sarawakbahai.org

At the end of a recent retreat held in Ranchan Pool Resort, about 70 km from the state capital Kuching, four additonal clusters have been considered for possible launching of Intensive Programme of Growth (IGP).

Presently, there are only two clusters which have launched IGP, namely, Kuching and Miri clusters, which started their first cycle of growth in March and April this year, respectively. Both clusters are now nearing the end of their first cycle and will soon be preparing for the launching of their respective second cycle.

For the more than 40 friends who turned out last night at the Kuching Baha’i Centre for a review of the results of the 2-week Intensive Teaching Campaign that was launched at the same venue on the evening of 25 March 2005 amidst much fanfare in an inspiring candle-lighting ceremony, the results could not have been more inspiring.

Though the 20 odd teaching teams could only manage to get 365 contacts out of the 540 originally set as the goal, the number of receptive individuals was more than expected. The original goal set 10% of the 540 contacts (i.e. 54 people) to be receptive individuals. But by the end of the campaign, the actual number was 245, that is, nearly 5 times the original target.

After much preliminary discussion, consultation and preparation, the first ever Intensive Growth Programme (IGP) for Sarawak was successfully launched for the Kuching-Padawan-Samarahan cluster in the evening of 25 March 2005 amidst much fanfare in an inspiring candle-lighting ceremony. More than 60 friends came for the launching held at the Kuching Baha’i Centre.

This launching was the culmination of many meetings, the first of which was held on 5 March at the start of the fasting month of Ala. In that first meeting, held at the Kota Padawan Baha’i Centre, Counsellor George Soraya spoke and inspired the more than 40 people present to realise the potential and capability of the community to launch an Intensive Growth Programme for the cluster.