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Africa Daily Prayers
A selection of daily prayers representing the Cooperation Circles in Africa (Day 284 to 282, Day 255 to 235, Day 178 to 158, Day 20 to 1).
Day 284:
We pass from Zambia to Zimbabwe and get spiritually together to support Zimbabwe National Forum for Inter-Faith Dialogue CC.
Interesting enough the purpose of this Cooperation Circle in the Community Directory is the same as the one in Zambia: “To promote human dignity, equality, tolerance, peace justice. To establish a National Resource Center and a platform for all members of religions in Zimbabwe to express themselves freely on matters of national and civic affairs”. I will do the follow up and see if there is a printing mistake and come back to you. I am sure that we will be able to clarify and know more about the work of these two CCs in neighbor countries (Zambia and Zimbabwe share frontiers).
In the meantime we will supporting their members and their interfaith work so let us join in prayer/ meditation:
May members of Zimbabwe National Forum for Interfaith Dialogue CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Zimbabwe!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 283:
I invite you to join in prayer and meditation to support URI Zambia CC.
This Cooperation Circle was created with the following purposes: "The promotion of human dignity, equality, tolerance, peace and justice. Establishment of a National Resource Center and a platform for all members of religions/faith traditions to express themselves freely on matters of national and civic affairs."
Nations, communities, and families should be safe spaces where free expression and careful listening take place. We can consider these, basic Human Rights to be respected. Let us support the efforts of this CC to create this healthy platform.
May members of URI Zambia CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Zambia!
May peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 282:
Back to Africa we will continue our prayers and meditation to support CCs there. I am sorry on Saturday I confused the number. We are on day 282 today, 281 on Saturday (not 291 as I wrote). We are close to the date we started last year (April 23rd). It has been great to be spiritually together supporting CCs all over the world by prayer and meditation.
Today we will support Youth Interfaith Mission-Uganda CC.
We know the purpose of this Cooperation Circle is: “To promote interfaith cooperation among the young generation.”
We don’t have a description of the activities they develop to acchieve this purpose in the Community Directory. I like the word Mission in the name of the CC. It has usually referred to the the work different religions have done to extend their teachings, sometimes compiting with other religions. There is great need of an interfaith mission among the young generation helping them to understand and involve in interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Let us support this work.
May members of Youth Interfaith Mission – Uganda CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 255:
On our last day of prayers/meditation to support CCs in Africa we will focus on Universal Ministries Uganda CC.
This Cooperation Circle was created with the purpose of: “Promoting religious unity in diversity.”We are people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions. We live in different countries grouped in different regions. We speak different languages and have different cultural backgrounds. We are men and women, old and young.. but we share the Earth. It is important that we acchive unity in diversity and work so that it is a safe space for us and all living beings.
Let us support this initiative:
May members of Universal Ministries Uganda CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 254:
From Chicago airport on my way back home in Buenos Aires I invite you to support Twekolere Women's Development Assoc. CC.
This Cooperation Circle was formed: “To create job opportunities for disadvantaged girls, and young women.”
This is what members share with us about their activities: “We use theater as a tool for educating the community about issues affecting their lives, such as AIDS and HIV prevention activities. Our performing group embodies messages in songs, drama, and dance and communicates them to the community live, on the radio station, and on television. Our messages emphasize unity as well as nondiscriminatory behavior. We also emphasize traditions that encourage good behavior among the youth, as well as peaceful resolution of conflict instead of violence. Our activities speak to people of all religions. The performers as well as the audience are from different religious backgrounds.”
Art is a good way of embodying messages. It is remarkable this CC has chosen art as a tool to educate about unity and nondiscrimination.This is an enjoyable way of sharing wisdom and values.
Let us support this incredible work.
May members of Twekolere Women s Development Assoc. CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 253:
Focusing again in individual CCs we will pray/ meditate to support Stewardship Ministry CC today.
This Cooperation Circle was created: To promote inter-religious harmony and peace in the community.
We all want to live in harmony and peace but we not always act in consequence. We need promote these values in our communities. Thankfully Stewardship Ministry CC is doing this in their community.
May members of Stewardship Ministry CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 252:
Please join me in prayer/ meditation to support Peace Kawomera Coop LTD.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circles is to: “Promote unity among faiths.”
