What a wonderful experience! After so many years of trying, our community decided to do something serious about Children’s Classes. We all had the desire to see ‘good and exciting classes’ for our Children but, unfortunately, none of us had been trained to be teachers.

However, in October 2002 last year, 12 friends from our community attended a 4 day Louhellen training course. At the conclusion of this excellent and very moving course, 8 of us decided to offer ourselves as teachers. Two teachers for ages 3-5, two teachers for the 6 to 9 year olds, two teachers for the 9 to 11 aged children and 2 teachers for the 11 to 15 year olds. Two teachers! For every age level! That in itself was a great success because in the past we had great difficulties finding one teacher for all the children!! But after the wonderful Louhellen preparation we were all ready to begin!

And begin we did, with great enthusiasm on our part and excitement and enthusiasm on the part of the 25 children who participated. The year was a great accomplishment. At Naw Ruz our 5 to 12 year olds presented an ‘original’ musical play about the importance of being united as seagulls! What laughter and joy it brought to the over 100 friends who attended the Naw Ruz celebration.

In May, at the end of the school year, we had a wonderful outing and feast in the country with parents and friends where each child was presented with a very special and official Certificate stating that the child had attended the classes during the year 2002-2003, 159 Era Baha’i, and had developed spiritual qualities which are so necessary for advancement of humankind.

Also a copy of a special prayer had been prepared beforehand, beautifully bound, which each child received. It was truly a ‘divine’ conclusion to this first real and valid attempt to better our Children’s Classes!

We are all now looking forward to the coming year when this excellent activity will continue.