Children Class and Junior Youth Group Started!

The Ghiyasi family started their neighborhood children class and junior youth group this Saturday, 22 September 07!!!

Video rap on UNITY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ghtve_WVY

They had about 8 non-Baha'i children learning lesson 1 from Ruhi Book 3. It was on unity and they learned the quote: "So powerful is the light of unity it can illuminate the whole world." Nava Ghiyasi did a wonderful job teaching the class. She will need a helper since the children called it the "best class ever" (see picture) and they said they would invite more children for next time.

As for the Junior youth group, Nagin and Quddus had 3 participants: Lawrence and Wendasha who are 12 and Eric who is 11 years old. We stared with a prayer "O God guide me..." The we asked them why they wanted to be part of a junior youth group. Immediately, Lawrence raised his hand and said: "It keeps us out of trouble." We asked him what kind of trouble? And he said: "violence, gang relationship." Another said: "drugs and fights at school."

And then another purpose to get together, one said: "service project." So we asked them, what kind of service project? They said something to help others and help the environment. They decided that they wanted to clean the park and then possibly plant trees and flowers, and visit elderly people.

We also are going to play basketball since the park has a basketball court. They also want to play kickball, soccer, and relay race. They also promised to respect each other and to strive for spiritual and intellectual excellence. We discussed what both of these are and how to improve our spiritual qualities of honesty, truthfulness, respect of others.... We read the following quote to illustrate striving for excellence: "Let each morn better than its eve and each morning better than its yesterday." We promised each other to treat each other with respect and to listen to one another.

Nagin taught them a rap on unity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ghtve_WVY ) and they also want to do a play for the whole community. So we will prepare for that next time and talk more about what we need to clean the park such as trash bags, gloves...

They also came up with a few names for their junior youth group: Praying Group, Spiritual Group, Shining Star. They will think of more names and decide on a name soon!

We ended prayers as they each read prayers on children from the prayer book. They can't wait until next week and so can't the rest of us! We then played basketball and the children played on the swings.

How a family rose to action in their neighborhood

A story on how a family started a children class and Junior Youth Group at the same time:

A family living in the Montrose neighborhood decided to answer the call of the Universal House of Justice to start these two core activities. With the aid of a Cluster Institute Coordinator, they got together, said a few prayers, and went to a park to invite children and middle school age to join classes. As you know, Baha'u'llah arranged for this special occasion: the weather was perfect and therefore many children were out playing.

We arrived at the park and met a woman who only spoke spanish but luckily her daughter translated our wish to start children classes that would teach her kids moral education. The mother was so happy that she said she has 6 children of her own and a few nieces to invite.

We then approached other children, primarily African American, who wondered why we did not start the class today! We also played with the children and the Junior Youth.

The first class will start on 22 September, which will no doubt be a success. This is the result of the Ghiyasi family taking action!

The Five Year Plan calls for multiplication of children classes and Junior Youth groups (11 to 14) in our own neighborhood inviting non-Baha'i children and middle school age to join in classes. For those interested in persuing this path of service, please contact Samarih Monajjem at 832-594-2750 for children classes and Quddus Nasseri at 832-236-3575 for Junior Youth Groups. They can help you get started and support your activities. During this time there are only 3 children classes and 3 Junior Youth Groups. We need to increase this number to 10 sustainable classes each by the end of next year. The goal is to have 20 neighborhood children classes and 20 Junior Youth Groups by the end of the Five Year Plan. We can do it!"

Friendswood "Virtues Class"

Report on the Friendswood "Virtues Class":

We start our class with a prayer. The kids learnedthe song "Oh God Guide Me" but they also enjoy readingprayers from the inter-faith prayer book.

We then read a quote that I try to tie in withwhatever lesson we're covering for that day. The first week we learned the quote: "Truthfulness isthe foundation of all human virtues." Each child hashis/her own notebook into which he/she copies thequote.

Next we read a story from the "Value Tales" collectionwhich correlates with the Bahai quote. So for the"truthfulness" quote, we read the story of the Apachechief Cochise entitled, "The Value of Truth andTrust." The children listen to the story andafterwards we discuss the importance of whatevervirtue we're learning about for that day.

The kids then write in their journals either aboutsomething in their own lives related to our discussionor about what they learned from the story. One student went home and did some research online about Cochise and shared his report with the class the nextweek.

So far we've read: "The Value of Friendship" (JaneAddams), "The Value of Honesty" (Confusious), "TheValue of Believing in Yourself" (Louis Pasteur).

Three weeks ago, we took a "field trip" to the Bahai Center for the Eric Dozier concert. The kids werethrilled and it was a wonderful learning experience.

Two of my students are also learning how to playguitar. In this way we incorporate the arts into ourlessons.I am very grateful to Baha'u'llah for allowing me tohave the opportunity to share the Bahai Faith withchildren.

It is truly a blessing.

By Marie Ghogomu

Good example on how to explain Junior Youth Groups

This is a talented young Baha'i in Australia who explains on TV what a Junior Youth Group is. You can use it when you explain it to parents:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7BNvvs80eQ

Enjoy!

To start a Junior Youth Group, contact Quddus Nasseri at quddus10@gmail.com