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INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN VALUES AND ART OF LIVING
Kashmir Earthquake
Project Report
The International Association for Human Values
21st Km, Kanakapura Road, Bangalore South
Karnataka 560 082
Phone: 9342540105
The International Association for Human Values The International Association for Human Values is an International Humanitarian
Organization, which works for the propagation of human values in the political, economic, industrial and social arenas throughout the world. International
Association for Human Values (IAHV) is the sister organization of Art of Living.
IAHV was setup to internationally co-ordinate social development activities and
disaster management including emergency and trauma relief work all around the world.
IAHV has accredited representatives at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna and is working towards bringing about global peace and harmony. IAHV is in
special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations. IAHV was conferred the BEST in AMERICA award by the Independent Charities of America.
Its programs include:
Trauma Relief and Disaster Management Peace Initiatives & Conflict Resolution
Rural Development (5H Program*)
Schools For Underprivileged Women Empowerment
Prisoners’ Rehabilitation
Environmental Awareness
“IAHV is the only multifaceted organization in the world catering to
mind, body and society.”
*Health, Homes, Hygiene, Human Values and Harmony
in Diversity
Brief History
The development work of Art of Living Foundation started in 1982 and initially
focused on providing primary education to poor children and vocational training to rural women in India. In 1997, development activities were expanded to provide a
comprehensive rural development package that addresses the needs of the poor
and disadvantaged in a holistic manner. Activities range from comprehensive rural
development, education and tribal welfare, organic farming, vocational training, disaster relief and rehabilitation and programs for prisoners.
Since the launch of the first 5-H program in India in 1999, IAHV-AOL has been able to increase its coverage. The 5-H program approach has found international
recognition and is being implemented in South Africa, Poland, Kosovo, Afghanistan,
Iraq, Iran, Latin America, Indonesia, Mexico and the USA.
Our Mission
To build society in which lives of all people exemplify Human Values
To bring relief and solace to those affected by disasters
To achieve peace, harmony and well being throughout the world To work towards the socioeconomic development of the society
In fostering Human Values, IAHV works in collaboration with partners dedicated to
similar goals, including UN Organizations, Governments, Educational Institutions, other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Business Organizations and
Individuals.
IAHV’s international offices are located in Switzerland, USA, India, Germany, the
Netherlands, Italy, Dubai, United Kingdom and South Africa. IAHV India was
registered in 2000.
Overview
The volunteers at IAHV and Art of Living have been involved in various relief
programs around the world. IAHV has been focusing on disaster relief work which includes a three pronged approach:
Immediate material relief Cater to mental and emotional needs of those who have lost their loved ones
and livelihood through Trauma Relief Workshops
Need based long- term rehabilitation for the affected people
Introduction to the Report
The following report describes IAHV’s (International Association for Human Values) efforts in Kashmir Earthquake Relief & Rehabilitation.
The efforts in Kashmir include immediate relief for the people of Kashmir, IAHV
Child Care Centre, school, girls and boys hostel.
Kashmir Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Introduction
The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake left an estimated 3.3 million people homeless. Relief efforts were hindered by Landslides that blocked roads. The UN reported that eight
million people were directly affected. International aid teams from around the world
came to the region to assist in relief.
Immediate relief Within 48 hours of the earthquake IAHV volunteers began relief operations in Uri,
Baramulla, Srinagar, Kamalkot, Tangdhar, Kupwara.
IAHV in partnership with Art of Living provided immediate material relief to the
badly affected villages identified by Art of Living volunteers in conjunction with
government officials. Relief supplies including rice, sugar, blankets, tents and clothing from across the country were distributed.
Trauma Relief Workshop
Apart from the immediate material relief, the organization also provided trauma
relief workshops to adults and children. More than 20,000 people benefited from
these trauma Relief Workshops.
The children Many children in this area were found alone, fending for themselves under these
extreme conditions. They had lost their parents or the parents were in extremely
poor condition. They needed shelter. Furthermore, they suffered trauma and fear psychosis.
The IAHV volunteers worked at great speed. They rented a house and furnished it
with basics, put together a large number of winter beddings, set up the kitchen, and procured cooking gas (a rare commodity in winter). And all this was in place
within a week.
The children were identified in three different ways:
1. Our local volunteers with help and guidance of village head, local school teachers
2. Government Officials
3. Networking with other NGO’s working in the area
Two hundred and fifty children were brought to the winter shelter setup by IAHV in
Shivpora (Srinagar).
During the months of December and January, the children were kept in the homes and given nutritious food and warm clothing. Medical check-ups were conducted
and they have been immunized against measles.
In addition to receiving warm and comfortable home, warm clothes, nutritious
meals and education and recreation facilities to these children; and attended
tuitions.
The School Local teachers were hired. We started three hour daily tuition program. Responding
to children’s request, English classes were also held.
