Weekly Hinduism for Children Classes

Weekly Hinduism for Children Classes are conducted by the Centre's various Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups. Children from Grade 0 through to Grade 12 are catered for. On Sunday, 8 March 2009, 294 children sat for the annual examination. Certificate presentation ceremonies for successful candidates were conducted at different venues.

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Faculty of Peace Studies, Spirituality and Culture

The Annual Graduation Ceremonies of the Faculty was held on Saturday, 28 March 2009 at the Centre, Glen Anil for students from the coastal and Gauteng regions, and on Saturday, 4 April 2009 at the Ladysmith Town Hall for students from the Northern KZN region. A total of 107 students (46 Certificate in Hindu Studies and 61 Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies) graduated.

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The 50th Annual Northern KwaZulu-Natal Children's Cultural Festival

The 50th Annual Northern KwaZulu-Natal Children's Cultural Festival, hosted by the Newcastle Sub-Centre was held on Sunday 17 May 2009 at the Richview Civic Hall, Newcastle. Children from the following Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups participated: Dundee, Estcourt, Glencoe, Ladysmith and Newcastle. The items performed by each group included sketches, speeches, traditional dances and the singing of devotional songs. Swami Vimokshananda delivered the Keynote Address. Over a thousand parents, children and members of the public attended this year's Festival.

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The Ramakrishna Community Veterinary Clinic

The Ramakrishna Community Veterinary Clinic conducted a vet camp on Sunday, 24 May 2009 at the Welbedacht Settlement, near Chatsworth. Seventy-five animals, mainly dogs, were treated by the Centre's veterinary surgeon, Dr Sanil Singh and veterinary technologist, Jabu Magulula. Treatment included rabies vaccines, vaccines for the 'parvo' virus, deworming, treatment of skin diseases and hair loss. Dog food and collars were also distributed to pet-owners.

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His Holiness Sri Swami Virabhadranandaji Maharaj

His Holiness Sri Swami Virabhadranandaji Maharaj (President, Persatuan Sri Ramakrishna Sarada Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia) was a guest of the Centre from Wednesday, 10 June 2009 to Friday, 26 June 2009. During Maharaj's stay, devotees were fortunate to hear his informative lectures, which were filled with inspiration and practical advice. Maharaj addressed devotees at the following venues:

• Ramakrishna Centre, Glen Anil - 13 June 2009
• Sri Sarada Devi Ashram - 14 June 2009
• Ladysmith Sub-Centre (Youth Day Celebration) - 16 June 2009
• Newcastle Sub-Centre - 17 June 2009
• Dundee Sub-Centre - 18 June 2009
• Pietermaritzburg Sub-Centre - 20 June 2009
• Chatsworth Sub-Centre - 21 June 2009
• Phoenix Sub-Centre (Ramakrishna Senior Citizen's Forum) - 23 June 2009
• Ramakrishna Centre, Glen Anil (Bhagavad Gita Class) - 23 June 2009

In addition to Maharaj's busy lecture schedule, he visited many of the Centre's welfare sites. He also conducted a number of hour-long guided meditation sessions, which were much appreciated. All of Maharaj's programmes were well attended by devotees, well-wishers and members of sister organisations.

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National Youth Day

16 June 2009, was used to host a half-day Youth Programme at the Centre, Glen Anil. The programme (8.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.) included prayer, chanting of hymns and bhajans, an address by Swami Vimokshananda, a seminar on Swami Vivekananda's Ideas and Ideals by the youth, peace chants and the singing of the South African National Anthem. Similar programmes were held at the Centre's various Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

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Swami Vimokshananda's regular classes

Swami Vimokshananda conducts the following regular classes: Bhagavad Gita:

• Tuesdays (7:00-8:00 p.m.) at the Centre, Glen Anil.
• Two lectures once a quarter at the Newcastle Sub-Centre.

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna:

• Chatsworth Sub-Centre (last Friday of each month, 6:50 - 8:00 p.m.)
• Pietermaritzburg Sub-Centre (first Friday of each month from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Redhill/Durban Central Satsang Groups (fourth Monday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

Women Devotees of Sri Ramakrishna on the second Sunday of each month (9:00-10:30 a.m.) at the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram.

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Nutrition Programme

The Centre's Nutrition Programme continues to support approximately 6000 indigent persons on a daily basis. For the period April - June 2009, donations included 3 tonnes rice, 1 ton dhal, 30,000 citrus fruits, 200 blankets, 100 paraffin stoves, assorted vegetables, condiments, etc.

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The Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa

The Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa continues to provide services to seven State Hospitals. During the last quarter, 203 patients were attended to and 18 operations performed at these State Hospitals. Regular clinics were also conducted at the Centre's various Sub-Centres where a total of 1120 patients were treated.

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