Los Angeles, CA — Humanitarian and world-renowned advocate of peace, Prem Rawat was given the title of “Ambassador of Peace” for the province of Basilicata, Italy, after addressing a distinguished audience at an event on July 3rd. The invitation was extended to Prem Rawat by Basilicata President Vito de Filippo, and Mr. Rawat was welcomed by lifetime Senator Emilio Colombo, a former Prime Minister of Italy and former President of the European Parliament.

In his introduction at the event, titled “Peace: Human Heritage,” in the famous Conservatorio di Musica in the ancient mountainside town of Potenza in southern Italy, Governor de Filippo said, “Indeed, we look forward to this high level of thought from Prem Rawat. I believe deeply that embedded in our souls is the most solid foundation for bringing peace. Tonight an important seed will be planted that we will nurture and grow, for this is a land of peace.”

Senator Colombo greeted Prem Rawat: “My salute to you, for you are indeed an emissary of peace. Potenza is just a stage for you on your continued journey, and I hope it is a good one.” He quoted Mr. Rawat as saying, “If you want peace, then prepare for peace.” Prem Rawat thanked the Governor and President and said that neither technology nor education would bring peace; only people could do that. Alluding to the world population, he added that he had not just one million, but seven billion reasons for peace. “We have to learn to come together,” he said, “and that can only happen when we see the necessity.” 

Mr. Rawat continued, “Do you want to do something really fun? Work on bringing peace on earth. One lit candle can light a thousand. However many of us there are, if we can raise the interest for peace in this world, something beautiful will happen.” After being awarded a memorial plaque in recognition of his work as an advocate for peace, Prem Rawat was given a standing ovation.   

Notable guests also included Renato Cantore, Chief Editor of TGR News Media, the regional ministers of Health, of Industry and Tourism, of Infrastructure and Transport, as well as local Potenza business leaders, students from the Conservatorio di Musica, guests of the speakers, and several international attendees from Australia, Israel, and the United States. The event was broadcast for five days on the local TV channel, La Nuova. 

July, 2009—For most children in schools around the world, school lunches are part of their daily routine. But not at the Emndeni Junior Secondary School in Soweto, South Africa. This high school, located in an impoverished settlement area, had no feeding program at all and no cooking equipment. Now, thanks to a grant of US$30,000 to the African Children’s Feeding Scheme (ACFS) by The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF), 500 of the poorest students at the school will be receiving nutritious lunches.

The 500 children selected were those who came to school without lunchboxes, the poorest of the poor. A gas stove and steel pots were purchased so that nutritious meals prepared by an industrial catering company could be cooked each day. The meals consist of a variety of vegetables such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and green peppers. They include basic protein such as Grade-A minced meat, chicken fillets, or a special mixture of red speckled beans, yellow split peas, and barley, a specialty of the area and very nutritious. Carbohydrates such as macaroni, maize, and rice are also served, forming completely balanced meals.

To ensure the success of the program, the homes of the children were visited in order to involve the parents. Then, to continually measure the effectiveness of the program, the nutritional quality of the food and the progress of the students will be monitored. Community health workers, nursing sisters, and social workers work hand in hand with educators to monitor the program. Some of the teachers are also ACFS volunteers, who will examine the rate of absenteeism and truancy and the students’ progress in school.

The Executive Director of the ACFS, Sister Rejoice Nkutha, wrote, “On behalf of the African Children’s Feeding Scheme, I would like to thank The Prem Rawat Foundation most heartily for the grant of $30,000 which, when converted, came to R239,000 South African money. This will provide nutritious food to 500 children in Soweto through to December 2009, thus improving their quality of life. We also thank Prem Rawat for his message of peace to people around the world and providing essential humanitarian aid to the people in need.”