It is the youth and youth alone who can set this world right. No nation can stand without its youth. Never underestimate the capabilities of young people, thinking that they are inexperienced and immature. Only the youth are capable of protecting this world; they are endowed with immense power. If they take a firm resolve, they can achieve anything! When they realize their power, they can emancipate nations.” (March 30th 2006) – Sathya Sai Baba
The youth are the backbone of the centre, integrating with and supporting the Spiritual, Service and SSE wings. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said that the period between the ages of 16 and 35 is when ‘life adds sweetness to itself; when talents, skills and attitudes are accumulated, sublimated and sanctified’, so the youth wing is predominantly made up of members in this age group. At the Centre, the youth assist the different wings with day-to-day running of the Centre and are involved with many of its activities:
- Technical set-up (PA system, audio-visual equipment etc)
- Setting up the hall and decorating the altar
- Chanting the Vedas and other multifaith prayers
- Supporting Centre bhajans by singing and playing instruments
- Teaching SSE
In addition, the youth also:
- Facilitate weekly study circles for the children
- Organise Youth SSE bhajans – once a month, the Youth and SSE lead the Centre’s prayers and bhajans
- Participate in various Centre and regional Seva projects
- Perform in a Youth Choir for Swami’s Birthday Programme (since the National Pilgrimage in 2010)
- Lead Christmas Carols for the centre’s Christmas Celebrations
- Participate in Young Adults Programme (YAP) sessions arranged by the region – these are activities organised exclusively for youth by youth. This year, YAP is based on the theme of ‘Love in Action’
- Support events at centre, regional and national levels
As youth, we have a huge responsibility to act as role models for the younger children and be living examples of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings, building on the principles established during SSE. We are the future leaders and office bearers of the Centre and the Organisation, and as such we have to embrace every situation as an opportunity to grow and mould ourselves into better human beings; by using each experience as a chance to develop, we become assets worthy of taking Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s name and mission forward.
As Phyllis Krystal has said, “The youth are the ones who will make the leap into the Golden Age. It is very difficult for elders to change their old habits, it’s much easier for younger people to do it. I think the hope of the Sathya Sai Organisation and Sathya Sai Baba’s message rests on your shoulders. You have got to find your own methods to deal with the situations you face in today’s world. You will have a lot of criticism, but that will make you strong. If you stay in contact with the Sai within, He will guide you, because the young people are very, very close to His heart. It’s not that difficult, it just takes practice.”
For further information please contact us : Youth@harrowwestsaicentre.org.uk