walk for values - WHY?When thoughts gather momentum to a galvanized positive force, there will eventually exist a visual, tangible and dynamic momentum. It is this principle that the Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia unleashed one of the many nation building programmes titled `Walk for Values’. The world has increasingly become more vulnerable with natural disasters, global warming and a host of other climatic catastrophes. Bhagavan Baba declared in one of His discourses that only man is principally the cause of this ecological imbalance which has resulted in this drastic turn of events. In response, the council in recent years initiated its members to turn towards conserving energy, go green and promote a consciousness for loving earth. The simple program that began two years back at SS3 which attracted 650 people to walk for several kilometers and encourage neighborhood to plant trees. The idea of gathering a multi- racial crowd to walk and raise the consciousness of the public towards greening the earth caught fire, and has over time involved nearly 8000 people to participate in this noble endeavor. The Ministry of National Unity sees this program as a means of bringing many people from all religions and race to come together for a good cause. The ministry is aiming to organize similar events on a larger scale throughout the country. The Sathya Sai Central council of Malaysia is aware that what is critically needed are imaginative models to covey ideals such as these. Walk for Values is indeed such a programme and I have no doubt with the grace of God that the flame that has been lit will grow into a mighty conflagration of love and unity involving diverse communities to embark on this journey to rescue Mother Earth by evolving a consciousness for the Green. It’s a walk but the exercise has a difference. On lookers register in their subconscious the message. Children treasure the journey as a wonderful memory. Adults engage in a rewarding experience and in the crucible of fellowship and comradeship they hold the flags and banners carrying lofty messages and beautiful sayings on greening the earth. The journey has begun . A small drop is slowly evolving and a river is soon forming, the gush of which I am sure in the future will involve millions more. On behalf of the council we congratulate the centres in the nation daring to take this bold step in creating this wave of change. Let us do whatever we can to preserve the earth. Every effort counts! Congratulations. Prof. Dr. Suresh Govind President Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia The Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia (SSBCCM) is an interfaith non- governmental organization that is dedicated towards the promotion and preservation of human values and towards offering selfless service to the poor, sick and needy. The organization is built on the foundations of these human values as its belief and as its organization’s guiding principle. In line with its objectives, SSBCCM is now in its mission to reach out to the general public by bringing about the awareness of Human Values. VISION An interfaith non-profit NGO dedicated towards the promotion of Human Values and consciousness of selfless service to the poor, sick and needy for Nation Building. MISSION In line with its objectives, SSBCCM is now in its mission to reach out to the general public by bringing about the awareness of Human Values. SSBCCM has introduced the SAI-CARE initiative which is a variety of Human Values initiatives focusing in the areas of Spiritual, Medical, Education and Service to Society. “The What?” A Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia Initiative on Human Values and Environmental Awareness Vision: Reigniting Ideal Lifestyle based on Human Values. Objectives: • Raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence, right conduct and peace for a peaceful, caring and understanding society. • Draw attention to the urgent need to practice Human Values in order to eradicate social and environmental ills that impoverish our lives and spirit. • Forge closer, caring and understanding ties amongst members of society in our country. The theme “GO GREEN” brings about a new dimension to instill and reignite the awareness on the importance of protecting and nurturing both, the external environment and nature of the planet and the internal environment and nature on the mind, heart and spirit based on Human Values. To organize pervasive Human Values programs as a fun filled A Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of alternative lifestyle for children, teenagers and youth as a follow up Malaysia Initiative on Human Values and activity after the carnival to sustain and ensure integration of human Environmental Awareness values. Sample activities are such as: • Vision: Human Value Debate Competition among Colleges • Essay Competition among Primary and Secondary Reigniting Ideal Lifestyle based on Human Values. Schools • Human Values Music and Drama Festival • Health Awareness and Medical Camps for the Needy Objectives: • Raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence, right conduct and peace for a peaceful, caring and understanding society. • Draw attention to the urgent need to practice Human Values in order to eradicate social and environmental ills that impoverish our lives and spirit. • Forge closer, caring and