If it is true
If it is true
that the world talks too much
then let’s all keep quiet
and listen the eloquence
of silence
If it is true
that the world sees too much
then let’s all close our eyes
and see the inner vision
beneath the closed eyes
If it is true
that the world hears too much
then let’s wax our ears
and listen to the chastity of inner music
that defies betrayal
by the wayward wind
If it is true
that the world moves too much
then let’s stand statue-still
and imitate the stubborn will of trees
that moves without being peripatetic
for the dumb don’t tell lies
for the blind can’t be peeping Toms
for the deaf cannot eaves drop
for the crippled can’t trespass
Phanise Mwango
—————————————————————————-
Harriet
My name is Harriet. I am in form two in the Children’s Garden High School and I am 17 years old. My testimony about what yoga has done in my life is that it has really changed me both physically and psychologically because if I try to compare myself to the way I was before doing yoga exercise, there is a very big difference. Sometimes I used to go to class in the morning and there was nothing to grasp because my brain was full of stresses and thoughts. I was thinking about things that were not helping me at all, like regrets and past memories about myself. Since then our beloved mom Tineke came and introduced us something called Bhastrika and I noticed many things and changes in myself.
Despite the fact that it was really hard for me to adopt the situation, it did not take me a long time before getting used to it. It took me a short period of time to adapt to the new situation. Since I adapted, I have seen many changes and today I am able to manage my time well. I know how to get rid of stresses. I don’t keep thinking of negative things from my past and try to concentrate all the time no matter the circumstances.
Also, mom Kim has really impacted me. She is so courageous and kind-hearted. She really challenges many people. I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and thank mom Tineke and Kim for placing so much knowledge and exercise on us and I promise to pray for you and your families. May God bless you so much and may he add some years to your life so you may live long in this world and impact such knowledge on others lives like you have with me.
——————————————————————
Muge Okurku (age 16)
I give thanks for dear mom Tineke and Kim for coming from far away to teach us how to remove dirty toxins from our body through the breathing method. I have the opinion that the exercise we were doing has aided me in many ways. It has taught me how to be sober to be the own judge of my mind. When every splendid and sparkling morning came, I was always looking up to attend. I do greatly appreciate for the kind-heartedness you have given to us. Through the exercise, I have learned more about breath capacity and how to breathe well. Bhastika method of breathing has shown me how to release my mind. When I have stress, I can do the exercise and my mind comes again to the beginning.
—————————————————-
Marriam Prudencia
I am in form two girls school and I am 18 years old. I have five brothers and three sisters. Before I joined Children’s Garden home and school, I used to stay with my mother in the home country back then, I was not going to school and also, we did not have enough facilities for all of us to live there. I joined the Children’s Garden in the year 2001, where I have been getting all the things that I need in education and I also have many friends whom I consider brothers and sister. I have realized my dreams, visions and talents.
I always think of the many people that suffer in the world with and without parents and who also have personal problems that are very difficult to express. I always ask God that they can also be able to be taught the programs like YES! in order for them to be able to manage their stress and live a normal life.
The course for me at first sounded silly and childish. I did not want to be apart of it, but as it is said, it’s better to try than to fail to try. I tried with all my heart, my mind and strength. I have found it very interesting and also very enjoyable. On the physical side, it makes us look well and fit and also on the mental side. Within yourself you feel that you are rested. The exercises have made me love many things about my friends and also myself.
My aim is to be one of the people who inspire and change people lives like the founder of the breathing exercise (YES course) and our teachers Tineke and Kim, who have really helped us in doing and knowing how to be good. I also wish to attain my dream, which is to become an airhostess or pilot and to be the best football player. I also want to part time be able to be a teacher in the art of living courses.
I would like to thank the facilitators of the art of living who have sent many people to different countries and places to help others in their lives, despite of any situation they may be in. I am also encouraged to do anything for a friend that you have done. You have planted something in people that will keep them smiling. Thanks to the teachers and God Bless them. “A Journey of a Hundred Miles Begins with One Step!”
