INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN VALUES AND ART OF LIVING

Kashmir Earthquake

Project Report

The International Association for Human Values

21st Km, Kanakapura Road, Bangalore South

Karnataka 560 082

iahv.blr@gmail.com

Phone: 9342540105

The International Association for Human Values The International Association for Human Values is an International Humanitarian

Organization, which works for the propagation of human values in the political, economic, industrial and social arenas throughout the world. International

Association for Human Values (IAHV) is the sister organization of Art of Living.

IAHV was setup to internationally co-ordinate social development activities and

disaster management including emergency and trauma relief work all around the world.

IAHV has accredited representatives at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna and is working towards bringing about global peace and harmony. IAHV is in

special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United

Nations. IAHV was conferred the BEST in AMERICA award by the Independent Charities of America.

Its programs include:

Trauma Relief and Disaster Management Peace Initiatives & Conflict Resolution

Rural Development (5H Program*)

Schools For Underprivileged Women Empowerment

Prisoners’ Rehabilitation

Environmental Awareness

“IAHV is the only multifaceted organization in the world catering to

mind, body and society.”

*Health, Homes, Hygiene, Human Values and Harmony

in Diversity

Brief History

The development work of Art of Living Foundation started in 1982 and initially

focused on providing primary education to poor children and vocational training to rural women in India. In 1997, development activities were expanded to provide a

comprehensive rural development package that addresses the needs of the poor

and disadvantaged in a holistic manner. Activities range from comprehensive rural

development, education and tribal welfare, organic farming, vocational training, disaster relief and rehabilitation and programs for prisoners.

Since the launch of the first 5-H program in India in 1999, IAHV-AOL has been able to increase its coverage. The 5-H program approach has found international

recognition and is being implemented in South Africa, Poland, Kosovo, Afghanistan,

Iraq, Iran, Latin America, Indonesia, Mexico and the USA.

Our Mission

To build society in which lives of all people exemplify Human Values

To bring relief and solace to those affected by disasters

To achieve peace, harmony and well being throughout the world To work towards the socioeconomic development of the society

In fostering Human Values, IAHV works in collaboration with partners dedicated to

similar goals, including UN Organizations, Governments, Educational Institutions, other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Business Organizations and

Individuals.

IAHV’s international offices are located in Switzerland, USA, India, Germany, the

Netherlands, Italy, Dubai, United Kingdom and South Africa. IAHV India was

registered in 2000.

Overview

The volunteers at IAHV and Art of Living have been involved in various relief

programs around the world. IAHV has been focusing on disaster relief work which includes a three pronged approach:

Immediate material relief Cater to mental and emotional needs of those who have lost their loved ones

and livelihood through Trauma Relief Workshops

Need based long- term rehabilitation for the affected people

Introduction to the Report

The following report describes IAHV’s (International Association for Human Values) efforts in Kashmir Earthquake Relief & Rehabilitation.

The efforts in Kashmir include immediate relief for the people of Kashmir, IAHV

Child Care Centre, school, girls and boys hostel.

Kashmir Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Introduction

The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake left an estimated 3.3 million people homeless. Relief efforts were hindered by Landslides that blocked roads. The UN reported that eight

million people were directly affected. International aid teams from around the world

came to the region to assist in relief.

Immediate relief Within 48 hours of the earthquake IAHV volunteers began relief operations in Uri,

Baramulla, Srinagar, Kamalkot, Tangdhar, Kupwara.

IAHV in partnership with Art of Living provided immediate material relief to the

badly affected villages identified by Art of Living volunteers in conjunction with

government officials. Relief supplies including rice, sugar, blankets, tents and clothing from across the country were distributed.

Trauma Relief Workshop

Apart from the immediate material relief, the organization also provided trauma

relief workshops to adults and children. More than 20,000 people benefited from

these trauma Relief Workshops.

The children Many children in this area were found alone, fending for themselves under these

extreme conditions. They had lost their parents or the parents were in extremely

poor condition. They needed shelter. Furthermore, they suffered trauma and fear psychosis.

The IAHV volunteers worked at great speed. They rented a house and furnished it

with basics, put together a large number of winter beddings, set up the kitchen, and procured cooking gas (a rare commodity in winter). And all this was in place

within a week.

The children were identified in three different ways:

1. Our local volunteers with help and guidance of village head, local school teachers

2. Government Officials

3. Networking with other NGO’s working in the area

Two hundred and fifty children were brought to the winter shelter setup by IAHV in

Shivpora (Srinagar).

During the months of December and January, the children were kept in the homes and given nutritious food and warm clothing. Medical check-ups were conducted

and they have been immunized against measles.

In addition to receiving warm and comfortable home, warm clothes, nutritious

meals and education and recreation facilities to these children; and attended

tuitions.

The School Local teachers were hired. We started three hour daily tuition program. Responding

to children’s request, English classes were also held.

