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Symposium on Pre-Primary & Primary School Education &
Primary School Students Chess Tournament
More information at:
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-January/068222.html
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One Man's Dream for Gulf Teens
By C.M. Paul, SAR NEWS
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (SAR NEWS) -- School-going children of
working parents are left with little option for activities other than
school, tuition and television. What can a Catholic priest in an
Islamic country do single-handedly to address this rise in the new
generation of couch potatoes, increasing the risk of their physical,
mental and psychological health?
Meet a daring priest, Father Tomy Kuruvilla who started an
"unofficial" but innovative youth ministry in Sharjah, one of the
seven states of the United Arab Emirates.
"There are a lot of things we can do for our kids, as priests and
religious, even in this constrained situation of an Islamic country,"
insists Kerala-born Kolkata Salesian Father Kuruvilla,
founder-director of the Rhythm Music Institute (RMI) for 15 years now.
Government Certificate Courses:
"I am running a full-fledged music institute officially recognised by
the Ministry of Education, Dubai (UAE) with approved certificate
courses," says Father Kuruvilla adding there are 32 music institutes
in Sharjah with an equal number in neighbouring Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
"There are only three Education Ministry approved music institutes in
Sharjah and RMI is one of them since 1994," he reveals.
"Children learn keyboards, organ, guitar, drums and other musical
instruments according to their aptitude and choice.
They also learn drawing, painting, sketching, coloring, dancing and
singing, personality development and time management. There are also
other possibilities like computer learning, leadership training,
spoken English and many other courses useful for younger generation,"
says Father Kuruvilla who taught in one of the prestigious Sharjah
Schools, for 14 months before starting RMI as his response to urgent
youth ministry demands.
The Lure of Catholic Institution:
"Most parents sent children to the institute since they don't want
them to get addicted to satellite television or hooked on Internet
unattended in their prolonged absence from home due to the double
shift system of working hours," says Father Kuruvilla.
He explains, "On an average, every year a thousand students register
for the courses. Many survive, while others quit and some are advised
not to waste their time for lack of music talent."
He quickly adds, "There are also a number of students who come to RMI
to score points for their studies abroad."
Kichumon Haldus a second-year student says, "Before I joined I heard
about the quality of teaching at Rhythm. I saw the differeOne Man's
Dream for Gulf Teens
By C.M. Paul, SAR NEWS
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (SAR NEWS) -- School-going children of
working parents are left with little option for activities other than
school, tuition and television. What can a Catholic priest in an
Islamic country do single-handedly to address this rise in the new
generation of couch potatoes, increasing the risk of their physical,
mental and psychological health?
Meet a daring priest, Father Tomy Kuruvilla who started an
"unofficial" but innovative youth ministry in Sharjah, one of the
seven states of the United Arab Emirates.
"There are a lot of things we can do for our kids, as priests and
religious, even in this constrained situation of an Islamic country,"
insists Kerala-born Kolkata Salesian Father Kuruvilla,
founder-director of the Rhythm Music Institute (RMI) for 15 years now.
Government Certificate Courses:
"I am running a full-fledged music institute officially recognised by
the Ministry of Education, Dubai (UAE) with approved certificate
courses," says Father Kuruvilla adding there are 32 music institutes
in Sharjah with an equal number in neighbouring Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
"There are only three Education Ministry approved music institutes in
Sharjah and RMI is one of them since 1994," he reveals.
"Children learn keyboards, organ, guitar, drums and other musical
instruments according to their aptitude and choice.
They also learn drawing, painting, sketching, coloring, dancing and
singing, personality development and time management. There are also
other possibilities like computer learning, leadership training,
spoken English and many other courses useful for younger generation,"
says Father Kuruvilla who taught in one of the prestigious Sharjah
Schools, for 14 months before starting RMI as his response to urgent
youth ministry demands.
The Lure of Catholic Institution:
"Most parents sent children to the institute since they don't want
them to get addicted to satellite television or hooked on Internet
unattended in their prolonged absence from home due to the double
shift system of working hours," says Father Kuruvilla.
