Sacred Service: Khayalethu Township
Donation protected
7/16/17
We just discovered that to get a filling in South Africa costs approximately $30.00; getting your teeth cleaned is about $20.00 and that the country is fast becoming a preferred destination for dental tourism. We immediately booked two appointments!
At the same time we were just overwhelmed by the fact that most of the people we have encountered have never had any dental care because it is way beyond their means. As teeth rot they are extracted. Even young people have few teeth left and the older people we encounter do not have any. The implications for this in terms of nutrition, health and longevity are wide ranging and detrimental.
While our focus is on internal spiritual and emotional needs it is impossible to ignore the very basic needs of people. It is clear to us that our work is most effective where there are projects that are attending to the basic needs of people at the same time. We are also so very aware of the immense privilege of the first world that can put their emotional and spiritual work into their budget without fear of whether the money for food will last the month till the next meager pay check - one that certainly does not include the possibility of visiting a dentist. We are also aware that many people live with tooth ache and chronic pain until they cannot bear it any longer and have some one pull the tooth out. These are the daily struggles that are not immediately apparent from those looking from the outside in.
A very big thank you to my dentist - Dr. Nancy Holm, for her generous donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste. How wonderful if we could just book appointments for everyone we have worked with to get the necessary dental work done that they need as well.
The deeper in we go and the more we see the greater the heartache. Please feel free to continue donating to our GoFundMe account. Every $35.00 will provide a filling and we will make sure that we get the person to their appointments.
(6/8/17) Since beginning this campaign an already devastated community has been decimated by fire. Throughout the past two days, the Knysna area including Khayalethu Township has been overrun by 26 fires. There was little anyone could do but watch the area burn. Lyndall and I know that we are arriving to devastation beyond anything ever seen in this area. Her sister Jenny who lives in Knysna says it feels like armegeddon. We are anxious to arrive in Knysna and begin our work. If you are able please be generous in your support of the suffering of the people of the township.
(5/26/17) Sacred Service at Aslan Institute is initiating an International Outreach. The goal of the outreach is to minister to 12 identified sites that represent the most impoverished and marginalized communities in the world. To do Tonglen with an identified group of people and form a core group for Tonglen Therapy lead by someone trained in compassionate group work in the community, with the intention of having this work spread into the community. By helping clear up the inner blocks of clients that prevent them from living creative lives, we intend to have this spread to action in their outer lives. A particular area of focus will be to identify the vast needs related to extensive abuse issues of the woman and children of the township. Teachers and Facilitators of the outreach are Charisse Lyons and Lyndall Johnson. The first site will be in Khayalethu Township, Knysna, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ella Mhlalu, Penny Mainwaring, and Jennifer Nienaber will be trained by Lyndall and Charisse to be the on-site facilitators that will carry on the program once in place. Charisse and Lyndall will be going to the Khayalethu Township for 6 weeks in June and July, 2017. Charisse and Lyndall's vision of Sacred Service at Aslan Institute is to offer the international outreach services at no charge. Therefore, they are seeking funding to assist them as they support the extensive needs of the community, as well as offset expenses for the 6 weeks. Many people have experienced dramatic increases in self awareness, self compassion, and ability to heal unresolved suffering and wounds through the Tonglen Therapy with Lyndall and Charisse. There are so many throughout the world who have never experienced the embrace of true compassion. If you feel pulled to be a part of this project and spread the embrace of acceptance, tolerance, and compassion to those in desperate need, won't you please consider making a donation to this cause.
We just discovered that to get a filling in South Africa costs approximately $30.00; getting your teeth cleaned is about $20.00 and that the country is fast becoming a preferred destination for dental tourism. We immediately booked two appointments!
At the same time we were just overwhelmed by the fact that most of the people we have encountered have never had any dental care because it is way beyond their means. As teeth rot they are extracted. Even young people have few teeth left and the older people we encounter do not have any. The implications for this in terms of nutrition, health and longevity are wide ranging and detrimental.
While our focus is on internal spiritual and emotional needs it is impossible to ignore the very basic needs of people. It is clear to us that our work is most effective where there are projects that are attending to the basic needs of people at the same time. We are also so very aware of the immense privilege of the first world that can put their emotional and spiritual work into their budget without fear of whether the money for food will last the month till the next meager pay check - one that certainly does not include the possibility of visiting a dentist. We are also aware that many people live with tooth ache and chronic pain until they cannot bear it any longer and have some one pull the tooth out. These are the daily struggles that are not immediately apparent from those looking from the outside in.
A very big thank you to my dentist - Dr. Nancy Holm, for her generous donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste. How wonderful if we could just book appointments for everyone we have worked with to get the necessary dental work done that they need as well.
The deeper in we go and the more we see the greater the heartache. Please feel free to continue donating to our GoFundMe account. Every $35.00 will provide a filling and we will make sure that we get the person to their appointments.
(6/8/17) Since beginning this campaign an already devastated community has been decimated by fire. Throughout the past two days, the Knysna area including Khayalethu Township has been overrun by 26 fires. There was little anyone could do but watch the area burn. Lyndall and I know that we are arriving to devastation beyond anything ever seen in this area. Her sister Jenny who lives in Knysna says it feels like armegeddon. We are anxious to arrive in Knysna and begin our work. If you are able please be generous in your support of the suffering of the people of the township.
(5/26/17) Sacred Service at Aslan Institute is initiating an International Outreach. The goal of the outreach is to minister to 12 identified sites that represent the most impoverished and marginalized communities in the world. To do Tonglen with an identified group of people and form a core group for Tonglen Therapy lead by someone trained in compassionate group work in the community, with the intention of having this work spread into the community. By helping clear up the inner blocks of clients that prevent them from living creative lives, we intend to have this spread to action in their outer lives. A particular area of focus will be to identify the vast needs related to extensive abuse issues of the woman and children of the township. Teachers and Facilitators of the outreach are Charisse Lyons and Lyndall Johnson. The first site will be in Khayalethu Township, Knysna, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ella Mhlalu, Penny Mainwaring, and Jennifer Nienaber will be trained by Lyndall and Charisse to be the on-site facilitators that will carry on the program once in place. Charisse and Lyndall will be going to the Khayalethu Township for 6 weeks in June and July, 2017. Charisse and Lyndall's vision of Sacred Service at Aslan Institute is to offer the international outreach services at no charge. Therefore, they are seeking funding to assist them as they support the extensive needs of the community, as well as offset expenses for the 6 weeks. Many people have experienced dramatic increases in self awareness, self compassion, and ability to heal unresolved suffering and wounds through the Tonglen Therapy with Lyndall and Charisse. There are so many throughout the world who have never experienced the embrace of true compassion. If you feel pulled to be a part of this project and spread the embrace of acceptance, tolerance, and compassion to those in desperate need, won't you please consider making a donation to this cause.
Organizer and beneficiary
Charisse Lyons
Organizer
Eagan, MN
Paul Robert Lyons
Beneficiary