The Newcomer Orientation Programme held on Wednesday, November 25, focused on the housing crisis Aurovilians face. Joseba from the Housing Service said the housing projects initiated over two years back were nearing completion but they cannot take in new people as most of the housing has been booked. He went into the details of the chronic housing crisis that Aurovilians and the new comers are facing and the solutions being worked out. Joseba agreed that the available options were limited. He had a long discussion with the members of the programme responding to their numerous queries.

To Be Newcomer is not an easy task. The life in Auroville is so different in comparison with the experiences of most of us had “outside”. These series of meetings are helping aspiring new comers to understand how Auroville works. In this Newcomer Orientation Program Sonja, Shivaya and Ross explored the Auroville's economy and the entry process. Nothing is obvious in a place like Auroville and clear idea are fundamental in order to take the decision to move in. A long list of applicants (300 till date) are in queue waiting to be received by the Entry service in the coming months. Probably some of the participants will make the list longer. Welcome... Read more

Newcomers for Newcomers held one of numerous programs at Town Hall. On this occasion Ross from the Entry Service shared, through informal conversation, some insights with newcomers, pre-comers, and future friends of Auroville. He spoke about the difficulties and beauties of being one of the members of the Entry Service. Among other topics, Ross touched upon the basic question, which each of us should ask when considering joining Auroville – 'Am I here for Auroville or is Auroville here for me?' Read more

What is Auroville? What do we aspire for Auroville? These questions were the frame for the discussion organized by the Resident's Assembly Service in order to gather Aurovilians and New Comers. A long meeting with plenty of questions, explanations and discussions. During the evening the new Entry Service team has also introduced its new members. The evening was organized with a series of mini events also to make the whole meeting alive and to encourage the present people to interact together. This event was held at Visitor's Centre.

Michael and Guido of Quiet Healing Centre welcomed some 20 odd Newcomers for an introductory tour. They talked about how the Centre started almost 10 years ago and about various therapies and facilities. Quiet is well known for Watsu therapy and mainly attracts guests from Europe in the peak season. All therapies and massages are offered for free to Aurovilians and Newcomers with priority for those suffering from ailments.

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Last reception for newcomers started in Solar Kitchen. Quite a big group of them was guided and supplied by useful informations about Nandini, Free Store, New Pour Toous, Food Link and Solar Kitchen. In this receptions was shown what was done trough the past and how much energy and will is taken today to follow the main idea and guidance of The Mother about basic needs of people who come to Auroville to participate with their energy, love and service, and where money exchange should not occur. So, in Nandini are already around 600 people involved, and in New Pour Tous counts over 400 members, and Free Store is visited daily by 40 to 50 people.