Project 4. YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM (YLTP)

Building Dynamic Leaders for Tomorrow

Lakshminarayanan, from a small village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, was once on the verge of suicide. Only in his early 20s, he thought his problems were unprecedented and that the only way to be free of them was to be free of the world. Luckily for him, someone sent him to do the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) at The Art of Living International center in Bangalore. Ten days later, he says, his life changed

The Youth leadership training program was established in August 1999. This program has a unique syllabus. Not only does the Youth Leadership Training Program focus on personal development and communication skills. Through stress-reducing breathing techniques, individuals find inner peace and communities to come together in a spirit of service. Participants are inspired to volunteer for rural projects, and the fruits of the seeds sown in the classroom can be experienceded by the community as a whole.

YLTP - India

* Trained over 61,546 rural youths

* Reached out to more than 36,557 villages

* Planted over 2.2 million trees

* Trained over 6000 people in organic farming

Approach

The Inspiration

The brainchild of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Youth Leadership Training Program was conceived of as a project that went hand-in-hand with another pet project of his, the 5H program, which is an umbrella social initiative that makes a huge difference in the world by uplifting Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human values, and Harmony in diversity. The aim of the program is to encourage sustainable development, while uplifting individuals and communities at the grassroots so that they become self-reliant, both socially and economically.

The Skills

The YLTP has been the 5H program’s secret of success. The graduates of the YLTP program who show exceptional leadership qualities and commitment are designated as Yuvacharyas (literally: Youth Leaders). They become empowered rural entrepreneurs, and form a team of motivated and committed volunteers who are instrumental in implementing the 5H program in villages, bringing about social reform and economic independence.

As part of their education, the youth are given intensive training sessions, which include information on:

* Leadership skills: shraddha (faith), sangha (network) and saahas (courage)

* How to build a connected, cohesive team atmosphere, which nourishes a sense of belonging

* Daily physical exercise, uniquely powerful breathing techniques, daily yoga and meditation

* Practical knowledge for stress free living

* Traditional art and culture development

* Knowledge of health and hygiene; sexual health, HIV-AIDS, and female foeticide

* Gender Equality

* Preserving the environment and living in harmony with nature

* Traditional Agricultural techniques and natural / organic farming

* Creative exploration

* A drug, alcohol, and tobacco free environment (de-addiction)

* Legal literacy: Dowry Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Child Marriage Restraint Act, and Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation Act)

* Ayurvedic treatment

The Spirit

What are the elements of YLTP that make it so successful?

As Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says: “Instead of thinking, ‘What about me?’, ‘What can I gain from this world? ‘, think ‘What can I do for the world?’! When everyone considers what they can only contribute to society, you will have a divine society.”

It is this spirit of changing the focus from the self to the society, and the world as a whole, that brings about a transformation in youth. This transformation is brought about through a number of unique processes and knowledge sessions, which enable the participants to find their center and become able engines of social transformation. Gone is their self-doubt and angst; their hesitation and worry is replaced by a new-found self confidence and an enthusiasm to serve society.

The Journey

The Yuvacharyas are trained to create model villages – villages that are worth emulating by the rest of the world; villages that are Swaccha (clean), Sundara (beautiful), Subhadra (secure) and Sushikshit (educated). They do this by engaging in village group meetings, cleanliness drives, and awareness campaigns on various issues. They work on the grassroots level on a wide range of areas, and achieve remarkable results in such diverse areas as:

* Health and Hygiene in Maharashtra

* Trauma relief in suicide prone Vidharbha

* Natural Resource Management (Drought Proofing)

* Trauma relief in Naxalism affected areas of Chattisgarh

* Anti-Conversion drive in Kerala and North Eastern states

* Bridging the caste divide in Kerala

* Re-assimilation of Naxalites in Andhra Pradesh

* Tsunami relief in Tamil Nadu

* Mass campaigns against female foeticides

The Workshop

As part of their developmental activities, Yuvacharyas conduct free five day workshops called “Nav Chetna Shivirs” (also called “Breath-Water-Sound” internationally) for the villagers. This workshop creates awareness among villagers about the 5H and other local issues, providing a unique combination of breathing and knowledge that frees the mind of stress; helping them find the center that will provide the foundation for their growth as an individual and the village as a collective.

The Beginning

Day after day, rural youth in India are waking up to the fact that their responsibilities lie in far more than just solving their own problems, and that it is they who will form the backbone of a new India.

