sarawakbahai.org

16 July 2008 No Comment

Friends, the NBYC of Sarawak is working on a big programme for the upcoming school holiday. There will be Ruhi courses for youths all over Sarawak. We know that our youth do not have much money so the plan is to allow them to attend the courses in their own communities in rural areas.

The NBYC has discussed with ATCs in several clusters regarding the programme. Clusters that have confirmed they will be organising a programme are Serian, Lundu, Sebuyau and Simunjan. We are contacting ATCs in other clusters such as Sibu, Niah, Bakong and Limbang to study how we can collaborate.

The courses will be taking place from about 20th November to 20 December 2003. These dates are subject to slight change as plans are finalised. I have visited some schools to check the response of the students - so far it has been very good.

While the courses are primarily for school leavers (SPM/STPM) all youth including from outside Sarawak are very welcome to participate. During the one month, it is hoped youth new to the Ruhi process will complete Book 1 to Book 4. Special courses will also be arranged for those who wish to continue to Book 6 and 7.

Most arrangements for the courses are being made by ATCs and LSAs in each cluster. For example, in Serian the ATC has arranged a programme with 4 courses - Book 1 will be held in Bugu Diyang, Book 2 in Mayang Tea and Book 3 and 4 in Mujat. Accomodation and food is being looked after by the LSAs in each community and there is a cluster programme coordinator to ensure that everything will go smoothly.

During this phase of the project the NBYCs role is mainly supportive. We are helping coordinate the dates and plans in each cluster so that they will all be happening more or less at the same time. After the cluster programmes are over there will be an ‘exchange’ where the youth will travel to different clusters, visit Baha’i communities and conduct some programme. While the programme content will be prepared by the youth themselves - it will probably contain talks, reports, songs, sketches and dances that they have learnt during the one month.

After the ‘exchange’ we will be having a Regional Youth Conference at Sg. Buloh, Asajaya cluster. We are hoping for good attendance as expenses will be low due to its rural setting.

We hope that you can support us either by serving as a tutor or as a participant. The support and success given by you to this programme will inspire and encourage our youth to become active supporters of the faith. In particular we feel that youth from Sarawak who are in University or similar Institutions are especially suitable for guiding the new school leavers.

So please consider if you have any leave or holiday from 20/11/2003 - 30/12/2003 to come over and help us. I’m sure the youth in the rural areas will really welcome you to their community. Please share these plans with other youth in your community and encourage them to come and give support. Hope to hear from you soon. If you have any question or you need more information, please drop me a line.

With loving Baha’i greetings,
Winnie Lambong