Environment

From a Simple Clean-Up to a Growing Heritage Garden

These beautiful pot plant containers are a generous gift from Ambassador Shirish Soni and Mrs Ruweida Soni, adding another special touch to the ever-evolving 1860 Heritage Garden Project.

What started with a very simple intention – to tidy up the garden and pick up the litter – has grown into something far greater. The original plan was simply to clean up the space, but the vision continued to grow, largely because of the incredible generosity and support of the wider community.

A special mention must go to Ambassador Shirish Soni, who has yet to visit the garden in person, but in spirit, he has been there from the very beginning. He has journeyed with the project every step of the way, keeping in touch almost daily, introducing people, promoting the garden and making every possible connection to support its development.

Together with his wife, Mrs Ruweida Soni, his unwavering support has been truly remarkable. They have tirelessly promoted the garden, shared its story and helped connect the project with others who can contribute to its vision.

Their generosity and encouragement are a wonderful example of how a community project can grow when people believe in what is possible and choose to support it.

What began as a simple clean-up has become a growing living heritage project – shaped by many hands, generous hearts and a shared belief in creating something meaningful for future generations.

We look forward to welcoming the community to the Heritage Food Festival – Tour of the Heritage Garden on Saturday, 12 September 2026, and sharing more of this journey with everyone who comes along.

🌿 The garden continues to grow – and so does the story behind it.

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Bringing Calm and Resilience to Children Through Breath, Water & Sound

The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) is bringing practical tools for emotional wellbeing to children in Ocean View and Masiphumelele through the Breath, Water & Sound (BWS) Trauma Education Programme.

The programme is being rolled out by IAHV Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) graduates, who are taking their learning and leadership back into their communities. The initiative aims to reach approximately 100 children each month, introducing them to simple, accessible tools to help self-regulate their emotions and manage stress and trauma.

The early feedback from the children has been incredibly encouraging. Participants have shared that they feel calmer, more settled and better regulated after engaging with the programme — a wonderful indication of the positive impact these tools can have.

This programme demonstrates the power of equipping young people with the skills to become agents of positive change within their own communities. Through the dedication of our YLTP graduates, children are being given tools they can use not only during the sessions, but throughout their everyday lives.

We are deeply grateful to The Protea Project, whose generous funding is supporting this pilot programme. Their investment is helping us bring these valuable tools to more children and contribute to building healthier, calmer and more peaceful communities.

Together, we can give young people the tools to manage stress, build resilience and create a more peaceful future — one child and one community at a time.

 

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A Special Visit to the 1860 Heritage Garden Project

We had the honour of welcoming Neeshan Balton, Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, to the 1860 Heritage Garden Project.

Neeshan was in Durban to speak at the unveiling of the Babita Deokaran Monument, and we were delighted that he took the time to visit the garden and learn more about this special heritage project.

During the tour, we shared the story and vision behind the garden, and how an once-overgrown and neglected space is gradually being transformed into a vibrant indigenous garden – rooted in heritage, community and remembrance.

At the end of the tour, Neeshan was most pleased and pleasantly surprised to discover that there is much more to the garden than meets the eye. What may initially appear to be a garden is, in fact, a living project with layers of history, meaning and purpose.

The 1860 Heritage Garden continues to grow, evolve and take shape through the dedication of everyone involved and the support of those who believe in its vision.

We are grateful to Neeshan for taking the time to visit and for his interest and encouragement. Visits such as these remind us of the importance of preserving our heritage while creating something meaningful for future generations.

🌿 The garden continues to grow – and so does its story.

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Growing Together at the 1860 Heritage Centre

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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iMeditate Africa Weekly – Meditate Fridays in Masiphumelele

As part of the iMeditate Africa Campaign, Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) graduates are facilitating free weekly Meditate Friday sessions at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Masiphumelele, Cape Town.

Meditate Fridays were created to provide young people with a safe space to pause, reflect, and learn practical tools for managing stress and emotions. With mental health becoming an increasing concern in many communities, these sessions aim to equip youth with simple yet effective techniques to help them self-regulate, build resilience, and cope with stress and trauma.

The initiative is a partnership between IAHV South Africa and the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and forms part of the broader iMeditate Africa Campaign, which was launched during Africa Month in May.

Through guided meditation and mindfulness practices, participants are introduced to tools that support mental wellbeing while fostering a greater sense of calm, focus, and inner strength.

We are proud of our YLTP graduates who continue to give back to their communities by sharing these valuable life skills and helping to create positive change.

Together, through initiatives such as iMeditate Africa, we are contributing towards the vision of building a more peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Africa.

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AHV UTEC Food Hamper Project – Gauteng

On 30th November 2024, volunteers arrived on time for the IAHV UTEC Food Hamper packing. 1000 boxes were packed with all non-perishing food groceries.  The hampers will be donated to various church groups, shelters and for the destitute in Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Soweto and many other surrounding areas.

 

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Bike Run With A Purpose – Tree Planting

Tree planting in Barrydale for the Bikers with a Purpose project.

Our planting team in the village planted 100 trees.

A BIG Thank YOU to all the volunteers and donors.

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Fresh cabbages at Waterloo | Sri Sri Gardening Project

Our volunteers for the Sri Sri Gardening Project have been taking great care of the lovely fresh cabbages growing at Waterloo, KwaZulu-Natal.

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IAHV’s aim to align itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)

As many of you are aware IAHV frst received its United Nations NGO status through its incorporation in Geneva in 1997. IAHV is in consultative status with the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOC) of theUnited Nations (UN), and participates in a variety of committees and activities, related to health and conflict resolution.

Internationally and as guided, IAHV’s aim is to align itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

Set forward by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) are a collection of 17 global goals aimed at improving the planet and the quality of human life around the world. The call-to-action for people worldwide is to address the critical areas of importance by 2030: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. IAHV, as guided by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will focus on these 5 key areas by adopting 7 of the 17 SDGS’s to execute as follows:

IAHV SA will begin the process of aligning all its project and programs to meet the above goals. In the coming months we will reect this on our website and project proposals, categorising all our programs & projects accordingly.

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Latest from the Sri Sri Gardening Project, April 2021

The vegetable seedlings are growing beautifully and new seedlings for cabbage, kale, turnip and broccoli are being planted.

   

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IAHV holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

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