Coffee drinkers will surely enjoy reading about their work: “We, Muslims, Catholics and Jewish sat together and joined the organization in 2004. We encouraged our members to grow more coffee and have given them seedlings for planting. We have also exported coffee to the US. We have some peace songs which we have recorded. They are being edited and they will be out by next year. Our plans are to continue networking with people within the URI family in order to export more coffee and help our people locally. Also this is meant to help them with enhancing their incomes in order to live peaceful lives within their families.”
The work of this CC shows us clearly that all activities done in collaborative spirit with a purpose consistent with our Preamble, Purpose and Principles can really make a difference at a local level and inspire the community. We are thankful for this initiative, let us support it.
May members of Peace Kawomera Coop LTD fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 251:
I invite you to pray/ meditate to support Pamoja Cooperation Circle.
This Cooperation Circle was created “To promote religious tolerance through peace education and communication.”
This is what members share with us about their work: “Pamoja CC came into existence because of an initiative of a few youths who graduated from Makerere University. We bring together young professionals in different fields, visit worship places and hold "a question & answer" session in these places to enable members to appreciate the different religious traditions in order to promote religious tolerance. We want to receive benefit from interacting with people of different faiths and indigenous expressions and learning from them and gaining experience and skills from one another.”
The more we learn about each other the more connected we feel. I image these question and answer sessions done in appreciative mood will lead these young professionals to a deeper understanding and respect. Let us support their work.
May members of Pamoja Cooperation Circle fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 250:
Today we will pray/ meditate to support Living Water Ministries CC.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circle is: “To promote cultural unity in diversity and the empowerment of underprivileged people.”
Yesterday we reflected about unity. Today we find one more CC seaking unity recognizing the need to identify diversity. This is essential for a good dialogue and collaboration. I am moved by their wish to empower underpriviledged. It is consistent with the fact that “we unite to provide a global opportunity for participation by all people, especially by those whose voices are not often heard”.
Let us be spiritually with them:
May members of Living Water Ministries CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 249:
Today we will be supporting Latter Glory of Religions in Busoga CC with our prayers/ meditation.
The purpose of this CC is: “To work together in religious unity for the sake of our religions in Busoga.”
Why do we search religious unity at the time “we respect the difference among religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions (Principle 3)?"
Our Preamble guides us to the answer: “We unite to build cultures of peace and justice, we unite to heal and protect the Earth, we unite to build safe places for conflict resolution, healing and reconciliation, we unite to support freedom of religion and spiritual expression and the rights of all individuals as sent forth in the international law, we unite in responsible cooperative actionto bring the wisdom and values of our religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions to bear on the economic, environmental, political and social challenges facing our Earth Community, we unite to provide a global opportunity for participation by all people, especially by those whose voices are not often heard, we unite to celebrate the joy of blessings and the light of wisdom in both movement and stillness, we unite to use our combined resources only for non violent,compassionate action, to awaken to our deepest truths and to manifest love and justice among all life in our Earth Community.”
Let us support Latter Glory of Religions in Busoga CC in their search of unity:
May members of Latter Glory of Religions in Busoga CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Busoga!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 248:
Today we will be supporting Interfaith Youth Partnership CC from Uganda.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circle is: “To bring youths together in order to share a common vision of harmonious co-existance.”
There are about thirty five URI Cooperation Circles formed by youth or organizing activies for youth. We really need young leaders that would offer their energy and be passionate for interfaith cooperation. I am sure that sharing a common vision as this CC proposes they will be able to help create new cultures of peace, justice and healing for future generations.
Let us support their work in Uganda:
May members of Interfaith Youth Partnership CC fulfill their aspiration and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 247:
Let gather our spiritual strength to support Friends of Community Health CC (FCOH).
Members have created a cooperation circle with the purpose: “To provide meaningful living for all human beings by helping them live holistic health lives.”
This is what they tell us about their activities: “We have just been active maybe in a month time back. However, our CC members have good education and working experience in their fields of study. We hope to use their expertise and skills in order to reach out to the most marginalized groups in the remote areas and offer them our support through education on the pertinent health hazards and non violent ways of living.”
Yesterday we reflected on a cc taking care of human beings as a whole. Today a new cooperation circle in Uganda is calling our attention to the way we live life. It is good to be conscious of health hazards and peaceful- violent way of living. This work is surely helping this community a lot. Let us support it
May members of Friends of Community Health CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 246:
Still in Uganda I invite you to pray/ meditate to support Body and Soul Development CC.
Its purpose is: “To teach entrepreneurial skills and spiritual development.”
