More than 60 selected karyakars from across the UK attended a leadership training camp from 23 to 25 February 2019 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
The event was organised to enhance a diverse range of qualities and skills for volunteers who serve children at their respective mandirs and centres around the UK. Senior volunteers as well as experienced swamis guided delegates based on the ideal values of leadership gleaned from the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The learning was delivered through discourses, interactive sessions and exercises which explored the proficiencies of experts in various fields. Delegates also drew inspiration from role models who have excelled in their seva, and were offered opportunities for personal feedback relating to their specific roles and responsibilities.
A team-building event was organised where karyakars were able to share their own impressions of the event and consolidate the teachings from classes and workshops with one another.
The three-day camp served to strengthen many important attributes that are required to understand and nurture children and to serve them more effectively with humility and care. The karyakars also fostered new-found friendships and developed a wider support network.
Vatsal, a young aspiring volunteer, remarked, “The camp has given me a useful insight into progressing in my seva as a bal karyakar. The learnings from this event will definitely help me at my local sabha and also in various other aspects of my personal life as well.”