2008-08-21 08:27:05 - Having spent the cold and rainy monsoon season in Udhagamandalam, also known as Ooty, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers India Goodwill Tour is now heading for warmer climes in Pondicherry, India.

July and August are monsoon season in Ooty, but the warmth of the reception of the people and groups they worked with more than compensated for the discomfort.

The volunteers provided training, seminars and one-on-one help to people visiting their tent, and training session for schools, colleges, and charitable groups, based on the Scientology Handbook.

One seminar was for 120 students and

teachers at the Government Higher Secondary School. Another was for 82 teachers at St. Joseph's Bachelor of Education College. These focused on study technology, a very simple method of learning any subject, developed by Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

At a Reiki college the Scientology Volunteer Ministers conducted workshops in assist technology -- procedures that help the individual speed healing by establishing communication with the body, thus addressing the spiritual factors that can cause or prolong illness and injury. They also gave a Dianetics seminar, to provide the students with tools to fully address and overcome the underlying cause of physical and emotional difficulties.

After the training session at St Joseph's College in Ooty, the director, Father JS Edward, expressed being "very pleased with the Scientology volunteer program and with their address to study," and thanked the volunteers for putting his students on the "proper track," at the start of their new academic year. He observed that since this seminar, the students who attended are "more committed to their lessons." "I would just say a word of thanks from deep in the heart for the commitment they have shown," he said.

Mr. R Rajendran, Udhagamandalam Municipal Council Chairman, thanked the Scientology Volunteer Goodwill Tour for the way they "improve the personal attitude of individuals who are serving in society," and "make things very easy to learn and understand."

Sujatha, the Reiki teacher who also runs a small primary school, said the difference the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are making is "at the grass root level," because the courses help "very ordinary people." She went on to say "I have always believed that if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem and I found that instead of just sitting around, you are able to do something about these particular problems in life." She appreciated learning Scientology assist technology, and said, "the course actually gave me practical tips to do something on the spot during times of emergency."