MRA-Initiatives of Change Malaysia
VOL. 1 Issue 2 -- JUNE 2008

For PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY to those actively involved with MRA-IofC and AKASHA centre in its development. Please do not copy. It is for your consideration, response, creation and conviction.

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:

Developments in IofC-Learning Community Centre: AKASHA
Promoting the coming activities of IofC centre

Developments in AKASHA, January – June 2008
The IofC-Learning Community Centre in Kuala Lumpur has progressed considerably in its outreach and functions. Here's a brief overview:

Nandor’s Reflection Trip in Taiwan
December 19, 2007-January 3, 2008: “Change starts from oneself” is an unchangeable truth, it needs one to live it and to “walk the talk” rather than just expressing it as a slogan. Nandor LIM “grows” himself in the IofC environment, and is committed to “pay it forward” to people who need it. His philosophy has slowly impacted the Malaysian society. We believe through our persistence in this initiative, we will create a new phase in IofC work. His five year plan finished at the end of 2007. This reflection trip was a good opportunity to think ahead for his second five years working in IofC.

Volunteers & Trainers Attend AP’s 40th Anniversary
January 12 – 21, 2008: In 1960, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajmohan Gandhi had a vision of “Asia Plateau” – an Asian centre for training in Panchgani. Her first construction started with only Rs 800 in the bank. Mr. Gordon BROWN, an architect from Australia travelled 17 times to India on his own expense to help to construct the building of Asia Plateau. In 1968, Asia Plateau had its official opening. Today, after 40 years of brilliant development, Asia Plateau has become a major international centre for the training of people from industry, education and other national sectors in Asia. The volunteers and trainers, NS LOH, YEE Siew Choy, HOE Pik Nyiok, LIM Kai Lheng, YANG Kok Kiong and Nandor’s family attended the 40th anniversary to exchange and interact with the wider IofC friends from around the world.

Haridas, Weny & Nandor Attends IofC SGC
January 22 – 31, 2008: The Vice-Chairman of IofC Malaysia, K. Haridas NAIR, Hon. Secretary Nandor LIM and Hon. Treasurer Weny LIM continued their participation in the IofC Special Global Consultation after the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Asia Plateau. Altogether 50 from 46 countries got together to search for the coming five years work with IofC and how to support each other. A report from the consultation is available for your interest located in the library of AKASHA centre.

AKASHA CNY Gathering
February 29, 2008: The Chinese New Year gathering this year was with a difference. All attendees were requested to dress up as legendary. It is always interesting to see how creative people can be dressed. This night of “heroes” especially the tree elf, made it unforgettable night. There were fun, jokes and games for all generations, including learning group participants and youth programme participants. Everyone enjoyed the games; everyone felt warm and was deeply touched.

1st Semester of Inner Development Programme
March – June, 2008: A series of training programmes have been conducted by Nandor & Weny LIM, Sally GOH and NG Chui Cheng. Including “Family workshops”, “Homecoming”, “Learning to Love Yourself”, “Sensitivity Training”, “The Satir Model” and “Parent Effectiveness Training skills”.

High School Prefects Programme
March 14, 2008: NG Chui Cheng, TAY San San and HOE Pik Nyiok were invited by Chung Hua High School, Kuala Lumpur to give training to school prefects on the title “I can? vs. I can!”. Altogether about 60 prefects attended this seminar. The seminar aimed to provide a perspective for students to find their own true direction. There was an exercise to discover the gap between one’s need and the duty of prefects which helped the prefects to look within. Most of them expressed their thoughts before the end of the seminar which was very encouraging.

Training on Effective Living for Teenagers
March 22 – May 1, 2008: Do you feel frustrated if your children have bad moods as teenagers? Will you worry if they don’t know how to manage their time? Encourage them to join the “Training on Effective Living for Teenagers”! We can’t promise to solve your frustrations and worries, but we can promise that your children will begin to CHANGE! This “training on effective living for teenagers” has five sessions on different topics, such as: EQ Management, Family EQ, Inner Conscience, True Love and Time Management. It is based on the very needs of teenagers nowadays. Nandor has successfully given 11 teenagers some understanding over the past weekend.

MRA Annual General Meeting
March 30, 2008: Moral Re-Armament Malaysia called for its Annual General Meeting on March 30, 2008 at AKASHA Learning Community Centre. The meeting also elected the new committee for 2008-2009.

