Yogis in Service of Humanity Gather in Germany

About 50 yoga monks, nuns and 150 family “yogis” attended recently annual yoga and service conference in Germany. It was delightful occasion with meditation, various programs, duties and meals together. In order to help others to uplift their lives, we yogis – besides of giving meditation and yoga instructions – run schools, children’s homes, ecofarms and relief operations.

And believe me, helping others makes ones own life meaningful with gratitude. Just imagine if everyone on the earth would do service, this world would become a real paradise – and one day it will!

As we yogis are not interested of worldly accumulations, the operational costs incurred by AMURT (Ananda Marga Univeresal Relief Team) during relief operations are very low. At least 90% of all donations and grants go directly to project expenses. A huge project in Philippines, mother care in Nigeria and refugee relief project were presented in the German gathering.

In the Philippines AMURT has assisted on the relief effort in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. After the emergency phase distribution of food and non-food items, AMURT embarked in a multi-sectoral reconstruction program.

The two most affected coastal villages on the Pacific Ocean, with 96% of houses destroyed or heavily damaged, were adopted for a housing/shelter program. Unlike other organizations, AMURT provided permanent iron-concrete houses to withstand typhoons in this disaster-prone area. The majority of the affected households were in the No-build zone and had to relocate to a safer site.

In close collaboration with the Department of Education, AMURT repaired and reconstructed 120 heavily / totally damaged school buildings in three municipalities. Likewise, all the day care centers of two municipalities were reconstructed, rehabilitated and newly equipped.

A major focus is livelihoods. With the collapse of the local coconut industry farmers had lost their means of income. AMURT has set up municipal, central model farms and distributed tools, seeds and fertilizers. 57 farmer groups were formed in two municipalities. The 3-years’ agricultural support program is going to end in June 2018. http://www.amurt.net/typhoon-relief-response-in-philippines/

AMURT model farming in Philippines

In Ebonyi State of Nigeria AMURT relief workers concentrate on uplifting the health condition and the position of mothers and children in remote rural areas, where the local and international volunteers have built and opened 7 health care centers. The local community owns and carries out responsibility of them, while AMURT educates and provides local nurses.

AMURT also educates family planning and health advisers for every village, runs water and sanitation projects and provides women economic empowerment. “I need 2 know” is a network of youth clubs where 24 youths work as educators.

Hundreds of people gather in village health rallies to increase health awareness and share inspiration to work happily together. The program combines cultural displays with educational dramas, family planning, malaria/AIDS prevention, and removing child malnutrition. Family planning song on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8yZhGKK1Uc

During three months; Health Center had 557 deliveries, 1157 ante – natal first visits, 11 HIV positive cases and 4 maternal deaths. More statistics, http://www.anandamarga.org/pdf/news/africa/newsletters/WestAfricaJuly2017.pdf

Since 8 th of May violence has erupted in the area. AMURT has provided two ambulances for wounded and opened a temporary clinic. Malaria, diarrhea and malnutrition cases have increased. The dedicated doctors, lab scientists, midwives, health workers and drivers continue efforts to save lives during the crisis. Update Oct 2017; severe new attacks have caused great havoc in the area, volunteers are risking daily their own lives, while continuing relief operations.

AMURT – Maternal Health Program in Nigeria – short intro