This is what members explain about their activities: “In the past year we have tried to develop the youth who are unemployed by training them in both spiritual and body development. We trained 30 youth from one church. They were trained in how to begin small businesses and how to maintain existing businesses. After the training we gave them certificates of attendance in entrepreneurial development.”
I find outstanding that this CC aims to develop both spiritual and enterpreneurial skills in youth. We are Body and Soul and it is important that growth takes place harmoniously. Let us support this work.
May members of Body and Soul Development CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 245:
Today we will connect spiritually with AFFINET CC in Uganda.
The purpose they aim is: “Reconciling man/woman to God and man/woman to each other. To share God's concern for social justice and liberation of the oppressed.”
Reconciliation is an important step in peacebuilding. It is only when we have reconciled that we can work together positively. Let us support this Cooperation Circle in their work.
May members of AFFINET CC fulfill their aspiartions and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 244:
We pass to Uganda. Today we will support Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative CC.
This Cooperation Circle serves the community offering: “Mediation in conflict and community peace-building.”
This is how members describe their activities in the Community Directory: We train in peace animation and facilitation. We have talented Volunteer Peace Animators in all of the sub-continents in Acholiland to work with peace committees and facilitate activites for peace. We have formed local peace committees to serve as teams for community building, monitoring threats to peace, and linking community peace building activities to other community based activities.”
Peace building is an important piece in our URI work. It is not easy. There are wounds and interests that feed conflict. It is admirable that religious leaders and grassroots in Uganda gather their strengths to create and nurture peace. Let us support them wholehheartedly.
May members of Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Uganda!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 243:
Let us join in prayer/ meditation to support Youths for Peace CC.
This Cooperation Circle was created “To organize activities for peace.”
This is what members tell us about their activities in the Community Directory: “Our primary focus is to have young adult leaders convey ideas of peacebuilding among the younger generation. The involvement of young people is a source of great enthusiasm for the elders.”
It is true that new generations involved in peace building are a source of hope and enthusiasm. There is a chain of love and care for the future that cant be cut off. We work in the present for a better world for future generations and they have to work for those coming behind. Let us support this neverending construction. Let us support this youth circle.
May members of Youth for Peace CC fulfill their asapirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Swaziland!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 242:
Still in Swaziland we will support the work of Sohum Association of Swaziland CC.
Members of this cooperation circle have gathered “To treat the sick, train practitioners and do research.”
I went to their website and found they are working in a great project: "Ayandza Candles and Crafts was established as a company in the year 2000, and based in the Kingdom of Swaziland. "Ayandza" is a Swazi name meaning "growing". We produce uniquely designed candles, baskets, clay pots and soap stone carvings. Being in Africa we are focused on exposing our traditional heritage. It is an organization with an aim of creating direct/indirect employment. It supports the disadvantaged, the non profit organizations and the rural women from different homesteads. Ayandza provides indirect employment to women from different homesteads. All products made by these women are hand-crafted in a traditional manner. The picture shows a mother coiling a clay pot, while the daughter paints a traditional African pattern.”
It is important that we support each other so that we can give the most of us. Let us support this wonderful work:
May members of Sohum Association of Swaziland CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Swaziland!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 241:
We pass to Swaziland to support the work of Interfaith Dialogue for Peace CC with our prayers/ meditation.
The purpose of this cooperation circle is: “To create a culture of love, understanding, and interfaith dialogue for peace.”
One could say “love” is the basic relation among human beings but reality shows that it is necessary to create and educate this culture. We can be grateful to this CC in Swaziland aiming to create a culture of love, understanding and interfaith dialogue in its community. Let us gather spiritually to support their work
May members of Interfaith Dialogue for Peace CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Swaziland!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 240:
We pass from Sierra Leone to South Africa and we find Capetown Environmental CC
This Cooperation Circle was created: “To ensure that the environment becomes sustainable and is not destroyed.” Yesterday we received a message from our Executive Director, Charles Gibbs announcing that Rev. Dr. David Randle will be representing the United Religions Initiative at the upcoming meetings of the 9th Session of the Global Civil Society Forum and the 10th session of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Monaco and he affirmed: “URI can play a significant role in facilitating healing on the planet as so many of the environmental issues related to land, water, biodiversity, and climate change come down to the ethics and values that we choose as a global community.” And of course this will be done by the good work of the CCs that have chosen to deal with ecological imperatives as the one we are supporting today. Let us pray/ meditate.
