Jci quatre bornes newsletter 2 2016

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CONTENT Here’s what we have in store in our newsletter

JCI QB E‐Newsle er | Issue 2 | July 2016 2

Chief Editor’s Voice 3

National President’s Message 4

2016 Local President’s Corner 5

Peace Meal 'Special Mothers' Day 7

Taking the chance to lead: My Stepping Stone as Project Director 11

A Glimpse of Angels 13

Learning a New Meaning Of Peace 14

Happiness Is Beyond Materialistic Pleasures 15

Little but Important Things 16

Challenge Trophy— Striving to Stay Challenged! 17

2016 JCI Africa and the Middle East Area Conference 18

Award Winning Speech on Peace 20

Upcoming Events 22

Dear Readers,

JCI Quatre-Bornes has the pleasure to present to you the second digital edition of this year’s Newsletter. This is the first newsletter I have been entrusted with as Chief Editor and I am so thankful for the commitment and thoughtfulness of everyone who got together to make this edition a reality.

This newsletter like the last one is dedicated to the theme “Peace Is Possible”. Recent happenings in the world have constantly attempted to shake our conviction that Peace is not simply a myth but a reality. Therefore, this edition comes as a burning desire to showcase and inspire the confidence in people that Peace is Possible. To stand true to 2016 JCI Quatre-Bornes motto “Aspire to Inspire, Let’s Act Together”, we shall continue to inspire such confidence in our surrounding through our sense of togetherness.

For me, writing is a process of self-discovery and thus we wanted to go beyond writing simply to recount what happened during an event. Writing is a self reflection and as Roderick Vincent rightly said: “Writing is taking human experience and wrapping it up into a package of your own ideas and hoping someone will pull the bow smiling on top to see what's hiding inside.”

Along the same line, with a newsletter packed with emotions and a piece of our heart, we wish that our readers catch fire at our words.

Enjoy the read,

Anisha Kutowaroo 2016 Chief Editor JCI Quatre-Bornes #PeaceIsPossible

ASPIRE

to

INSPIRE

E-newsletter JCI QB

Aspire to Inspire – Let’s Act Together

Issue 2 July 2016

Editorial Team

Chief Editor Anisha Kutowaroo

2016 Local President Dana 2016 Local Treasurer Ismael 2016 Local Secretary Vrinda

Member Anusha Member Bhavinee

Member Bhaminee Sookra Member Andy Chan

A special thanks

to all those contributing to the making of our newsletter.

On Behalf of the Editorial Committee

“Thousands of candles can be lighted with a single candle and the life of the candle does not shorten. Happiness never decreases by being shared” Gautam Buddha

CHIEF EDITOR’S VOICE


Dear JCI Quatre-Bornes Members, Senators and Aspiring Members,

Greetings from the 2016 JCI Mauritius National President. It is with immense pleasure that I’m writing to you for the 2nd Edition of the JCI Quatre-Bornes Newsletter.

At the beginning of the year, everyone was very excited and keen to embark yet on another adventure full of opportunities and challenges. This enthusiasm is

normally geared by the motivation of each and everyone linked to an action plan for a successful year.

In a blink of an eye, we have reached midway of this story full of happenings, where the experience of matching reality and creating an impact have developed into a fountain of knowledge for our members, fully satisfied with their personal growth and development acquired.

However, unconsciously, we are stuck in a sphere on the runway looking forward in achieving things as we feel that everything is running smooth, simply because we are in a comfort zone. Yet, we do have to keep in mind that when things go too smooth, maybe something is going wrong somewhere.

In order to avoid things going wrong, try to assess and see what brought us in a comfort zone and why our commitment revolves around this comfort zone? Furthermore, we must evaluate the different activities put forward to create an impact while meeting community needs. Or are the activities done only having an impact on our members? Last but not least, what is the mechanism put forward for our members to cherish the JCI Spirit?

These questions are here to help us set benchmarks in meeting the JCI Mission and Vision. In a world where society is becoming more and more dynamic, JCI Members are asked to be more close to their local communities so as to engage a maximum of stakeholders to create positive change.

We are also called to think towards the implementation of sustainable goals and tackle the problem of Youth Unemployment as we are the voice of the youth for a sustainable planet.

On the other hand, we are empowered to be young active citizens and to inculcate the culture of universal harmony as JCI is the medium stating that Peace Is Possible around the world.

