Outline

Community of Learning (CoL) initiative was launched in 2004 from the idea of MRA-Initiatives of Change, it challenges people everywhere to:

1. Change Starts from Me

2. Disseminate the changed experiences with others

3. Influences life with life

Background

The work of Initiatives of Change (Moral Re-Armament) in Malaysia began from the early 60’s, it in advocate “Change starts from oneself before changing the world”. Nandor LIM, an IofC full time volunteer returned to Malaysia on 2001 from Taiwan R.O.C. discovered everyone could learn something and interpret from its own life and background while he was working as a cultural and educator. A healthy community is providing the ideas of cooperation to support each others to build up a healthy relationship with selves; is to achieve the aim of influencing life with life. Therefore he took actions in 2004 and established ‘AKASHA Learning Community Centre’ in September, 2005; to carry forward the concept of CoL.

For this reason, activities that initiated by CoL were ‘Change Starts with Me’ conference 05’ & 06’, ‘Studies in Life Matters Seminar’ 06’, and others self help programme. Now, in other countries life China, Taiwan R.O.C., Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, U.K., Australia, etc. also have analogous initiatives.

Vision

1.Consolidating the quality of caring for others and deepening the foundation of work already done – the caring foundation of learning community centre: a)The love and respect for humanity; b)The ability to understand and heal one’s life.

2.Promoting interaction the activities of the learning community and IofC to all the ethnic groups and the English-language community in Malaysia.

3.Encouraging people to be involved in IofC’s International programmes

MISSION STATEMENT

1.Setup a central committee for the management of the learning community centre: managing all the administration and development.

2.Establish the publication and IT-communication for publication, internet communication and newsletter printout.

3.Setup youth volunteer work teams (a.14-18 years old; b.18-45 years old, secondary students, college students and adults)

4.Ongoing training for life trainers and strategy for promoting to the rest of society.

Aims

Initiative -- from within, without any conditions attached to the learning;

Inter-dependence -- the choice to study, not for any other motive except for the desire to learn; and

Reflection -- the understanding that no matter what stage you are at in life you should be alive every moment.

Through self-improved learning process, the awareness and sensitivity can be arisen by itself; these can help to convert the difficulties to solutions.

Explanation

AKASHA is a name of a centre; it established as a learning community especially cooperate with Malaysia society requirement.

“AKASHA” is a Sanskrit word, it means “Brilliance” or “Ether”, it is the first and most important element out of the rest of four, and there are fire, water, air and earth. Choosing “akasha” as the name of centre is to remain us that “Walk on God’s will rather than men will”. Too much unexpected happens in our life for unknown is the essence of life; we have to learn to trust the unknown and believe in faith, to realise that we all are part of nature.

How to join?

AKASHA Learning Community Centre now conducts some different self-help workshops such as ‘Family Reconciliation’, ‘Self Help’, ‘EQ Development’, ‘Relationship Effective Training’, ‘Inner Conscience Listening’, ‘Conflict Resolution’, ‘Studies in Effective Living’ and cultural / education activities etc. We also invite friends who like to know more about IofC to take part of our monthly debriefing. Inspirational books Library of AKASHA is provided to the people who likes to inspire/encourage growth and learning.

Financial

The conviction and perseverance to God is our belief for the work.

We accept personally short term or long term small amount donation, no matter financially, materially or spiritually, we hope to receive your support, and all of these will conditional complementally return to the society.

All donation will only use for

•The expenditure (rental, telecommunication, publication)
•Support the full time volunteer living expenses.

Contact

IOFC Malaysia ‘AKASHA’ Learning Community Centre
No.1，Jalan 14/9，
Petaling Jaya，
Selangor Darul Ehsan，
Malaysia.

Tel: +60(3)7956 0512
Fax: +60(3)7954 7273
Email: akasha@my.iofc.org