——————————————————————————
Amina Hassan
I am sixteen years old and I am in class eight. Before the breathing course began, I was very slow and lazy. At that time, I would wake up late, go to class late and I was doing my duties late. Even my thinking was slow. But since I joined the breathing course, though at the beginning it seemed hard and difficult for me to adjust, I have truly seen a change in my life. I realize that if you devote yourself and try to make your mind focus on something, you get something from it. Before the course, I had problems breathing, but ever since I joined the breathing course, I wake up and I feel stronger in my head. In the past when I woke up, I felt tired, I had headaches, and I felt like I wanted to faint. Nowadays, when I wake up I feel relaxed and cool.
I want to appreciate what you have done and the support you have shown us. Thank you very much I know you are blessed and that God is with you and he is going to be with you wherever you go. I am going to pray for you everyday until I die. When you go I will miss you very much. I love you Kim and Tineke.
————————————————————-
Maureen (age 16)
For the last two months since Tineke came to our school, I have been doing yoga, which she introduced to us. On the first day, I was wondering what it was. Before she introduced it to our school, I was so stressed, dormant and also feeling separate. On the first day, she came to our class and told us we are going to start a yoga course that could help us to remove stress, be active and also become strong. I was very happy since I knew my life was going to change. After a few weeks, Kim came and taught us different activities that I had never come across before. The course has brought a big change in my life since the stress is gone. I can stand in front of people and speak without being shy. Also I am very active. Yoga is a good course that I have never experienced before. I would like to thank Tineke and Kim for the big change they have brought in my life. What a marvellous course! I will never forget them. Every now and then I shall be practicing the course because I know it is helpful to me. Thank you Tineke and Kim.
——————————————————————————
Gladys Wanjiru
My name is Gladys. I am eighteen years old and am in form one at the Children’s Garden High school in Kenya. Bhastrika has really helped me a lot since I started attending the program. I have learned a lot from the training and also from the trainers. When Tineke came and introduced the course to us, I thought it was something very hard for me to do. I kept attending the training daily and thought it was very hard for me to adjust. With time, I got used to it and it became part of me. I used to go to class very late and sometimes I could not get something from the teacher because I used to think about the past and had a lot of stress in my life. When I continued with the course, I didn’t have stress and I do not think about the past. Today, I am a new person and if I do have something that is stressing in my life, I just breathe in a let it go.
Thanksgiving:
Thank you very much Tineke and Kim for the good work you have done for my life. I have seen a lot of change in my life. Kim, you have really inspired my life and I will always remember you. Tineke, you have encouraged me because of your life background. Thank you very much and may God bless the work out of your hands as you continue with the good work you are doing.
(Poem)
Manage Stress
Many people are stressed
And do not know how to manage
Nothing they get in life
And nothing they own in life.
Get rid of your stress today
Eventually you will be yourself.
Stresses are burdens to people
They treat people so unfair.
Reminding you of the past
Evaluating no answer to you
Subtracting your life in earth
Shrinking your body size.
So why get stressed?
————————————————————————————-
Stanley Kitili
My mission
My mission is to be a role model for the future to show a good example to the youth and to help them cope with the challenges they may cross in their life. I want to make them understand that nothing good comes from soft ground, so in life we have to struggle without losing hope in order to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.
When I am through with my education, I would like to become an engineer.
My experience
I am sixteen years old and in Children’s Garden Home and school in grade eight. First, I would like to thank my teachers Kim and Tineke for bringing us such a nice course that has really made a positive impact on my life.
More thanks to the one who saw it important to start the Art of Living from his vision that every man/human deserves a happy life on earth.
The course has helped me get rid of all the things that have been obstacles in my mind. I had one major issue that is very difficult for me to speak about. It is difficult for me to speak my emotions. Even when I get sick, I would stay in bed until it is really serious. Through the art of living course and the YES course, I feel all that is truly gone. It made me clear my mind and feel ready to face exams without any stress. The breathing technique has also been so important to me since it has helped my body to fight off diseases and lets blood circulate.
————————————————
Joan Chemtai
My name is Joan Chemtai, I am 16 years old and I am a girl in class seven.
I want to become a broadcaster, lawyer or architect.
My vision is to help all the needy children who are in the street and make them to have a bright future.
In life I experienced so many difficulties and these sometimes make me feel hopelessly and even make me not concentrate in class. Sometimes I encourage myself that I can make it and I put more effort in everything that I do, but it is very hard.
What I got to know in my life is that no success comes on a silver plate and what a man thinks so he is. These encouragements really boost me in life.