understanding ties amongst members of society in our country. “The What?” “The How?” The carnival consists of two main segments. The first segment is the “walk” which is mainly a procession of participants with banners on human values and go green messages added with floats and vehicles to attract the community to participate in this simple yet meaningful activity. The Walk for Values: Go Green Carnival will gather people to take the step towards igniting Human Values into their lives. Participants will participate by walking 3-4km from the starting point to the finish. This carnival is open to all communities and for all ages. Participants will be required to dress as creatively and be as colorful costume/attire as possible and to have human values as well as messages of the environment (For example :- Be Like a Tree by Giving a Shade, Protect Nature and Nature Will Protect Us). The Color Code for the attire will be Green. Upon completion of the walk, the second segment which is the exhibition and performance will be launched with various booths set up displaying very informative presentation on environment and promoting healthy lifestyle. Some samples of exhibition booth includes booth on tree planting, booth on saving water and energy at home, booth on tips to reduce, reuse and recycle materials and many more. Performances are held to convey the message of “Go Green” in a creative and attractive manner. The carnival typically starts at 7.30am with registration and the walk starts at 8.00am. The exhibition and performances are completed not later than 11.00am. This carnival leads to greater connection among members of community in appreciation of our environment. The carnival is also a call for action to our neighborhood to put values into action. The carnival will involve participation of multiple organization such as: • Higher Education Institutions • Neighboring schools • Corporate/Business Organizations • Non Governmental Organizations • Uniform bodies • Local Communities • The handicapped and less fortunate (e.g. orphanages, old folks homes) These schools/institutions, NGOs, corporate and government departments are encouraged to participate in follow-up programs as shared earlier to continue increasing the awareness and appreciation of nature. Walk for Values is an initiative started by the Sathya Sai organization in Toronto in 2002. In Malaysia, this initiative has been spearheaded by various Sathya Sai Baba Centres in Malaysia. These carnivals have been held in localities in many states such as Selangor, Federal Territories, Malacca, Johor, Perak, Kedah and Penang. Here are some pictures and excerpts from local newspapers: “Walk For Values SS3 Petaling Jaya” “Success Stories” “Walk For Values SS3 Petaling Jaya” “Walk For Values Sri Muda Shah Alam” “Walk For Values Malacca” “Walk For Values Johor Bahru” “How Can YOU Contribute and Participate?” Walk for Values- Go Green Carnival is a multi-organization / group effort. It will only be successful with multiple organization collaboration from the surrounding community. The carnival’s objective is to reach out to as many individuals and groups as possible and is open to all. All organizations such as corporate, government, NGOs, schools and higher education institution can support organizing and participating in this Walk for Values: Go Green carnival by: • Bringing in structural or logistics support to help set up the event. • Setting up exhibition booth based on “Go Green” message • Short performances (e.g. dance, sketch or band) based on “Go Green” message • Setting up “Go Green” creative floats to lead the “Walk for Values: Go Green” procession. • Participate as ‘walkers’ in the event. A Catalyst to Sustainable Expansion Of Human Values & Environmental Care Program Walk for Values: Go Green Carnival has become an impetus to many more ongoing programs across the community where it has been organized. This has led to expansion of human values and environmental care awareness among school students, local community and other organizations. We have proved that this event enables and engages our community to uplift their understanding and continuously participate in nation and character building programs. For example: Johor Walk for Values: Go Green in Johor Bahru Interschool Human Values Essay Writing competition Inter-NGOs Human Values Expo Selangor Walk for Values; Go Green in Sri Muda, Shah Alam Community Cleaning Club Interschool Musical Drama Competition Interschool Art & Craft & Interschool Recycle Competition The logo signifies the unification of mankind, walking the path of Human Values in creating a peaceful, loving and caring society. The blue and red circles resemble our nation and the heart shaped design signifies the people of Malaysia walking together towards a peaceful and harmonious nation guided by the principle of love, care and understanding. We hope that this event will be able to raise the awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence, right conduct and peace for a peaceful, caring and understanding society. Besides, this event will draw attention to the urgent need to practice Human Values in order to eradicate social and environmental ills that impoverish our lives and spirit. On another aspect, the theme “GO GREEN” brings about a new dimension to instill and create the awareness on the importance of protecting and nurturing nature and our environment.