Middle East Youth Activities
January 2018
After ruminating over a purposeful twelve months that was spent well in service to society, the youths of the Middle East embraced the new year of 2018 with greater hopes and prayers to the Almighty to grant them more strength and dedication to bring about greater social transformation.
The sheer joy of inspiring more young men and women onto the path of selfless service is indescribable. With more people belonging to various nationalities, joining in the service initiatives, they know it is only the grace and blessings of their Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba that made this happen.
The month of January 2018 saw five labour camps being served by a group of 40 people belonging to nine different nationalities, serving over 700 economically-challenged workers in the UAE.
January 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2018: Seva at Ajman Construction Site
Considering this is one of the first construction sites that the youth of the Middle East had identified for their service activities; the band of young men and women tending to this camp still have the same motivation and energy that they had on day one at this camp! Thanks to their role model Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba whose energy and grace continues to touch millions of lives across the globe.
The blue-collared workers at the site always welcome the youth with their most jovial smiles and a heart full of love. The youth have become their family over a period of time. After all, how can someone ever imagine a random, total stranger spending the most precious aspect of human life…time…that too with gifts of love on every single weekend!
Hot masala tea, biscuits, and toiletries were distributed during the first weekend of January.
On the second weekend, a basic medical check-up was arranged for the workers and a special breakfast prepared with the usual secret ingredient – love!
On the third weekend, fresh vegetables were distributed along with the usual masala tea and biscuits. And on the fourth weekend, toiletries were distributed in addition to the special kheer (dessert), tea and biscuits that were served.
January 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2018: Seva at Sharjah Labour Camp
It was based on the direct guidance received from Bhagawan Baba that the alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions get together to organize initiatives for the empowerment of women in the region.
Though the tokens of love gifted every weekend differed, the special sessions held, remained focused on honing their language, communication and computer skills.
If one weekend free toiletries were distributed, the next weekend would see the distribution of juice packets and dry ration and on yet another weekend, vegetables and fruits were offered with love. But nothing would match the precious quality, time, that the youths and the alumni spent with their friends in the labour camp.
January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2018: Seva at Al Nahda Construction Site, Dubai
The young youth of Middle East display tremendous positive energy when it comes to small acts of selfless love. Their commitment keeps alive the service initiative started at a construction site in Dubai.
The mere act of bringing them a packet of cool laban (butter milk) or a banana or a packet of biscuits, brings a sense of contentment for both the parties. It is one of those moments when words fail to describe. After all, kindness costs nothing. The more we share, the more we get, says Bhagawan Baba. Apart from serving these workers with material and tangible things, the youths also hope to touch their souls and spread more joy.
Over 180 workers are being served at this camp every single weekend by the band of young youth inspired by the teaching of “Love All, Serve All” propounded by Bhagawan Baba. On the first weekend of January, toiletries were distributed as a special token of love in addition to laban packets and bananas.
January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2018: Seva at Healthcare City, Dubai
This is one of those early camps identified by the youth for their service activities.
Every weekend, cool laban packets and bananas are served with love to these workers who are toiling under the sun on a holiday! At times, there will be an addition to the kits provided – it could be fruit or toiletries. Irrespective of what is served, their joy is reflected in their eyes and their smiles. By the grace of Bhagawan Baba, there are more than 300 labourers being served at this camp by a group of youth who dared to break the boundaries of caste, creed, race, religion, nationality and gender to keep this Seva activity going.
January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2018: Seva at World Trade Center, Dubai
This site was identified as an offshoot of the one at Healthcare City in Dubai. With more like-minded friends joining the youth in service initiatives, this camp is being served every weekend wherein over 300 workers are served cool laban and bananas during the middle of a hot working day! In addition, toiletries and other fruits are also served at times.
