The Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) is a spiritual and humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in the 1960s by Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru and spiritual leader.[1] It primarily works within the areas of education and humanitarian aid, in India and internationally.[2]
Abbreviation | SSSIO |
---|---|
Formation | 1965 |
Type | Non Profit |
Headquarters | No Single Headquarters |
Location |
|
Membership | Multiple Centers Across 120 Countries |
Website | www |
The SSSIO is an umbrella organization which runs several institutes, trusts and associations.[1] There are 1,969 Sathya Sai Centers in 120 countries.[3]
Medical Care
editThe Organization has been conducting medical conferences and camps in various countries through its regional arms. Medical camps have been conducted every year in Fiji since 2006.[4] In 2017, Fiji arm and the Australian arm of the Organization conducted a regional conference at the Sangam School of Nursing in Labasa where the Fijian Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar was the chief guest.[5] In 2018, medical specialists conducted a unique service of terminal diagnosis for patients in Ovalau, Koro and Gau, providing solutions for better quality of life and necessary treatment plans.[6]
On November 6, 2022, the Asunción Cathedral conducted a Thanksgiving Mass in the Catholic Church when the SSIO of Paraguay completed 500 free cataract surgeries as part of a commitment to conduct 1000 such surgeries before the 100th Birthday Celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba. [7]In April 2024, Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi, appreciated the organization for conducting medical camps in Kenya.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Education
editThe Sathya Sai International Organization has helped followers set up similar schools in other countries,[14] with the goal of educating children in the five human values of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Duty), Prema (Love), Shanthi (Peace) and Ahimsa (Non-Violence). Schools have been founded in 33 countries, including Australia,[15] Mexico, United Kingdom, Kenya [16] and Peru.
The Times of Zambia[17] had once published: "The positive influence of Sathya Sai is unprecedented in the annals of education in Zambia. Sai Baba's education ideals as embodied in his human-values-based approach to education are enlightening to educationists in Zambia."
In Canada, the Fraser Institute,[14] an independent Canadian research and educational organization, had ranked the Sathya Sai School of Canada as one of the top 37 elementary schools in Ontario.[18] The Sathya Sai School had scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the institute's overall rating for academic performance.
The Federal Senate (Brazil) held a special session to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Sathya Sai Institute of Education (an arm of the organization) in Brazil [19]
The Sathya Sai International Organization of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka [20] to raise awareness among youth and actively prevent them from indulgence in Drugs, Alcohol, Relationship issues, Time Wastage and Smoking (D.A.R.T.S).
Humanitarian Relief
editThe Organization has a long history of humanitarian relief and sustained service after several natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. [21] During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, SSIO's team of volunteers travelled to Port-au-Prince and actively served at various locations including in medical camps and orphanages and set up food distribution camps. The organization, focusing on long-term, sustainable relief, continued delivering more than 2000 meals daily in Haiti even till 2013.[22]
References
edit- ^ a b "Sri Sathya Sai International Organization". Sri Sathya Sai International Organization. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ Narayanan, Usha (5 July 2023). "The Sri Sathya Sai International Organization continues humanitarian efforts in Ukraine – Sri Sathya Sai Humanitarian Relief". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Sai Region 10 – Sathya Sai Baba International Organization, USA Region 10, West South Central States". sairegion10.org. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Australia Day Awards 2020: Dr Gunvantrai Premji Naker, OAM". indianlink.com.
- ^ "Compassion Can Resolve Problems: Health Minister".
- ^ "Medical Mission Team Ready For Lomaiviti: Dr Lal".
- ^ https://saiuniverse.sathyasai.org/2022/one-thousand-cataract-surgeries-for-economically-challenged-people-in-paraguay/
- ^ "Mudavadi hails religious groups role in healthcare".
- ^ NTV Kenya (7 April 2024). Hundreds of Kenyans get free treatment amid ongoing doctors' strike. Retrieved 30 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Kenya Digital News (28 June 2024). Listen to Mudavadi's great speech during the SSSIO International Conference!!!. Retrieved 30 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Citizen TV Kenya (7 April 2024). Mudavadi hails faith based organisations role in universal health coverage. Retrieved 31 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Sri Sathya Sai Medical Camp - Uthiru, Nairobi | Musalia Mudavadi. Retrieved 31 August 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ KTN News Kenya (7 April 2024). PCS Mudavadi attends the Kiambu free medical camp: From the counties. Retrieved 31 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "SATHYA SAI BABA". www.speakingtree.in. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Sathya Sai College, Murwillumbah".
- ^ "Sathya Sai School Kisaju".
- ^ "Sathya Sai Baba — Saint, philanthropist, educator". opinionexpress.in. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/six-toronto-schools-among-the-best-in-province-fraser-institute-1.1666745?cache=fcpbhnqhlqs [bare URL]
- ^ "Senate celebrates 22 years of Sathya Sai Institute of Education Fonte: Agência Senado".
- ^ "Memorandum of Understanding between the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna and Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSIO)".
- ^ "A Week in Haiti, A Lifetime of Lessons".
- ^ "Finding myself here… Sathya Sai Centre, Haiti".