From the Chaplaincy

Together we can make a difference

Hugh van Cuylenburg, Co-Founder, Presenter, and Author of “The Resilience Project” writes:

“In 2008, I was fortunate enough to spend a few months living and volunteering in the far north of India. In this desert community, there was no running water, no electricity and no beds; everyone slept on the floor of their hut. Despite the fact these people had very little to call their own, I was continually blown away by how happy they were.” 

In his book Hugh writes about how he is invited into the one and only multi-age classroom at the local school. It is a tin shed, and not realising how low the doorway was, Hugh bumped his head on entering. He winced and rubbed his forehead and then noticed a young boy looking concerned. Without common language, this child, nevertheless, very effectively expressed his sense of empathy. The next morning, Hugh was greeted by that same young boy, who, with a brilliant smile, pointed to the ‘offending’ low doorway. He had used a wad of padding (scrunched-up newspaper tied together with a scrap of fabric) and somehow attached it to the top threshold. He tapped his forehead, indicating to Hugh that if he forgot to stoop to enter the classroom, he wouldn’t injure himself again. What testimony to a sense of service!

“Service is giving to others and wanting to make a difference in their lives.” – ‘Service’ from the Virtues Project.

“Love in action is service to the world.” – Lynne Namka

“Let us serve instead of rule, knock instead of push at the door of human hearts, and allow to each and every one the same rights and privileges that we claim for ourselves.” 

- Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy

From the Chaplaincy Team