I thank so much our mother Tineke and our sister Kim for all the teachings that they have taught us. This has really changed our life and has brought a good impact in our lives. I have focus to face my dreams and to my vision come true.
———— ——————
John Njuru
I am John Njuru aka Teddy and I am 17 years old.
Over the past month I have learnt and experienced a lot of things that can change my life like it has done.
If I continue with it I am sure my life will change completely.
The Art of Living course and the breathing techniques have changed other people’s lives around us. It has a very inspiring story on people’s future like me in my life.
Before I started this course I had a lot in my mind. I was reading a lot and people saw me very stressed. And I did not use to talk with people, but now I can talk very well with a group of people. This course has changed my life completely.
——————————————-
Dorcas Snaida
(Poem)
Parking Boy
In the lonely squalid valleys
I rummage among the rubbish bins
Searching for a drop morsel, a coin.
Nobody had been extravagant.
Christmas comes the city is invaded.
I peep through a toy-shop.
A boy makes a choice.
Holding hands, father and son walk out
With stretched hands I follow.
With great effort I restrain myself
From snatching and running off.
I venture “Saidia Maskini” but,
Nobody pays heed to my plead.
At the car park someone tosses me a copper coin.
It rolls on the road, I chase.
With a screech I hear a car stop.
From it comes the word “bastard”
I pick up the coin and run off.
A bare bottom testimony to my predicament.
I sit by the roadside and wish
Someone would say “eat with us tonight”
But no such invitation is forthcoming.
All I get are suspicious stares,
A quicker pace and closing of bags.
Quote:
Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss prints.
Small minds discuss people.
Dorcas Snaida
I am a student in Children’s Garden and I am in form two. I am 17 years-old. I have been doing the course, but before doing the course I had a lot of stress. Whenever I looked at my life situation, I thought that I had no future ahead of me. I thought I was very unfortunate because I was an orphan and I was very sad. I thought of many things and I wish my parents were alive. Every time I sat down and thought, I wished for my parents and I would ask myself what my parents would have done for my life. All of this stress and so many other things in my mind increased my stress level.
At times, I would ask myself, “how will people take me,” when I have no parents. I thought that people thought my parents were gone because of disease and that maybe I would have the same disease too.
These are just some of the things that were stressing me. Since I began the breathing techniques, I feel relieved. Nothing is in my mind and I look at myself as an equal to others who may have parents. I feel the desire to be treated like any other person regardless of whether I have parents or not. I hope to be a teacher of this course, but if that cannot happen, I pray to God that I will be a lawyer and a very good one at that. My mission is to achieve my dreams but only after helping the orphans because an English man once said, “Experience is the best teacher.”
From my own experience, I know now the hurting from having no parents.
From before the exercises, I would not talk very much. I had many talents, but I would not explore them. I would just sit and watch as others did their work. After I did the course, mom Tineke showed us the breathing techniques in school. I did the exercises and was very careful and then all of a sudden, I was talking. Currently, I am perfect and I am very happy. I pray I made all the right efforts and that others may live long and to help others to get out of their problems. Thanks to mom Tineke and Kim.
———————————————————————————-
Jane Muthoni (age 17)
I would like to start by bringing back my vote of thanks. I am an individual who has experienced a lot of changes within in. Since you came and taught us how to relieve your stresses and how to get rid of the toxins in your body, I feel comfortable and happy each second that passes. Now I know the meaning of making your body fit and comfortable. For once I have done exercises, which I am not used to. You have been of great help to me and also for the rest of the school. You have made us so happy and full of life. My vision in life is to be a counsellor because I have seen the importance of guiding and counselling. I hope when you (Kim) go home, don’t forget us and I personally love you so much because since you came, my face is always smiling and shining with happiness. I hope you will come back one day or even invite us to your home. This course has truly improved my mental thinking capacity, my body functioning, and so forth. My mission in life is to be a responsible woman in the community and the coming generation. I want to be the first woman President of Kenya. I want to make women the first in line of wealthy people and important people in society. Once again, I thank you so very much for your kindness. You have spent so much money to come and teach us this special exercise. May the lord bless you and reward you for the good work you have done.
