Austria
Since September 2024, SSSIO volunteers in Austria have offered loving support to their neighbors in Ukraine, initially sending collected goods to Munich. Later, using a logistics hub in Vienna, volunteers transported 1,000 kg of winter clothing, chocolate, tea, coffee, and other essentials in 134 boxes. The aid reached orphanages, refugees, war veterans, homeless individuals, and needy families in Poltava and Kharkiv.
In winter 2024, the "Love for Animals" project focused on three activities: feeding animals in winter, visiting animal shelters, and maintaining an animal diary. Volunteers fed animals in Walchsee, particularly during icy conditions. They documented their experiences in a diary with stories and photos, reflecting on the lessons of love that animals teach. Additionally, they visited animal shelters with children, walked dogs, played with cats, and gained insights into the animals' lives.
Belgium
Six devotees from Zones 7 and 6 assisted refugees in Calais and Dunkirk, France, by clearing distribution areas and living spaces.
Continuing their post-flood service from 2021, they installed a water system for an elderly couple in Nonceveux and regularly supported a family with three children.
SSSIO Belgium offered weekly human values lessons in French to 586 children in three ESSE partnership schools in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, employing a dedicated teacher.
Trees and hedges were planted in eastern Belgium in collaboration with an environmental association.
Czech Republic
In February, SSSIO members in the Czech Republic put into action Bhagawan’s message “Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray” by distributing 120 vegetarian meals to homeless people at a night shelter in Prague.
During the National Meeting held in June 2024, participants organized a service to aid people in Ukraine, guided by the meeting’s chief guest, Mr. Thomas Rohland from Germany. Devotees prepared parcels containing sweets and art supplies for children in orphanages, children’s homes, and disadvantaged families in Sumy, Poltava, and Kherson. The packages also included hygiene items, tea, and coffee for low-income and homeless individuals. Approximately 65 children and many adults benefited from this selfless service. The recipients from Ukraine sent a heartfelt note of gratitude, including photos of smiling children, which confirmed the positive impact of this service.
In November 2024, around 15 SSSIO members from the Czech Republic and Germany joined local NGOs and residents to plant 46 fruit trees and 10 edible shrubs in the Bohemian Paradise. This helps reintroduce traditional high-trunk tree varieties, thus enhancing biodiversity and improving the local microclimate. The event also fostered spiritual growth through group meditations and devotional singing, reflecting Sathya Sai’s message of loving service for God’s creation.
Denmark
SSSIO volunteers in Denmark have served Swami through study circles, spiritual meetings, devotional singing, and service. They sang values-based songs at nursing homes and psychiatric day care centers, visited the physically disabled, fed the homeless, took asylum seekers to hospitals for health checks, and planted 435 trees.
SSSIO Denmark organized a cross-cultural peace concert in February 2024 with songs in Ukrainian, English, and Danish. The event was attended by 30 people, mainly Ukrainian refugees. It also included a values-based talk.
Around 100 Ukrainian refugees attended an uplifting Christmas concert in December.
Estonia
More than 60 participants from several countries gathered from August 16-18, 2024, in the Estonian town of Pärnu, to take part in an international Conference, titled God in Daily Life, which was organized by SSSIO in Estonia. The keynote speaker was Mr. Leonardo Gutter, Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation. Other speakers included Ms. Marianne Meyer, Member of Prasanthi Council and Director of the ESSE Institute; Mr. Manfred Mueller-Gransee, Chairman of Zone 7 (North Europe); Ms. Maria Quoos, Central Coordinator, Region 73; Mr. Aravind Balasubramanya, Member of SSSIO Digital Media; Mrs. Agnese Lepse, Director of Keipene school in Latvia; and others.
Germany
On January 27 and September 14, 2024, more than 250 people attended two concerts in two churches in Germany organized by the musical group “Joy of Divine,” consisting of nine Sai musicians. One of the priests said, “I have never seen a group like this singing from the inside.”
In the first weekend of April 2024, 20 participants planted 3,060 tree seedlings in the Harz Mountains. In April and October 2024, two weekend devotional programs were held with 20-25 participants, with the themes ‘Life is a game – play it’ and ‘Shanti – peace.’ The programs featured study circles, dramas, and presentations.
