Giving Thanks 2009 

Jai Bhim, Friends. This Thanksgiving Jai Bhim International has so much for which to to be thank-full. Thank you to all our friends for interest in our work, and thank you for all the varied ways you have supported us throughout the last year. Here is our 2009 news. Please stay in touch with us. Your encouragement and love inspire us in so many ways.

Wishing you abundance and time to savor it. Your in gratitude, Ann Dennehy, Creative Director Jai Bhim International

 

 

India: At the end of last year, we held our first direct fundraising appeal. Your generous response allowed us to provide scholarships to 20 students, from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bodh Gaya, to attend the National Network of Buddhist Youth's annual retreat in Bor Dharan, central India.

Since last year's retreat we have maintained regular contact with these young friends as they have been holding their own retreats and workshops, and developing their leadership skills back in their own communities.

This December we are collaborating on 2 retreats of our own with these students, for 5 days in Kerala and then 3 days in Tamil Nadu, both in southern India. At the core of both these retreats is the study of Dr. Ambedkar's teachings, of meditation, of basic Buddhism, and of English language communication skills. Jai Bhim International's role is to guide student-centered learning and student-led leadership development. Students leading and attending the retreat will deepen their friendships, support one another, and then continue to collaborate locally after the retreat. We will be available to them for long-distance mentorship.

On this December/January trip we will also be visiting our friends at The Dhammachakra Buddhist Center in Delhi, where the students have been actively coordinating retreats and workshops throughout North India, under the leadership of JBI Board Member Maitriveer Nagarjuna. 

In January we will be visiting students in Bodh Gaya at their Buddhist Center, as well as receiving teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This Fall M. Nagarjuna organized and co-led 2 retreats in Bodh Gaya, and has been working with the Bodh Gaya sangha on their land development project. We look forward to coordinating further with the Bodh Gaya youth in this severely economically-deprived region of India.  And we will be visiting a project in Mohammabad, Gazipur,  to which we are newly-contributing. This project, "Badlav ki Chah"/ "Cry for Change", educates the children and provides job training to young women in the "scavenging" community, the lowest and most oppressed of all the "Untouchable" groups in India. It has been growing for 10 years and is entirely run by Indian youth. We are very excited that they have invited us to join them in their important work.

 Hungary: Dr. Ambedkar and The Jai Bhim movement in India have inspired a new generation of social justice activists in Hungary's Roma/Gypsy community. These activists have recently created a Jai Bhim Network and opened Ambedkar High School, in northeast Hungary. In May, we visited this community, led English language classes, collaborated with their local team, and celebrated as their youth performed in Budapest, at a Gypsy Music Festival . 

The U.S. and Beyond: Here at home in San Francisco we have been building community and telling our story; making presentations on both coasts at Buddhist centers, church groups and colleges. We have been sharing stories online, connecting with new friends and allies by e-mail, by telephone and in-person, and we have been celebrating! In October, we held our first annual celebration of International Ambedkar Month,  hosting an Indian movie night, a Barefoot Bhangra Party, and a Halloween Happy Hour. What a festive month! 

It has been a joy-filled, productive year. Please help us continue our work into 2010 with a contribution to Jai Bhim International. 

You may send your check to: Jai Bhim International  P.O. Box 460595  San Francsico, CA   94146, or donate by credit card, using our PayPal link, below. May all beings be happy, be well, and be free of suffering. Jai Bhim.

Become a fan of our Facebook page to get more news, and to see our photo albums and videos.