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
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The 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]
The SSSIO of Sri Lanka established a hospice called Sathya Sai Suva Sevana at Hanwella, 20 kilometres from the National Cancer Institute (Sri Lanka) in 2002 for providing palliative care to terminally ill cancer patients.[6] It is funded totally by donations made voluntarily and can accommodate up to 50 inmates. A physician visits the hospice four times every week and is always available for emergency calls.
In April 2024, Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi, appreciated the organization for conducting medical camps in Kenya.[7][8][9][10][11][12]
Education
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The Sathya Sai International Organization has helped followers set up similar schools in other countries,[13] 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,[14] Mexico, United Kingdom, Kenya [15] and Peru.
The Times of Zambia[16] 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 Australia, at the Tweed Shire Council's inaugural Tweed Sustainability Awards (2019), the SSSIO's Sathya Sai College at Murwillumbah, a K-12, non denominational school in which the NESA curriculum is integrated with the five human values of Love, Peace, Truth, Right Conduct and Non Violence [17] won the Sustainability Award in Education.[18]
In Canada, the Fraser Institute,[13] 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.[19] The Sathya Sai School had scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the institute's overall rating for academic performance.
A Sathya Sai School was set up in the Lopburi province of Thailand in 1991 by Art-Ong Jumsai na Ayudhya, with focus on 'human values' along with academics. The school is a role model in Thailand, with hundreds of students from kindergarten up to high school level, and offers everything, including boarding, free-of-charge.[20] The school is able to fund itself by growing its own rice and vegetables. It also produces solar and hydro electricity, selling surplus supply to the Provincial Electricity Authority.
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 [21]
SSSIO Around The World
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1. Sri Lanka - The SSSIO of Sri Lanka has been actively carrying out educational, spiritual, and service activities and projects all across Sri Lanka through its arms in the North Region, North Central Region, Central Region, Southern Region and Western Region.[22] It constantly builds on the good work previously done, expanding the number of samithis or service stations.[22] Activities include providing permanent homes with all facilities to the needy.[23] Another regular activity is the 'Walk For Values' where members pledge to follow the universal human values - truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence in daily life and inspire others also to do the same.[24] In September 2023, an international conference was held by the organization at the University of Jaffna on the theme "My Life is His Message".[25]
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. 25 January 2020.
- ^ "Compassion Can Resolve Problems: Health Minister".
- ^ "Sai hospice where cancer patients find love and care".
- ^ "Mudavadi hails religious groups role in healthcare". 7 April 2024.
- ^ 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://sathyasai.nsw.edu.au/
- ^ "Tweed Sustainability Award Winners Announced". 18 November 2019.
- ^ "Six Toronto schools among the best in province: Fraser Institute". 2 February 2014.
- ^ "A different school of thought". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "Senate celebrates 22 years of Sathya Sai Institute of Education Fonte: Agência Senado".
- ^ a b "Inauguration of newly constructed Sathya Sai Seva Station at Kilinochchi".
- ^ "Sri Sathya Sai International organization donates a house to a blind family in Vavunia". 5 December 2022.
- ^ "Big draw for 'Walk for Values'".
- ^ "International conference on the theme "My life is his message" at Jaffna University".