SSSIO Germany supported eight cities and villages in Ukraine with clothing, food, medicines, and appliances, delivering 20 busloads of aid to around 2,000 individuals at private homes, schools, orphanages, NGOs, and churches. Additionally, 500 encouragement cards were sent with the supplies. The winter project provided 440 boxes of essentials. The German Sai Care Foundation sponsored technical education for 25 orphans. Spiritual education was provided to 30 children in a Sunday school in Poltava.
Hungary
For over ten years, SSSIO volunteers in Hungary have visited a nursing home in Piliscsaba, building a friendly relationship with the elderly. They celebrated carnivals, enjoyed summer picnics, and awaited Santa Claus in winter. A pine tree was gifted and planted in the garden of the nursing home.
SSSIO volunteers planted a tree at a home for disabled people in Perbál and planted a Miawaki forest in the yard of the ELTE dormitory.
The SSSIO group in Kaposvár regularly distributed food to those in need.
Latvia
In 2025, the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Riga organized several events, including a public meeting on "Human Values in Today's World" with a follow-up study circle on February 18.
On May 10, there was a monthly open meditation class, followed by an excursion to Cesis on May 19, themed "Spring in Nature and in Me." Participants reflected on personal growth.
The year concluded with a celebration of Swami’s Birthday on November 23 and a Christmas gathering on December 26, featuring Christmas songs and candle making.
Lithuania
The annual conference of Lithuanian Sai devotees took place at the "Saulės kalnas" meditation center near Kaunas, with 34 adults and one child. The event's motto was ‘Knowing God through experience is Veda,’ and the theme, proposed by the Vilnius Sai Centre, was ‘Vedanta Wisdom in the Teachings of Sathya Sai Baba.’ Stasys Pamerneckis translated the Upanishad Vahini into Lithuanian, and Dalia Daujotaitė presented it. The group also updated the Lithuanian translation of Dharma Vahini, with Vilija Vitkūnienė discussing the concept of dharma.
After presentations, participants engaged in study circles to share thoughts and experiences. The afternoon included a talk by Green Nature School representatives and a session by Gediminas Valevičius on teaching natural sciences from a spiritual perspective. In the evening, the group enjoyed a bonfire and bhajans.
The following day featured Vedas, bhajans, yoga, a workshop led by Eglė Vindašienė, and an introduction to forest therapy by Danguolė Andrijauskaitė. The event concluded with a ‘Sai Conversation Circle’ to share insights on experiencing God and spreading Swami's love.
The Netherlands
In 2024, around ten Sai devotees regularly brought baby clothes from the Netherlands to the General Hospital in Puttaparthi. The 169 packages, which included vests, blouses, socks, hats, washable diapers, and shawls, were gratefully received by the hospital and distributed to the mothers. The families were very appreciative since these were often the first gifts for their newborns.
On January 6, 2024, a combined Sai Family Day and Youth Day took place in Houten with the theme "Together we stand strong." The event was joyful and attended by children, teenagers, parents, and a few grandparents. The day featured prayer, music, creative activities, a study circle, theater, and an atmosphere of mutual love.
On May 19, 2024, SSE students at the Sri Sathya Sai Center in Amsterdam and the Sai Mantra class presented a special program for Easwaramma Day, May 6. The event began with Veda recitations, followed by the story of Swami's birth. The children depicted scenes from the story and sang a beautiful song in gratitude to Mother Easwaramma. The celebration concluded with bhajans and a delicious meal for all attendees.
On September 14, 2024, Sri Sathya Sai Center of Den Bosch organized a Values Day as part of the public outreach for the Sai 100 project, focusing on the five human values. The event, held in collaboration with a social work organization in the Den Bosch area, drew about 40 participants from various professions, companies, and the municipality. The program included music, stories, meditation, and discussions about values. It was a heartwarming and moving exchange of experiences, marked by openness and sincerity.
On September 21, 2024, the International Day of Peace was celebrated in Rotterdam with a public outreach event organized in collaboration with other organizations and the municipality. The event, held in a park in the city center, featured musical performances, a children's program, and a meditation workshop. More than 100 people attended and enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere on a sunny day.