JCI Quatre-Bornes Members, Senators and Aspiring Members, let’s foresee the remaining of the year together in having a solid structure to nurture the JCI Philosophy and ensure continuity.

"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack". Rudyard Kipling

National President’s Message


Yudhish Rama

2016 JCI Mauritius National President

2016 LOCAL PRESIDENT’S CORNER

By Dana Sunassee

‘Bringing the Best Out of Members through the Bond of Peace’

Inspire to Aspire; Let’s ACT Together

As a member, I have always perceived JCI as a ‘Can Do’ Organisation that can and does make a difference through the commitment and actions of its diverse members, senators and aspiring members. It is mostly the common goal of creating a sustainable world that somehow draws us all together. During this last quarter, we went extensively through learning the value of teamwork, whereby emphasis was put on collaboration and we de-emphasised on self-interests. Having happy members is the central value that contributes to individual performance and productivity of any organization. Our local organisation’s core aim is to help unlock the potentials of our members; bring out the best in them while motivating and inspiring them so they can in turn inspire others around them. JCI indeed provides us with a powerful platform that connects us to more people, and offers us new opportunities to explore, including interacting with and influencing the coming generation to take the lead.

2016 JCI Quatre-Bornes Local Board is proud to serve all its members, senators & aspiring members and it turns out that they are pretty proud of their affiliation with us too!!! Long way to go :) Yours in JCI Spirit, Dana


“In order to carry a positive action,

we must develop here a positive vision” - Dalai Lama


We, at JCI Quatre-Bornes, believe in working in Peace and for Peace and we are convinced that #PeaceIsPossible.

Our local organisation organised a ‘Peace Meal’ project with children and adolescents aged between five to eighteen years old in the foster care, Le Foyer Mgr Leen situated at Rose-Hill, Mauritius as from 08h30 to 14h30 on Saturday 28th May 2016.

The same project, which happened to fall on the same weekend of Mothers’ Day, was an initiative that used food, friendship and brotherhood as a way to bring our members within our local organisation together, but also a way for them to reach out and care for others.

With the combined efforts from the local board members & members, sponsors, individual contributors and volunteers, the idea behind promoting Peace became more than just a vision but a possibility.

Throughout the day, we introduced the children to the concept of Peace through crafts and activities as below:

1. Breakfast where the children & adolescents shared foods and drinks brought in by members.

2. We organised traditional games including having musical chairs, playing hopscotch called ‘La Marelle’ in creole, balloon competition & mimic playing to get to know them better.

3. The kids were then asked to make hand stamp posters. We provided them with the primary colours of the Mauritian Flag: Red, Blue, Yellow and Green. These are symbols of Unity and Multi-Culturalism in our country.

4. Every children was then asked to give their own definition of ‘Peace’ and write it down on little sticky notes for the ‘Peace Poster’. They were asked what they thought the word meant, we also explained the different aspects of the word peace using examples. Their responses too were very enlightening. The more grown up children wrote down their messages of peace combined with the symbols of peace.

5. We had a ‘Peace Zone’. We observed minutes of silence to pray for Peace around the world. We had all children agreed to the ground rule whereby no talking, shouting or little quarrels were allowed to happen.

6. We then taught them the ‘Peace Song’, which we all sang together before lunch.

"If I could write a magic song that everyone could sing, I would write of love, of hope and joy, and things that Peace could bring. And when we sang my magic song, all hate and war would cease. If I could write a magic song, I would write a song of Peace: one song for all of us. One song could bring us Peace. One song could make a miracle for all of us. A song of Peace”

7. We ended by sharing lunch together with the children, adolescents and Sisters of the foster care. Before the children left for tuitions, we cut a cake to celebrate our day with them.

At the end of the day, all were more than happy having our differences put aside. We were amazed of how the children could create a Peaceful environment wherever they are. They were the ones showing us how blessed we are, handling themselves differently than adults, and there is much we can learn from their behaviour about tolerance, care, sharing, forgiveness, embracing diversity, cultural unity and so much more...

#PeaceIsPossible: Spread the Love, Spread the Peace through Action!

