The Good Heart Newsletter, April 2009
Maitreya Universal Education School, Bodhgaya, India
- Another Successful School Year
- Current Funding Challenges
- Get Involved - Help us Fundraise
- Sponsoring a Child or Donating
- Successful Restructuring
- Community Service
- New Vocational Centre
- Dick Jeffrey
We Need Your Help
In order for the Maitreya Project Universal Education School in Bodhgaya, India to continue its good work, we are seeking 300 child sponsors for the 2009/2010 academic year.
If you would like to help by sponsoring a child, please read more below...
Another Successful School Year
New School Blog
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On March 31, staff and students marked the end of another successful school year at the Maitreya Universal Education School in Bodhgaya, India. The older students have been working diligently to prepare for their exams, the teachers have been working extra hours to prepare report cards, and the younger students, just like students in the developed world, have been looking forward to new classes and new books next term. It is an exciting time of year for all.
However, the successes of the school are presently in jeopardy due to a serious reduction in funding. As you may know, the school is funded entirely by donation and, sadly, we are noticing a reduction in donations due possibly to the general economic situation. Some sponsors no longer feel able to donate as before. At the same time, fewer new sponsors are coming forward to fill the gap. Now therefore, more than ever, we need your help.
Later on in this update, we will present some new and innovative ways in which you can assist us.
Current Funding Challenges
"For me this school is mother, father, teacher, everything. My family was unable to afford my education but a ray of luck showed me this school.
"I'm now studying for my Intermediate in Commerce and hope to study for an MBA so I can serve more and more helpless people like me around the world with maitri [loving-kindness].
"This is the great inspiration that arose inside my heart living in this school."
- Jason Sumeru Dhame, Class 12
In a global economic downturn, our first impulse is often to pull back, give less and conserve our resources. However, if we look deeply at the situation, we realise that this reaction is largely based on fear and does not resonate with the core teachings of the Buddha.
Giving brings meaning to our lives. When we give, we have a chance to make an incredible impact during and beyond our lives. And when we give without expecting a return, we reap even more benefit.
We are thereby writing to ask if you will help the children of the Maitreya Education Project. These few words from one of the students will give you an idea of just how important it is to support this school.
Get Involved - Help us Fundraise
We are launching two practical and exciting methods for raising donations in which you can utilise your own imagination and talents to help support the school.
Rather than simply making a donation yourself, you can now set up your own FirstGiving fundraising webpage through which your friends, family, work colleagues or anyone at all can sponsor you in helping the school.
This appeal is more important than ever before, so please consider joining us in fundraising for a very worthy cause. You can not only help children get a good start in life, but also have a lot of fun by orgainising social events, engaging in sporting activities or whatever else you can imagine.
Don't forget to get your friends involved as well!
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Sponsoring a Child or Donating
Sponsoring the education of a child is an especially wonderful way of helping.
One of the best ways to change a child's life is to make it possible for them to gain a good education. By sponsoring a child's education, you will help to bring about long-term benefits to the child, their family and their community.
A donation of US$ 20 per month (just $240 per year) will mean that, as well as knowing deserving children are benefiting from your generosity, you will receive a report and photo of your nominated child.
It is only through the kindness of you, our sponsors, that we are able to support the exceptional and unique education programmes available at the Maitreya Universal Education School, Bodhgaya. We sincerely thank you for your past support and appeal to you to continue to keep the Maitreya Universal Education School one of your priorities. The children in the school so desperately need a quality education, and it is only through your kindness that we are able to support it.
Direct donations may be made via our secure website or sent, as previously, by telegraphic transfer to:
Bank account in India:
Bank of America, DLF Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi
Branch Number: 6216
Account Number: 20851019
Account Name: Maitreya Project
Swift: BOFAIN4XDEL
The web-based fundraising appeal (through Maitreya Project's website, FirstGiving and eBay) to benefit Maitreya Universal Education School - part of Maitreya Project charitable society in India - is being hosted by Maitreya Project International which is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit based in California, USA.
In accordance with Maitreya Project International's U.S. non-profit status, donations to Maitreya Project International in the U.S. are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. In this instance donations will not be tax deductible as Maitreya Project International is hosting the appeal on behalf of Maitreya Project, charitable society India.
Successful Restructuring
The 2008/2009 school year was one of significant change at the school. Our restructuring of routines and classes allowed us to place greater emphasis on academics, as well as to refocus our efforts on the Universal Education aim of developing and promoting "the Good Heart."
We have made progress in both these areas with the acquisition of new resources, staff training in classroom management, teaching strategies, and ongoing work to develop our Universal Education programme and integrate the 16 Guidelines for Life* into our daily assemblies. It has been a very productive year!
Community Service
Our students continue to provide service to the community wherever possible. This year 65 Maitreya students worked for 27 days at the Bhansali Trust's annual "Eye Camp" in Bodhgaya, where every day over 1000 needy patients from all parts of Bihar receive free cataract surgery. Our students are highly valued by this organisation and we have been requested to help out again next year.
We will continue to emphasise community service and social responsibility as a part of our curriculum and develop more and more ways for our students to develop a community spirit.
New Vocational Centre
One of the highlights of the year was the opening of our Vocational Centre. The first group of 48 students continue to learn practical skills in our Tailoring and Electronics programmes, and we are now accepting applications for two new programmes, Automotive Repair and Beautician Training.
We are extremely grateful to our sponsors who have made this programme possible, as there is an enormous need for practical training that will provide employment for our young people who are not academically inclined.
Dick Jeffrey
The Directors and staff of Maitreya Project are sad to inform you of the death of Dick Jeffrey, Director of Maitreya Project Education, and former school principal of Maitreya Project Universal Education School, Bodhgaya, India.
In 2008, Dick was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and travelled back from India to his home city of Melbourne, Australia for surgery. After months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Dick underwent a second operation in March, which left him partially paralysed. Dick passed away peacefully in his sleep at around 8am Australian time on 2nd April 2009, shortly after a visit from his son Lockie and daughter Pip.
Dick's assignment as Director of Maitreya Project Universal Education School in Bodhgaya, saw his outstanding contribution to the development of the curriculum, buildings, and teacher training programme. Hundreds of village children benefited from a free education as a result of his dedicated fundraising work, and anyone who visited the school will remember the warmth, delight and gentle pride with which Dick participated in the morning assembly or in special events such as the annual school concerts and Eye Camps. The curriculum he developed was made available in both English and Spanish, and has inspired educators worldwide.
According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, when a practitioner passes away it is helpful to recite the King of Prayers and to carry out Medicine Buddha pujas (devotional ceremonies) as often as possible during the critical 49 days afterwards. Here are links to these practices: Medicine Buddha and King of Prayers (both PDFs). Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Spiritual Director of Maitreya Project, has arranged for 450 monks from Gyuto Monastery to do extensive prayers for Dick, and for three stupas to be made and dedicated for him, filled with powerful mantras. HH the Dalai Lama has also been requested to make prayers.
* The 16 Guidelines for Life, Tools and Training for a Happy and Meaningful Life were developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom. The 16 Guidelines are Humility, Patience, Contentment, Delight, Kindness, Honesty, Generosity, Right Speech, Respect, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Loyalty, Aspiration, Principles, Service, and Courage. http://www.freewebs.com/16guidelines/theguidelines.htm
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