Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for families struggling with cost-of-living pressures. To provide some help at this time, NSW Region of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation of Australia & PNG annually distributes Christmas Hampers to Tregear Public School and Plumpton House School for distribution to local families.
During the months of June and July, Young Adults from NSW Region of the SSSIO Australia held a blood donation drive through the Australian Red Cross as a meaningful service offering to commemorate Guru Poornima. The event is a celebration and grateful acknowledgement of the role the spiritual teacher and guide has in one’s life. The service is part of an established and ongoing national blood donation project styled ‘Liquid Love’.
On 25 June 2023, members of the Sri Sathya Sai Centre of Melbourne prepared and donated about 250 birthing kits to the Birthing Foundation. The kits are destined for distribution to remote regions of the developing world.
Access to health care is not a simple matter for many in remote areas in the islands of Fiji. Commenced in 2007, the SSSIOA’s Sai Medical Unit has carried out 13 medical camps in rural areas of Fiji treating thousands of patients, all free of charge. Its activities have continued during the current COVID pandemic by provision of online training.
February 2022 saw Australia’s worst flooding in recorded history affecting Lismore NSW and surrounding areas. Thousands were made homeless and many businesses severely affected. The SSSIOA early after the event assisted and continues to assist those in need with essential supplies.
The rising extent of food crises in Australia, whether from cost of living and housing pressures, or the frequency of natural disasters, has prompted the SSSIOA to explore ways of maximising its ability to aid those in need. One such way has been to partner with Foodbank, Australia’s largest food relief organisation.
COVID has placed enormous pressures on many of our healthcare workers. Those in the frontline have worked in stressful, trying conditions and experienced confronting situations on a regular basis. As a mark of gratitude to these selfless workers and recognising a need to support them, the SSSIOA developed a digital, self-help program.
Blood donations save lives. The SSSIOA has for over 8 years been organising a regular blood donation drive for its members called Liquid Love, recognising the connection between the service of donating blood and the implications of its use. One donation has the potential to save three lives.
