Awakening among kids

Besides learning monajats and stories from the Shah Namah, child­ren under 15 years of age learnt many other creative activities at the religious camp conducted under the auspices of the Zo­roastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS) from May 25 to June 3, 2004, notes a press release from trustee Maharukh Chichgar. Painting diva glasses, doing stencil work on T-shirts, making quick snacks like samosas and Monaco toppings allowed the child­ren to display a riot of colors.

Religious instruction came in the form of explanations on religious rites, a trip to the Navsari Atash Behram, the cleaning of an agiary, learning the significance of a jashan ceremony and a talk by Dastur Cyrus Dastur who explained to the children the dos and don’ts of the religion. The religious quiz saw Benaz Wadia, Jehan Dordi and Mahazarin Chichgar emerge as the winners. An entertainment program followed by an exchange of views on shared experiences brought the 10-day event to a close.

Children learn the impor­tance of prayers and service at the ZWAS camp

"ZWAS has done a wonderful job of awakening the younger generation and making them responsible,” writes Chi­ch­gar giving credit to ZWAS president Kainaz Kapa-dia, secretary Benaifer Engineer and members Roxanne Ghadiali, Gulshan Dumasia and Pearl Dabu in organizing different activities. In keeping with their motto "Service to humanity is service to God,” ZWAS has been undertaking programs relating to self-employment, the under­privileged, the inmates of Nariman Home and children of the orphanage. They have also started a marriage bureau and had one mammography camp where 70 women were tested for breast cancer. A third edition of the Parsi Directory is also on their cards.