He explains, "On an average, every year a thousand students register
for the courses. Many survive, while others quit and some are advised
not to waste their time for lack of music talent."
He quickly adds, "There are also a number of students who come to RMI
to score points for their studies abroad."
Kichumon Haldus a second-year student says, "Before I joined I heard
about the quality of teaching at Rhythm. I saw the difference
immediately as I had been to another institute before I came here. The
first day itself I was surprised at the quality, systematic and
organised teaching, as well as inculcating other values along with
music."
"Rhythm has a very good reputation in Sharjah and I know that a priest
would take utmost care," says Ashish Anil Abraham who found out for
himself that his mother was right when she admitted him in Rhythm.
Ananthu Sudhi is very clear about what makes Rhythm to stay at the
top. "First of all Father Tomy is very kind and affectionate and all
of us love him. Second, transport and classes are punctual and
efficient. Third, class timings are very convenient for us. Fourth,
qualified and efficient teachers are here."
Education of the Poor, but Intelligent Youth:
The RMI will open this year, a new facility in Kerala, to promote poor
youth who are intelligent but unable to pursue higher studies due to
financial constraints.
"It is my dream to coach 150 young boys who will be hand picked from
class VII for English medium education with emphasis on coaching for
competitive exams. They will stay at the Marian Centre for Career
Guidance at Kaduthuruthy and attend reputed schools and colleges in
Kottayam district."
"Just think of the thousands of students who will turn out to be
committed and dedicated teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, IAS,
IPS, IFS officers and IT professionals! What change it could make in
the society?" muses 50-year-old priest showing the photos of a
sprawling institute on the six acre verdant campus.
Over the coming years, Father Kuruvilla hopes to get, willing
individuals from the Gulf countries, and else where, to sponsor
students until old students in turn begin to sponsor new ones.
Five Books and Autobiography:
In the midst of this one-man show, Father Kuruvilla has written Desert
Springs, a five volume series of his weekly sermons, as well as an
autobiography scheduled to go to press soon.
"A voracious reader, Father Kuruvilla never eats outside, no
enjoyments, no visit to friends or families… For him, it's just
Rhythm-Church-Rhythm-Church goes the cycle," says Dixon Correya, one
of his parishioners at St. Michael's' Church Sharjah.
There are about three million Catholics in the vicariate of Arabia,
territorially the largest diocese in the world, comprising six Islamic
countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Yemen and the seven
countries of the United Arab Emirates).
It has 20 parishes with 55 priests (11 Diocesans, 37 Capuchins and 7
Salesians) and about 70 Sisters from six Congregations (23 M.C.
Sisters in Yemen) and the rest in Bahrain, UAE and Yemen.
riest showing the photos of a sprawling institute on the six acre
verdant campus.
Over the coming years, Father Kuruvilla hopes to get, willing
individuals from the Gulf countries, and else where, to sponsor
students until old students in turn begin to sponsor new ones.
Five Books and Autobiography:
In the midst of this one-man show, Father Kuruvilla has written Desert
Springs, a five volume series of his weekly sermons, as well as an
autobiography scheduled to go to press soon.
"A voracious reader, Father Kuruvilla never eats outside, no
enjoyments, no visit to friends or families… For him, it's just
Rhythm-Church-Rhythm-Church goes the cycle," says Dixon Correya, one
of his parishioners at St. Michael's' Church Sharjah.
There are about three million Catholics in the vicariate of Arabia,
territorially the largest diocese in the world, comprising six Islamic
countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Yemen and the seven
countries of the United Arab Emirates).
It has 20 parishes with 55 priests (11 Diocesans, 37 Capuchins and 7
Salesians) and about 70 Sisters from six Congregations (23 M.C.
Sisters in Yemen) and the rest in Bahrain, UAE and Yemen.
--
Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org Ph +91-832-2409490
The Goa books blog: http://goabooks.wordpress.com
Goa1556 (alt.publishing.goa): http://goa1556.goa-india.org