Chairman: Tan Seri Datuk Paduka Haji Saleha Mohd.
Vice chairman: K. Haridas NAIR
Hon. Secretary: Nandor LIM
Assistance secretary: Philip NG
Hon. Treasurer: Weny LIM
Assistance treasurer: Fauziah Hajjas ZAHARI
Committee: Rosyln LIM, Indira Haridas NAIR, Patrick & Roditha Sta MARIA

School programme: I am Me!
April 2, 2008: Nandor LIM was invited by SMK Shing Chung, Sungai Siput, Perak to give a speech to school students on the title "I am Me - in the context of self-identification and change". Altogether about 1000 students attended the seminar in two sessions. He used his life story to inspire the students.

High School Prefects Programme
April 18-20, 2008: Moral Re-Armament received an invitation by SMJK Stella Maris, Kuala Lumpur to give a three day leadership training programme to the prefects. Altogether about 48 prefects attended this programme. After three days training, they shared with tears on having been given understanding on: Self discovery is needed to be a great leader. The school appreciated Patrick Sta Maria and Tia Nair’s "Inner Listening" workshop. K Haridas conducted "Moral Values" workshop and Nandor led a "Life Changing" workshop.

Community Sharing
May 8, 2008: AKASHA Kepong Classroom: The AKASHA Kepong fellowship initiated a community night for sharing and interaction. A movie, "Pay it Forward" was shown in the evening as well as some games.

Men’s Talk
May-June, 2008: Men of AKASHA, NS Loh, KK Yang and Nandor LIM initiated "Men's Talk". Providing the men a time in the afternoon to release stress from their busyness and work. They came to share about their work, lives and growing experiences in May and June five times. Hopefully this activity will become more popular in the future.

Family: in the context of change
May 15, 2008: AKASHA Kepong Classroom: A speech on the topic "Family: in the context of change" was held at Kepong. Altogether 20 people attended this speech. The evening aimed to create an opportunity for people willing to change and grow to join in the Family Reconstruction & Healing Programme.

Training on Family Reconstruction & Healing
May 17-18, 2008: The Principle of Tadika Intellectual Taman Wawasan of Puchong planned to invite AKASHA‘s Family Reconstruction & Healing workshop to be based in the Puchong area, so a weekend programme was requested and organised by Nandor & Weny Lim and Hoe Pik Nyiok. Altogether 30 participants including parents and teachers attended the programme.

Birthday Gathering
May 18, 2008: Sabarh had a joint celebration birthday party with his oldest son Isa on May 18, 2008. MRA friends took this opportunity to celebrate it with him and his family. Besides sharing, the birthday gathering also introduced the idea of MRA to some guests and got to know one another.

2nd Training the Trainer Graduation
Jan-May, 2008: The 2nd AKASHA Training the Trainers for Family reconstruction and healing programme finally had their graduation ceremony after seven months of 160 hours hard work. The trainers understood: to be a helper meant a lot of responsibility. The trainer will face many challenges and difficulties if he/she still had any unresolved issues. Congratulation to YU Siew Choy, YU Siew Wan, Benjamin ANG, ONG Siew Goon and HOE Pik Nyiok.

AKASHA Core Committee Meeting
Every first Sunday of the month, 2008: AKASHA Core members had a monthly meeting every first Sunday to discuss the activities, finance and the oncoming programme. The core committee aimed to make transparent the work of AKASHA, and gather friends and people who show their interests care for others and the society. This teamwork forms a collective manpower to pass on the message of love to one another and achieve the mission of being a life that can influence others.

Nandor’s Support Trip in Japan & Hong Kong
June 3-19, 2008: The 31st Initiatives of Change (IC) International (Tokyo) Conference focused on the theme: “Claiming Genuine Leadership Now” – Together, Living in the World and I. Altogether about 60-70 people attended this conference. Some of the people took part for only 1 or 2 days. Nandor LIM and JEONG Yeonyuk, KIM Chaenam from South Korea, Ulha from Ukraine, Christina from Australia formed an international support team to take on the IofC training. They formed groups to give service to schools in Odawara City after the conference. The intensive schools programme fulfilled their journey in Japan. Nandor LIM went to Hong Kong to meet RenJou and Grace LIU and other Hong Kong friends straight after the Tokyo trip. They were well looked after by Ruth LEUNG.

Youth Volunteer Training Begin!!!
June 29, 2008: Youth, is the critical force to bring about future transformation of the society. Once the force of youth is used in the right way that definitely will bring change to the world. Therefore, AKASHA centre has begun to train the first batch of Youth Volunteer in June. The training supports them on further understanding of "Self-discovery" as well as "Helping others". They are CHONG ChoyMing, Paul FAM, Ivon FAM, Ivy LEE and Irene TAN.

COMPLETE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT, PLEASE CLICK HERE: AKASHA eBrief JAN-JUN 2008