Vision
Integral Education that nurtures the innate divinity and potential of children
Mission
To provide education that focuses on the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual development of children by establishing an independent Educare based on the principles of Integral Yoga.
Values
Serve: Being mindful that all they learn is to serve society,
Love: Loving all beings equally,
Focus: To have an aim in life, and
Learn: To learn about themselves, the world and God.
The name ‘Children of Light’ has been derived from Swami Sivananda, as this is the way He would address children. All beings are ‘light’ and their essential nature is ‘light’. Every being is innately Divine. Integral Yoga is the means of once again becoming aware of that innate divinity.
Swami Sivananda called this ‘Divine Life’: to live in the world whilst remaining aware of the Divine and hence living in accord with the Divine.
The primary aim of the Children of Light Educare is to promote Integral Education, assisting children to maintain the awareness of the Divine within themselves whilst simultaneously learning about living in the world. Integral Yoga therefore forms the foundation of the Life is Yoga Programme which will form part of the school curriculum by infusing it with every activity and subject. The aim is to conduct a small, intimate programme that will make meaningful and long term changes to an individual. This will undoubtedly create a ripple effect.
Opening in 2017, with the resources available COLT Educare commenced with 6 children from 2 communities operating 3 days per week from 8am to 11:30am. With further funding the service was extended to 4 days per week. Once an Educare teacher was appointed, the service extended to 5 days per week from 8am to 12:30pm, accommodating 12 children from 3 communities.
Extending the contact time is of value to the children as their only other option is roaming the streets and being exposed to at risk behaviour. For this reason in 2020 we would like to extend the day to 4 pm so that the children can be nurtured in a safe space.