May members of Capetown Environmental CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in South Africa!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail in the Environment!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 239:
Still in Senegal I invite you to pray/ meditate to support URI West Africa Committee CC.
This Cooperation Circle was created “To promote interfaith dialogue between Christians, Muslims and non-believers in West Africa.”
Nobody should be left out of dialogue. I am happy to read that this CC incorporates non believers in their dialogue. Let us support their encounters.
May members of URI West Africa Committee CC fulfill their aspiartions and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Senegal!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 238:
Let us gather spiritually in Sierra Leone today to support URI Sierra Leone CC.
This Cooperation Circle was created with the purpose of: “Uniting the strength of individuals and organizations into a cohesive movement to make the world a safer place.”
How much we wish to make the world a safer place for children to grow, for women and men to offer their best! The only way to acchieve this goal is creating safer families, safer communities, safer cities, safer countries. We are proud of this circle inviting individuals and organizations to unite in cohesive movement to make Sierra Leone and the world a safer world!
Let us support their initiative:
May members of URI Sierra Leone CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Sierra Leone!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 237:
We pass to Senegal to support Senegalese Association for Research, Study, and Spiritual Training (A.S.R.E.F.L.U.) CC.
The purpose of this Cooperation Circle is: “To contribute to a peaceful and free expression of faiths throughout the world.”
Peaceful and free expression of faiths! This might feel unreachable in many countries but part of Human Rights we have to defend. Let us begin supporting with our prayer/ meditation this work in Senegal.
May members of Senegalese Association for Research, Study and Spiritual Training CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Senegal!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 236:
Still in Nigeria we will join in prayer/ meditation to support Universal Church/Healing Center CC.
Members got together “To teach universal/religious laws for healing and internal peace.”
This is what we read in the Community Directory about their Activities: “We have focused on getting both young and old people involved in interfaith work and healing people through traditional, spiritual and modern healing systems. One of our annual events is an interfaith service project. We try to bring together people from many different religious communities in Nigeria to organize a service project that benefits the entire community. This year we gathered 55 people to work with Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for a poor family. The youth benefit from these activities by working together for a common purpose, and it also helps the broader community to see that interfaith cooperation is possible. This focus on young people contributes to the URI purpose of building future cultures of peace, justice and healing”.
I like the idea of interfaith service projects. There is a lot of energy that goes to violence. How much more productive is using energy to build houses, to work for a common good! Let us support this creative initiative:
May members of Universal Church / Healing Center CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Nigeria!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 235:
Today we will start our third round of prayer/meditation to support CCs in Africa. We will gather our spiritual strength for United Religions Initiative Nigeria CC.
This Cooperation Circle was formed “To support URI in peace-making and other URI objectives as in the PPP’s. To care for the needs of all the world's humanity, especially the poor and neglected.”
The URI´S Charter has been spoken into being by a myriad of voices from around the world. Its essential spirit, values and vision are expressed in the Preamble, Purpose and Principles (PPPs). Taken together, they inspire, ground and guide all URI activity. It is good that United Religions Initiative Nigeria has chosen the PPPs to inspire, ground and guide its care for the poor and neglected. Let us support its work.
May members of United Religions Initiative Nigeria CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Nigeria!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 178:
Today we will join in prayer/meditation to support Nigerian United Religions Cooperation
Circle-NUR CC
Members of this cc have gathered with the purpose of “Making interfaith and inter-religious
harmony.” This is how they describe their activities: “We usually address student and children about
the importance of peace and visiting religious leaders advising them to stop preaching of
extremism.”
It is important that religious leadership is aware of the impact their preaching has in the
community. There is a lot they can do to end religiously motivated violence if they preach
peace and respect.
Let us support cc members in their work with students and in their will to advise
leadership to inspire peace in their communities.
May members of Nigerian United Religions Cooperation Circle-NUR CC fulfill their
aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Nigeria!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 177:
We pass to Nigeria. We will support Kaduna CC with our prayers/meditations.
This cooperation circle was created “To understand each religion's practices and to promote
cultures of peace.”
We don’t have more information about Kaduna CC in the Community Directory but allow me to
refer to the preamble again. We say: We value voices that respect others and believe that
sharing our values and wisdom can lead us to act for the good of all. I see the pupose of
this cc in line with this statement. Let´s support their work.
