I came to the Sathya Sai School in Grade 6 with not much of an idea about the place and never having heard about Sri Sathya Sai Baba. But as my life started there, I was very excited about everything. The school provided me a chance that I never had elsewhere in my life: the freedom to learn. I discovered my potential and interests along with spiritual practice. I began to see the true goal of my life. After graduating from school I was accepted into Thammasat University in the English Department. On completion of my four year course I decided to join the Institute of Sathya Sai Education and do the diploma course to see, learn and truly understand Sathya Sai Education in Human Values. From there, I saw the importance of the school’s work and decided to join the school as an English teacher.

Up to date I have spent 6 years at the Sathya Sai School as a student and two years as a teacher. Every day is a blessing. I am very grateful to the school and to Swami for showing me how to give, to share and to love. I am thankful for the inspiration and guidance to live my live in a meaningful way.

-Mr. Tanaboon Nongkeow (Best)
Sathya Sai School, Chaibadan, Lopburi, Thailand

I had the good fortune to study at the Sathya Sai School from grade 7 to Grade 12. Apart from the normal subjects that are taught in all schools, our school teaches us many other things. It teaches us how to live and be with others showing love and compassion. We learn how to help and serve others and this in turn makes us loved by others too. We have so many opportunities to learn and have many different experiences. I was very fortunate that the school arranged for me to go to Vietnam during the summer holidays and stay in a Sai devotee’s family there. As a result of this I decided to study Vietnamese in university and I was accepted into Srinakharinwirot University, (a very well reputed university in Bangkok). I am now in my third year and I am very happy and grateful that my latest marks were 4.00 (100%). For this success I have to thank my school, my teachers and all my friends who always encouraged me and helped me, not only while I was at school but also now in my life in the university.


Miss Luxsapetch Chalothorn (Kop),
Ex-student of Sathya Sai School Srinakarintaravirot University, Bangkok , Thailand

My name is Satyaporn Piluk. I am presently studying Accounting and Management in the Marketing faculty, in Mahasarakham University. I studied at the Sathya Sai School from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The Sathya Sai school helped me to develop the habit of getting up early every day; it showed me how to smile even when I have problems; and taught me to serve; be a good leader and good follower and also taught me how to give and be happy. Our teachers take such care of us just as their own children. None of them think of their own comfort and are ready to help us through any difficulties and help us solve our problems. I know that if our teachers were looking for comfort or wealth they would have gone somewhere else a long time ago! The older children take care of the younger children just like their own brothers and sisters and our friends study and grow together in such closeness that we can say that we are one family, even though we may not actually be related. We can live like this because there, Sathya Sai Education in Human Values teaches us to work selflessly for the benefit of others. We learn to be brave, confident, selfless and patient and these values are in turn our protection.

While I was a senior at school we had so many visitors who came to visit the school and to see how we live. They would often ask us “Are you afraid to go out into the wide world when you leave this school?” I would answer them with confidence, that I was not afraid at all because all we have to do is to abide by goodness, not hurt anyone and serve and help others and this will enable us to live with anyone and in any society. But I also told them that I did not want to leave the school, I knew I would miss everything and everyone too much. This answer that I gave to the visitors has certainly proved to be true because since I came to this university I have undertaken all the activities with enthusiasm as well as taking my studies very seriously. I also found that I could get on very well with others and have many friends. Most people that I meet ask me where I studied and with great pride I tell them that I graduated from the Sathya Sai School in Lopburi. My friends tell me “You’re so lucky, because your school taught you to be a good person.” I am always surprised at this because I thought that all schools teach their students to be good! However, my friends say, “No, Pim, it’s not true. It’s a different way of thinking and being. Pim, you are able to do everything so well and you have such a positive way of looking at the world.” I always thank them for the compliment, but I know myself that I am far from perfect. There is no one who is good at everything and at the same time there is no one who is not good at something! But of course people lead their lives in different ways according to the way they think. At school I always enjoyed doing many activities and this is true at university too. I meet so many different kinds of people, but what has really changed are my grades! I never imagined that I would be able to study so well! When I study I have to take responsibility for myself because I know that here the teachers are not going to follow up like at school. My grades for the first term were very satisfactory but I was astonished when I was told that I had come first in the faculty! In my faculty there are over 200 people! I never dreamed that I would be able to study so well, but I realize that all that is necessary is to try hard and have a positive attitude and good results follow. I think there is no need to compete with others; it just creates a negative attitude. I ask myself: “Isn’t it better to help others so that we can all learn together and graduate together within four years? Isn’t this better than competing?

Soon after I came first in the faculty there was an exchange student programme announced. I didn’t think I could get this as I know that the university standards are very high, but I just wanted to try my luck for the experience. To my amazement I was chosen, (even though I don’t think I am that clever) to go on an exchange programme to the University of Brunei Darussalum for one month. My professors would keep asking me “What school did you go to? Why can you speak English better than your seniors?” I would tell them proudly that I came from the Sathya Sai School in Lopburi and they would all compliment my school. It made me realize how lucky I was to be in that school because we had so many foreign teachers coming to the school every year (to attend the ISSE course) and also our school found families in other countries for us to go during the summer holidays to practice English. This is what helped me get to this level. But I keep reminding myself that I am not better or cleverer than others. I still have to improve myself all the time.

