One of Cara’s favorite new pasttimes is making chappatis for dinner with the lovely ladies at Vatsalyadham.  Here her teachers are helping her learn this fine art.  It takes between 60 and 90 mins. each night to make enough chappatis for dinner.  Laughter and conversation are a part of the process.

Most meals at Maher are veg in keeping with Gandhi’s principles of ahimsa, or non-harming.  Eggs are served occasionally.  And, because some of the women and children are non-veg, friends of Maher occasionally host a ”chicken day” to accommodate all preferences.  Many of our vegetables and fruits come from Vatsalydham’s large garden, which is maintained by the ladies who live there. 

Cara is looking forward to bringing her new found skills back to the US to share with family and friends. 

May you fully appreciate the blessing, beauty and bounty of  the food you eat today!

Namaste. . .

Here the children have run to wave goodbye to Sister Lucy after one of her recent visits.  They delight in her arrival, experience joy in her presence and spontaneously send her off with blessings.  

Wishing you many people in your life who would make such an effort to send you off with waves, good wishes and love and look so forward to your return!

On days when we are staying at Vatsalyadham, we begin our days doing prayer, yoga, meditation and exercise with approximately 60 women.  After bathing and breakfast, we listen to the stories of the women who speak English (a fraction since so many of these women are from the villages).   Around 10:30, we attend staff prayer.   Then, we dance, do crafts or play games with the women for a couple of hours before lunch and rest.  (This photo is of Rosemary making colorful flowers for welcome bouquets and garlands.  )Following an afternoon craft session, the children return.  Now, it is time to begin tuition (enrichment activities and games), Spoken English and outdoor play.  Our day concludes with a walk around the grounds, prayer with the 60+ children,  and dinner with the staff when we can talk about the day, exchange info on our cultures and laugh.   On these days, there is no internet or mobile phones although sometimes there is a part of a Bollywood film or serial.

May the wealth of simple pleasures be yours this day and always!

Namaste~

It seems as though the world is coming to Maher!  The countries represented include Austria, Germany, US, UK, New Zealand, Dubai, Netherlands, and many parts of India.  People are always surprised when they learn about the length of our visit and many want to know how we learned about Maher.  What is fascinating is that few of the people in India are aware of the book on Maher entitled, Women Healing Women.  It makes sense since the Indian version was just released earlier this year.

Today’s photo was taken at the initiation of Maher’s 24th home, Rising Star, which was named by the children.  It is home to young men 18 years and older.  Much of the funding came from an organization in the Netherlands.   More than 800 people attended the five-hour initiation party, which included dinner for all.   The house opened last night.  The residents wanted to wait to occupy it until Sister Lucy could join them for evening prayer.  Such is the love, respect and admiration the children have for this amazing woman!

United we stand, Divided we fall

We Visualize our World

Om:  The Universal family spirit of Hinduism

Yin and Yang:  The complementary forces of female and male principles of Taoism

Bow and Arrow: The cosmic solidarity of tribal religions

Hammer & Sickle:  Equality and Peace of Marxism

Fire:  The creativity of Parsi religion

Star of David:  The indomitability of Judaism

Cross:  The self-sacrifice and forgiveness of Christianity

Swastik:  The Non-Violence of Jainism

Dharmachakra: The Compassion of Buddhism

Crescent:  The discipline and fellowship of Islam

Kara:  The courage of Sikhism

Is God so small to be Possessed by one Religion?

A brightly colored sign with these words and symbols representating each following hangs in every Maher home and office.

Wishing you the peace of your Divine Path today!

Blessings~

Every child at Maher receives four changes of clothes when they arrive.  One of the skills they learn is how to fold and store their garments since many are accustomed to having only the clothes they are wearing.  This photo shows the children’s lockers at one of Maher’s village centers.  Yesterday, Cara prepared a grant for 80 more lockers since there is always room for one more at Maher.  The locker sizes are 18″ wide x 18″ deep by 26″ long. 

Wishing you the fulfillment of a happy life.

Namaste~

This photo of Cara and several of the lovely ladies at Vatsalyadham was taken on the 4th of July.  All the women and children who were able attended the inauguration of Maher’s 24th home.  Named Rising Star, it will be home for young men over the age of 18 who are a part of the Maher family.   “It is Maher’s fond hope that one day these children will carry Maher’s message of peace and love to all corners of the world.”

Help the Maher children by bringing peace to as many corners of the world as possible today!

Namaste~