My partner, Sandy Paterson, and I were recently invited to attend a Rotary Club lunch at the Hotel Bendinat, Palma de Mallorca, where we were introduced to a very inspiring lady, Suzie Black, who is the founder and President of the Shambhala Fundacion in Mallorca.

After listening intently to Suzie’s passionate presentation I found myself, along with her captive audience, being completely immersed in what she was relaying to us all.  I was so inspired by the foundation that the decision was taken for Alexander Peter Wealth Management to support her in her quest helping the youths of Mallorca who have found themselves “on the wrong path”. 

For several months Sandy and I had been looking for a charity to support as we felt we needed to “give something back” to the community, and upon listening to Suzie, I knew in my heart that this was the charity for us.  Please read on to learn to a little more about the foundation.

About the Shambhala Foundation

The Shambhala Foundation is a registered, non-profit making charity.  Funds go directly to selected youths of Mallorca who lack education, security and opportunity.

The aim of the charity is to help youths on the Island who have found themselves in a vulnerable situation – this could be due to divorced parents, financial difficulties, property repossession, unemployment, etc.,   The youths find themselves outside of a support system, and thus unable to remain on a path to a sound future.   Under these circumstances many  turn to crime, alcohol or drug abuse.  Shambhala aims to help those youths who find themselves trapped by their own existence with no hope or apparent way out.

To benefit from the opportunities the Shambhala Foundation offers, each applicant is interviewed to assess their suitability with the main criteria being that they are motivated and have a strong desire to change their circumstances. No costs are incurred by the candidate and they benefit from:

•  Martial Arts/Fitness Training
•  Educational Classes
•  Mentoring/Counselling

The Foundation does not discriminate or exclude any candidate and focusses on youths aged 18 – 24 years.

Education

Shambhala works closely with the local adult college and provides additional support and tutoring of the syllabus, mainly languages, computer and social skills. Other life lessons and knowledge of the world in general is also covered. Youths are also assessed individually to increase their employment opportunities in a field most suited to them.

Martial Arts & Fitness Programme

The youths that the Shambhala Foundation are most likely to able to help have not suceeded in the public education system, have low self-esteem and little or no confidence. With an “education only” programme students are disillusioned and unfocused ……… but provide an opportunity to belong to a gym where martial arts and fitness are offered and suddenly their attention is there.

For youths experiencing difficulties in their lives, martial arts and fitness provide an outlet for their frustrations thus enabling them to become calmer and therefore more able to concentrate on learning. They benefit by learning control, respect, discipline, and self-confidence.  Stress is alleviated, concentration is improved, positive social interaction and a more positive attitude is achieved. 

Mentoring

Adult mentors are always available at the Centre and are contactable by telephone and email.  For some, particularly those with no home support structure, specialist guidance may be required and the Shambhala Foundation has qualified psychologists on hand to deal with more serious or delicate issues.

Community Programme

The Foundation advocates that we all have a responsibility to assist in making the community we live in a better place, and feels their youths can also give something back.  Students are therefore encouraged to assist people on the Island who are less fortunate than themselves.

Funds are Needed

Without the support of others none of the above would be possible, your generosity will be used as follows:

• To invest in teachers, advisors and coaches to provide mental, physical and emotional support for these youths who have found themselves in a situation where they feel they have no hope.  
• To break the spiral of decline and create hope and opportunities to allow youths to see past their present situation to become educated, gain self-belief and self-esteem.
• To provide guidance on a suited career path and ultimately paid employment.

Once the above is achieved youths are less likely to resort to crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

Our View

To conclude, I am not really surprised by the passion exuded by Suzie and her team as many of the youths on the Shambhala project have gained qualifications and will go on to become professionals in their own right – they are battling against the odds to become a success when others might have given up on them.  Suzie calls these guys her “Shambhala Warriors”.

Lesley Higdon - Practice Manager

If you feel you would like to help these young people become better, more effective and socially integrated, please go to the website and make a donation.

http://www.shambhalafundacion.org/home/

Or contact Suzie directly suzie@shambhalafundacion.org