Ethandweni - Our Home : key values

Ethandweni White Water Sai Children's Home
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The work of the Home is grounded within the framework of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV):

children will come to appreciate the five basic human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-Violence as essential to the development of character;
in order to appreciate the brotherhood/sisterhood of men and women, children will learn the cultures, customs and religions of other people;
children will acquire decision-making skills that will facilitate development of moral learning;
children will develop self-discipline and self-confidence necessary to promote the fulfilment of their potential - by enhancing their spiritual, moral, physical, social and academic achievements;
children will develop a sense of responsibility for the consequences of their actions and act with regard for the rights, life and dignity of all persons;
children will value the skills necessary for personal, family, community, national and world harmony;
children will develop a caring attitude to all forms of life and to value the need for preservation, conservation and general care of the environment.

The values of traditional African cultures and SSEHV are related, since the elaborate codes of conduct in traditional society uphold the same basic human values. We encourage our children to grow up feeling part of their own local community and culture, as that sense of belonging is seen as a key foundation for their adult lives.

As SSEHV accepts all religions and forms of worship as being, in essence, valid, the Home is non-denominational. Children and staff are encouraged to be good followers of their respective religions, and to respect other religions. The Home does not encourage or support religious indoctrination or evangelisation.

a twice-weekly EHV class

our integrated approach employs these values in day-to-day situations, for instance encouraging active involvement in decision-making through family meetings, and dealing with day to day conflicts with love and compassion.

Our staff were trained for six weeks at Ethandweni by a teacher from the Sathya Sai School in Ndola, Zambia, and give lessons to the children on the weekly value twice a week. They also start each working day with a local devotional song, followed by a short talk on values given by staff members in turn, relating them to our day-to-day lives.

schoolwork in the evening

Given that our EHV programme began only two years ago, and we are still learning, results so far have been promising. We get good reports from local schools about the behaviour of our children, who are often chosen as prefects, head boys and girls.

The implementation of the EHV programme has contributed to the happy, loving and trusting atmosphere at the Home, for both children and staff.

Education in Human Values is not only about academic work
our children are encouraged to take responsibity
for caring for one another their environment