———————————————————-
Juma Otiti (age 17)
I had a lot of stress of becoming a proper person in the coming future. Through the experience of life it seemed my vision and my dreams were going to fail because I had stress from my family’s bad situation they are going through. My mother went mad leaving us 2 boys and 2 girls, so I am stressing how my younger sisters will achieve in life. Since mom Tineke came from Holland, she introduced to us the art of living. Through the experience of our mom Tineke, my life has changed in many ways. First, I had stress of becoming a pilot. She told us all we need is determination and focus. Through her experience, I have no stress at all and I want to continue working hard to achieve what I want in life. She told us that it doesn’t matter how much you are passing through, but to be patient and continue to work hard to achieve what we want. The art of living has changed my life so much. I would like to tell them to continue working hard as we know hard work pays off and please, I would like to visit those places and teach them the essential thing of art of living.
———————————————————————————
Keziah Muringi
I was born in the year 1992. I am very grateful for Tineke and Kim for what they have done to us. The program has been helpful to me because I never stood in front of people and lead, but I was the course leader. I was ashamed of talking to people and I always felt like they could not like or listen to me, but the course proved me wrong. I now know that I am a leader and I promise that I will be doing the course everyday and also, when I go back home, I will teach my friends.
I was never concentrating with my studies. There was something in my mind that kept me worrying, but for the first time I did the Bhastrika my mind was clear. I also thank God for the founder of this Bhastrika because I know that it has helped many people in this world. Glory to the most high. Thank you Tineke and Kim for your kind heart. You have devoted your time to come and help us in all different ways to release our stress. I thank the Lord for that and I hope you will come back again to Kenya and that we will meet again.
———————————————————
Jeremy Mwangi (age 15)
Introduction
I love music, playing guitar and sports like football and I do scouting. In the school curriculum activities I also loved swimming, but I had an accident with my chest so I had to relax until I got better. That is when I came to the Children’s Garden where I became well and learned how to play football and the rest of my hobbies.
Course Experience
I have experienced many changes for the past two weeks from the exercise I was doing. I was wondering how the exercise was helping, but after one week I knew the meaning of the exercise because it really changed me. After the exercise, I go and take a shower then I feel fresh and I do not feel tired. This course has really meant a lot to me because it has changed my habit. I can even continue with the course if it would be a curriculum, but I will make sure that it may be a curriculum in the school for it has brought a change in the school.
———————————————————————————-
Roland Njage
This was a fantastic day with the course. We know it might have helped many of the students.
I thank God for bringing Kim to help us throughout the exercises.
The course was not so hard. If you do it willingly it is helpful.
We thank God because he sees whatever we all are doing in the course and we know he will bless all of us and Kim and Tineke.
Great thanks.
Roland, age 16.
———————————————
Jecinta Wangui
YES! Course
Thank you very much Kim & Tineke for sacrificing your time to come and teach us.
When the course started I joined the first day. After the course I felt I was somebody different, very relaxed and comfortable.
They have taught me how to be out of stress and how to be confident, determined and courageous. For now I have these values.
Another thing is that the course is very encouraging and enjoyable. For sure I have learnt a lot through this course.
If you go back to Netherland I will continue doing the exercises because it is of great importance in my body. I will also encourage others who have not done the course the importance of doing it by teaching them what you have taught me.
Jecinta, age 17
————————————————-
Ramadhan Soniom
I am a boy of 17 years and learning in Children’s Garden and this is my last year in the primary level of education. I like singing, dancing, laughing and socializing. My hobby is to imitate others and I do like it. When I grow up I would like to be a good lawyer. I want to serve people in court by giving them fair trials and that this could make the world to know the importance of being fair with justice to others. I want to be a role model to the society by doing what is right.
I want the world to know the importance of loving one another and I want to work hard and do the best I can to make my vision and dream come real.
I joined Children’s Garden in the year 2002. I passed through many problems and challenges since my father died. Before joining CG I wasn’t used to go to school and that made me loose much of my time. During my free time I had to go and do little work in order to get money and food. The money was used for buying my own clothes. But through good luck I met with Daddy Moses and he took me in his home and now I do get food and education, which is the best shelter.
Course experience
Over the past weeks, I have learnt and experienced much. The experience has really changed my mind, body and life. Through the Art of Living I have learned much about the breathing techniques and about how to get out the dirty toxins inside our body. We as humans always wash our body from outside and it is good to practice the breathing techniques because it helps us relax our mind, thoughts and even it gets rid of stress. I have truly loved it very much. Through the course I have also experienced how to love and be kind to every man’s decision and feeling and also how to give respect to one’s decision.
