Gains from the CHT Course for Me and South Africa
The CHT course has given me the knowledge, skills, attitude and values that will enable me to give expression to my desire to serve my community effectively. My exposure to seasoned professionals and karma yogis in the fields of basic counseling, aging, Hindu scripture (Bhagavad Gita), public speaking, estate planning, parenting, palliative care, Hindu memorials and tradition, coping with illness, incapacity and stress has provided me with a broad and strong foundation to meaningfully support those who need these valuable services.
We are deeply grateful to HCI for this opportunity not only to learn to serve but also to grow ourselves.
Moreover, the course content has been presented in such an innovative way that it serves to build confidence and expertise while at the same time making me aware that I am the important 'first person of contact' who will refer clients to appropriate professionals when required. All of this will be done in the 'Learn-Serve-Learn' spirit of the HCI. We are deeply grateful to HCI for this opportunity not only to learn to serve but also to grow ourselves.
We envisage an HCI chapter here in South Africa as we do not wish to create any new organisation. We hope to use the existing infrastructure and knowledge systems of the HCI to launch the chapter.
Vithagan RajagopaulHCI and its various Karma Yoga programmes have inspired us to replicate the programmes here in South Africa (SA). We envisage an HCI chapter here in SA as we do not wish to create any new organisation. We hope to use the existing infrastructure and knowledge systems of the HCI to launch the chapter. We will need to recruit local subject matter experts (SMEs) in fields that have a distinctly South African context based on legal and cultural nuances. Our immediate priority is to recruit as many committed CHT candidates as possible for the next cohort.
We look forward to strengthening our SA service profile and bonding with the diaspora Hindu community.
Vithagan Rajagopaul, Ph.D.
Dr. Rajagopaul is a South African citizen of Indian descent living in Cape Town. He has served in the education system for more than 42 years and is currently employed as an Education Researcher in the Dept. of Basic Education. Dr. Rajagopaul's Ph.D. study focused on the leadership role of school principals in the context of poverty and HIV/AIDS. He has a deep interest in counseling, especially in using Hinduism as a foundation for caregiving and support to the community.