Transforming Neighbourhoods

One of the elements of a children’s class that helps develop the spiritual faculties of children are stories. Among the many spiritual faculties that lessons try to develop are; imagination, intuition, perception and memory, along with virtues that have been deposited into the reality of the soul like love, generosity, justice and kindness. Many of the lessons include a story about the life of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

‘Abdu’l-Bahawas Baha’u’llah’s son and was designated by Him as the perfect exemplar of the Baha’i teachings. Since the age of nine he had been imprisoned with his family, suffered great loss and deprivation and was only freed from prison at the age of 64. He had dedicated all of his life to promoting the oneness of humanity and because of His dynamic example and his sacrificial labors he was able to transform situations of deprivation and loss into joy and injustice into justice. Despite all of what he suffered he led an exemplary life and did all he could to improve both the material and spiritual conditions of the people of his city and through hundreds of letters he inspired people from both the east and the west to do the same. All this, He was able to do under conditions of imprisonment and persecution. The stories of his life give insight into what it means to be a human being living in a complex world and the constellation of qualities one needs to begin to build a just society. The stories are dynamic examples that begin to help children imagine a better world and in time learn to become capable of working towards it. Having these stories imprinted in their memory helps the children remember the heights of excellence of character towards which they can strive and the way in which these qualities can improve their environment.

Often from the first lesson in the class the children begin to love ‘Abdu’l-Baha and are animated by his example. They are amazed that he is real and express sadness when they find out that he no longer lives. Here is an example of the impact of one of the stories of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’ with a story shared by a children’s class teacher:

Our children's class learned about justice today.

Afterwards, we played a game of soccer. We decided to stop when the game was a tie. One of the children remarked, “This is the most just game I've ever played!”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Because no one cheated, and everybody won.”
These qualities weren’t only understood by the children, but were manifested in their behavior. That same day, someone was kicking a tree. A child approached him and said, “don't kick that tree!”
“Why,” he asked.
“That tree is like Abdu'l-Baha. While you’re kicking it, it’s still giving you shade.”

After our lesson on the theme of service, the children painted beautiful pictures and were asked to give them to individuals living at a seniors residence. The children were so pleased with their pictures, however, that they didn’t want to give them up. After some encouragement, they did give them to the seniors, who were delighted. Afterwards, in the parking lot, even before I could tell them what a good job they did, a thirteen-year old youth helping with the project piped in and said:
“What we just did was like what Lua Getsinger did when she cared for that sick man on behalf of Abdu'l-Baha.”
The children expressed their amazement at having done something so profound. One six year old had a suggestion, though.
“We didn't make enough pictures, there was a gentleman who was crying because he didn't get a picture.”
She had taken it upon herself to talk to one of the nurses and promised that next time, they would each make two paintings. I explained to her that this man wasn't crying because he didn't get a picture. He was crying because he was happy to see them, and because he had felt their love.

On Monday, we visited a neighbourhood children’s class in Toronto. Crystal and Samin -who are from British Columbia- started the class two years ago when they came to Toronto to study. The class is with children in their apartment building. Over time they have gotten to know and love the children and their families and now feel very connected to the community.

This was evident in their interaction with the participants and the few parents I have met (though everyone was shy to go on camera). For example Anwar, who is Nahid’s dad, sat quietly through the whole class supporting her and encouraging her teachers.

It was nice to hear how they have grown as teachers. Having both started with little experience, they talked about how the structure of the lessons in Baha’i children’s classes has not only helped the children develop, but has also helped them grow spiritually and gain confidence as teachers over time.

At first, the children wanted to talk to the camera, but once Crystal asked them to concentrate on the class and not on the camera they listened.

Michael, who also lives in the building was there helping with the class. He is a talented musician and played songs and sang with the kids and told this week’s story.

The class was full of energy, laughter and joy, especially when they were singing songs. There was a lot of dancing and at the end of the song everyone except the teachers ended up in a pile on the ground! There was also periods of serious reflection in the class. For example, when Michael told the story, the children were fully attentive and afterward talked about how the man in the story was being insincere with his neighbour. When Crystal explained what sincerity was, and asked the children to think about what it would mean to be sincere when we do something wrong and say we are sorry, Diva offered that we would try not to do it again.
We will be working on editing this footage next week and hope to have it up on the site very soon.

Please send us your thoughts about this story or feel free to send us your stories about children's classesOne of the core activities. The provision of education for children, whether Baha’i or not, in a locality, often focusing on the development of essential capacities and a strong moral framework that assists children to achieve excellence in material, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of life. .