SSSO UK CIO – Community Outreach Initiatives

The Sri Sathya Sai Organisation (SSSO) UK CIO is a multifaith, spiritual and humanitarian organisation dedicated to practising the most prominent message of Sri Sathya Sai Baba of “Love All, Serve All” through various community outreach initiatives across the United Kingdom. These initiatives encompass a wide range of activities and have a two-fold purpose; the first is to give Sathya Sai Baba devotees a chance to practice love in action and the second is to fulfil a genuine need in the community. These are some of the activities that the SSSO UK CIO is privileged to undertake.

Distribution of Food and Essential Supplies

Volunteers regularly provide food, clothing, personal hygiene items and school equipment to individuals and families in need. This includes organising food bank drives and serving meals to the homeless on a weekly and monthly basis.

Health Awareness Days

The organisation conducts health awareness days where free health check-ups and medical advice is provided to underprivileged communities who don’t have easy access to medical care. The SSSO UK CIO also undertakes medical camps abroad in villages and rural areas where the local population cannot access or afford healthcare services. Currently, a nine-day medical camp is being organised in Nepal from 24th March onwards and the aim is to serve the local population in three areas of Nepal.

Human Values Day

This has been a regular event in the Organisation’s calendar and is aimed at raising awareness of the five human values of Love, Peace, Truth, Right Conduct and Non-violence. The day includes a multi-faith walk where members of the organisation march alongside leaders and representatives from all the various faiths and the public to celebrate the five human values and bring together people from all walks of life. The walk is followed by an interfaith concert where choirs and local bands have the opportunity to promote these values through music and a shared vision of unity in a bid to foster community cohesion.

In 2019, this day was celebrated in the heart of Leicester with a walk and concert and was attended by the then Mayor, Interfaith Council Chairs and leaders of the SSSO of UK. In this way, the message of human values as taught by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba brought together leaders and the public in a spirit of unity and harmony.

Environmental Initiatives

The SSSO UK CIO regularly organises and participates in environmental initiatives across the UK with river, field and park clean-ups and litter picking. Its latest initiative in the UK and across the globe includes a tree-planting initiative called “Prema Tharu” meaning Tree of Love and this was launched to celebrate the 100-year advent of Sri Sathya Sai Baba who teaches that the way to avert the climate crisis is to plant more trees. This initiative has seen the organisation pair up with local and national charities up and down the country, and to date, xxxxx trees have been planted with the initiative set to pick up pace as we head towards celebrating Sathya Sai Baba’s 100th Birthday in November this year.

Visits to Care Homes and Homeless Shelters

Volunteers from the organisation regularly visit care homes for the elderly, homeless shelters and patients in hospital, to offer companionship and entertainment relieving loneliness and giving volunteers a chance to practice compassion.

Education for Young Children

The organisation offers a spiritual education programme for children aged three years upwards to ensure they grow up with a strong spiritual and moral foundation. The classes use a multitude of teaching techniques and offer a varied curriculum that is both classroom-based with practical and hands-on activities to nurture each child to their fullest potential. The classes include Sanskrit prayers, devotional hymns, story-telling, and experiential learning through silent-sitting and serving in the community. These classes aim to instil human values and help shape the conduct and character of children early on, as well as teach them how to think independently. (Click here for more information)

Youth Engagement

Recognising the importance of youth in societal development, the organisation involves young people in various service activities, encouraging them to contribute their energy and skills towards the betterment of society.

Adoption of Communities Project: Supporting Those in Need

As part of the Adoption of Communities project, UK devotees have supported a number of meaningful initiatives both locally and internationally:

International Aid:
Contributed to the construction of two water wells in villages in the Eastern Region of Sri Lanka, now serving 204 families (over 700 individuals) with access to clean water.

Food Support:
Donated 10.36 tonnes of provisions to food banks. Provided over 11,000 meals and food packs to those in need.

Essential Supplies for the Needy:
Distributed bags of essential items, including sleeping bags, blankets, tents, scarves, hats, and clothing.

Support for the Homeless:
Donated nearly 300 items (including shoes, socks, tops, trousers, gloves, and hats) to the homeless charity The Passage.

Interested in learning more?
If you’d like to find out more about our service wing or how you can get involved in upcoming projects, please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!

Through these diverse initiatives, the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation UK strives to embody the principle of “Love All, Serve All,” making a positive impact on individuals and communities across the nation.