Art of Living conducted a specialized training program for the teachers of the IAHV

Childcare Center. This program helps teachers develop a positive and loving relationship with children and results in holistic development of our children.

“You called us down into the rice fields, I thought it was for food…then we did the

breathing exercise… there was a ghost in my mind, bhoot svar, now I am free.”

The teachers felt very happy after the workshop. They felt that the program has

helped them to open up and feel a lot more affection and a sense of belongingness with the children and the environment. Furthermore they became more creative.

The program consists of a combination of Lectures, Yogasanas, Breathing Exercises,

innovative experiential games, and thought provoking case studies.

Many children suffered fear psychosis and trauma. This was due to years of

continuing violence, the memories of the recent earthquake, poverty and domestic

tension. Consequently, even slight tremors recreated stress situations. Art of Living sent three ART Excel teachers to Srinagar to conduct the world-renowned breath

based program for these children. The results were spectacular. International

scientific research has confirmed the effectiveness of these programs in removing stress, depression and trauma.

Smiles came back on their faces.

“Until we did the breath exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake… now I am at peace.” (Begun Azie, Shaalkot, Baramulla, 2 Oct.

2005)

“Every morning I used to wake up with a jolt, my whole body used to ache and at night I was very scared of noises, and I missed my mother who died in the

earthquake. Now I am feeling very relaxed and am no longer afraid of noises.”

During the severe winter, the numbers of children admitted crossed 150 and we

hired a second home. Gradually the children were shifted to this new building,

called the NIGHT HOME. The first house was converted into a DAY HOME, a recreation center and education center for about 150 children. At the DAY HOME

classrooms and computers were set up and a television set was used for

entertainment and also to keep the children in touch with their mother tongue,

Kashmiri.

The first school was a rented house with small grounds. It was necessary to set up

a school. Also, a computer laboratory was set up with 20 computers to cater to the educational needs of the school.

New IAHV School in association with J&K Government Impressed by our work, the Education Department of the J&K Government has

sponsored and renovated an unused building to set up a permanent school. IAHV signed an MOU with J&K Government, Department of Education. The new school

building was inaugurated in May 2006 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, IAHV Founder as a

model school in collaboration with J&K Government. The government is supporting the salaries of the Headmistress and eight teachers only. The rest of the teachers

are supported by IAHV. The school is run and maintained by IAHV.

There have been regular medical, dental and eye check-ups as well. Emergencies have also been attended to immediately. Uniforms and one set of tracksuits had

been given to the children. This is the first middle school for deprived children in

Kashmir with a computer lab and vocational training. We run a kitchen and provide children with free meals three times every day.

We have approximately 20 girls from Kazikhand, Bulvama, Bandipura and Uri studying at the school. We have established a hostel for the girls. A Matron and

Assistant Matron help take care of them. We provide tailoring training free of

charge. Further, we provide clothes, food and schooling free of charge. As part of

our extension program of this project, machines are also given to some of the girls to train the affected women in the area.

We also have 80 boys from Bramulla, Anant Nag and Manasbal at the school. The

hostel warden helps the children with home tuition.

Impressed with the work of IAHV, the Director of Education, Department of

Education, J&K Government offered a school building which had got damaged

during the terrorist attacks to run the School.

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

The school was renovated with the efforts of Department of Education, J&K Govt

and IAHV for starting the school again.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, IAHV Founder arrives at the school to inaugurate the school on 5th May

2006.

Children are performing different cultural programs in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,

IAHV Founder, Guests, Teachers and other School Management.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji felicitates the School Children.

APNA GHAR Children in the Computer Lab set up by IAHV in association with Sadbhavana

Scheme, Defence Services, J&K

Jubiliant football team of APNA GHAR School after winning the football Match

Hilal Ahmad Bhat, 10th STD and Ishfaq Ah Dhar, 8th STD won in the science project inter

school competition.

APNA GHAR Child Faired Well in Xth STD

Zubeeda, APNA GHAR Child is the first girl to clear 10th in her village

APNA GHAR girls and boys with their wardens

OUTINGS AND EXCURSIONS FOR APNA GHAR CHILDREN

APNA GHAR Children visit Tulip Garden in Srinagar

Additional Support Provided to School By IAHV

Set up a computer Lab- IAHV got the computers donated(10), UPS were

donated under sadbhavana scheme of defence services(10)

10 Toilets constructed

1 sewage tank

4 water overhead tanks

Games Equipments

Music Instruments

Material donated for nursery classes –white board, table chair, flooring

Porta cabins sanctioned and constructed by Divisional Commissioner under

sadbhavana scheme of the Defence services.

Additional teachers for Maths, Computers

Providing complete support to children in the hostel stay, food, clothes,

education support ,books and extracurricular activities

Culmination of Project

In November 2011, the project reached completion. All the children who were

sheltered over the last six years have been successfully rehabilitated to their homes

and schools in their own Villages.