May members of Kaduna CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Nigeria!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 176:
On our last day in Mozambique we will support Women for Peace CC. This group of women have
gathered with the purpose: “To organize, promote and work for peace.”
This is what they explain about themselves: “We are women folk who get together for
prayers, meditation, and service to the poor and needy children. Most often when religious
communities meet women are in the background while men dominate the show. This situation
led to women forming our own group because we wanted to have the opportunity to voice our
own views and create our own programs for peace, etc. Several meetings were held and a core
group decided to form the Women for Peace CC which includes women leaders from all
religious communities in Mozambique.”
Our preamble says that we unite to provide a global opportunity for participation by all
people, especially by those whose voices are not often heard. According to what we read
Women for Peace CC is clearly following this statement providing an an opportinity for
women participation in peacebuilding. Let us bless their space with our prayers/
meditations.
May members of Women for Peace CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 175:
Today we will support URI Dondo CC working in Dondo, Sofala, Mozambique with our
prayers/meditations.
We don’t have much information about this cc in the Community Directory. We know members
have gathered with the purpose: “To scatter abroad the word of God and to establish love
and peace.”
There is great need of love and peace. Let us support with our prayer/meditation the work
of this cc so that Dondo community is built on them.
May members of URI Dondo CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Sofala!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 174:
Today we will support Medecina Alternativa CC.
Members created this cooperation circle with the purpose: “To promote and serve as
alternative medicine to cure the sick.”
This is what they explain about their activities: “This pioneering students' movement was
started with the whole hearted support of URI leadership in South India Region. This
organization is new and will work as an umbrella for various interfaith student groups in
different educational institutions. Programs include inter-faith dialogues, study of
various religions and ideologies, youth exchange, programs to overcome violence, peace
building institutes. This is an association with great potential as the younger generation
is the main target. It will go a long way in containing religious fanaticism and dangerous
fundamentalism. Its patrons
are: Patrons Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan; Swami
Samgrananda; and Imam AbduSchukkoor Maulavi.”
When I read the description I was impressed by the fact that, being in Mozambique, members
refer to South India as the origin of their movement.
This shows how important it is that we keep connected and that we exchange projects.
Yesterday we said that models have no boundaries, today we can prove even more: in a global
family as ours, inspiration may come from models far away. Let us support this cooperation
circle dedicated to the sick and youth.
May members of Medicina Alternativa CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 173:
Today we will be praying/ meditating to support Liga Dos Escuteiros De
Mozambique CC.
This cooperation circle was created: “To contribute to the education of young people
through a value system based on Scout Promise and Law.”
This is what members say about their activities: “Our CC was created by members of the
League of Scouts of Mozambique and co-operated with the Inter-Religious Council of
Mozambique to sponsor the 5th African Scout Jamboree - JAMBO CATEMBE 2004 (27.12.04 -
7.01.05) in Mozambique. Our aim is to promote education of the culture of peace, Scouting
and the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social
and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their
local, national and international communities. The method of achieving this aim is by
providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training and discussion,
organizing national and international events, and promote values based on religious values
as well as the Scout Promise and Law.”
One thing I have learnt from Scouts here in Buenos Aires is their capacity of being always
ready to serve and I could also learn from them the open spirit of Jamborees. There are no
frontiers for this model. Let us support their excellent work.
May members of Liga Dos Escuteiros de Mozambique CC fulfill their aspirations and live in
Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 172:
Today we will support Kulunguane Cultural Association CC.
We learn in the community directory that they have created the CC with the purpose “To exalt our culture and traditions in many aspects like dance, music, theatre and literature.”
This is what members say about their activities: “We participate in many inter-religious activities and sponsor a cultural projects to help the poor in Manhica, Maputo Province.”
Dance, music, theatre and literature are aspects of our cultural background.
I feel it is important for dialogue that we recognize our identity, what we bring to the exchange. This is why I celebrate the effort of this cc members exalting and sharing aspects of their culture and tradition. Join me in prayer/meditation to support their work
May members of Kulunguane Cultural Association fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Maputo Province!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 171:
Today we will pray/meditate to support Inter-Religious CC Namaacha
Their purpose is: “To be instrumental to establish peace”.
This is how members describe their action: “Our highlights of activities so far has been regular interfaith meetings where we discuss and take decisions jointly to take action against our common enemies like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, cholera, combat against poverty, crime and to educate and establish good relationships for peace in our locality, in the nation, Africa and the world. Our action for the future is to collaborate with all like minded institutions and to work for Peace”.
