A Bahá'í-run initiative in north-east Scotland is breaking through barriers of age, class and culture to bring education to all. Since its establishment in 1987, the John Esslemont School in the Grampian region has provided a weekly opportunity for children to enjoy activities designed to foster personal development. While it always aimed to be inclusive and open to children from all backgrounds, the school's management committee recently decided on a new strategy with service to the community as a major feature.

The school now undertakes two projects in every ten-week term. The first four weeks of each five week block are used to prepare for the activities of the project and on the fifth week the activity is carried out. It was decided that the projects would be arts-based so that all age groups can participate together.

The first such project was necessarily modest. Techniques for making simple Christmas decorations were developed and then taken to a local home for senior citizens to show them how they could make them for themselves. The activities provided many opportunities to discuss spiritual and moral principles as well as virtues and how to put them into practice.

By looking outward in a spirit of service to the wider community, children, youth and adults are learning more about service and how moral values can be applied to everyday life. The people with whom the school now interacts are also learning about the children and the value of personal and moral development.

AG