Reprogramming Lives… through His Love

As per His divine directions, in the process of offering long term solutions to issues, the SAI youth of Hyderabad reprogrammed lives of unemployed youth who are coming from economically backward families by conducting
Free Computer Training Course. This program was conducted in the months of May and June 2007 in Sivam, the abode of Swami. This is the third run of its kind. Having successfully completed a similar course last year, we had taken up the planning for this year’s activity with increased enthusiasm and improved ideas. We started the campaign for this life changing program in the month of April through advertisements in all major Newspapers, TV, Pamphlets and Radio. We also pasted the program posters at all major city centers to draw the attention of most deserving brothers to enroll for the course.
With His grace we received almost 1000 calls from needy unemployed youth from various parts of the state and after initial scrutiny more than 200 deserving brothers aged between 18 and 25 were screened and engaged in a 3 day introductory course at Sivam. Subsequently, we conducted an Entrance Test for choosing the most appropriate candidates for our program, there by 65 eligible candidates were selected for the 60 day training program.
	A computer lab, with about 21 computers was set-up using the computers provided by General Electric Company Company (GE) and Sai bothers alike and the furniture provided by Nokia and others. Our own Sai brothers worked day and night to setup a beautiful lab facility. One brother said that he wanted to be part in what ever way he can in this mission of reprogramming lives. When we felt short of few more computers for the lab, many Sai brothers readily came forward and offered their own computers. The Said lab was used for theory and practical sessions. The theory classes were conducted between 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm everyday and the practical classes were conducted from 8 am to 6 pm. It was again a heart moving incident when we saw that the Sai Organisation
Interviewing Students
sponsored degree students shifted their residence temporarily to Sivam to take care of the lab facility. They were responsible for cleaning, maintenance and were also of assistance to the students for almost 20 hours a day. When we wanted to prepare the course material, the same group came forward and procured a spiral binding machine thereby saving lot of cost in preparing the requisite course material. The course content included Basics of computers, Ms-Word, Ms-Excel, Ms-PowerPoint, Adobe PageMaker, General Aptitude, Quantitative ability, Communication skills and Personality development. Apart from the lessons for living, we also gave them lessons for life. We shared with them the importance of good citizenry and behavior in society.
		Setting up the lab in Sivam
We could witness the following most touching incidents during the period of the course:
	Orderly manner of parking the cycles Keeping the their chappals and shoes in an orderly manner Treating the class room most reverentially Respecting the parents and assisting them in doing small domestic works Talking to the friends with love and affection Unknowingly habituated to enter the sanctum-sanctorum of Sivam and offering their prayful salutations. Asking the faculty to tell them about who is Sai Baba and what he does, is it real that whether Swami instructed Sai youth to take care of them etc.
Students parking their cycles in an orderly
All the above were really reflecting the true love of Swami which has been poured into them to understand the selfless love of Sai. In the process of Reprogramming their lives, we used several anecdotes personally bestowed by Swami and several inspiring talks by elders to pass the message of values in the life. The students also experienced the divine nectar of Swami’s message by participating in Narayana Seva at Sivam along with other Sai brothers. During the course, one day when elders of the organisation visited the class and personally came to know about student’s backgrounds they were touched. In response to this the Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, AP offered them appropriate jobs in his Educational Institutions. Not only
		Celebrating Birthdays
that, when he enquired and came to know that some of the students came from very far distances to attend the course, he instructed snacks to be served to those students every day. It was really very inspiring for all Sai Youth to see the love and concern showed by the elders of the organization.
	Our focus was always on winning the hearts of the students. We started discussing about this and came out with an idea of celebrating their birthdays in the class amongst their mates. It was really heart touching for the students. We could see this when they cried out saying that they have not celebrated their birthday since their birth. They were so moved with love of Sai Youth and started promising that hence forth would be good citizens in the society. By His divine grace we could handle 720 man hours in educating 65 most deserving unemployed youth for 60 days. It was all along a joyful journey for all the Sai Youth. All the Sai youth of Hyderabad took this opportunity, celebrated, enjoyed and learnt Swami’s teachings practically out of this program. We have learnt valuable lessons on
One of the students participating in Narayana Seva
commitment, brotherliness, sharing and caring and determination. The very fact that the whole program ran successfully in spite of faculty members not having any previous experience in teaching is a true sign of His unseen hand behind every Sai Youth. We could see Swami working through the lives of these students and bringing about transformation in them. The serene atmosphere at Sivam charged with divine vibrations, the Seva spirit of the Sevadal and Swami’s blessings made an everlasting impression and impact on the young hearts and now they are committed to lead their lives as per Swami’s
expectations. During the course of the program, we could also witness number of Swami’s miracles in improving the physical and mental health of the students. In our endeavor to increase employability of these students, a focused program was carried out towards creating employment. On one hand many corporate and placement agencies approached us while on the other hand we groomed the students by conducting sessions in English language and Mock interviews. With Swamis divine blessings few corporates like APITCO, APEX, Ramsys, Subhiksha and Care Hospital have interviewed the candidates for employment opportunities.
		Sivam decorated for the Graduation Ceremony
During the interviews when corporates suggested that the students need to improve their typing speed to have better chances of the employment, students personally took it as a challenge and improved their speed in short span of time. Some of them sat more than 6 hours everyday and improved their typing speed showing very high degree of commitment to reprogram their lives.
	As an icing on cake, we had a fabulous graduation ceremony on 1 July, 2007 in Sivam premises. The Mahaboobnagar youth added color to the whole program by decorating the stage. All the elders of the organization who have guided us through out this program participated in the closing ceremony. The closing ceremony was also attended by the dignitaries from All India Radio, Satyam and Wipro. The employers also attended the program and gave offer letters to the selected candidates. One of the major attractions of the program was a Mime show enacted by the students to depict Swamis message of Unity of Faith. This is a true reflection of the transformation brought in their lives by Swami. The students also enthralled the audience with PowerPoint presentations and concluded the program with a beautiful song ‘Bharata Mata Biddalam’.
Students enacting a drama
It was a touching moment when parents and relatives shared their experiences about the transformation that they had observed in their wards during the course of this program. They came on to the stage and publicly shared their heart felt gratitude for Swami. Finally the students were awarded the diploma certificates from Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization and the group photograph was gifted as a token of love along with a pocket dictionary wrapped with Swami’s photograph and sacred vibhoothi. We have also captured the student’s contact information as per their wish to involve them in our future activities of the organization.
		A Student taking blessings of his parents
	It was a sight to see hundreds of students, parents, well wishers, volunteers, Sai Youth and office bearers of Sai organization taking lunch together in the premises of Sivam sharing their love and concern, caring each other, enquiring about their stories and realizing Swami’s unseen hand in every life. Swami, you are the beacon of our lives and we are indeed very grateful that you have provided us such a beautiful opportunity. We pray to you that you keep us inspired and grant us with many more such opportunities to become deserving and humble instruments in your mission.
The much awaited – Certificate of Completion
With His divine blessings similar activity is in progress in two other Samithis in the City. Pray Swami to continue to shower His grace on them.