Lynette Muller (Brisbane TOS President), Robyn Rizzo (project coordinator) and Tina Fiedler (Vice-president) pack bags to brighten homeless women’s lives.

The Brisbane TOS supports one of the city’s refuges for homeless women. Throughout the year the TOS group provides bags of non-perishable groceries and personal care items for women who are moving from the refuge into long-term housing. The groceries are accompanied by a small recipe book for healthy eating. This gift not only makes each woman feel special but also lessens the financial challenge of the first weeks of independent living.

A book and CD on Guided Meditation have recently been written and published by Dr K Arunachalam. ‘Aru’ has taught meditation at the Brisbane Theosophical Society for many years and is an active member of the TOS.

Aru has generously donated his work to the Brisbane TOS to help raise funds for the National TOS Projects. The set of book and accompanying CD sells for A$12.

For further information email the Australian National Coordinator at: tos.australia@gmail.com

In order to bring Theosophical literature to the attention of the wider community, the TOS Delhi NCR Region and the TS Delhi Federation organised a Theosophical Literature Stall at the World Book Fair, held in Delhi from 30 January to 7 February 2010. They promoted books published by the Theosophical Publishing House in Adyar as well as books on related subjects from other sources. A range of books were available for sale at discounted prices!

The TOS Delhi NCR Region has also established another vocational centre, "BRAHMSHAKTI MAHILA PRASHIKSHAN KENDER" in the village of Raipur, Noida, as part of their ongoing support for rural women.

This Centre is one of a series of Vocational Training Centres for women in the rural areas of Noida. It is the fifth Centre, with other Centres established in the villages of Barola, Mangroli, Palwali and Sikendrabad.

Meet some of the members of the TOS in France which held its Annual General Meeting in Paris in April. In total, there are 88 members.
The TOS sponsors the education of some 130 pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary students within India, including a number of Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala.  It also supports several projects in Chennai:

• those of the Olcott Education Society;

• the “Seeing Eyes for Everyone” operation of the TOS that ensures sight checks for thousands of children and slum dwellers (see elsewhere in this newsletter);

• a retirement home for widows without children. 

In addition, it participates with pleasure in the Kern Foundation matching grant challenge in favour of the Golden Link College in the Philippines. Finally, it collects and delivers clothes, toys, etc. to one or two charitable associations within France.

At the French TOS’s AGM, plans were made to collaborate with the Liberal Catholic Church on a new educational project in the French-speaking country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in West Africa.  There was enthusiasm all round!

Every year, the National Director of the TOS in Spain, Fernando Pérez Martin, organises a weekend gathering for TOS members. This year it took place in April. Even though fewer members were present than usual, some of the participants told Fernando that it was the best gathering ever! 

Fernando Pérez Martin,
National Director of the TOS in Spain

The central theme was “Socio-environmental questions in the light of Theosophy” and it was discussed under these sub-headings:

• Environmental protection including the vegetable and animal kingdoms
• Education for peace and brotherhood
• Human rights and the rights of some other kingdoms of Nature
• Social assistance and help
• Living in harmony with Nature
• The Practice of Theo-Sophia

The six sessions were very fruitful. Comments were consistently constructive and practical. Certain ideas growing out of theosophical principles were agreed upon for action within the TOS in Spain in the coming years.

Deepa Kapur, TOS National Co-ordinator for Tanzania, tells us that the Heart Babies project has again been in the news, this time with international and national recognition.

Dr Kanabar, the Chairman of Regency Medical Centre Hospital and a pioneer of the project, was honoured by the Indian Government in January 2010 and awarded a medal and certificate by the President of India, Her Excellency Mrs Pratibha Patil, for his outstanding medical work and fostering Indo-Tanzanian relations most especially through the Tanzania Heart Babies Project.

Dr Kanabar also had a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Mr Manmohan Singh.

A reception was held in Dr Kanabar’s honour by the former Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mr Salim Ahmed, where he was given a certificate. Guests included the First Lady of Tanzania, H.E. Mrs Salma Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania, H.E. Mr Benjamin Mkapa and his First Lady Mrs Anna Mkapa. Deepa and her husband were also present and a beautiful and moving film on the Heart Babies, made by Deepa’s husband, was shown.

Dr Kanabar with the Prime Minister of India, Mr Manmohan Singh.

Dr Kanabar receiving his award from the President of India, Her Excellency Mrs Pratibha Patil.