- ——————————————
Phanise Mwango
(Poem)
This lifeThis life is dear mate
is like a journey
We are travelling
You and I.
The uncertainty
Is just like mist
In the air
It will clear
This life has many potholes
Hills and valleys
But let’s make haste
To reach there.
You only reach there
After you sweat
And eve after reaching there,
you continue travelling.
Quotes
The most easiest thing is to discover. But the most hardest thing is work according to the discovery
Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t you are right
Phanise Mwango
I am Phanise Mwango. I am a 16 year-old girl. I grew up under the custody of my mother and my grandparents with no father. This is because my father killed himself when I was only 3 weeks old. He killed himself because he was being pressured to marry my mother and he was not willing to. I joined Children’s Garden Home in the year 2005, while I was in primary school and now I am in high school. I only have two years remaining to finish up my high school studies.
Mission
My vision is to become the first lady president in the nation of Kenya. I want to become a role model to all ladies so that they may feel that women can be in power. Also, I would like to become Miss World in these coming days.
Vision
I am working hard to become a pilot, an airhostess, or a journalist. After attaining what I want, I want to help the less fortunate people in society so that they can lead happier lives.
Experience
Life was very hard with other children at the home talking about their dads when they knew I did not have a father. They never played with me and I was feeling so bad. The moment I came to the Children’s Garden, my life began to change. When I joined the art of living course, given by Kim and Tineke, I started to forget about my past and they taught me how to manage stress. Now I am living a happy life with no stress.
——————————————————————————
Joyce Nyambura
My name is Joyce Nyambura and I’m 16 years old.
My mission
My aim and mission it to be able to take care of my children and others and to be responsible for others.
I want to help people all over the world how to be responsible of themselves and how to care for their children and for others. I also want to help young children on how to be responsible and to have confidence in themselves.
My experience
Since I joined the Art of Living project I have really seen a change in me. These exercises have really changed my life. I have learnt how to deal with stress and whenever I feel down this exercises help me to relax and feel good. I have also learnt how to breath and remove dirty toxins in the body
It has been very enjoyable to me and also to my friends. It has helped me to have self-esteem and by now I can stand in front of people to dance, sing and teach. This YES! Course has been a really blessing to me
I really thank the Art of Living course because of the change that I have made in my life
I am now ready to face and fight challenges whenever they come and confidently win all the problems that I’m facing.
———————————————————-
Shadrack Alecandes (age 17)
I would like to be responsible of what I have and also showing love to my allies. I would also like to have respect among other people both old and young. I will make sure that I respect the community to the following issues, making sure there is peace, that people stay with peace to not fall into pieces and finally, to be faithful to other people.
Vision
My vision is to be a musician and a geographical researcher. I would like to be famous all over the world and also I would like to be a citizen of Sweden because I do not want to stay in Kenya for the rest of my life. God made us to be everywhere. I also have a vision to become a leader full of integrity by faith. I would also like to help other people who are living in the shanties lacking food and to offer them schooling.
How was the course?
For me, the course was good. The way we have been practicing every moment it has made me breathe in other ways. I know it is helpful. I didn’t know that one day I would have such course, but different people know different things. When we unite we become one thing.
Challenges
There were some challenges. I could not vividly recall about the course because sometimes I was not able to do because I was impatient. That is why challenges are challenges! Also, it was as hard as a rock but now and then I can see it as an easy thing.
Experience
I experienced that when you do the course you gradually feel fresh and not stale. The body becomes easy moving and also the more you are in the experience during core time, the more you get to know.
A Vote of Thanks
Thank you for the longevity, the crucial moments you have been with us. We truly enjoyed ourselves and you make me enthusiastic. Thanks.
—————————————————————
Sarah Waithera (age 16)
I would like to thank Tineke and Kim for the love that you have shown us. From the day Tineke came to the Garden, I have seen a lot of change. You have been very supportive and you spend a lot of your time with us. I don’t think there are many who can be like you; to leave their nice homes, families and your beautiful country to come to the Children’s Garden.
