Dear fellow-members of the TS and TOS around the world,
We hope that you are enjoying keeping in touch with what is happening in our international TOS community. Our electronic newsletter aims to bring you information to inspire your service work within and outside the TOS and to help you get to know TOS members outside your country.

In this issue - We recognise the passing of Adele Algeo, a beloved and dedicated TOS member from the USA.  We deeply sympathise with the Chilean members of our TOS family as they cope with the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated their country. We also share news of the appeal that the TOS in America is conducting for the people of Haiti. You’ll find lots of news from TOS members and groups: an update on the Heart Babies project in Tanzania; information about a booklet written by Argentinian member, María Rosa Martínez, on Florence Nightingale’s life of service; and news from TOS Groups in Assam, Northern India, West Bengal and Kenya. You are invited to join a campaign against the treatment of animals on Finland’s fur farms and find out about three UN days that could provide a catalyst for service activities. The article is the last of the series by Mirabai Bush about getting started on the path of compassionate action. We finish with a short video that challenges us to think about a possible impact of climate change.

Remember that the newsletter is designed to be read while you are connected to the internet.

Please consider sending photographs of your TOS activities and news items that might be of interest to fellow TOS members. We would welcome your contributions, either through your National TOS Director/President/Coordinator/Correspondent or directly to the editors at: carolyn.tosinternational@gmail.com

The TOS honours Adele Algeo

We express our sadness at the passing of John Algeo’s beloved wife, Adele Algeo, who died on March 15.   Read more ….

Can we help our brothers and sisters in Chile?

You will have heard about the recent earthquake in Chile and seen pictures of the devastation in the media. What you may not have heard about is the major damage to the TS centre in Santiago.   Read more …

An invitation from the TOS in America to aid Haiti

The devastation in Haiti was so extensive that it was evident no short term solution was possible. At the TOS/USA we began looking for an organisation we could support after the initial rush of aid and interest subsided. We wanted someone with history and experience in Haiti who would be there for the long haul. FEH is uniquely positioned to serve the people of Port au Prince. First of all, it is run by Haitians for the children of Haiti.   Read more …

TOS news from around the world

Find out about recent TOS activities in the Assam & Arunachal Region of India, Nairobi in Kenya, Northern India and West Bengal.   Read more …

Good news from Tanzania on the Heart Babies Project

Deepa Kapur, TOS National Co-ordinator for Tanzania, reports that on 28th February 2010, 11 more heart children were sent to India for open heart surgery. The youngest child was 11 months old.   Read more …

What’s new on the International TOS website?

We are becoming more aware of the impact that we have on the environment when we discard electronic equipment. The TOS group at Ojai in the USA has taken up the challenge of collecting discarded batteries and their work is described in the new Featured Project. Betty Bland, President of the TS in America, explores the profound importance of our responsible actions and the purity and kindness of our thoughts in the new Featured Article. There are also additions to the TOS photo gallery and the Inspiration section.   Go to http://international.theoservice.org

Florence Nightingale, Nursing as Service: a new booklet by a TOS member

Three years ago, María Rosa Martínez, a member of the TOS in San Rafael, Argentina, decided to write a booklet about ‘The Lady of the Lamp’, focusing on the ideal of service in her life.   Read more …

Start right where you are

by Mirabai Bush.    Everything in our lives has brought us to exactly where we are. When we don't already know what is calling us to act, all we need to do is look and listen right where we are — it will probably be near. Maybe not geographically near, because our neighbourhoods are not only physical, but it will be near. As you read this, there is something that needs to be done. Suffering can be reduced and help can be offered. Just look around.   Read more ….

Shocking report on farmed fur animals in Finland

How far can we believe fur producers who claim that they look after the welfare of farmed animals? Not at all, it appears, in the case of Finnish fur farms. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has released a report and video documenting the inhumane treatment of foxes and minks.   
Read more ….

UN International Days for community activities

We feature three International Days:
June   5            World Environment Day
June 20             UN World Refugee Day
July  17             World Day for International Justice

For information and ideas for activities in which TOS groups could engage,    Read more ….

A reminder about the impact of global warming

What if parts of your environment just kept getting smaller?    View the video ….

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With best wishes,
Carolyn and Diana

Diana Dunningham Chapotin is the International Secretary of the TOS and
Carolyn Harrod is the National Coordinator of the TOS in Australia. 

We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don't make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace.

- The Dalai Lama

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