ELI diploma ceremony
Dear Members, sponsors and friends of Eurasia Foundation and Association
Eurasia is like a tree.
At the roots, there is the Eurasia Network: a tightly knitted
web of people, interconnected by the common values that they embody. The roots give stability, and they have been growing for many years. They reach out in all directions, representing the diverse people from various backgrounds and countries.
The
trunk of the tree symbolizes the Eurasia Learning Institute (ELI) with all its different learning projects (trainings, seminars, workshops, like Call2Care, bio-dynamic training, Hoa Sen training, training for teachers and social educators,
…). ELI is the transmission part of Eurasia that grows out of the strong network.
The branches of the tree are the concrete projects that reach out into the surrounding air, which is the world as we find it.
Some branches, like TTG, are strong, solid and thick. They have been growing for a long time thus allowing other branches and twigs to grow out of them. A new branch will be growing in the direction of Switzerland and it will take the form of a community
garden project.
ADOLESCENT PROJECT
We are happy to inform you that on the 18th of April 2017 we inaugurated the new building for the ADOLESCENT PROJECT of the Peaceful Bamboo Family, Tinh Truc Gia (TTG). This project started
a few months ago: welcoming young adolescents living with disabilities in the TTG community. We are offering them a pedagogical program adapted to their needs, and now we also have the appropriate space and building in which these youngsters can pursue their
activities in good conditions. The building is beautiful, simple and functional.
The inauguration was done in the presence of the local authorities and two of the Eurasia Board members: Dr. Anne Emmanuelle Ambresin and Dr. Igor Leuchter
We thank
all the donors with all our heart and deep gratitude.
ELI: Eurasia Learning Institute for Happiness and Wellbeing:
ELI activities are developing well, both in the TTG community and with our partners in Vietnam
In January
we had the first biodynamic training course guided by Mr. Hung the biodynamic gardener of TTG and Marc Blachère from Camphill Copake USA.
Participants from all parts of Vietnam joined this program. It was the first module and we plan a Module
2 in Spring 2018
- The Kindergarten team is joining a Waldorfkindergarten training in Danang every Saturday for period of 3 months.
- SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) : Dr. Russia
Leuchter and Dr. Anne Emanuelle Ambresin and Dr Ha Vinh Tho gave talks on Social and Emotional Learning SEL in Saigon
- Mr. Vivian Gladwell gave Clowning Classes in TTG and Saigon
The senior TTG/Eurasia
team: Mrs. Trinh, Mrs. Hoa, Mr. Khanh, Mr. Tu and Mr. Hung received ELI Trainer diplomas. All new ELI trainers have undergone a thorough and long term training with Eurasia and are now training the next generation of special educators and social therapists.
There is an ongoing TTG training for the young co-workers that will lead to an ELI social therapy diploma after a period of a few years
It was also a great Joy to be able to give certificates of assistant social workers
to three TTG youngsters: Lam, Cong and Huy who have achieved a 7 years training in TTG!
This is part of our efforts to empower the young adults living with disabilities to become full members of TTG and to find recognition and dignity through their
work.
EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
We have gradually moved from a situation where the educators were providing support and services to people living with disabilities; to co-creating, together with the youngsters a situation where all
stakeholders contribute as partners. The next step is to fully empower the young people living with disabilities – together with our staff - to become co- facilitators and trainers, of the children, adolescents, students, visitors, and volunteers who
come to TTG to learn about ecology, biodynamic organic agriculture, sustainable living, mindfulness, social innovation, arts and crafts, and community life. In doing this, we allow a next phase of the social integration and personal flourishing of all.
We would like to develop this EMPOWERMENT PROJECT through buying more land specifically for this purpose: create school gardens in which TTG youngsters can assist their workshop masters and introduce the schoolchildren in ecological activities:
Connecting to Nature
Bringing Social and Emotional Learning in the general Education System in Vietnam
After a successful pilot project implementation in several primary schools in Hue city, Eurasia
Foundation and its Eurasia Learning Institute for Happiness and Wellbeing (ELI), has the unique opportunity to create a country wide impact on the educational system of Vietnam by implementing a learning program based on Mindfulness,
Compassion, Social and Emotional Learning, first in the primary schools of Hue Province and then, potentially, in all the schools of the country. This program can also gradually be adapted and implemented from Kindergarten to University.
The program
follows two main objectives:
1. Helping children and youths to deeply connect or reconnect with
- Their own best potential
- Their fellow human beings
- Nature and the environment
2. Enabling children and youths
to develop three modes of Care:
- Receiving care
- Self care
- Extending care
These objectives will be achieved through a Mindfulness based curriculum emphasizing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as well as experiential
learning activities in nature.
Vietnam, after a long history of wars, destruction and other challenges, could become the first country worldwide to include these inner dimensions of education in its overall school system. We need your support to bring
into life this amazing opportunity.
Fundraising in Vietnam and Switzerland:
TTG’s network in Vietnam is growing through the constant effort of the TTG Eurasia and ELI team. We organize trainings events that bring awareness about TTG to
a larger society. Many school classes (900 schoolchildren), and many visitors come to TTG, we get a lot of media coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WxpnRIVVAc&t=28s.
But TTG and Eurasia do not get government support, so fundraising for the
running costs remains a priority.
Lisi will retire as Eurasia Foundation director this summer. We need to ensure the continuity of Eurasia and ELI work through supporting the young Team, whose Marie-Fleur Baeriswyl who is the new President of Eurasia
Association.
We also need support for fundraising allowing the new team to professionalize their work and develop new projects in Switzerland.
The world context has changed a lot since the beginning of Eurasia, and today its not so much any more
about the “developed North” supporting the “developing South”, it’s about learning from one another and meeting needs as well as protecting human dignity wherever they are challenged! We would like to fundraise in order to create
a community garden in Switzerland, bringing back what we have learned through our work in Vietnam, and integrating a diversity of people with social difficulties such refugees or young adults in need of support by creating a socially innovative and conducive
environment.
Here, just like in Vietnam, the goal is to show the potential of diversity in society and practice being deeply connected with oneself, others and nature, living in harmony and in a sustainable way for our common future on our Planet.
Please note the date! The Eurasia day in Switzerland will take place on the 3rd of September in Perceval, St. Prex! A great program is awaiting you and a detailed program will be sent soon.
Dear members, friends and sponsors, we send you our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support, all these projects that have brought Happiness and Wellbeing to many, and have alleviated much suffering can only happen through your generosity and your support.
In the name of the whole Eurasia team in Vietnam and in Switzerland
For your donations:
Association Eurasia
CCP 17-496738-5
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise
Compte 987.86.01
IBAN CH78 0076 7000 A098 7860
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www.eurasia.org.vn