For the last two months I have seen a lot of change in my life. For the first time I didn’t know what we were doing. I thought it was just a game, but Tineke kept on telling us to come. One day I said to myself “today I am going I want to be like Tineke and I will do what Tineke will be doing.” I followed what she was doing that day and from that day I was learning something. When I went there I was tired and was not feeling like I was well, but by the time we were finished, I was okay. I would like to thank Tineke for the course. I have learned a lot. Kim has been a very good sister. You taught me a lot in life and now I know how to deal with stress and many things. Thank you for the love and support you have showed to us and when you go back home, I hope you will come back again. Thank you very much.
————————————————————
Jane Mijihoni (age 17)
I am an ambitious girl who came to the Children’s Garden this year. I am in standard eight and am a very prepared candidate of this year.
My mission is to improve the life of my family and get them out of this chain of poverty. Also, I want to learn and become a responsible mother of two and a respectable member of society.
I want to become the first woman leader of our country and to raise the voice of women in this country.
My experience
I am so cool and happy from this course because it has helped me release the problems and stress in me. I have stayed comfortable and happy since you came. What I will do is continue with this experience on my own and also help others. Thank you Kim and Tineke for the love that you have showed us. I will really miss you guys when you go back home, but I will keep you in my heart.
———————————————————
Duncan Okoth (age 17)
How Bhastrika has changed my Life
I thank Tineke and Kim for inventing for us the Bhastrika course. This exercise has been so nice for me mentally and physically. I used to have stress before but during the time I was in the course, I could relax my mind and this is an experience I have never had before. I have experienced a lot of things in the course and now I am well built physically and I thank you. I have experienced a new style of making new friends and by understanding my problems and learning how to solve them. This course has been so nice to me.
————————————————————————
Wilkister Adema
I am Wilkister in form one, I am fifteen years old and I am studying so hard in my life. My education is going on well and I am happy to study and be in Children’s Garden. I like dancing and singing and playing football.
My vision is to become a famous musician, dancer and footballer and my dream is to become an airhostess. I really like singing and playing football. I am very social. So I would also like to know more than ten thousand people in future.
In my life I have gone through many things, I’ve went through up’s and downs, sometimes I feel like a melancholic girl in a hilarious place and also feel so low.
Other times I think often about my future, will it be good or what if life is very hard. I’ve been struggling so hard and hustling. I didn’t know how to manage my stress and unnecessary fears. Sometimes I think of what if I study so hard and end up being poor in life.
But for all these I really like to thank our mum Tineke and sister Kim for introducing to us the breathing techniques and Art of Living. For sure since the day I stepped in that room, if I compare my life now to the other time, I have really changed. All those thoughts and fears, I don’t have now. Really the Art of Living is giving hope to me and many other people. I will make sure that I will teach other people these techniques and tell them the importance of it.
And for that we will be able to live a happy life and a loving life with everyone.
————————————————————-
Synaida Adamba (age 12)
Thank you for the lessons you have taught me. I understand the lessons. My body is feeling good. I did not know how to sing some songs but now I understand how to sing those songs. I thank you for the games you have taught me how to play. My teachers and my parents thank you for what you have done in my life. I have learned a lot from you this week. Thank you for the cake you gave me yesterday I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
———————————————————————
Sammy Muhanji (age 17)
I have experience many changes in the few days we have been doing this course. I had many problems, but this course has removed all the bad things in my body. I hope this course will continue to help change my life. In the first few days, it seemed to be so boring, but when we went on, I saw how the course was very nice for me. It is a course you can just enjoy. When you have stress it changes things emotionally and physically to your body. I hope I will continue doing the course even without anyone to watch me.
———————————————————————
Clarence Hillary
I am Clarence Hillary from Children’s Garden Home & School and I am 14 years old.
I was born in 1996 in Tumaini Hospital in Kibera, the biggest slum in Kenya.
My father died in a road accident in 1997 and so I was left with my lovely mother and my two brothers named Terrence and Cetrick. We lived with my mother, and anything we got in front of us we tried to share.
My big brother tried to work in all ways to get money, to help us even though it was little, at least to acquire our basic needs.
When it reached 2004 my mother died of typhoid and so we were left alone in an empty street.
After the burial we came back in Nairobi to start a new life because no hope was left in our hearts.
