As part of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 70th birthday celebrations and in honour of 45 years of the Art of Living, volunteers from the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and the Art of Living have come together to support the ongoing care of the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban.
The 1860 Heritage Centre is a unique museum dedicated to the pioneers who journeyed from India to South Africa between 1860 and 1911. It stands as a proud testimony to their courage, determination and sacrifice, preserving the history and legacy of a community that helped shape South Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Located in the heart of Durban on Derby Street, the Centre serves as an important place of remembrance, education and community connection.
Our volunteer initiative aims to assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the Centre’s gardens and outdoor spaces. The vision includes upgrading the garden, planting trees and flowers, and creating a welcoming environment with features such as a garden bench for visitors to enjoy.
In May, a garden hosepipe was donated to the 1860 Heritage Centre to support the ongoing development and maintenance of the garden. What began as a small act of service by our volunteer, Kaveri Padayachee, has steadily grown, one step at a time.
Kaveri has generously dedicated her time, energy and expertise to the Heritage Centre Garden Project. Her passion for creating beautiful, welcoming spaces also led to an invitation to upgrade the plants inside the Grey Street Mosque. Today, each week, more members of our community join Kaveri, contributing their time and creativity to this colourful and meaningful project.
This initiative is a wonderful example of how small acts of service can grow into lasting community impact. Through collective effort, we are not only helping to preserve an important piece of South African history, but also creating spaces that inspire pride, connection and belonging.
If you would like to learn more or become involved in the project, please contact Kaveri Padayachee at kaveripadayachee@gmail.com.
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