What is Gandhi Project 18?
Gandhi Project 18 is
a project focused on bringing nonviolent living into the modern world. This
project is born out respect the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, of a deep love for
humanity and a passion for the practicality and potential of nonviolence, which
is critical at this time of urgent evolutionary change.
We have all heard
Gandhi’s call to “be the change we wish to see in the world”, yet how did he
mean for us to do that? What were the principles and guiding lights in his experiments
in truth? How can we live our own experiments in truth and bring about the
changes we need to survive and thrive in the world today?
These and many
related concepts will be explored in this research and writing process. My goal
is to help give you the tools to empower your life to have overflowing meaning
and purpose in being of service to the greater good.
This phase of the
project is aimed to fund research taking place in May of 2018 in South Africa
on the Gandhi Legacy Tour. This tour is led by Gandhi’s grandson and
great-grandson, Arun and Tushar Gandhi. It follows the life and impact of Gandhi
in South Africa, where he was inspired to lead the nonviolent resistance that
ultimately led to India’s liberation from colonial rule by the British.
By retracing his steps and walking in the wake
of their spirits and lifework, I intend to bring to modern life the heart of nonviolence. By exploring this vast territory and the
ways we can apply it in our lives today, we can individually thrive and collectively
create just social institutions based on humanitarian priorities.
The research is
being used to write a book focused on bringing nonviolence into the modern
world and grounding that in the science of Positive Psychology, global health
and the wisdom of the ages. The first edition of this book will complete a
capstone project for a graduate level Certificate in Social Justice Education.
The final manuscript will be a self-published book.
The book will explore
the interconnections of all facets of our lives in relation to nonviolence and what science has shown to support
nonviolent ways of being. It will also be a practical guidebook
for those who desire to be the change in powerful and effective ways in their
own lives and contributing to the greater good with evidence-based practices,
making nonviolent living accessible to anyone who desires it.
10% of the proceeds of the published book will go to an organization near and dear to my heart, AVANI. This incredible organization is a well-run grassroots organization in India which works to provide education to children who are subject to conditions of extreme poverty, migrant labor, and protects them from grievous conditions, including sex trafficking.
The Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, founded by Arun Gandhi and his late wife, work to support this incredible organization. I have met the courageous and dedicated founder of AVANI, Anuradha Bhosale, and seen her work firsthand. Seeing the conditions of widespread migrant labor camps at brickyards in India is heart-wrenching.
"The nomadic families from the drought-affected areas of western India come to Kolhapur to find work in hot and dusty brickyards-where bricks are made - and among them are many children.
These young ones – some only five years old - carry a thousand bricks a day on their head for a measly 20 rupees a day. Rewind that day after day, month after month – and feel the terrible weight of that on the tender body and mind of a child just about old enough to leave kindergarten.
Avani rescues such children and provides the exploited, abandoned and poorest of them with safe housing and education. Not only that, it’s 360-degree care: food, nutrition, recreation, health check-ups, et al.”
10% of the proceeds of the published book will go to an organization near and dear to my heart, AVANI. This incredible organization is a well-run grassroots organization in India which works to provide education to children who are subject to conditions of extreme poverty, migrant labor, and protects them from grievous conditions, including sex trafficking.
The Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, founded by Arun Gandhi and his late wife, work to support this incredible organization. I have met the courageous and dedicated founder of AVANI, Anuradha Bhosale, and seen her work firsthand. Seeing the conditions of widespread migrant labor camps at brickyards in India is heart-wrenching.
"The nomadic families from the drought-affected areas of western India come to Kolhapur to find work in hot and dusty brickyards-where bricks are made - and among them are many children.
These young ones – some only five years old - carry a thousand bricks a day on their head for a measly 20 rupees a day. Rewind that day after day, month after month – and feel the terrible weight of that on the tender body and mind of a child just about old enough to leave kindergarten.
Avani rescues such children and provides the exploited, abandoned and poorest of them with safe housing and education. Not only that, it’s 360-degree care: food, nutrition, recreation, health check-ups, et al.”
I have met children
whose skulls are badly misshapen from this burdensome and unforgiving labor. To
see the total transformation and loving care these children grown into as they
are taken under AVANI’s wing is miraculous and beyond inspiring.
 |
| A few of the many children AVANI is helping And many thousands more need help |
All the world’s
children are our future and are full of vibrant life and brilliance when given
the chance to thrive. It’s amazing how far resources and loving support can go
in such a situation and make a real difference in the lives of these children. AVANI is changing the culture of child labor and untouchability to one of children's rights and empowerment.
"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own" - Ben Sweetland
"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own" - Ben Sweetland
I thank you for your help, support, ideas and
encouragement. If you feel called to donate to this project, thank you! I’m an upstart business
owner (in the realm of the healing arts and education), and I’m currently
completing graduate school so I greatly appreciate your financial support! A donation of any amount, even $1 is welcomed with gratitude and very helpful. Please sign up for my email list so I can give you
updates on Gandhi Project 18 and the fruits of my research.
This project is
designed to be a global and community-driven effort to answer the call of
bringing nonviolence into the modern world. I welcome any recommendations of
individuals, organizations, grants or scholarships that may help fund and bring
this work to fruition in the world. Please email gandhiproject18@gmail.com with ideas and recommendations.
Also, if you have
something that you are curious about or would like to see addressed regarding
Gandhi’s legacy or the application of nonviolence in the modern world, please email
me and I will do my best to include that in my research, blog articles, and
book.
Thank you so much
for your time and I hope you find something of value that is meaningful to your
life by exploring this blog. Thank you again for supporting this effort create
a socially just and peaceful world and to help humanity reach our highest
potential.
If you would like
to answer some questions about nonviolence and it’s relevance in the world
today to help me design my research, please follow this link:
https://goo.gl/forms/0uxnEt7Qzv8qmzMR2
P.O. Box 12201
If you are
interested in spreading the word about this endeavor, I would love to send you
some cards about the project to distribute, please email me your address and
how many you would like to give out. THANK YOU! And, may the soul force be with you!
I also gratefully
accept donations by Google Wallet and mail - checks or money orders can be sent
by post to:
P.O. Box 12201
Parkville, MO 64152
United States of America
To see more of what I am working on in the world, please visit:
www.shelleyfritzhealing.com
Thank you so much for your consideration and for any contribution, support or recommendations!
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