My big brother, our second born, dropped out of school and started spilling scrap metals at least to get money for our supper. When my aunt saw that we were perishing she decided to provide us food and clothing even though she had no work, she sacrificed all she could to help us. We were happy because we improved our health facility.
We continued living that way for quite a long period until it reached the year 2007.
In that year we had general election in Kenya and so everyone wanted to lead and so conflicts started.
All we could hear were gunshots and so everyone ran at least for a better place because our mud houses were crushed and others were burnt. The only place we could go was somewhere were only children were allowed, elders were allowed to take care of the remains and no food was there with them including my brothers. In this Nairobi’s children’s place at least we were given water.
After about four weeks one of the children’s officers came and told us that if you have any orphan child which has a problem, to please report that and that they will help you.
When my aunt heard this, she gave me to the children’s officer and I came to Children’s Garden Home.
I was welcomed by my brothers and sisters and I was very happy.
I encouraged myself and I decided to learn guitar, football, dance, choir, acting, singing, reciting and sharing my testimony in front of people. But the only thing that was left in my heart is about my family.
When I joined the course it removed all my stress, worry and fear and it removed all my bad things.
In future I want to be an actor, broadcaster or journalist.
————————————————————————————
Sarah Arabu (age 13)
When I started doing the course, I did not think it was going to help me, but when we continued doing it, I started loving it. I saw that it helped me relax my mind and to remove stress from my head. I was very happy to be doing Bhastrika. I was feeling well because it was helping me as we continued to do it and it will help me in my life. I usually thank God because he can bring people to help me remove stress. I enjoyed being there day after day and I have never missed a day because when I was there I was feeling very well. I am very happy to have been there. I thought that only Tineke was coming to teach us, but then Kim came. I am feeling very well because I know she came to help me. I thank God for bringing people like them. In all my life I didn’t think I could find such people like them, but by God’s Grace, I see people like them. God has brought for us people to help us. I was very happy to do Bhastrika so I want to thank both Tineke and Kim for what they have done for me. Thank you! God bless you all.
—————————————————————————-
Beth (age 15)
I joined Children’s Garden in 2005. This is where the hidden treasure was. I was very happy to meet friends every day and also to realize my talents. I can sing and dance well.
I want to be a model, an airhostess, a guitarist and a musician.
Mission
I want to be able to feed my children well and treat them in a good manner, to be able to help my family members and also to educate my bother and sister. I really want people to understand how life is difficult for some people. I also want people to know about the precious breathing technique because it is very important. It has really changed my life since I started practicing. I will keep on doing it until I will be famous. I really appreciate the entire time mom Tineke and mom Kim were with me. It was a great experience in my life. I really thank you for that.
———————————————————————————
Irene Makungu
I am in grade eight and I’m 17 years old. I joined the Children’s home and school in the year 2005 and since I came to the Children’s Garden my life has really changed.
My dream is to become an airhostess, to be a role model in the society and also, to have a Children’s home. I like acting, singing and dancing.
I would like to take this golden opportunity to thank you for the course that we have been doing together. I have learned that when you do Bhastika every day, you feel comfortable and relaxed and also, I have learnt that from Bhastrika, the dirty toxins are removed from your body. I have learned a lot from you. I thank you for the time that we have had being with you. When you go back to Holland, I wish you a safe journey and I hope you tell everyone that we enjoyed the course.
—————————————————————————-
Maureen (age 16)
Thank you Tineke and Kim for being loving and caring and for the new skills that you have introduced to us. Now you have given me hope for the future. You are good people who I will never forget in my life. You have helped us so much. Thank you for the games we played together. It was a precious gift to be with you. Yoga will be my first priority every morning and I would like to thank you for the new songs that you taught us. These are my favorites.
————————————————————
Franklyn Nyamara (age 17)
Over the past few weeks I have learned many things that can change my life and can change my future. If I continue with the practice, my life will change completely. The art of living course and breathing techniques have changed many peoples lives around the world. It has a very inspiring story to impact people’s futures. Our teachers gave us trust and challenged me. The course has reduced stress problems, relaxed and balanced my mind and other parts of my body. What I would like to tell others is to do more breathing techniques so that they can change their lives and futures. I want to thank Tineke and Kim for changing my life.
