Visions Camps in Sri Lanka, December 2007

A 5-day Visions student leadership training camp was held in Colombo from December 3-7, 2007 at Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College). The students established an SLC (Student Leadership Committee) and are eagerly planning events already. They will also be involved in the implementation of the Visions Learning Center project during this next crucial year of development.


The first ever (!) Visions teacher training camp was held in Colombo from December 8-9, 2007, also at Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College). The teachers were very pleased and grateful; it was also a great opportunity for Visions to begin to develop its teacher training programs. Lessons were held in how to teach leadership, human rights, and citizenship, as well as how to foster personal character development within all students. Special sessions in creative approaches to teaching and Visions Learning Center support were also conducted. We hope to engage the teachers at this school more in the near future and branch out to many more teachers throughout the island.


To view the complete album from these latest Visions camps, please click on the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2201153&l=24999&id=3309175

Clarification about Summer Trip Dates & Expenses

Here is a more detailed description of the trip dates and activities for the Sri Lanka and Kenya trips:

SRI LANKA:

Activity	Dates	Location
Training & Orientation	July 29-30, 2008	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Leadership Camp 1	August 1-9, 2008	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 10, 2008	Around Colombo, Sri Lanka
Retreat	August 11-13, 2008	Kandy, Sri Lanka

KENYA:

Activity	Dates	Location
Training & Orientation	August 14-16, 2008	Nairobi, Kenya
Transit to Campsite	August 10, 2008	Near Nairobi, Kenya
Leadership Camp 2	August 18-23, 2008	Kenya
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 24, 2008	Kenya
Leadership Camp 3	August 25-30, 2008	Kenya
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 31, 2008	Kenya
Retreat	September 1-3, 2008	Masai Mara, Kenya

There is also a correction about pricing. I forgot to take account of certain expenses and need to update the projected cost of the trip. The new figure I am working with is $1295 per person (exclusive of airfare) for Sri Lanka and $1395 per person (exclusive of airfare) for Kenya. This amount will cover you for the entire 2.5 weeks in Sri Lanka OR the entire 3 weeks in Kenya. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Email me with any questions or concerns you may have (gtbuie@gmail.com).

Visions Holiday Wishlist

The new Visions Amazon Wishlist is now up for any and all who wish to donate to Visions during this holiday season. Please help Visions by giving the gift of education to disadavantaged youth in Sri Lanka & Kenya during this season of giving. All the supplies we need for our upcoming teacher and student training camps in both countries are available for purchase on the Amazon Wishlist. Help ensurethat these needy children receive a quality education by contributing to the Visions organization and visiting our Visions wishlist:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/ref=wlem-si-html_viewall/104-5430587-2367964?id=3S7WEXZB1KQOS

We thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion!

Sincerely,

Greg & Meera, Visions Co-Directors

Mother Teresa Speaks on Poverty & Giving

Let us all learn a lesson about giving from 1979 Nobel Peace Prize Winner & humanitarian leader Mother Teresa, who during her lifetime gave herself entirely to the cause of alleviating the suffering and despair of countless persons in India and providing a source of inspiration to persons worldwide. Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying in Calcutta, India offered a place of final respite for the homeless, sick, elderly, and neglected persons that she and her colleagues literally rescued from the streets. She provides an example of true moral leadership and self-sacrifice in the name of chairty and compassion. We cannot stand idly by as so many in this world suffer; we can no longer pretend to be ignorant about what is going on in the world today; the time for us ALL to make a difference is NOW.

Welcome to the Visions Blog!

While waiting for the Visions website to be entirely redone, I thought it might be a good idea to start a blog and keep people updated on the latest Visions news. I will periodically post any new information about Visions, including current efforts, fundraisers and events, and future volunteer opportunities, etc. Welcome to the Visions blog!

Visions 2006 students Iresha, Ayesha, and Nayana proudly display their Visions certificates upon completion of a 9-day Visions Leadership Camp in Keliyapura, Sri Lanka.

Proudly Announcing: Visions 2008 Summer Volunteer Opportunities!!

After much thought, I have decided to go ahead and set up more Visions camps this coming summer (July/August 2008) in both Sri Lanka and Kenya! I am planning 4 Visions Leadership Camps for 2008, the most camps we've ever held in a single summer since our beginnings in 2003. This summer we will be working with many more teachers than ever before, giving them direct training alongside the students. They will participate in special sessions while still joining the students in many activities & lessons, as well as assisting the volunteers and students throughout. We are also planning our first ever Visions follow-up Leadership Camp for past Visions students who have already done the basic training and are hoping to participate in something more advanced.

*Special follow-up session/camp with past Visions students #1 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO):
July 23 (Wednesday) -- July 26 (Saturday)


*Leadership Camp #1 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO): July 28 (Monday) -- August 3 (Sunday)


*Leadership Camp #2 (KENYA--KISUMU):
August 11 (Monday) -- August 16 (Saturday)


*Leadership Camp #3 (KENYA--AHERO):
August 18 (Monday) -- August 23 (Saturday)


***All volunteers will undergo a mandatory Visions training prior to transiting to the campsites. We will stay at a hotel, do the training there, and get to see a bit of the capital city. All meals, transportation, training materials, hotel fees, etc. will be covered in your program expense. The training sessions are:

~July 21-22, 2008 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO)
~August 8-9, 2008 (KENYA--NAIROBI)

***Sri Lanka volunteers will go on a mini-vacation to a destination yet to be determined after their service. This will provide time to relax, do a little sightseeing, and enjoy the local culture and traditions.

***Kenya volunteers will go on a 2-day safari to the Masai Mara Reserve in Southern Kenya after their service. This will provide time to see the amazing Great Migration, relax, and enjoy the beautiful sights and culture of Kenya.

***Expected program costs will be $995 (exclusive of airfare) for approx. 3 weeks in Sri Lanka OR approx. 3 weeks in Kenya. If you wish to attend all camps in both countries, the cost would therefore be roughly $1990 for approx. 7 weeks (exclusive of airfare). The cost of this year's trip has been heavily reduced (50% off from last year) due to early and active fundraising efforts.

***You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you would like, in either or both countries. Costs will be adjusted accordingly.


If you are interested in volunteering with Visions this summer, then I need the following things from you, the sooner the better (to reserve your spot):

1. An email to let me know you're interested and applying (or thinking about applying)
2. A completed application and waiver of release form, along with $25 non-refundable
application fee (which will go towards your total program fee, if you do committ).
3. A non-refundable $350 deposit by April 10, 2007.

4. A decision whether you'd like to book your own airfare or let me do it for you (sending me your flight details, in case of the latter).



To express interest, to reserve a spot, or to ask a question, please email gtbuie@gmail.com.

"The highest prayer in this world is service,
the greatest devotion is loving the people around us:
and the noblest character trait is divine compassion for all living creatures."

--Swami Chinmayananda