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AYUDH: UK Youth Activities

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AYUDH Learn About Healing Power of Nature

On Saturday, 9 April members of AYUDH and Green Friends enjoyed a spiritually healthy and educational herbal walk in Richmond, led by Dolly Garton, a fully trained, qualified and registered practioner in Western Herbal Medicine. Beginning outside Revolution, the walk took us approximately 2.5 kilometres up river towards Richmond Park, where we enjoyed a potluck picnic and the chance to share our spiritual stories and hopes for the future.

During the walk we were able to appreciate the intricate properties and uses of different plants and herbs, many of which we might have previously dismissed or taken for granted. The humble Nettle, for example, though commonly avoided, can be used in the treatment of anaemia, asthma, arthritis and eczema, whilst the Dandelion, though often considered a weed, is a fantastic way of helping the body ‘detox’. Other useful herbs we encountered along the way included Mugwort, which can be used to purify the air, Yarrow, which can be used to improve circulation, and Cleavers, which can be used to clean out your lymphatics.

Although one might think that such herbs and plants are the domain of the Countryside, the walk truly highlighted the ubiquity of Nature. Not only did we learn just how extraordinary the ordinary can be, but also that this bounty lies just on our doorsteps. Nature has all the answers if you know where to look!

For more information on AYUDH’s activities please contact Neela Bhurtun neela@bhutun.com or Vivek Bhurtun vivek@bhurtun.com.

Amma’s Acre Tree Planting Project

From the 11 to 13th March, AYUDH enjoyed a weekend of tree planting for a third year running on “Amma’s Acre” in Dartmoor, planting more than 30 trees of ash, willow, oak and wild maple. So far, nearly 200 trees have been planted onto Amma’s Acre itself, with the long-term aim of planting between 500-1000 saplings in order to return the plot to a natural woodland state and encourage the surrounding wildlife. The native Oak, for example, can support over 270 different species.

During the weekend, the youth stayed in a Mongolian Yurt, a circular tent warmed by a traditional wood burner. On Friday evening, there was archana followed by bhajans and meditation, as well as a great many laughs, jokes and some priceless impressions. The next day began early with the chanting of the peace prayer and the Sri Mahishasur Mardini before hands and hearts were engaged in the field. The process of planting involved digging out an area large enough to cover the roots of the trees, cutting the stakes by which the trees would be supported and encasing the trees in protective guards to protect them in the early stages from the neighboring sheep, deer and rabbits. A generous amount of mulch was also spread over and around the base of the trees to suppress weeds and enrich and insulate the soil. In the evening, a hot dinner was enjoyed by all around an open campfire, closing with bhajans and meditation. Sitting beneath the stars, there was ample time to share one’s personal experiences with Amma, and discussions on life and spirituality lasted well into the night.
On Sunday morning and afternoon, AYUDH was also visited for the first time by Tony Hirtenstein on behalf of Green Friends. During this time there was opportunity to discuss the expansion of the Amma’s Acre Tree Planting Project, both in terms of the involvement of Green Friend’s and the possibility of organizing projects in autumn as well as spring.

It was a greatly inspiring and fulfilling weekend, offering us a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with Mother Nature, each other and ourselves, through a mixture of labour, laughter and love.
         
Amma’s Acre Tree-planting project operates by an all-year-round fundraising effort. Please support us by sponsoring a sapling. £8 will cover the cost to take one tree through to an established state. These costs include: saplings, stakes, ties, guards and mulch for three years, plus a small contribution towards fencing, tools and establishing a tree nursery. However, any donations will be gratefully received. If you would like to sponsor a sapling, please get in touch with Tom Kitching ammastom@hotmail.co.uk or 07775 864878

For more information on AYUDH's activities please contact Neela Bhurtun neela@bhurtun.com or Vivek Bhurtun vivek@bhurtun.com.

UN International Year of Youth

Youth reach new heights together
12 Aug '11

From 24 – 31 July 2011 the M.A Centre, Germany, hosted the 7th European Youth Initiative “Reaching New Heights – The Power of Youth to Change the World”, a multinational youth programme that welcomed 180 youth from 20 countries from Europe and beyond.

"Reaching New Heights" - AYUDH Youth Initiative 2011 Review
from AYUDH on Vimeo.

Reaching New Heights focused on eight main challenges faced by youth in today’s society: lack of self-confidence, depression and suicide, addictions and substance abuse, erosion of culture and values, violence, poverty and unemployment, lack of perspective and meaning, family and social crises and environmental challenges. Each country group chose one specific challenge to deal with during the initiative.

To read more click here

AYUDH E-Mag Fall 2010

Click here to download the AYUDH E-Mag Fall 2010 in PDF format.

Youth meeting for a better future 2010:
6th European Youth Exchange Report