Activities

In all the Centers and Sai Devotional Groups (SDGs) throughout the country regular weekly bhajans are conducted at least one day in a week, most often on Thursdays. However, in some Centers bhajans are conducted twice or even three times in a week. In a few centers bhajans are conducted everyday of the week. Special bhajans are conducted in most centers on Poya or Full moon days days  All festivals listed in the Puttarpathi calendar are being observed by most of the centers and SDGs.

In 47 Centers / SDGs Study Circles are conducted regularly and are well attended. Other spiritual activities conducted in the Centers and SDGs include spiritual  retreats and conventions. 

In 40 Centers throughout the country youth groups have been formally established and  carry out a wide range of programmes and activities. In keeping with the recommendations of the 2nd World Youth Conference held in Puttarpathi in December 1999, a number of inspiring and innovative projects are being undertaken by the youth in all centers where there is an established Youth Wing

The Hospice - Sathya Sai Suva Sevana

The Vavuniya Childrens Home

Sathya Sai School –Manipay

Other Service Activities

Service is as an important component of its program in all Centers / SDGs.in Sri Lanka, and a wide range of activities is undertaken by the Centers / SDGs. The range of activities undertaken country-wide, are in keeping with the needs and special circumstances of each part of the country, and include Some of the activities  are being carried out on a continuing basis from year to year and  include :

• Visits to hospitals, elders homes, children's homes and homes for the visually handicapped

• Conducting medical camps

• Organising sports meets

• Adoption of a villages

• Blood donation camps

• Organizing environmental improvement programs and cleaning temple premises

• Tree planting

• Computer classes for youth

• publication of a news letter titled Irrai Thuthan

Nutrition for the needy

Bhagavan’s devotees and several benefactors and well wishers from Ticino in Switzerland, are instrumental in enhancing a nutritional supplement project carried out by the Youths of Colombo Samithi. Approximately Rs.200,000.00 (Approximately UD$2000) worth of milk foods are received and distributed every two months among needy children.  The milk foods are distributed to specific children between the ages 1 and 5 living in low income settlements at the out skirts of Colombo and among children living in camps after being displaced as result of the Tsunami.

As a commitment made to Swami during the second world youth conference at Prashanthi Niliyam in 1998 youths of Colombo Samithi identified the children in need through medical and socio economic check ups to assess the needs at Pokunuwatte, Mattakuliya. Since then project has expanded to cover several locations. In the areas where there are ongoing projects medical camp are held to assess the progress of the nutrition intervention in the children.

Education Activities

The National Education Committee of the Sathya Sai Organisation  continues to plan and implement programs for the training of Bal Vikas and EHV gurus, school teachers and trainers; develop curricula and lesson plans to take account of the concept of  educare  and the environment ; conduct examinations for Bal Vikas children nationally ; translate books and publications into local languages ; introduce EHV into the formal education system ; adopt schools ; establish dedicated schools, and conduct parenting programs.

Bal Vikas day  was celebrated in many centers on the 16^th September. All centers within the five zones were represented at the functions on this day and a large number of distinguished visitors and education department officials from within the zones graced the occasion. The days proceedings included speeches, cultural programs, value games, and value songs.

Special Projects undertaken in 2005 in  commemoration of the 80th Year of Advent of Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba

Several  service oriented  projects were  initiated  in 2005 island wide by all the  130 centers. Some of these projects have been completed , whilst others are at various `stages of implementation. A list of these projects and the status of implementation is as follows: 

• Arrangements were made for 80 corneas from the Eye Bank in Colombo to be made available for cornea transplant surgery in Sri Lanka and overseas .( 10 corneas have been  airlifted to Bhopal India for the benefit of vision impaired people in Bhopal. ).

• Gift of 80 wheel chairs to the needy. (60 wheel chairs have been gifted already; the project is ongoing)
   

• Gift of 80 artificial limbs to the victims of landmines.(35 victims have been rehabilitated already; the project  is ongoing)
   

• 80 cataract surgeries  in all the five zones in the country (60 patients have been treated already; the project  is ongoing)
   

• 80 wells or tube wells to be made available in the drought prone areas.(10 wells already completed; the project is ongoing ) |
   

• 80 head of cattle to be released from slaughter houses (This number has already been exceeded; the project is ongoing; as at present 175 head of cattle have been saved from slaughter).
   

• 80 small houses to be constructed for the poor and needy (44 houses have been completed and handed over to the  beneficiaries; the project is ongoing

• A vocational training program was set up to provide skills training to 80 youth.( Presently 40 youth are receiving training; the project is ongoing).
   

• Exhibition in Chaitanya Jyothi on Promotion of vegetarianism etc
   

• Awareness programs in major cities in Sri Lanka to spread Bhagavan’s message (14 public  awareness meetings have been completed; several thousands of devotees and non devotees attended these meetings).