Region 1 Monthly Newletter

"Service is a lifetime programme; it knows no rest or respite. This body has been given to you so that you may devote its strength and skills to the service of your brothers and sisters. Serve man until you see God in all people; then, what you do will be elevated to worship.” – Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A clarion call from Bhagawan that youth from around the world should engage in service activities to make a positive difference in the lives of others, which ultimately helps unfold the latent divinity within him/her. In selfless service, the motive is to raise consciousness of Divinity through our loving efforts. The aim is to progress from ‘I’ to ‘We’ and eventually from ‘We’ to ‘He’, thus realising the unity among one and all.

Selfless love and selfless service without any distinction of religion, nationality, race or status and transcending all barriers is the essence of Bhagawan’s message – “Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man.” From engaging in teachers' training programmes to conducting medical camps, from teaching English in labour camps to providing breakfast to the underprivileged, youth from around the world are striving to follow Bhagawan's priceless message - "Love All. Serve All."

The Sai Youth Global Newsletter has been initiated on the command of our dear Lord. Sai Youth around the world have been divided into four regions, and every week, one region will lead the content of the newsletter and update all the youth around the world about the Seva activities initiated, planned, managed and executed by the youth.

Region One - Asia Pacific

Region Two - Middle East and Indian Sub Continent

Region Three - UK, Europe, Russia and Lithuania

Region Four - North America and South America

Today, on January 01, 2017 Swami named the newsletter 'Love and Peace' and lovingly launched Issue One during the special New Year Satsang at Muddenahalli. This week we bring you Seva updates from the Asia Pacific region.

Yours in Sai Service,

Bhuvana Santhanam and Sumeet Tappoo

What is One World One Sai ?

One World One Sai is an initiative introduced by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in His subtle form where all His service and mission activities happening across the world are shared. For decades our Lord has said to unite as one, become an instrument and evolve our conscience. The youth is the force, the youth must bond like brothers and sisters.

One World One Sai is an online platform for youth to search for service opportunities based on their interest, skill set and location and serve as volunteers based on the need.

The mission of One World One Sai is to unite youth of all nations and to help realise oneness by assisting in individual self-transformation and by providing a platform to help others help themselves to transform.

One World One Sai is a platform, a single location to Engage, Interact and Create an Impact. Over the next 12 months there are plans to add many features to this platform.

For more information, or to register, visit http://www.oneworldonesai.com

Swami launched the One World One Sai website on November 21st for all the youth around the world during the World Youth Meet 2016 in Muddenahalli.

One World One Sai website Launch

Updates from Region One

Youth Satsang, Post World Youth Meet

Singapore, December 4, 2016

Spiritually uplifted after the youth conference and Swami’s birthday in Muddenahalli, the youth of Singapore met back home to consolidate the activities of 2016 and to plan for the new year ahead. We were inspired to continue our seva with the elderly and to plan more interactive activities with them. We also discussed the upcoming seva projects in Bali that Swami had blessed and also planned for Swami’s trip to Singapore early next year. During the satsang, every single person present had a chance to share their views and suggestions on seva projects. It was truly humbling to feel the commitment that all our dear brothers and sisters have towards serving the community and practising Swami’s teachings. We could feel Swami’s presence throughout the meeting and Swami’s message, "Your life is my message’’ reverberated within us.

Christmas Party – SWAMI Home

Singapore, December 10, 2016

In 1979, after six years of service activities in various nursing homes in Singapore, volunteers decided to pool their resources to acquire a nursing home, which was named Sunshine Welfare Action Mission or SWAMI Home. It is a non-profit organisation that serves low-income patients by providing nursing care, rehabilitation and shelter for the sick, aged and handicapped.

SWAMI Home held its annual Christmas party on December 10th, 2016 and close to forty residents were entertained with games and Christmas carols by our bubbly youths.

Although many of the residents were wheel chair bound and physically inactive, playing games with the youths brought out their enthusiasm. Christmas carols were sung and residents clapped along and were full of smiles as Santa Claus distributed chocolate cupcakes to them. It was a memorable event for the volunteers as they put smiles on the faces of the residents of SWAMI Home.