—————————————————————
Veronica Ngina
Since I started doing the course, it has really changed me in many ways. I came to know that the course is very good because your feelings of being tired go away. For example, one morning I woke up and felt exhausted. I had to go to the course that morning, but after the course, it was like my tired feelings went away. I want to thank those who introduced the course because it has helped so many of us. Also, Tineke and Kim deserve a congratulation because they are trying their best to help others do the course. I would like to encourage others who find it difficult to do the course to continue doing it because it will better your life. May you be blessed wherever you go.
—————————————————————-
Gabriel Atteli
My name is Gabriel Atteli I am 17 years old. I am in form one at the Children’s Garden Home and School. I joined Children’s Garden in the year 2005. Life at Children’s Garden has been enjoyable since I joined. I feel good when I am surrounded by many brothers and sisters all of whom are under one father. I also feel good when I am in the Children’s Garden. I get all my basic needs, which are food, shelter, clothing, and education. I see life at Children’s Garden very well and I am given tools to make a successful life for free. I am also given love by my Children’s Garden parents. I thank Dad Moses for introducing me to the two visitors Tineke and Kim from Holland. They have really changed my mind, my way of thinking’s and have also given me the tactics on how to reduce stress. Every morning, they refresh my mind and make my studies easier. They have taught me how to answer the questions I have been asking myself. I thank Tineke and Kim for what they have done for me through the Bhastrika exercises. I know they have set a record in the Children’s Garden. They are people who will never be forgotten.
—————————————————
Monicah
I am in class six. I am 15 years old. Since I started doing the course I have seen a change in my life. When I do the breathing techniques, my mind is relaxed and I can remove stress. When Tineke came, I was thinking that she was just visiting us when really she had come to teach us. I was happy to hear that because I realized how to relax my mind and how to remove stress. Before Tineke taught us, I was not happy. I know now I am doing something that will make me happy. Then I thought Tineke was the only one who was going to help, but then came Kim to teach us as well. I think the course will help millions of people around the world. I am so glad to have done the course because it will help me in my life. When Kim came, I thought she was just coming to see what we were doing, but she came to teach us about breathing. I never missed a class because I was learning something that will help me. I want to thank both Tineke and Kim for what they have done in my life. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher of the course. I thank all of you and may God bless you.
—————————————————————-
Terence Mwangi
I am Terence from Children’s Garden home and school and I am in high school. I am sixteen years old and I am happy to have had the Art of Living course. Over the past few weeks, I have learned and experienced a lot of things that can change my life. If I continue with them, I am sure my life will change completely. The Art of Living course and breathing technique has changed my life and a lot of people around the world. It has a very inspiring story and changes people’s futures. Our teachers gave us the best of the stories and their trust. We thank them for everything. The course has reduced stress, relaxed and balanced my mind and removed my problems. I am sure I will continue the breathing technique. I really thank all the teachers of the Art of Living for changing my life!
———————————————————————-
Geyser Shadrack
Ever since I joined Children’s Garden life has been simple and clear. I have experienced many things in this school. We have a big curriculum and we do singing, dancing, soccer and many other things. Mom Tineke and Kim introduced something new to our curriculum. This exercise has inspired my life and we did it every morning. In the beginning, I was not used to it, but now I am very used to it. Right now I feel good. They taught us about life and how there may be many challenges. The teachings have helped me a lot and I can accept myself and the rest of the people in my life. I also pray for all of those who have inspired us. I hope they come again and teach us. All the best in everything that you do in your life. Come on come all. Thank you.
————————————————————
Tabitha Wanjiku
I am in class seven and am fourteen years old. I came to the Children’s home when I was in class five. I was living with my father. I came to the home because I was shown love. I love to live in the home because when Tineke came, we were so happy to have a mother like her. She has been with us for two months now. After classes, she started calling us to do the course and I felt so good because I started removing the stresses I had in my mind. I love doing those exercises because after a week I felt good. Tineke told us she had invited a very good friend of hers from Netherland. We were so happy to hear that she was coming to record some songs and dances. When Kim came, people were so happy because they now had an aunt. People call her aunty Kim. She brought her breathing exercise. I really like the breathing exercise because helps me to breathe easy. I became so happy because it started to remove all the stress in my mind and relaxed my body and brain. In the beginning the course was boring to me, but after I felt happy because now the course is easy for me. I love doing Bhastrika.
————————————————————