In pix sponsors Jay and Sylvia Subraj, and Sarwan Budhu, along with two occupants of the dormitory examine the damaged floor of the dormitory before rehabilitation and refurbishing.

The Guyana Sevashram Sangha, located at Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara, continues to fulfill its mandate under the spiritual guidance of Swami Vidyananadaji, as prescribed by its founder, Swami Purnanandaji, who adjured his disciples to “go ye from one end of the world to the other and gather all my children under the banner of the Sangha so that they can be saved.”

But this age-old continuum of service could not have been made possible without the absolute generosity of persons and institutions across the world who reach out with grace, in a myriad ways, to enhance the lives of the vulnerable and helpless within the fraternity of mankind by way of which they thank the Lord for the bounties with which they have been blessed.

Jay and Sylvia Subraj, real estate developers, Nardeo (Naresh) Singh, IT Consultant, and Sarwan Budhu, businessman – all Guyanese domiciled in the USA, along with their many other charities, have practically adopted the Ashram at Cove and John and its ancillary establishments, having established some of those offshoot institutions themselves.

The young people from the entire East Coast corridor, as well as others from all across the country who attend the various programmes from time to time have benefited considerably from the several educational and cultural initiatives undertaken by the Ashram.

The group has rebuilt and refurbished the dorm for the live-in students, who have moved into the new facility recently. Apart from the computers that they donated to the Hindu College they established the Pranav Computer Centre, which has comfortable furnishings to accommodate the students who use the 50 state-of-the art computers and accessorized facilities.

Now that the dormitory has been completed the group briefly visited the Ashram last week to initiate a new project, which is slated to come onstream almost immediately.

They were not satisfied that the current library at the Ashram satisfies the needs of many persons who use the various facilities on offer, so they have decided to build a huge multi-purpose complex atop of the feeding shed, which will house a reading and research centre, and a computer graphics centre.

While the Pranav Computer Centre will continue to be the teaching arm of the basic courses in computer science under the management of young Shyam Sundar, the new facility will take students to a new level of specialized programmes in graphic technology under the supervision of Chris Ramlagan.

They have already posted an additional 3,000 books, 6 additional computers, as well as many literacy software to support the big brother/big sister phonics and teaching programme, which was introduced by the group to encourage interaction and a sense of responsibility in the youths involved in the programme, and to help the younger ones to learn social skills, to bond with others easily, and to develop their reading and educational abilities.

The renovated and refurbished dormitory. Tiles were donated by Len’s, while contractual work was supervised by Bhai Sonalall of the Ashram.

Slated for inauguration in November of this year, the structure of the multi-purpose facility is estimated to cost an approximate $20 million, while refurbishment will cost another several millions.

The Ashram hosted a week of summer camp activities, which commenced with a formal ceremony on Monday 16th August and concluded on Sunday 23rd August 2009.

Students of both sexes from across the country participated in Ramayan and Gita chanting, yoga, with addresses being delivered on various aspects of social values, including drugs, suicide, conflict resolution, Hiv/AIDS and other topics relevant to existential dynamics.

Human Resources Director of the Berbice branch of GuySuCo, Mr. Jairam Petam, spoke on career paths and guidance, while other presenters included Bishop Edgehill of the ERC, Swami Aksharananda, Ms. Rajkumarie Singh, Principal of the Hindu College, Pastor Rondell, and Administrative head of the Ashram, Bramchari Vidur, who gave the opening address.

The current library with librarians Melinda Thornhill and Avinesh Ramnauth.

A campfire and cultural programme on Saturday night, in which youngest participant Rico Edwards acted as Lord Krishna, preluded the final day of the summer camp, which culminated in a beautiful satsang presided over by Ashram Administrator, Bramchari Vidur, in the Shiva Mandir.

Volunteers of the camp included students of the Hindu College and Pranav Computer Centre, Melinda Thornhill, Avinesh Ramnauth, Sohan Sukhraj, Tiffany Phillips, and Computer graphics instructor, Christopher Ramlagan.

Melinda, who currently serves as the Ashram’s librarian, has been attending the Hindu College since Form Two and recently wrote the CXC exams.

She is one of the big sisters and says she enjoys the atmosphere at the Ashram. Bramchari Vidur, administrator of the Ashram says that Melinda gives her all and is so supportive of the many programmes that they want to make her an honorary boy and have her live in at the all-boys dormitory.

The feeding shed atop which the Subraj/Singh/Budhu group plans to build housing for a new library and research centre, as well as a highly-technical computer graphics centre.

Although the boys tease her mercilessly, Melinda says she loves the activities and support she receives from the donors, Bramchari Vidur, and all the teachers who have helped her to develop her potential.

She says that helping with the younger ones has been an enjoyable experience and she is so comfortable at the Ashram that she spends most of her time there, because the institution provides opportunities for advancement for all who attend the classes and participate in the various programmes.

The Guyana Sevashram Sangha was established in the early 1950’s as primarily an educational and spiritual institution. It has since expanded its activities to serve the society in many ways.

The educational component continues to perform superlatively and the recent CSEC results attest to this with a 90% overall pass rate, which is a marked improvement under the headship of current principal , Ms Rajkumarie Singh.

Hindu College obtained 100% pass in English A, 43% pass in mathematics, 100% pass in Office Administration, 100% pass in Integrated Science, 100% pass in Agricultural Science, 92% pass in Information technology, 100% pass in Social Studies, 100% pass in Principles of Business, and 90% pass in Principles of Accounts.

Graduation of Summer Camp participants at a satsang in the Shiva Mandir presided over by Ashram administrator, Bramchari Vidur. Principal of the Hindu College, Ms. Rajkumarie Singh is seen at centre in white, while Pranav Computer Centre head, Shyam Sundar, sits at Bramchari Vidur’s right.

The school’s top student, Sohan Sukhraj, said that the school goes beyond the academic curriculum and also teaches students about self-preservation, ethics, the divinity within oneself that transcends material considerations, and that the process begins from the time of a student’s initiation in the school’s dynamics of tutelage.

Many of the world’s top achievers in various spheres are graduates of the Hindu College, including the current main donors of the school and former Finance Minister, Saisnarine Kowlessar. President Jagdeo once taught at the institution.

Bramchari Vidur and his team of assistants, along with several supporters, primarily mentors Jay, Sylvia, Naresh, and Sarwan, are committed to upholding the principles enshrined in the core values of the Ashram and its founder, and their rewards lie in the many students who have evolved into exceptional human beings, who are domiciled in every part of the globe, but for whom the Ashram is the home of their hearts.