Just ACT 2016, JCI Quatre-Bornes Motto: Aspire to Inspire: Lets ACT Together

Peace Meal 'Special Mothers' Day

With The Children of Le Foyer Mgr Leen


“You see just seeds but we see trees”

A day with the kids of Mgr Leen Foyer


Breakfast with the kids

The kids helping Member Bhavinee select a song to

dance on

The two finalists of the Musical Chair Game




2016 Local President Dana enjoying pure joy

Sizing up the winner of the Balloon Challenge

Aspiring Member Anusha chatting with the kids




Symbols of Peace drawn by the kids

A heart felt message of Peace from a teenager of the Foyer

Hands Posters

Taking the chance to lead: My Stepping Stone as Project Director

By Anusha Dooboree

It felt really great working on my first project with the JCI Quatre Bornes

family and it felt even be er to be appreciated for my contribu on. Most

importantly, I had a whole team working together on it including the Local

Board members along with our super ac ve members Anisha, Bhavinee,

Viraj, and Bhaminee.

It’s been nearly two months since I’ve been an ‘aspiring member’ of JCI

Quatre‐Bornes. Much to my surprise, I was approached by my Local

President Dana to take the lead on a new project ‘Peace Meal With the Children’. Despite my ini al

apprehension, she assured me that the best way to learn is through experience and that I would be

monitored all along by fellow chapter members.

This instantly brought a smile to my face, for I knew that my par cipa on and my involvement would

make a posi ve impact to the society, and same adding a whole new dimension to my rou ne I was

really looking forward to grow as a JCI member, this opportunity giving me hope and belief to grow

along with the JCI family as well.

Let me tell you how it all started.

Few months back, I went on taking a new resolu on. I told myself that it was high me I stopped

moaning and complaining about things that I see around me. I decided to do something about it so that I

can bring my own contribu on to the society, to the country and perhaps to the world. Taking small

steps and making small changes is be er than doing nothing at all. This is when I started searching for

a pla orm that would allow me to voice out my ideas or offer my help to those in need.


As goes the saying ‐ decisions determine one’s des ny! I randomly fell on a JCI Facebook page and

did a li le bit of research about the organisa on. Having been enthralled about what I read, I

jumped on the opportunity by contac ng them. Next thing I know I was reading out the JCI Creed,

Mission and Vision at my first Quatre Bornes JCI Members’ Mee ng with my new fellows present.

As the mee ng went along, our Local President informed us all about the forthcoming ac vi es of

the local chapter, including a community based service food distribu on among children. She

then gave to floor to all members for ideas which were then open for discussion. Needless to say, I

started giving out sugges ons, whereby later on during a proper distribu on of responsibili es, I

was given the task to contact some of the chari es.

As the days went by I started working on the project and I learnt more about the ‘Peace is Possible’

Campaign. Together with the project team, we elaborated on a schedule of various ac vi es all

related to the theme ‘peace’. It gave me immense joy to know that we were going to spend some

quality me with the kids at Mon Seigneur Leen. Weeks prior to our visit, the responsible party of

the ‘Foyer’ told us that the kids were also looking forward to welcome us. At our next member’s

mee ng, with the help and sugges ons of all the team members, the Peace Meal project was

finalised and we were all looking forward to the event when we could act for peace and also spread

the message for peace.

Being Project Director of the Peace Meal project seems like the perfect start to my new journey as

an agent of change in my community. By working with other JCI members, I was connec ng and

forming rela onships that I know would outlast projects and jobs. I’m sure that this project is a

merely a stepping stone for me and that it will open up many more avenues in my personal as well

as my professional career.


A Glimpse of Angels

By Anisha Kutowaroo

It was meant to be a casual Saturday dedicated to the Peace is Possible

campaign, spreading the message of peace and sprinkling some happiness

sparkles on the kids of Foyer Mon Seigneur Leen. Indeed, it was all that and

beyond which will be engraved in my heart for years to come. I really adored

how quickly they cosied up to us and one even gave me a hairstyle makeover.

My favourite activity was the balloon blowing competition. We divided into

groups and competed to see which team gets more balloons blown. Needless to

say, we joined the kids in a little competitive banter. However, at the end,

everyone joined in to help the weakest team, who eventually won. This was

such an eye opener. These kids were abandoned when they were most

vulnerable and yet, they did not abandon the weakest around them – even in a

competition. This is beyond the spirit of humanity and indeed we got a glimpse

of the little angels of peace within each one of them.


Learning a New Meaning Of Peace

By Bhaminee Sookra

‘Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward crea ng a world that sup-ports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to

contribute the best that they have and all that they are’: Hafsat Abiola

Almost everyday, we sit down with friends, colleagues and family for lunch. For a change, the Peace Meal

on the 28th May 2016 was a golden opportunity to have meal with the children of Le Foyer Mon Seigneur

Leen. This was far beyond just sharing a meal with the kids – giving them our me, a en on and love and

receiving theirs was a pleasure which money cannot buy.