The vision of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is creating a wave of transformation in the country.Lakshminarayanan now says, “I feel a huge change. I can tackle any problem now. I am eager to begin working in villages and helping; they are waiting for me!” A resurgent India is being built.

Program Contents

* Daily physical exercise

* Uniquely powerful breathing techniques

* Daily yoga and meditation

* Practical knowledge for stress-free living

* Celebration through music

* Games and creative exploration

* Group sharing

* A drug, alcohol, tobacco free environment

* Intensive training sessions, which develop leadership skills

* Community upliftment and empowerment

* A cohesive, connected team atmosphere, which nourishes a sense of belonging

MY STORY

Youth Leadership Projects: Testimonials

Pinky Patil

PINKY PATIL, B.A, B.Ed, aged 29 years and a resident of district Bidar, was lazy and stubborn. But as days passed by she felt the need to change her character.She did the Art Of Living Part I course which transformed her attitude and she developed interest in social service.

After undergoing the Youth Leadership Program she began conducting Nav Chetana Shivirs in various villages in Karnataka.She facilitated building of 25 Homes for the poor people in Shimoga district. She has set an excellent example of resourcefulness by generating funds for these Homes on her own through local resources.Pinky has conducted several Nav Chetana Shivirs in 30 villages in Bijapur district alone.

With the help of the Panchayat members she facilitated bus services in villages that lacked basic transportation facilities. She has also initiated construction of Roads and planting of 40,000 saplings. In agreement with the District Health officer, the children were granted lifelong free medical aid as a preventive measure against the presence of high fluoride content in water that affected 25 people causing them to become deaf and dumb.She inspired 2000 youths to undergo the YLTP and take responsibility for village development.She further arranged distribution of clothes for 600 school children. She has also organised several Art of Living courses for MLAs who are now giving full support for the Village Development Programs.

Mandiseli Maseti

Mandiseli is so proud of his cultural values, traditions and beliefs, and has a close connection with nature and the environment. He uses theatre and performing arts to educate youth at local schools. He recently assisted on a Breath Water Sound Course at Bonny Toun Juvenile Detention Centre, for youth awaiting trial.

We would like to see that Mandiseli is able to continue teaching the programme at Bonny Toun in 2008. The staff at Bonny Toun were amazed at the changes in the youth, who took the programme. Their was a reduction in stress and violence and greater peace of mind.The youth received a certificate and this goes on record and could possibly help them, when it comes to sentencing.

Mandiseli's love is to fly pigeons. He is really special and has so much to contribute, as a role model for youth around him.

Ram Sanjeevan Dubey

Ram Sanjeevan Dubey

I am a part of The Art of Living since the last 10 years. I became a teacher eight years back. Since then we have been focusing on the rural youth to undergo the YLTP program. The youth in the village wastes all its time or they are on the wrong path. So we work to rekindle the feeling of oneness in them and to motivate them to work for the welfare of the society.

In district Mirzapur there are two-three places which are highly affected by naxals. Mirzapur, Sonbhadr and Chandauli are the three places that are much affected by the naxals. We have conducted courses in these areas as well, which has brought in positive results. Children of the naxals have also undergone the course. Optimistic changes could be seen in them. We are moving forward with the vision of Guruji of making a better society, where people feel one with each other.

Location: (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh)

Phumeza Jack Ntsimango

Phumeza has a passion for children and has already implemented Breath-Water-Sound at the local school in Kalkfontein, Kraaifontein.

We would like Phumeza to continue her good work in the schools in 2008, and hope that she too can become an Earth Child facilitator. She has a real heartfelt affinity with children and an infectious positive, sunny nature.

Farouk Davids

Farouk is a pillar in his community of Mitchellsplain. He works for the City of Cape Town on many projects, concerning youth at risk. Well aware of the challenges surrounding poverty, gangsterism and drugs, in his community, he works together with YLTP colleagues to make inroads into understanding the local gang mindset and what drives youth into the gangs.

Working together with ex-gangsters, Farouk is working on a plan to introduce YLTP to his community, to give the youth direction in life and to keep them from drugs and gangsterism, by giving them an alternative.

Farouk's love for his community, gangsters and all, is a real example of good leadership.

Saneesh

“You take one step and the divine will take 100 steps towards you”.