It is clear that members of this CC have identified the threats against peace in their community. It is outstanding that they jointly take action against them, establishing good relationships. Let us support their action
May members of Inter-Religious CC Namaacha fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 170:
Today we will join in prayer/meditation to support Escola Tecnica de Ciencias de Medicina Alternativa Complimentar da Mozambique
Members of this cooperation circle have gathered with this purpose: “Educate for Peace regarding the responsibility to our own health.”
This is how they describe their activity: “The school was founded to bring to the Mozambican people a school of alternative and complementary medicine to create professional staff that can work in collaboration with the existing health care system to alleviate the shortage of staff and to work hand in hand with the Allopathic Medicine for the benefit of all the people of Mozambique. The vision statement is to participate and assist the improvement of the healthcare system and reduce the burden of the current system by the introduction of alternative care and complementary health care.”
Our work is founded in interfaith cooperation and through this, we have learnt how important cooperation is in all areas. Some days ago we were reading about a cc in search of cooperation among governmental and non governmental organizations, we have experienced cooperation among ccs in different countries, among different disciplines. Today we read about complementation and cooperation among Allopathy and Alternative medicine.
Let us support this cc in their important bridge building work.
May members of Escola Tecnica de Ciencias de Medicina Alternativa Complimentar da Mozambique fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 169:
Let us gather our spiritual strength to support Escola Ntwananu Matola-Rio
Members of this cooperation circle had been working together “to help the poor and work for
peace” before they joined URI in 2006.
This is what they share with us about their work: “From 2003 the school is catering to
training women from the age of 18 to 45 who are from broken up poor families, some of them
who are head and earning member of the family with an average of 5 children The purpose of
starting this school was primarily to divert these women from making and selling locally
home made impure alcoholic drinks as a means of earning a living thus helping in destroying
the moral and ethical traditional values of the local population who died of the
consumption of such drinks. This school is self sufficient with the help of financial
assistance from a German Association helping in Mozambique. They constructed the classrooms
for training these women with the local government authorities, in the field of sewing and tailoring, ceramics and cultivation of medicinal plants and kitchen-gardening. Sewing
machines were donated by this German Association and some of the women student now, after
learning in these classes have bought their own sewing machines and run their small home
based sewing business of their own. A total of more than 80 women have been trained and
have benefited from this school opening to other possible expansion of activities.
The
desire of these women to form a CC came about after 5 of these students with their
instructor attended the URI National Conference at the invitation of URI Mozambique.
Vision for the future: To plan for the future to encourage more women to undergo this type
of training to equip themselves with a profession, a legal way to earn a living and become
self supporting and maintain the family. Try to get more women involved in this process and
help in this way to consolidate the process of Peace in the country, in Africa and in the
whole world.”
Empowering women, head of families, so that they can earn their living with dignity is a
remarkable way of consolidating the process of peace. Let us support this moving action
with our prayers/meditation.
May members of Escola Ntwananu Matola-Rio CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 168:
Today we will support Escola Cumintaria Ntwananu Costa-del-Sol CC.
Members have gathered strengths “To educate children to serve the nation and mankind. Hold
inter-religious moral activities.”
This is what they share about themselves and their activities: “Most of our CC members are
teachers who work at the school. Our attitude and actions to promote inter-religious
understanding among the 350 primary school poor children are in themselves educationally
complimentary to what they learn at school, how to read and write, etc. In addition, we
have weekly moral classes where they learn about virtues. They are also taught sewing and
ceramics, which may help those who are not academically inclined acquire skills for
possible future professions. Occasionally they benefit from visiting religious leaders who
talk to them about good conduct, etc.”
If we are to impact the future education becomes an important action. If teachers are
involved in interreligious understanding students will learn not only from what they teach
but from their attitude and actions as the description of activities of this CC says.
Let
us support their effort
May members of Escola Cumintaria Ntwananu Costa del Sol CC fulfill their aspirations and
live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 167:
Let us join in prayer/meditation to support Council of Religions in Mozambique
This cooperation circle was created with the intention: “To promote inter-religious unity,
cooperation, peace and justice.”
This is what members describe about their activities: “Our CC organises inter-religious
activities for dialogue and understanding, and is also involved in health issues including
HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera, drugs and abuse of women, etc. We also annually celebrate
World Religions Day on the third Sunday in January. We also have representation at
Government functions as well as all Nongovernmental Organization and civil society events.