We asked the kids to explain their understanding of the word ‘Peace’ and each one wrote their defini on

on li le s cky notes with li le scribbles like “Peace is Mother”, “Peace is God”, “Peace is Love” amongst

others. Li le do they know, they are themselves the incarna ons of Peace. The children were separated

from their family from a young age and yet they adopted strangers as family and live together in harmony.

They play, cry, study and support each other at all mes and despite all the shou ngs, you could see they

all constantly looked out for their comrades. Before this Peace Meal, I thought I understood the defini on

of Peace but these kids taught me a new meaning of peace, which is not within the confines of words.

Peace is the feeling of being happy and making others happy and where there is no room to hurt or be

hurt.

What touched me the most at the end was when all of them gathered to say “Merci”: a simple word, which

is o en said or heard. However, this simple word coming from these li le angels with a world of gra tude

in their innocent eyes touched my soul. I wholeheartedly thank JCI Quatre Bornes for making this happen.


Happiness Is Beyond Materialistic Pleasures

By Bhavinee Ramdhun

Happiness for me had always been when I received the latest iPhone version for my

birthday. On the 28th May 2015, I realised how wrong I was. My perspec ve of

happiness and peace changed when I met the girls from Foyer Mgr Leen. That warm

cosy feeling in my heart when I saw the smiles of the faces of these children and

teenagers who were once abandoned, is the right feeling of happiness. Despite all

their woes, they forgot everything and played with us and entertained us. They

were the perfect hosts as they made sure we were at ease in their home at all mes.

During the games that we planned for them, their laughter filled the atmosphere

convincing us that our ‘Peace Meal’ was a success.

I am now personally stronger in my convic on that ‘Peace is Possible’ and Peace is

happiness when you shower love on people who most need it. It was a heart

touching moment to bid them all a goodbye but with a promise to meet them soon

again.


Little but Important Things

By Vrinda Bhujun

The Peace Meal was a me when we were reminded of li le lessons, which

adulthood and this compe ve world seem to have taken away from us as we grew

up. These li le kids taught us some of the purest forms of love and care – which

indeed wiped any inkling of doubt that peace is not possible. These li le children

and teens were always ready to help out their friends. I led the Red team for the

‘Longest Balloon Chain’ game – and I had the youngest children in my team. It was

quite funny because some of them were so young that they could not even blow

into the balloons. Instead of being frustrated, they simply made fun of each other.

Luckily for us, we got help from kids of the other groups making us the winning

team. Sharing is a value, which I think most of us were taught as a kid, but few s ll

prac se it. It is always good to be reminded of li le, yet important things.

TEAM as someone has rightly said means Together Each Achieves More.


Challenge Trophy Striving to Stay Challenged!

Aspiring Member Challenge

Trophy March 2016 - presented by the Local President Dana to Anisha

Kutowaroo

Challenge Trophies April 2016

Aspiring Member – Oudeena Moonien

Member – Anisha Kutowaroo

Presented by the Local Board Members of JCI Quatre Bornes


2016 JCI Africa and the Middle East Area Conference (2016 JCI AMEC)

By Andy Chan

JCI Africa and the Middle East Area Conference is an annual interna onal event gathering thousands of young ac ve ci zens across the globe to share JCI best prac ces, discuss and address common issues, exchange ideas, par cipate in regional summits, a end trainings and inspira onal sessions, also a end official general assembly and last but not least to party hard.

This year the JCI AMEC was hosted in the largest city of the Republic of South Africa ‐ ‘The Rainbow Na on' ‐ namely' Johannesburg’.

The conference was held from Wednesday 4th May 2016 to Saturday 7th May 2016 at the Sandton Conven on Centre.

The programme for the four days went on as follows:

Wednesday, 4th May 2016 ‐ Chairman’s recep on for VIP, opening ceremony and the welcome party;

Thursday, 5th May 2016 ‐ Na ons Night for delegates to share their diverse tradi on and culture;

Friday, 6th May 2016 ‐ South Night to showcase the South African pop‐culture;

Saturday, 7th May 2016 ‐ JCI Awards Ceremony and the Gala Dinner and official closure of the conference.