SANEESH, a resident of village Pattiyal believes it happened that way in his life. He was working as a driver after passing 10th class. Gradually he started consuming liquor, lacked confidence and became unemployed. Disheartened and helpless, he underwent the Art Of Living Part I course and the Youth Leadership Program in the year 2004 where he learnt and developed marketing skills. He soon got successful in marketing any product at any place. Thus regaining his confidence he thought of starting a business on his own, thereby provide employment for the unemployedof his village. With this objective he started a “chikki”(an Indian snack) making industry with an investment of Rs.10, 000. Within a year the firm grew to employ twenty factory workers and Six Yuvacharyas as official staff. The business went on to generate a handsome profit as well.

Amol Bhujbal

“My life has become an eternal celebration, full of love, joy, and devotion.”

Amol Bhujbal from Satara district was depressed and directionless in life. His father was in the Indian Army and indulged in alcoholism. This made him frustrated and he felt like running away. He also tried committing suicide three times. The entire family was disturbed because of his father’s drinking habits. All this stress led to headaches, and dizziness, which culminated into having a tumor in his brain.

He thought that death was very near and that no one can escape an illness like a brain tumor. But there were other plans for him. He did The Art of Living Part I and Divya Samaj Nirman (DSN) courses in 1999. He practiced the Sudarshan Kriya religiously every day and till date there have been no signs of any disease! He is very healthy. He says, “I did the Sudarshan Kriya on the auspicious day of Saint Dnyaneshwar’s procession. He (Saint Dnyaneshwar, one who is knowledge himself) came to my town on this day years ago and this is the same day that Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) has come with knowledge in my life.”

As a student, Amol could not speak in the classroom in front of everyone though he knew his answers were right. After undergoing the YLTP, today as a Yuvacharya, he can address a crowd of 1000 people with tremendous confidence. Says Amol, “I am at loss to understand how a 10 days period (of Youth Leadership Training Program) can cause a diametrically opposite change of a person’s life. Before doing the course I was without economic, social, emotional, or family responsibility, now I imbibe the same qualities and teach the same as a ‘Yuvacharya’.

Shane Lentoor

Shane's passion is to work with youth at risk, and he currently runs a programme in Polsmoor Prison for juveniles. He is a real pillar in his community, sharing his skills and knowledge with the youth around him. His facilitation skills are dynamic and he manages to connect with the youth, helping them to engage on issues like culture, gender and youth issues.

He recently taught the Breath-Water-Sound workshop, to 30 youth, who participated in an HIV and AIDS Awareness Workshop, arranged by Positive Muslims.

'Shane is GOOD.' A slogan from fellow YLTP comrades.

Sayed

I did not know about DKP (Divine Karnataka Project) nor about Guruji. One day I met a friend who told me about Guruji and suggested to go through a 21 day training called DKP. He said it is very beneficial. I said we are muslims, our people don’t go for these things.

Somehow I landed to the ashram in Bangalore for the 21 days training. Here I never felt that I am a Muslim or Hindu or Sikh or Christian, I could only see all are human beings.

15 days we went through the training and then we were sent out to take Nav Chetna Shibir. I was carrying only 400 rupees with me. That amount got over in 10 days only, then I thought now what will I do. Next thought came that I could recharge phones and earn some money. For which I called up a friend called Altaf. Through this I earned around 500 rupees.

Then one more experience I would like to share is when I went to take a Nav Chetna Shibir in another village. As soon as I entered the village I saw Guruji’s photograph in one house. I was very happy to see that my guru has reached here before me. Then I met one of the villagers and told him that we are going to take a three day Nav Chetna Shibir in their village, so our food and lodging has to be organized. That person said you did not give any information before coming; it is not possible at this moment. I told him if you will not organize I will go to some other house, take the course and leave in four days. Then that villager agreed saying that I cannot let down the reputation of my village. He availed us with one house to live and a community centre for the Shibir. Then we started the shibir, which was attended by many adults and children. First day they got food for us. But second day we kept waiting for hours, but got no food. So we went to a villager called Patel’s house with my team members. But his wife said she could not help, as her husband has gone to the fields. We thought how we will get food now?

While returning back to our accommodation, we saw someone was following us with food in his hand. Then all five of us had food happily and we saw that the paper in which the food was wrapped also had Guruji’s photo. I felt that gratitude for Guruji, I wanted to kiss him instead of having the food. I just want to say one more thing at last.