We also hold seminars, workshops, and conferences on diverse issues. Our organization also
promotes peace-building, moral education, etc.”
From their description we see this CC is very active. I found interesting their desire to
be present both in governmental and non governmental events.
Let us support their work gathering our spiritual strength in prayer /meditation.
May members of Council of Religions in Mozambique CC fulfil their aspirations and live in
Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 166:
Still in Mozambique we will pray/meditate to support Association Ntwananu
Mozambique CC.
This cc approved exactly a year ago (november 2006) was created with this
purpose: “To educate for better living. Run projects to empower women economically.
Encourage inter-religious dialogue.”
This is what we learn about it in the community directory: “We have contributed to running
of the primary school in Costa Do Sol where there are 310 poor children studying. By the
grace of God we managed to get the school registered so that next year on the text books
and the teachers'
salaries will be paid by the government. Meanwhile it has been a difficult job for us to
collect donations to pay for the salaries of the teachers and the running of the school
which we have done so far. The total expenditure is about 500 American dollars a month and
it is not easy to do this.
Meanwhile the association as a whole is very united. Although the active members are not
more than 10 and are of diverse religious backgrounds, we have been able to join forces and
work as one. Our greatest challenge this year has been the running of the school. Our CC
is represented in the MCC and we have been taking part very actively at the regional and
the global levels. We continue to get a better understanding of URI objectives, but in the
small study groups that are going to be organized we will be better equipped to do this.”
I am impressed by the fact that Association Ntwananu Mozambique CC is running a school. We
all know this is not an easy task. I bet that the fact that active members of diverse
religious backgrounds have been able to join forces and work as one will represent an asset
for the educative community.
May members of Association Ntwananu Mozambique CC fulfill their aspirations and live in
Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 165:
Today we will support Association Homeopathia de Mozambique CC.
This cooperation circle was created “To help the poor and sickly. Train and teach others
for a better life.”
Their description of activies says “All the different religions have come together to
promote the primary objective of working in the healing centers in five provinces in
Mozambique. At the healing centers there is both training and research. For the years
2002-2003, the only special way we have collaborated with the MCC is to participate in all
their activities.”
Our Charter says that the purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote
enduring, daily interfaith cooperation to end religiously motivated violence and to create
cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. From what we
read about this cc we see that they are taking care of the “healing” part of it,
understanding that its meaning is wide enough to refer to spiritual and phisical recovery.
Let us support their good work.
May members of Association Homeopathia de Mozambique CC fulfill their aspirations and live
in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 164:
We pass to Mozambique today and we will support Association for Reduction of
Absolute Poverty CC with our prayers and meditations.
In the community directory we read that the purpose of this cooperation circle is: “To
organize activites, projects and means for reduction of absolute poverty.”
It is important that we have high ideals and that find ways to start walking to acchieve
them. It hurts to know that there are people suffering poverty.
So much that we sometimes try not to see it. Let us support this cooperation circle that
has paid attention to this situation and committed to revert it.
May members of Association for Reduction of Absolute Poverty CC fulfill their aspirations
and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mozambique!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 163:
Let us gather our spiritual strength in prayer/meditation to support our last cc from Malawi in the community directory: Youth Actions in Development (YADA) CC. This cc was also approved in October 2006.It was created with the purpose of "Putting the vision of URI into action." This is what members say about their work: "We had a peace talk with the youth in March 2006. We managed to have a meeting with three religious leaders to explain the vision of URI. We have been teaching young people about HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, in order to shape the youth to become productive Citizens. We have introduced an orphan and vulnerable children center, where orphan and vulnerable children are given basic education as any other children who have parents that can support their early education. We are
intending to open a youth drop-in- center where young people will be kept busy other than
letting them going around practicing immoral behaviors that promote the spread of HIV/AIDS
and early pregnancies and marriages. We are doing a survey that is aiming at finding out
way that can be followed to encourage adolescent girls who drop out of school because of
pregnancies to back to school with the effort from religious leaders."
Last year around June we received ten applications together. They were from Malawi. When I
asked Joyce how was it that there was such a will to belong to URI she explained that the
Hunger Campaign (that the existing CCs had organized with URI people from around the world)
showed the community the importance of getting together to address their problems and that,
because URI had had the lead, a lot of people from different religions wanted to join URI.
I was happy that love and care had been contagious. Let us support this youth CC created in
that scenario.
May members of Youth Actions in Development CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 162:
Today we will support Thunga CC.
