TOS pictures from around the world - 2015    Newest items are at the top
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In Memory of Radha Burnier

Radha Burnier, International President of the TOS from 1980 to 2013

The TOS notes the second anniversary of the passing of its International President, Mrs Radha Burnier who died on October 31, 2013. Radha was deeply concerned about the state of society at large. She campaigned throughout her life for the relief of human and animal suffering and the protection of the planet. She was able to converse fluently on the latest ethical problems posed by science, economic issues, the internal politics of other countries, the effects of corporate greed on the environment, the exploitation of the masses by international conglomerates...and she spoke out openly on these matters.

USA

Betty Bland, treasurer of the TOS in the USA, volunteers at Safe Haven for Cats, a no-kill, cat resue, spay and neuter, adoption facility. Betty started at Safe Haven and quickly fell in love with working with and for the cats, doing fundraising and promotions.

Betty with a Siamese

Portugal

For years now, TOS members in Lisbon, Portugal have been supporting the animal refuge Muzzles and Whiskers, raising funds to pay for veterinary treatments, food and other items, walking the dogs and even adopting them themselves.

Ukraine / France

On the occasion of a European Congress of the TS held in Paris in July 2014, ten members of the TS in Ukraine received 175 teddy bears hand knitted by members of the TOS in France for the children displaced by the military tension in Ukraine. They reported: “All ten members of our delegation had the honour of carrying these gifts home and distributing them to our branches and groups.  The bears have gone to eight cities – Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Odesa, Kryvyi Rig, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk (H.P.Blavatsky’s birth place).

Italy

At this same European Congress, members of the TOS in Italy raised 865 euros (US$1150) to support the Olcott Higher Secondary School at Adyar. 

Italy - India

The TS in Italy was a major donor in the construction of a children’s home in Muttom, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, southern India, inaugurated in 2010. It is a regular supporter of the home which houses over 200 children and teenagers. Communication and collaboration between the TS and the Ashoka Foundation, which runs the complex, are harmonious and constructive. The TS recently funded the purchase of computers for the Fatima Academy, a vocational training centre where the youngsters can acquire the skills necessary for a variety of careers in information technology, including design.

Philippines

There is a silent revolution in military thinking going on now in the Philippines, where the focus is more on peace-building than war-making. The TS is actively supporting this new focus by conducting seminars for military personnel. 
A seminar was held in August 2012 at the main camp of the Army Reserve Command in Tanza, Cavite for a batch of 92 trainees destined to become army officers.  It was handled by Victor and Jo Penaranda, assisted by Marilyn Ranola.
Six months earlier Vic Hao Chin led a half-day seminar on the theme, Inner Peace, to about 190 graduating students of the Philippine Military Academy, the institution where the future military leaders are trained.  The seminars cover the topics of self-awareness, meditation, managing stress and emotional distress naturally, service and leadership, values and moral integrity.

Pakistan

Mrs Fareeda Amir retired at the end of 2013 as Honorary General Secretary of the TOS in Pakistan after 17 years of devoted service.  ‘Devoted’ is an understatement in qualifying her work.  It would be better to say “devoted, efficient, loving, gracious and courageous” service!
In taking responsibility for the TOS, Fareeda and her husband Aman accepted the challenge of following in the footsteps of the highly respected and nationally known Mrs Gool Minwalla.  They have helped the TOS continue her outstanding work during a violent and frightening period in Pakistan’s history with which we are all somewhat familiar through the media.  Along with their staff, they have ensured that Pakistan remains one of the most active and vibrant sections of the TOS worldwide.