The pre‐conference started on Sunday, 1st May 2016 with the JCI Ac ve Ci zenship Academy where three of our JCI Mauri us Members graduated: namely 2016 Na onal Vice‐President Roumesh Oomah, JCI Curepipe 2016 Local President Viloshna Sonoo, and JCI City‐Plus 2016 Local Vice President Tasweena Girdhari.

The Mauri an delega on consisted of 22 people from all five exis ng local organisa ons ‐ Past Interna onal and Na onal Officers as well as Local Presidents and Officers, Senators, Members and Aspiring Members ‐ and led by the 2016 Na onal President, Yudhish Rama. The team had the pleasure to count among them the 1994 JCI President Senator Arnaud Godere, and Senator Marday Venkatasamy who was subsequently elected as the 2016 AMESA Chairperson during the conference.


There were many trainings and inspira on sessions on the ‘Peace is Possible’ campaign as well as an interes ng regional summit on youth unemployment in Africa during the four‐day conference.

All the Mauri an delegates le Johannesburg with new friends, new insights and with a heavy heart, however hoping that Mauri us will host the AMEC conference some mes soon.


Award Winning Speech on Peace 2016 National Public Speaking Championship

By Anisha Kutowaroo

Clear your mind! Clear your heart! Clear your soul! If you want my message of peace to reach you, clear your mind, heart and soul! If we want the world to listen to our message of peace, we need to drop all barriers. The barriers that we, humans, have created between ourselves in our mind, heart and soul. For, Mother Theresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other”.

Let me start by telling you an anecdote.

On the 11th September 2001, as we watched the twin tower attack unfold, my grandmother kept crying. She cried not only for the victims but her heart was torn for the terrorists who committed those attacks. She explained that she was crying because the angel within that terrorist was stifled and this led him to blindly do such an act. It was so hard for me to comprehend as I was seething with anger. How could there ever have been an angel in that man’s heart!

I was 11 then, a short, plump little girl who was bullied at school and the only people she could rely on was very few. I was so full of hatred at such a tender age; I could not comprehend that compassion that my grandmother expressed. My bad experiences had created barriers between us, humans, in my mind, heart and soul somehow very similar to that of the terrorist. Only thing is that the journey of the terrorist is much harsher than mine. This does not justify his act but my experiences do not justify my anger as well.

How can people be asked to take actions to create peaceful communities when every single day, they are subjected to messages of hatred? We hear about refugees trying to flee their war torn countries to face more persecution across the border. On the other end, there are politicians who stir up the public’s worst fears, dehumanise the enemies and threaten to build walls between people. In a world where wars are fought to resolve conflict, how can there be peace?

“Peace will only be achieved when those who believe it is possible take action to create peaceful

communities.”

This speech was dedicated to my Nani (grandmother) who taught me the most important lessons in Peace.


We ask ourselves:

How can that girl have inner peace when she is shot in her head on her way to school? How can that boy be at peace when he faces persecution every single day for the colour of his skin? How can that man be at peace when he is kicked out of a train because he is an Indian?

Well, you know where I am trying to get to:

The first girl is Malala, the second boy was Nelson Mandela and the third man was Mahatma Gandhi – all three preachers of peace. For me what sets apart these people is their humility and ability to forgive. Malala in her message to the world from the UN, told the world that what freed her from all injustice is the ability to forgive. After spending 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela instead of settling scores with his enemies, he sat down, forgave his enemies and went on to rescue his country.

Forgiving is the first action every single one of us needs to take to create peaceful communities.

Malala, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, have summoned the courage to forgive. This strengthened their notion of peace and therefore their manifestation of human compassion. This strength gave them a conviction that peace can be attained.

Forgiveness helps to drop barriers created between us human. My message to you today is to let go of our barriers by forgiving. Only then, we can take credible actions in all humility to create peaceful communities. Yes, peace will only be achieved when those who believe it is possible take actions to create peaceful communities but first lets first all take a first step by forgiving.

I will end by telling you the story of my grandmother – she was an orphan. She faced a lot of injustice in her life as her people in her surrounding constantly mistreated her. She changed homes every 5 years until she settled down with my grandfather. Yet, she has so much forgiveness and compassion in her heart even for the cruellest terrorists killing thousands – she is for me not less than Malala, Nelson Mandela or Gandhi because in her own little way she teaches the message of peace.

As a tribute to my grandmother, I would say: “To summon such a compassion, being human is not enough, we need to become Angels, Angels of Peace – Only then Peace is Possible!”


Upcoming Events...


Upcoming Events...


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Jci quatre bornes newsletter 2 2016