The purpose of this cooperation circle: “Assisting orphans and the needy.” Members tell us in the community directory: “We have been busy for the past year
disseminating information to awaken people to the dangers of HIV/AIDS in our community. We
encourage voluntary counseling and testing. We also renovated houses of the aged and
assisted them with a little money.”
Many of our cooperation circles have discovered that working together for the wellbeing of
those in need, is a good way of knowing each other and creating bonds. Interfaith
Cooperation is one of our pillars,from the
Preamble: “Therefore, as interdependent people rooted in our traditions we now unite for
the benefit of our Earth community.” Let us support their solidarity.
May members of Thunga CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 161:
Still in Malawi we will pray/meditate to support Sharp Valley CC.
This Cooperation Circle, approved exactly a year ago (October 2006), has this purpose:
“Work with URI so that peace prevail in our area and assist the aged.”
Members share with us: “On January 15th we invited village headmen and religious leaders
and discuss on how to cub religious conflicts in our area.
Different religions in our area conducted peace prayers on 12th June, 06 and that was our
highlight. Our memorable activities include fortnight prayers of love and peace, peace
building sharing skills and religious dialogue with other religions. We therefore believe
that the entire community will be participating fully for a better Malawi and world.”
We all want a better country, a better world. This construction begins by transforming
ourselves in better people. Prayers, sharing and dialogue are good paths to get there. Let
us support their work.
May members of Sharp Valley CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 160:
Today we will support Salima Cooperation Circle with our prayers/meditations.
This cooperation circle that joined our community at the beginning of the year (January
10th, 2007) states its purpose is to “End religiously motivated violence and create culture
of peace as well as girls participation in development.”
Members tell us about their activities: “We organized Islam-Christian peace debate in March
2006. We managed to meet a group of Muslims and share peace process with them. We plan to
expand our working force with different religions.” We know that the much needed interfaith dialogue is a challenge in many parts of the world.
Let us support Salima Cooperation so that members can follow their plan and achieve their
goals.
May members of Salima Cooperation fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 159:
Still in Malawi we will support Naotcha CC with our prayers/meditations today.
We read in our community directory that members of this cooperation circle have gathered
“To reduce the infection of HIV/AIDS in our community.” This very concrete purpose will certainly help the community. Let us support Naotcha CC in
their good work.
May members of Naotcha CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 158:
Having prayed/meditated for all CCs from South East Asia and the Pacific in the
2007 version of the Community Directory we go back to Africa as we promised.
We will support Matindi CC working in Blantyre, Malawi.
The purpose of this CC is URI purpose: “To promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation,
to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing
for the Earth and all living beings.”
It is very interesting to read how this cc formed by youth is serving the
community: “We are a community-run, community-based, non-profit and non-partisan youth
group established in 2001. Our group was initiated by young people from different
religions. Our major goal is to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in our society. We are
implementing a youth-to-youth project with funding from the Global Aids Interfaith
Alliance. The project targets people aged 14-30 years old and focuses on behaviour change.
We have established 11 youth clubs and trained 60 peer educators who are entitled to share
the information with fellow young people in their particular areas. We have distributed
1,000 T-shirts advocating for voluntary counseling and testing. The shirts carry the
message "Smart young people abstain from sex and know their status." Our activities
include awareness campaign meetings, the establishment of youth clubs, monitoring and
supervision, open days, peer education training, the distribution of T-shirts, and
counseling.”
We know that violence does not always show up in the same way. It is important that we
understand that creating cultures of peace, justice and healing is also taking care of
social problems. Let us support these young people trying to mitigate the impact of
HIV/AIDS in their communities.
May members of Matindi CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Blantyre!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
********************************************************************
Day 20:
There is a lot that people can do when hearts are open to compassion. We have seen
how much solidarity is in the heart of URI members in Malawi!
Mangochi United Religions CC has gathered with the “purpose of helping the needy old age
people in our community and to help the sick people, our members and sometimes others.”
But reading their purpose we also see that they direct their effort “to help at funerals by
providing cloth for covering the dead who are Muslims and providing timber for coffins to
members who are Christian.”
Allow me to say I am moved.
There is a lot of love in helping needy brothers and sisters and great generosity in paying
attention in how to dignify death according to different traditions. Our
prayers/meditations will support their generous hearts.
May members of Mangochi United Religions CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malawi!
May Peace prevail in Africa!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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