News

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  1. North West
  2. North East
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  4. South
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North West

30/07/2006
A group of 7 persons, including 3 teachers, and our pioneer to St. Maarten, Pam Fox (back on a visit), have done the initial training as Junior Youth Animators and are making plans to form Junior Youth Groups and to have a recall meeting to share experiences. There was also the delightful visit of Dr. Gwen Etter-Lewis from Miami University who spoke about the early African-American Bahá’ís in North America, at a Wednesday evening meeting at the National Bahá’í Centre.

13/07/2006
In the North West Cluster an intensive Junior Youth Animator training course is scheduled in July at the National Bahá’í Centre (18th, 20th, 25th & 27th), a tutor gathering is being planned with special emphasis on acts of service and the practicum of each course, 10 persons started Book 2 and overall 10 study circles are continuing.

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North East

12/11/06
Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday celebrated in Tunapuna:- The Birthday of Baha’u’llah was celebrated on 12th. November, 2006 in the Tunapuna Bahá’í
Community, at the Farabi’s residence. The local Spiritual Assembly Members joined together to prepare a barbeque dinner for their guests.

A beautiful programme was developed as a power point presentation and Rhonda Lewis enchanted us with her songs. The actual barbeque cooking was done by Mr. Bryan Anderson, who stood and worked continuously throughout the afternoon and evening. It was hard work for everyone involved, but all the guests agreed that the occasion was wonderful and the Local Spiritual Assembly members felt a real spirit of unity and joy in service.

30/07/2006
Outreach to parents have caused about 10 persons to sign up to do Book One, and 2 children’s classes in Carapo have been put on a stronger foundation.

13/07/2006
The North East cluster plans to launch teaching projects and advertise the Ruhi courses available in the newspapers in an attempt to become an A cluster by the end of 2007.

In North East Cluster the goal to achieve an A growth level in 2007 has been set, and, to assist in this, to bring 50 persons into Book One in the next 3 months. There are a good number of tutors trained to facilitate institute courses, and, at the Cluster Reflection meeting, recognizing this available human resource, it was agreed to a) form teams to do further home-visiting and outreach in Curepe, Kelly and Carapo whilst encouraging such activity in other areas, and b) to boldly proclaim (by newspaper advertisement) the availability of courses in Book One “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit”. This experimental effort, coming out in July, is being coordinated by the Cluster agencies in consultation with the National Institute Coordinator, and co-sponsored by LSAs and individuals in the Cluster.

10/06/2006
The North East Cluster held it's Institute Meeting where they discussed what the cluster needed to achieve within the next year and a half and how they were going to do this.

03/06/2006
The Arts Committee, in conjunction with Mrs Kathleen Farabi, held a proclamation meeting, in the form of an Art Exhibition and a Concert at the Farabi's residence in Valsayn. The Art Exhibition lasted for two days (the 3rd & 4th June) and was fairly well attended.

The concert, which featured members of the local Rock band, Broken Mirrorz, and one of our own, Rhonda, took place on the evening of the 3rd June, 2006.

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Central

30/07/2006
Activities are being sustained and consolidated, and are attracting more Bahá’ís to be involved.

13/07/2006
Central cluster now have five (5) new devotional meetings, two (2) childrens classes, one Junior Youth group and one study circle (book 1) underway.

With the start of the new five (5) year plan set out by the Universal House of Justice, the Central cluster got off to a running start with 5 new devotional meetings now underway. Host families are reaching out to their neighbours, family and friends with success.

Inspired by Book 3 of the institute courses, and a desire to start children’s classes, approaches were made to a small children’s home, with a view to starting a children’s class and a junior youth group, and the management agreed. Meanwhile, a group of 7 went through an intensive training to become Junior Youth Animators, and the LSA of Couva decided to provide material support. At the end of June they held a social activity with the children at the home (games, songs and eats), to get to know each other; and the first children’s class (3-11 yrs) and youth activity (12 – 22yrs) was held at the beginning of July. In a review session held immediately afterwards to share experiences, it emerged that the older ones in each group had been dominant. As there were sufficient human resources, it was decided to split the groups again by age (with approximately 6 in each) into 2 children’s classes, a junior youth group, and a group to study Book One. This went well. The team is encouraging each other in their endeavours and in gaining experience.

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South

20/10/06
Birthday of The Báb Celebrations in San Fernando:- The Birthday of The Báb was celebrated in Marabella at the home of the Heeralal’s, with 12 friends (children included) in attendance, there was a devotional programme followed by a tasty meal and refreshments. The evening was a relaxed and enjoyable one. The Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated in Gulf View at the Edoo’s residence with friends from all of the South Cluster attending. Readings from the Writings and music were followed by a delicious meal and dessert enjoyed by the 60 and more friends in attendance. The Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá was commemorated with prayers, readings from the Writings and music at the Gulf View residence of the Edoo’s with 9 adults in attendance.

