can arise from contemplative practice. Swami Padma who joined the Sivananda Yoga Community in 1974 has brought a piece of land in the Massai Mara district of Kenya .where he is now teaching people from the slums of Kenya to grow their own food, he says:
"In 2008 I met Angela Pashayan, director of Yoga of Devotion. We formed a non-profit organization From Hand to Hand (FHH), whose purpose is to empower poor people to feed themselves through farming.
At the end of January 2013, I dropped everything and flew to Kenya to begin a life of service to the poor. I've volunteered at orphanages, spent weekends at slums, visited numerous people within them, including many women who are HIV+, orphans, and people who live in the streets.
In October 2013 FHH purchased 3 acres in Shartuka, and few months later 4 acres near Kilgoris. Both locations are in Massai Mara district, about 7 hours away from Nairobi. We have built a 6-roomed house to accommodate three families at the Kilgoris farm.
FHH follows the principles of permaculture and is funded entirely through donations from well wishers. Contact me swamipadma@sivananda.org
See: https://fromhandtohand.wordpress.com/
"In 2008 I met Angela Pashayan, director of Yoga of Devotion. We formed a non-profit organization From Hand to Hand (FHH), whose purpose is to empower poor people to feed themselves through farming.
At the end of January 2013, I dropped everything and flew to Kenya to begin a life of service to the poor. I've volunteered at orphanages, spent weekends at slums, visited numerous people within them, including many women who are HIV+, orphans, and people who live in the streets.
In October 2013 FHH purchased 3 acres in Shartuka, and few months later 4 acres near Kilgoris. Both locations are in Massai Mara district, about 7 hours away from Nairobi. We have built a 6-roomed house to accommodate three families at the Kilgoris farm.
FHH follows the principles of permaculture and is funded entirely through donations from well wishers. Contact me swamipadma@sivananda.org
See: https://fromhandtohand.wordpress.com/
