The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Durban

The Centre was founded in 1942 and was made a branch of Ramakrishna Mission in March 2007. Swami Sumanasananda is its President.

Activities:

1. Medical services: (i) Monthly medical clinics (treated 161 patients), (ii) 7 medical camps conducted through the sub-centres and satsang groups (treated 2678 patients), (iii) special eye camps (treated 649 patients), (iv) a blood donation camp (collected 68 units of blood), and (v) medical and healthcare education programmes.
2. Publication of a biannual English magazine Jyoti, some booklets and brochures, etc.
3. Certificate courses on Hindu scriptures and religious personalities; 16 students registered this year.
4. A reference library with more than 1500 titles and a book showroom.
5. Programmes for children: Classes on Hinduism (114 children), karate training (20 children) and two annual cultural festivals.
6. Programmes for the youth: Youths were taught life skills, moral values and chanting of scriptures.
7. Swami Vivekananda Centre for Human Excellence: Conducted programmes for the development of self-re liance and skills. 906 students attended yoga as part of self-reliance & skill development and 8 students enrolled in the sewing courses.
8. Monthly ration of groceries given to 36,375 poor people in different areas. Medical and educational support was also extended to needy families.
9. Scholarships to 15 school children, and the Sister Nivedita Seva Award to 2 ladies in recognition of their humanitarian service.
10. A legal advisory desk which provides legal help to senior citizens and the needy and the destitute.
11. Support and guidance to the satsang groups in Etete, Estcourt and Glencoe for their religious and educational activities and charitable services such as distribution of groceries.
12. Daily worship, meditation, prayers, arati, reading from the scriptures, weekly satsang programmes, regular classes, discourses, audio-visual presentations, and retreats for adults and children.
13. Celebration of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries, and festivals like Durga Puja.

Durban centre has the following four sub-centres:

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Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Chatsworth: Located 38 km away from Durban centre, it was started in 1983.

Activities:

1. Monthly medical clinics and a medical camp.
2. Nutrition programme: 60 poor families were given monthly ration of groceries.
3. Development of children and the youth: Youths were taught life skills, moral values and chanting of scriptures.
4. Weekly satsang programmes, regular classes, educational activities and celebration of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries, and festivals like Durga Puja.

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Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Ladysmith: This was started in 1957 and is located about 250 km away from Durban

Activities:

1. Monthly medical clinics and a medical camp.
2. Nutrition programme: 130 poor families were given food and monthly groceries.
3. Development of children and the youth: Youths were taught life skills, moral values and chanting of scriptures.
4. A Sister Nivedita Mentorship Programme for girl students.
5. Weekly satsang, regular classes, educational activities and celebration of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries, and festivals like Durga Puja.

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Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Newcastle: This lies 350 km away from Durban centre and was started in

Activities:

1. A medical camp
2. Nutrition programme: 30 poor families were given monthly ration of groceries.
3. Development of children and the youth: 25 youths were taught life skills, moral values and chanting of scriptures.
4. Regular classes, educational activities and celebration of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries, and festivals like Durga Puja.

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Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg: This was founded in 1972 and is located 100 km away from Durban centre.

Activities:

1. Monthly medical clinics (treated 298 patients) and a medical camp (treated 590 patients).
2. Nutrition programme: 25 poor families were given monthly ration of groceries.
3. Development of children and the youth: 25 youths were taught life skills, moral values and chanting of scriptures.
4. Weekly satsang programmes, regular classes, educational activities and celebration of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries, and festivals like Durga Puja.