A Kishore-Kishori Shibir was held in Johannesburg for all the Kishore and Kishori Mandals of South Africa and Botswana. The venue of the shibir was Mogale Country Lodge situated amidst game reserves and a serene mountainous environment. A total of 125 Kishores and Kishoris attended the Shibir, themed “Kahat Hai Sant Sujan”, from various centres including Mayfair, Lenasia, Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Tzaneen, Louis Trichardt, and Botswana. Pujya Yagnapriya Swami and Pujya Vivekjivan Swami, both from Ahmedabad, joined 8 sadhus from Nairobi in conducting the shibir. The shibir was filled with lectures and presentations detailing various teachings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the youth, activities relating to these teachings, group discussions, and several video blessings of Pujya Sadguru sadhus.
The Shibir was divided in 5 sessions:
-
Asmita for BAPS and the Aksharpurushottam Upasana
-
Following the agna of the Satpurush
-
Nishkam Dharma for youth
-
Social Media (benefits, disadvantages, and controlling the usage of social media)
-
Love for the Satpurush
Kishores performed various skits to introduce these topics which were then elaborated upon by the sadhus. Activities such as “Paramhansa Na Pagle Pagle” re-enforced the hardships that Shriji Maharaj’s Paramhansas willingly went through, for His rajipo. Group discussions were held to discuss the importance of Swamishri’s expectations from Kishores and Kishoris. Team building activities such as “Treasure Hunt” brought out the spirit of unity and learning together in groups.
The shibir was a success due to the blessings of Swamishri, the guidance of the sadhus and the efforts of karyakars of Southern Africa. The shibir succeeded in its aim of bringing together many Kishores and Kishoris and allowing them to be exposed to important satsang concepts (i.e. Agna, Upasana, Asmita, Nishkam Dharma, and the Satpurush). It was a good opportunity to interact and learn, and to aid in building a stronger Kishore-Kishori Mandal in Southern Africa.