Zone 7
Belgium
The cities of Calais and Dunkirk, facing a significant refugee crisis, have been a focus of service for SSSIO volunteers. Since 2015, volunteers from Belgium and the Netherlands have been providing compassionate care and support to the refugee community, distributing warm clothes, blankets, and food. In 2023, their efforts were intensified as over 60 van loads of essential supplies were distributed to the refugees. In the Flanders region of Belgium, SSSIO volunteers planted 360 trees, showing their commitment to environmental sustainability. The village of Nonceveux, ravaged by floods in 2021, is a testament to the impactful service of SSSIO volunteers, who provided essential relief. In 2023, two large containers, brought in partnership with SSSIO, Netherlands, were used to remove the debris. Fallen trees from the floods were utilized for heating. Their support, spanning numerous areas, has been instrumental in the community's recovery.
Czech Republic
A national meeting on How to Be Dear to God was held in Prague, featuring Ms. Maria Quoos from Poland, the Central Coordinator for Region 73 of the SSSIO, and the leader of the reputed Sarva Dharma choir. About 30 SSSIO volunteers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine attended the spiritual retreat in South Bohemia titled Love Will Lead to Unity. Mr. Vijay Miriyala, an alumnus of Swami's educational institute, shared his experiences of serving the needy in Swami's proximity. The event included devotional activities, yoga exercises, study circles, and visits to the Church of Our Lady of Comfort and a local healing spring. Czech devotees planted trees for the second year in a row. A Christmas gathering included a biblical reading and a musical program featuring traditional Czech Christmas carols.
Denmark
SSSIO volunteers in Denmark have been promoting Swami's teachings through study circles, spiritual meetings, and devotional singing. They serve their communities by distributing songbooks for music sessions, visiting nursing homes, and providing psychiatric services for mentally handicapped people. The SSSIO also supports refugees by hosting tree-planting events, service activities, and monthly excursions. In addition, SSSIO members support physically disabled people and distribute food.
Estonia
SSSIO volunteers in Estonia meet regularly in three cities, about twice a month. In 2023, a Sai book was prepared for printing and release in 2024.
Two national gatherings took place in 2023 - on February 19 at Tallinn Gaia School for the worldwide Maha Shivaratri celebration and on November 19 in Pärnu City for the celebration of Swami's 98th Birthday.
Germany
The Sarva Dharma Choir presented two concerts in Germany on January 21 and 22, 2023, at Friedenskirche and St. Nikolaus Kirche. The choir's Christian repertoire was well-received, and the German song Komm bewohne mein Hertz was a hit.
From March to December 2023, a national service project was initiated in Germany to support the Ukrainian people ravaged by war. SSSIO members collected food, clothes, shoes, household appliances, and equipment to help 102 young people aged 16-18. Around 300 parcels were delivered to four cities in Ukraine for distribution to about 150 Ukrainians. Three orphanages in Poltava and Sumy received office supplies, toys, clothes, flashlights, healthcare and protective gear, chocolate, and cheerful cards for Easter and Christmas.
In April 2023, 20 SSSIO members from Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Syria planted 2,370 seedlings in Saxony to serve nature. The goal of this project was to uplift participants and foster unity with God in nature.
Latvia
On April 8, a family hike to the sea was organized as part of a young adult initiative. Throughout the year, various youth activities were held, including candle-making for Ukraine, ornament-making, and mandala-making. New SSSIO members participated in classes on the Gayatri mantra, light meditation, breathing exercises, and Swami's quotes. A monthly bhajan master class was held.
The Annual National Meeting was held on September 24, 2023, covering various activities and concluding with a Study Circle on Life is Love, Share It. The Christmas celebration on December 25, 2023, featured melodious Latvian songs.
Lithuania
The main focus of the Lithuanian SSSIO in 2023 was on implementing the SAI 100 initiatives to benefit society. SSSIO members assisted refugees from Ukraine in many ways.
On March 18 and 19, 2023, the public was invited to a workshop titled The Path to Eternal Happiness, based on Swami's teachings. Forty-three people attended the seminar and workshop and provided positive feedback, complimenting the SSSIO and requesting that such activities continue.
The Netherlands
On March 25, 2023, an SSSIO Members Day was held in Utrecht, focusing on Self-Confidence and Peace within Yourself. Around 60 participants from various countries enjoyed the event, which included lectures, music performances, and study circles.
On September 16, 2023, the devotional wing held a Satsang Day near Arnhem, where 100 people gathered in a monastery to participate in inspiring programs and walking excursions.
On November 18, 2023, the Birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba was celebrated at a national level. The event was held in a church near Amsterdam and Utrecht, with the theme God in your Heart. Around 100 people attended the celebrations, which featured workshops, displays, and a special program for children. The Sai Centers of Rotterdam and Amsterdam provided food and clothes for refugees in Calais, France.
In 2023, as part of a joint service project with devotees from neighboring Belgium, SSSIO volunteers collected clothing and food and distributed them to the refugees in Calais, France.
Poland
SSSIO volunteers from Poland raised money for their Ukrainian counterparts who were impacted by the ongoing conflict in the region.
In April and May 2023, SSSIO volunteers from Poland and other countries of Zone 7 came together for a conference with the theme Love Never Fails. The meeting attracted over 70 devotees from Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Estonia, with special guests, Ms. Brigitte Kashtan, Central Coordinator of Zone 6 from Israel, and Mr. Manfred Mueller-Gransee, Chairman of Zone 7 (north Europe). The meeting was filled with love, inspiring workshops, and heartwarming performances by the Sarva Dharma Choir.
More than 50 SSSIO volunteers in Poland celebrated Swami's Birthday with an inspiring program featuring devotional singing and talks. The celebration was broadcast via the Facebook group of SSSIO in Poland.
Every Thursday evening, SSSIO in Poland has been broadcasting live bhajan sessions by individuals or groups on Facebook. Also, Tomasz Kalko conducts an online light meditation daily through the organization's Facebook profile. Since 1993, the organization has been publishing a quarterly magazine, Sai Ram, which features Swami's discourses, excerpts from books, devotees' contributions, reports of events, and, more recently, selections from the SSSIO magazine, Sathya Sai–The Eternal Companion.
From December 24, 2023, to January 2, 2024, 14 devotees from Poland participated in a Seva Camp at the Sai Prema Center near Athens. The camp combined festivities with selfless service, such as cleaning the center and agricultural field work. Participants learned the deeper meaning of mantras and traditional Vedic texts through lectures on Sanskrit by Dr. George Bebedelis, Co-Chair of the SSSIO Education Committee.
Sweden
SSSIO volunteers in Sweden lovingly served the homeless in a restaurant in Stockholm in April and October. Five volunteers cooked the sauce, prepared pasta and vegetables for salad, and served 75 guests. They also distributed care packages, including socks, underwear, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, and washing powder.