Poland
On the weekend of March 23-24, 2024, a group of 25 Polish SSSIO volunteers, along with sixteen children, five teachers, 12 residents, a priest, and two cooks, planted over 3,000 oak and hornbeam saplings across 40 acres in the Jamy Forest District, near the village of Szembruk. The event, supervised by local foresters, was organized by Leszek Pawlikowski, a long-time Sai devotee. After completing the planting, a bonfire was held for everyone. Around 61 people attended the event, including 36 from outside SSSIO.
At the end of April and the beginning of May, a traditional meeting of Sai devotees from Poland and Region 73 of Zone 7 was held, centered around the theme "Love Never Fails." The event brought together over 75 devotees from Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania. Special guest John Moore, a lifelong Sai devotee, added cheer and humor to the gathering, particularly during his lectures, where he shared personal stories about his unique relationship with Swami. The meeting was filled with joy and love, featuring inspiring workshops, lectures, and a performance by the Sarva Dharma Choir.
In mid-September 2024, a severe flood struck southern Poland, devastating the Kłodzko Valley, Stronie Śląskie, and Lądek Zdrój. The flood caused widespread destruction, with entire buildings swept away and many families losing their homes and belongings. In response, members of the Sathya Sai Organization rebuilt the home of a family who lost their house and their father in the flood. Additionally, they provided cleaning supplies, antibacterial products, and construction materials for flood recovery. As the rebuilding continued, volunteers organized a collection of kitchen equipment, including dishes, cutlery, and pots, damaged by the floods. These items were delivered to the social welfare center in Stronie Śląskie, where two volunteers, Grzegorz Kręglicki and Andrzej Daniluk, received a note of appreciation from the center’s caregiver.
To celebrate Swami's 99th Birthday, a weekend retreat was organized in the picturesque village of Poręba, located in the mountains about 50 km south of Kraków. The participants experienced Swami's presence and guidance at a deeper level. The ceremony was also broadcast via the SSSIO Poland Facebook group.
From December 28, 2024, to January 5, 2025, 19 devotees from Poland participated in a Seva Camp at the Sai Prema Center near Athens. The camp combined festive New Year celebrations with selfless service. Devotees cleaned the center and performed agricultural work on nearby plots and gardens. They also planted fruit trees on the center's farm. Additionally, members of the Sarva Dharma Choir conducted workshops, and the New Year celebrations were marked by a concert.
Sweden
SSSIO members served homeless and elderly people twice at a restaurant. Five volunteers prepared vegetarian pasta sauce at home and transported it to the restaurant, along with pasta and salad. Six volunteers prepared the food and served the guests. Leftover food was packaged into lunchboxes for guests to take home.
Throughout the year, SSSIO volunteers distributed socks, underwear, shower cream, balm, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, hand soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and combs to needy individuals. At the beginning of summer, bulbs and seeds beneficial for bumblebees and bees were purchased and planted in a farm's garden, producing 112 beautiful flowers.
Syria
In 2024, SSSIO members in Syria carried out a service project, distributing 435 food baskets and sweets to those in need across Swaida, Damascus, Tartus, and Latakia. In Tartus, adult diapers were also supplied, along with the food baskets. Additionally, around 1,566 meals were provided to individuals facing severe economic challenges in Dar Al-Salam, Swaida, and three Sai centers.
Numerous patients were provided free medical care during three medical camps, along with necessary medications from the Dar Al Salam Pharmacy. SSSIO members in Tartus distributed 174 medicines to underserved patients and supported a public hospital with medicines and medical equipment. Their efforts enabled a crucial medical procedure, Endoscopic Band Ligation for esophageal varices, to prevent major bleeding. They also covered the cost of five eye injections for an elderly woman in need.
SSEHV classes are held weekly at Dar Al-Salam to teach around 130 children, with about 60 in regular attendance. Additionally, notebooks and stationery were distributed to 66 students.
In Tartus, some teachers creatively incorporated human values into their lessons using indirect methods, fostering a positive impact on education.
On January 13, 2024, flooding of the Al-Kabir River near the Syrian-Lebanese border caused significant damage to the village of Khirbat Al-Akrad-Alkareemeh-Tartus, Syria. On January 21, 2024, SSSIO members in Tartus supported the affected residents by distributing clothing and necessities.
On August 7, 2024, an informative session on human values and the application of spirituality in daily life was held at the Tartous Culture Center, attracting around 350 attendees. On December 5 and 19, 2024, two families displaced by unrest sought refuge in Tartus and received assistance from SSSIO members.