Programs Supported by the Sathya Sai Society of America
The purpose of the Sathya Sai Society of America America is to support the educational, medical, disaster relief and other humanitarian service activities of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization.
By personal example, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has inspired and continues to inspire countless people around the world that service to man is service to God. His numerous service projects, be it free hospitals, free schools and colleges, free drinking water supply projects, or free housing projects, or disaster relief operations, all stand testimony to His selfless love and compassion, especially for the needy and the underprivileged.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba strongly emphasizes selfless service to those in need as the highest means for enhancing one’s own spiritual growth and development.
The Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba has presence in 110 countries and its members undertake many service activities that benefit their communities, following the example of the founder of the Organization.
Further information is available in the 2020 Annual Report of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization. The following are examples of programs and institutions supported by the Sathya Sai Society of America.
Education
These activities include the teaching and practice of the five universal Human Values: Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Nonviolence through classes for children and parents, and training seminars for teachers.
The SSSIO conducts Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual Education program for young children of SSSIO members on the life, message and works of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and helps them practice the five fundamental human values.
There are more than 40 Sri Sathya Sai Schools around the world providing integral education, which has both academic and spiritual components. Its graduates are known not only for their high scholastic achievements but also for their upright moral character.
Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values is administered by over 30 Institutes of Sri Sathya Sai Education, in more than 30 countries, not only for schools and educational institutions but also for governments, businesses, industries and communities worldwide.
Service
Service activities, including healthcare and social services, are a very important function of the SSSIO. Selfless service is expressed as love in action, love for the planet and, in particular, love for fellow human beings and all life forms. It consists of taking care of the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the needy, without any consideration for reward or any intention to proselytize.
SSSIO provides food, clothes, supplies and shelter to the needy, as well as loving care for the environment and animals, around the world. SSSIO members engage in many types of community service projects throughout the year.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another important service activity of the SSSIO. For many years, the SSSIO has provided free healthcare of the highest quality, in a timely manner, to those in need of medical assistance – often in remote, rural areas where such services are needed most but are not available or affordable. Highly skilled doctors render loving, selfless services throughout the world, without regard for personal benefit, recognition, or reward.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of needy patients receive medical and surgical services at hundreds of medical camps and over 40 permanent medical clinics and mobile clinics worldwide. In addition, dental and vision services, blood and bone marrow donor registration drives, and health education programs are also provided.
Humanitarian Relief
Humanitarian relief is an important service, where SSSIO volunteers provide medical assistance, as well as food, clothing, shelter and daily necessities to victims of natural disasters, in a timely manner. SSSIO members sprang into action to serve the afflicted after the Floods in Germany and Thailand, Food Shortage in Africa, Earthquake in Ecuador, Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji, the Earthquake in Nepal, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Hurricane Sandy in the USA and the Earthquake in Haiti, to name a few.
There are two aspects of the services provided by the SSSIO that sets it apart from other non-profit and nongovernmental organizations. There is no overhead for services provided and volunteers use their own resources. Secondly, services are rendered with love and compassion, adding a new dimension to the healing and restoration process, which touches the heart of the caregiver and the recipient, both.
Facilities - Sai Prema Nilayam
For many decades, Sai Centers, Institutes, and Schools have been established around the world to deliver, foster, and promote the message of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, with His express consent and permission.
The Purchase of Prema Nilayam
In the USA, Sai Prema Nilayam was purchased by the Sathya Sai Society of America (Society) on October 20, 2021, the auspicious Avatar Declaration Day. Sathya Sai Society of America is the first non-profit 501(c)3 public charitable corporation that Swami established by personal direction in the state of California, USA, in 1968. Since then, the Society has supported and continues to support many of Swami’s projects in the USA, India, and other parts of the world. For example, the Society has donated more than 20 Million U.S. Dollars to the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust in the past two decades.
Sai devotees have been searching for a property for decades to facilitate Swami’s mission in the USA, even during His physical presence. For everything and everyone, Swami has a perfect time, and so this came to fruition in 2021, on Avatar Declaration Day. The total purchase cost is 3.3 million dollars, with two directors of the Society contributing half the necessary funds. No loan was taken for the purchase, following Swami’s past advice, and all funds for the purchase were voluntarily offered by 16 devotees specifically for the purchase. There were no fundraising events or solicitations for donations. All contributions to this noble and worthwhile cause came from the heart with the intent to serve Bhagawan, with no strings attached.
Overview of Prema Nilayam
The building is adjacent to the highly sought La Sierra Hills area in the city of Riverside, California, and served by multiple freeways, as shown in the attached map; 91E freeway from Los Angeles, 15N freeway from San Diego, and 60E freeway from downtown Los Angeles – all connecting major cities and airports for fast, easy, and free access. The facility, a former Church, has a main hall that can seat about 700 people (American Standards), 21 rooms, a kitchen, and a connecting storage room. It can serve multiple purposes in the Sai Mission, including holding meetings, conferences, Sai Spiritual education classes, special events and gatherings, Narayan Seva, medical camps, and other purposes, as determined by the SSSIO. It will serve Sai devotees at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
Startup and Operations
There are many volunteers from SSSIO USA, Region 8 (Southern California) who serve at the center every week. The City of Riverside officials themselves have met with the volunteers and expressed their appreciation. They are eager to have the SSSIO start rendering services as soon as possible. We are working with the City officials and SSSIO to develop and implement projects that could help to improve the local community and further the Sai Mission.
Perspective in the USA
This is not the only property affiliated with the SSSIO, USA, in the divine mission. There are four other Centers located in Boston, Chicago, Tracy (Near San Francisco), and St. Louis affiliated with the SSSIO, USA. Several local SSSIO organizations also own their centers dedicated to the Sai Mission.
The SSSIO will continue to spread His teachings and serve the community forever with the blessings and grace of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba through these facilities, wherever they are needed. This can only happen by His divine will and with His support.