30/07/2006
Activities are developing in Ragoonanan Rd, Penal. Outreach to this community was warmly met, a general introductory meeting was held with about 20 persons coming out, and a mixed Bahá’í team (5 adults, 2 youth & 4 children) assisting. A children’s class was begun and a much demanded youth meeting will be held on the 5th August. Great excitement is brewing! Regular devotional meetings at Palmyra Bahá’í Centre are allowing notice so visitors may attend.

13/07/2006
The Local Spiritual Assembly of Penal / Debe have launched a teaching and outreach programme in their area; devotional meetings have been re-established at Palmyra Bahá'í Centre.

Inspired by the launch of the new five (5) year plan and the National Institutional Meeting (held in Port of Spain in May, 2006) in the South Cluster devotional meetings at Palmyra Bahá'í Centre have been re-established. Other devotional meetings in the cluster are also seeing improvements as a direct result of the new cluster arrangements.

These improvements have also been seen in an outreach and teaching programme initiated by the LSA of Penal / Debe, associated with checking on some Bahá’í property in Penal,. The team was warmly received and is looking towards gradually establishing the core activities. 3 visits have been made, a venue located and a first meeting planned.

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Tobago

30/07/2006
The Tobago community held a ‘Teaching Conference’ at the Mason Hall Bahá’í Centre with about 20 present, and are maintaining their other activities.

13/07/2006
In the Tobago Cluster the Ruhi courses are now being offered, at a central location :– after the devotional meeting on Sunday mornings, at the Mason Hall Bahá’í Centre. New persons are entering Book One, and others are advancing in other courses.

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09/12/2006
On Saturday 9th December 2006, a very successful seminar was held at the National Bahá’í Centre in Port of Spain, on Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls. This was arranged by a special Task Force under the aegis of our Office of External Affairs, with a view to sensitizing the Bahá’í community and the public on the issue, and sharing related remedies from the Bahá’í Teachings as well as disseminating the new document from the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) “Beyond Legal Reform”

The presentations were moderated by Dr. Derek Chadee (senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Head of the Ansa McAl Psychological Research Centre) who also gave the closing remarks. Other Bahá’ís involved were Dr.Hamid and Mrs Kathleen Farabi - who gave an excellent introduction using power point displays based on a background document provided by BIC, which many people remarked on; and Dr. Eslyn Burris (forensic pathologist) who, again using visual media, presented very well the Bahá’í Teachings that can help remedy the situation.

Other official presentations were made by:
• Minister Eudine Job-Davis - Ministry of Culture & Gender Affairs
• Ms Monica Williams - Director of Gender Affairs in above Ministry
• Professor Rhoda Reddock - Head of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies, UWI.
• Mrs. Hazel Brown - Coordinator of the NGO Network for the Advancement of Women
These presentations were followed by questions and comments to the panel, and then a social period for personal informal interactions.

This event was attended by over 80 persons, including former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali, retired judge of the Appeals Court, Justice Zainool Hosein, Dr. Michael Alleyne of the Ministry of Education, other invited guests, members of the media, and represented a good cross-section of society (Bahá’ís, their friends and seekers). All who attended received a copy of the document “Beyond Legal Reforms” (LINK) and many stayed until late in the night discussing ideas. The TV station IE filmed the event and conducted some interviews, and it was aired on the news that same night. There was also a representative from Radio Heritage present.

28/05/2006
The National Spiritual Assembly held it's first National Institute meeting. This was attended by various members of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Counsellor, Mr. Ganesh Ramsahai and Auxilliary Board Members, Mrs Bella Edoo and Mrs Carolyn Johnson as well as specially invited guests from each of the clusters in the country. The meeting began with a couple of presentations about the aims and goals of the clusters and then every one split up into their various clusters for some group work. The various clusters were called upon to call similar institute meetings for the members of their various communities. The meeting was rounded off by presentations by representatives of each group.

25/05/2006
The Inter Religious Organisation held it's Annual General Meeting at the National Bahá'í Centre. The feature speaker was Senator Angela Cropper

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Other Stories:

17/07/2006
Haifa, Israel:- Attacks are being made on Haifa as a part of the Israel / Lebanon war. Atleast one rocket has reportedly hit unused Bahá'í land near the terraces. We pray that all our friends and loved ones who are there are safe and that the terraces (and buildings of the Ark) do not receive any damage as a result of this war.

13/07/2006
School of Nations, Macau:- The School of Nations in Macau is looking for two secondary school, two (2) upper primary and one (1) kindergarten / Early childhood teachers to teach. Secondary school English Language & Literature (ability to teach World History & Geography appreciated) to start in August 2006. Applicants must speak English fluently, have a tertiary degree, be a qualified teacher and have relevant teaching experience. If interested, send resumé to director@schoolofthenations.com (email) or Fax (853) 701724; or visit the website http://www.schoolofthenations.com

Bahá'í World Centre:- Need for staffing and youth service volunteers at the Bahá’í World Centre. If interested contact serve@bwc.org (by email). Information & application forms are available on-line at service: bahai.bwc.org