Christmas Party - Minnawarra House

Australia, December 18, 2016

The youth from Perth, Western Australia hosted a Christmas party for the children and families of Armadale and surrounding suburbs. Armadale is a low socio-economic area in Perth where crime rates are high, and is home to many children who come from broken homes and poor families. Minnawarra House is a community house in Armadale where needy residents come for food and therapeutic and social support. Prior to this, the youth have been visiting the children and organising fun-filled activities at the House. On this occasion, the youth arranged a sumptuous lunch for the children and their families as well as Christmas games and activities. A 'youth' Santa Claus provided each child with presents. It was a day filled with love. Swami’s presence was felt by all present and it was very fulfilling to see the smiles on the childrens' faces. All youth were inspired and service will continue with children in this area.

Service Events in December

Australia

Homeless Feeding in Brisbane and Murwillumbah

Youth in Brisbane and Murwillumbah have been inspired to feed the homeless every Saturday beginning in November, 2016. They prepare sandwiches and distribute them with water to the hungry homeless people who sleep on the streets and in the parks.

Fiji

Medical Camp, Fiji

Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, organised a medical camp on the 17th of December at the Lawaki District School in Tailevu. Approximately 165 patients were screened and attended to by various Medical Professionals. The team included nurses, general practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, a podiatrist and a whole group of enthusiastic youth volunteers who braved the treacherous weather conditions to serve the children of the Lord.

Indonesia

Sai Pooja Ashram Blood Donation

By Swami’s grace, on the 2nd of November, 2016, youth from Sai Pooja Ashram in Denpasar, Bali held a blood donation activity. This is a routine activity held every six months. Preparations were held the day before when youth helped set up the venue and cooked meals for the event. On the day of the activity, all youth participated by helping out and also by donating blood.

Seva at Local School, Bali

T he end of December marked a service project initiated by youth from Singapore, Bali and Malaysia to help local school children in Bali. Youth worked with the children to repair classrooms, teach lessons in Human Values and distribute packs containing school supplies to the children.

Japan

Teacher Training Workshop

During the month of December, 2016, over 30 dedicated educational reformers gathered together in Tokyo, Japan, for teacher training workshops.

Many of the Japanese youth participated and played valuable roles in arranging venues, taking care of the guest speakers, setting up the Academy's website, recording videos, taking photographs, communicating with participants and ensuring that the practical aspects of the workshops ran smoothly.

Malaysia

Soup Kitchen / Feeding the Homeless

The youths at Sai Ananda, Malaysia assist a soup kitchen initiative, by supplying food for approx. 200 homeless people around the state of Kuala Lumpur.

The Back-To-School Programme

The youths of Sai Ananda, Malaysia organise a Back-To-School programme on a yearly basis for the poor and needy school students around Kuala Lumpur/Selangor state. The youths prepare 100-200 sets of school uniforms, bags, shoes, exercise books and stationery depending on the need. On the distribution day, a sumptuous lunch is prepared and served to all parents and students.

Prayer Programme for University Students at Sri Maha Mariaman Temple in Matang Mountain

In conjunction with the upcoming examinations by the University Students, a prayer programme was conducted for 100 students from the University of Malaysia at the Sri Maha Mariaman Matang Temple where Swami visited and materialied a Lingam last year.

Singapore

Meals on Wheels

The youth of Singapore started a Meals on Wheels initiative beginning in December, 2016. The programme, run jointly with SWAMI Home, an elderly care facility previously mentioned, distributes cooked meals to approximately 180 needy elderly residents in the area every alternate Sunday. Besides delivering food, the youth are also encouraged to interact with the elderly recipients and lend them a listening ear.

Upcoming Events in January

Australian Youth Meet from 26th to 28th January, 2017

Getting ready for Australia Youth Meet in January...

The youth of Australia have been meeting regularly in December to plan an Australian Youth Meet with satsangs and service projects to be held from January 26th to 28th in Murwillumbah. There will be distribution of care kits to needy families and free medical services provided.

One World One Sai