Art of Living conducted a specialized training program for the teachers of the IAHV
Childcare Center. This program helps teachers develop a positive and loving relationship with children and results in holistic development of our children.
“You called us down into the rice fields, I thought it was for food…then we did the
breathing exercise… there was a ghost in my mind, bhoot svar, now I am free.”
The teachers felt very happy after the workshop. They felt that the program has
helped them to open up and feel a lot more affection and a sense of belongingness with the children and the environment. Furthermore they became more creative.
The program consists of a combination of Lectures, Yogasanas, Breathing Exercises,
innovative experiential games, and thought provoking case studies.
Many children suffered fear psychosis and trauma. This was due to years of
continuing violence, the memories of the recent earthquake, poverty and domestic
tension. Consequently, even slight tremors recreated stress situations. Art of Living sent three ART Excel teachers to Srinagar to conduct the world-renowned breath
based program for these children. The results were spectacular. International
scientific research has confirmed the effectiveness of these programs in removing stress, depression and trauma.
Smiles came back on their faces.
“Until we did the breath exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake… now I am at peace.” (Begun Azie, Shaalkot, Baramulla, 2 Oct.
2005)
“Every morning I used to wake up with a jolt, my whole body used to ache and at night I was very scared of noises, and I missed my mother who died in the
earthquake. Now I am feeling very relaxed and am no longer afraid of noises.”
During the severe winter, the numbers of children admitted crossed 150 and we
hired a second home. Gradually the children were shifted to this new building,
called the NIGHT HOME. The first house was converted into a DAY HOME, a recreation center and education center for about 150 children. At the DAY HOME
classrooms and computers were set up and a television set was used for
entertainment and also to keep the children in touch with their mother tongue,
Kashmiri.
The first school was a rented house with small grounds. It was necessary to set up
a school. Also, a computer laboratory was set up with 20 computers to cater to the educational needs of the school.
New IAHV School in association with J&K Government Impressed by our work, the Education Department of the J&K Government has
sponsored and renovated an unused building to set up a permanent school. IAHV signed an MOU with J&K Government, Department of Education. The new school
building was inaugurated in May 2006 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, IAHV Founder as a
model school in collaboration with J&K Government. The government is supporting the salaries of the Headmistress and eight teachers only. The rest of the teachers
are supported by IAHV. The school is run and maintained by IAHV.
There have been regular medical, dental and eye check-ups as well. Emergencies have also been attended to immediately. Uniforms and one set of tracksuits had
been given to the children. This is the first middle school for deprived children in
Kashmir with a computer lab and vocational training. We run a kitchen and provide children with free meals three times every day.
We have approximately 20 girls from Kazikhand, Bulvama, Bandipura and Uri studying at the school. We have established a hostel for the girls. A Matron and
Assistant Matron help take care of them. We provide tailoring training free of
charge. Further, we provide clothes, food and schooling free of charge. As part of
our extension program of this project, machines are also given to some of the girls to train the affected women in the area.
We also have 80 boys from Bramulla, Anant Nag and Manasbal at the school. The
hostel warden helps the children with home tuition.
Impressed with the work of IAHV, the Director of Education, Department of
Education, J&K Government offered a school building which had got damaged
during the terrorist attacks to run the School.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
The school was renovated with the efforts of Department of Education, J&K Govt
and IAHV for starting the school again.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, IAHV Founder arrives at the school to inaugurate the school on 5th May
2006.
Children are performing different cultural programs in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
IAHV Founder, Guests, Teachers and other School Management.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji felicitates the School Children.
APNA GHAR Children in the Computer Lab set up by IAHV in association with Sadbhavana
Scheme, Defence Services, J&K
Jubiliant football team of APNA GHAR School after winning the football Match
Hilal Ahmad Bhat, 10th STD and Ishfaq Ah Dhar, 8th STD won in the science project inter
school competition.
APNA GHAR Child Faired Well in Xth STD
Zubeeda, APNA GHAR Child is the first girl to clear 10th in her village
APNA GHAR Children visit Tulip Garden in Srinagar
Additional Support Provided to School By IAHV
Set up a computer Lab- IAHV got the computers donated(10), UPS were
donated under sadbhavana scheme of defence services(10)
10 Toilets constructed
1 sewage tank
4 water overhead tanks
Games Equipments
Music Instruments
Material donated for nursery classes –white board, table chair, flooring
Porta cabins sanctioned and constructed by Divisional Commissioner under
sadbhavana scheme of the Defence services.
Additional teachers for Maths, Computers
Providing complete support to children in the hostel stay, food, clothes,
education support ,books and extracurricular activities
Culmination of Project
In November 2011, the project reached completion. All the children who were
sheltered over the last six years have been successfully rehabilitated to their homes
and schools in their own Villages.