Teaching the Art of Living to Sendong survivors: GMA news

Since Typhoon Sendong devastated entire communities in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City last December, over 340,000 survivors have been trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Apart from dealing with the loss of over 1,000 people and over one billion pesos in damage to property, the victims' psyches have also been greatly damaged. While many organizations have pitched in to provide food, shelter and clothing, other groups have focused their efforts on psychosocial intervention. Among these groups is the Art of Living Foundation, whose volunteers have flown in from Manila, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to give trauma relief workshops at evacuation and relocation centers. With assistance from Save the Children, Child Fund, and the advocacy group Sulong Kagay-an, their goal is to attend to the survivors' emotional wellbeing. They help residents recover from depression and cope with stress through breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga. “Whether it may be a fire, an earthquake, or in this case flash floods - anyone, no exceptions, would naturally feel trauma and stress long after the calamity has happened. We're here because we believe that the first step in recovering is being mentally and emotionally equipped,” says Art of Living Philippines Chapter Head Nameeta Dargani. The foundation has reached over 2,000 people so far, but they wish to support thousands more. “The vision now is to train people who are actually in the barangay and in the relocation center so they can follow it up and to have sustainability in what we do. Because we have food, shelter and all these things, but we need them to reconnect to who they really are and become more responsible and more productive,” says Art of Living teacher and CDO resident Julie Ang, who spearheaded the program in CDO and Iligan. Click here to read more........
Art of Living Updates - Art of Living Universe
Art of Living Foundation Official Website