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| ANDHRA PRADESH SAIYUVAK ACTIVITY - June 2008 Reprogramming Lives |
The 6th batch of Reprogramming Lives, a training program to teach basic computer skills and make students more employable, is underway with His infinite grace in Sivam, Hyd. 
For 72 days, more than 10 hours/day, over 70 students are going through rigorous Basic Computer Skills training like MS Office, Hardware etc. Apart from computer skills tremendous emphasis and focus of the program is also on developing the students overall, Spiritual and Human Values included. Details of the program can be found in the previous issues of Sai Yuvak http://www.saiyuvak.org/sai_yuvak_v5/andhra.htm and also at http://saiyouth.org/prj_compedu_asraonagar.html.
With Swami's grace very needy students are attending the classes; most of them dropped out of school couple of years ago and are working as contract laborers in Bakeries, Ice Cream parlors, building construction works etc, majority of them are also unemployed. When they joined the program on May 2, 2008 they were highly de-motivated, low on confidence and did not have any direction in life. With complete faith on Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation and ultimately on Swami they took the plunge into the program and promised to work hard and give their best. Some interesting incidents: On one occasion one of the boys did not attend the classes in the evening. Upon questioning he said that he was working in the lab since 8am that day. He had fruits that our Sai brothers provided to all the students every day, but by 4pm he was hungry again. Since he did not have any money to buy food he had to go back to his friends, with whom he lives in the city, and hence could not return to the class in time. He brought Rs300 when he visited his home in the beginning of the month, out of which Rs 100 got spent in travelling back to the City and the rest were long gone to repay the earlier debts. Swami, in His infinite grace solved the problem that very evening. Arrangements were made such that food was available to every single student throughout the day for the rest of the duration of the course in Sivam itself. What was supposed to be just some curd rice and pickle turned out to be full fledged meal on ALL DAYS. Devotees thronged to bring in curries, sambar etc, and not to mention an overload of pickles of all kinds. Some of the lady devotees, mothers, came in every day to cook for the students. Such a thing is possible in GOD's organisation only; Akshyapatra is what Swami gave us prasadam.  A two day off site program on Communication and Interpersonal skills was conducted by a Sai brother. Swami had a surprise in store again!! On day 2 students noticed a gentleman walk into the class casually and started interacting with them. At first they did not want to believe, but were left with no choice when that personality introduced himself as V.V.S Lakshman, Indian cricket player. That was not the end of the surprise…students were awestruck when he said that all that he is today, is because of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's blessings only!! Student's attraction/devotion to the Divine Master only increased multifold since that day. Swami is definitely a master planner. By the way, Sri. Lakshman happened to reside in the same apartment where the off-site program was happening and when he came to know about the program he was more than willing to come and meet with the students. Graduation Ceremony of the Program is planned on July 13 and more than 500 people are expected to turn-up for the event. Efforts are on to ensure that every single student is employed before that day; some of them already have got a well paying good job. Corporates are ready with offers. Swami's divine play can be seen and felt at very stage of the program. Traffic Management Sai Youth were not going to let anything off by mere talk. Traffic increase and jams because of it are a everyday phenomenon in all major cities in our country. Everybody talks about very creative solutions for the problem, but Sai Youth Walk the Talk.  The effort is very small…humble, may be just a drop in the ocean, but the impact it is having on the society puts the spot light on the intent and more importantly Sai Magic. Every Saturday for about 3 hours more than 20 Sai Youth from the local areas take over a busy road junction. They are guided by a police constable and the smile on the Seva Dal does the magic on the streets. Activity has started in 3 busy junctions, pray, Swami that we take up more and stand as beacons of His teachings. Some interesting incidents:  On one such saturday there was a young boy, Md. Raheem, standing on one side of the road observing Seva Dal blissfully doing their duties. He was a physically differently-abled person, might have been affected by polio; but the spirits did not seem to have waivered a bit!!  After some time of watching he scarily approached one of the Seva Dal expressing his interest to participate in the activity. The look on his face was that of accepting rejection, perhaps that was the story every day!! But not this time, when he was heartily welcomed to do the job, his excitement knew no bounds. He was a source of inspiration to thousands of commuters and all of us. He promised to return every single weak.
On another occasion a very old man, may be in his 80s, approached one of the Seva Dal and asked what we were trying to do there. When the reply was that we were trying to help the police manage the traffic for couple of hours, he had a big grin on his face!! He blessed the group with, "Bahut Acha Kaam ho raha hai. Jeethe raho, Jeethe raho". The traffic was so organized during those 3 hours in a very busy junction in Hyderabad city that some of the motorists on a lighter note passed comments that it looked like there was a bandh(strike) in the city. What is happening elsewhere in remote places? There is now complete turn of events in our activities, unlike earlier time we are celebrating festivals in the villages with them. Like Sreeramanavi in Jangireddigudam a tribal village in West Godavari District.The temples were cleaned white washed, decorated and kalyanam was performed.The tribals were very delighted as they never saw such things. A major medical camp was conducted by the youth in Barrinkala padu treating 1145 patients. In the unfortunate fire accidents our members were there to care and supply food, provisions and utensils in Yaddlagudem village. In a way it appears that youth groups are serving in all activities. Nellore youth has been outstanding services in towns and villages.They were providing, food, clothes, books, sarees, medicines, educational, support, cycles, expenses for surgeries etc. Our Ananatapur youth have done a hard work of repairing 3 km road and fixing culvert in Naranagepalli. |