The local authorities at the university asked me to write about the ‘Self-sufficient Economy Programme’ which was started by His Majesty the King of Thailand and how it can help us in our lives. I was asked to write for some educational magazine and I felt it was an opportunity to share good ideas and thoughts with others. The Sathya Sai School is a Learning Centre for Self-sufficient Economy and having been at the school for twelve years I had the opportunity to learn how to live simply and in tune with nature. I worked hard to promote this programme because I was so inspired by the selflessness of His Majesty the King towards his citizens; our ‘father’ Dr. Art-ong Jumsai who cares little for his own comforts and does everything for us and all the dedicated teachers at my school. I realized that the main principles of Self-sufficient Economy and the five human values that are the mainstay of our school have given me the tools such as reasoning, moderation and immunization. With these I have been able to excel in every field.

-Sathyaporn Pilak (Pim)
Accounting and Management in the Marketing faculty, Mahasarakham University (1st Year), Thailand

Testimonies of Educators attending Institute of Sathya Sai Education,Thailand

My name is Karlie Traversa, and I am from the United States of America. I am a university student studying music in the city of Chicago. I was asked to travel Thailand with a teacher and fellow student to observe how human values work in education. At first, I had no idea what to expect. In my academic experience, this work was and is very unheard of in my country.

When I visited the Sathya Sai School, I would ask myself “Why isn’t every school like this one?” In my early years at school, I was always afraid and I felt like I was never good enough for anything. I was graded, judged and looked on from external characteristics: GPA, grades and appearance. That has affected my entire life and who I am today. When I observed the children in the Sathya Sai School, they learn that their light shines from within them. They know they are loved, cared for, and protected by everyone around them.

They know they have the ability to shine their light to others, and do good for all. The school amazed me in so many ways and especially in how simple it all was. It showed me how easy it is to draw love from each person, and to do so in an educational environment. My dreams are to invest in this work for music educational programmes and to grow more in this work as a teacher, student and mostly, as a human being. I am very blessed for this experience that I had, and I know I will be returning to the Sathya Sai School again very soon.

- Miss Karlie Traversa
Teacher Assistant for the North Park University Orchestra 3rd Year Student at North Park University, Chicago, USA

My name is Andrea Benavides and I am a second year college student at North Park University in Chicago, United States of America. I play violin and since I joined the orchestra two years ago, we have worked with Education in Human Values. Together with our conductor, Tom Zelle and my friend Karlie Travers, I had the opportunity to visit the Sathya Sai School in Thailand. We were genuinely moved by the environment at the school, one of peace and trust. Despite the short visit, we shared and received a lot of attention from the students, teachers and staff. The students taught me that even with the language barriers, there is nothing that can block the communication from the heart. The teachers showed me how to look inside myself and be patient as I grow. In the school everyone is happy to learn new things each day and share what they learn. They taught me how to see good in everyone and enjoy being in company of these people. At last, they showed me how Human Values are everywhere and in everyone; we are living conveyors of these values. I am happy to take all of this back to my university and to my home country, Costa Rica.

- Andrea Benavides
2nd Year Student at North Park University, Chicago, USA

I graduated from university in business management. After graduation, I started to work in my mother’s nursery school in Trang, in the South of Thailand. All the time I was studying and working I felt confused and disturbed. There was a conflict inside of me and I kept asking myself “Is it possible that such an uneasy and restless mind is able to bring happiness and peace to young children?”

I was very fortunate and had the opportunity to study at the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, in Lopburi in 2008. After taking this course it was as if I had been given a new life. My life changed completely, I became a vegetarian and I started to look at the world in a positive way and I started to a see a real purpose to my life. I changed a lot, I started to listen more to others and forgive them if they did me wrong. I began to share more and see my own self-worth and the value in others.

I have found that the five Human Values of Love, Truth, Right-Conduct, Peace and Non-violence are the basis of everything and while using the five techniques of Silent Sitting, Prayers, Storytelling, Group Singing and Group Activities it is very easy to teach children.

After completing the course I became a volunteer for the Sai Organisation (which I had never heard of before attending the course) and started to teach SSEHV during the summer holidays and noticed that the children I taught were very happy and enjoyed the stories and all the activities. I noticed how they became kinder and learnt how to share with each other. Apart from this I am able to adjust and find joy in working in a situation where I am in contact with people of all different religions. In Trang (the South of Thailand where I live) 21% of the population are Muslims.

I have decided that in the future I will continue to teach SSEHV to children. “SSEHV is my guide, my guru and my God.”

- Ms. Parichart Chainpitakwattana
Deputy Director Lukerak Nursery School, Trang Province, South Thailand

I had the opportunity to not only to study the ordinary Diploma Course but also the Advanced Diploma Course (one year duration) at the Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Thailand. I got so many things from the course. When I first went to Thailand I could not speak English and also did not know how to use a computer! In my opinion these are basic needs for learning but at the Sathya Sai Institute I learnt much more than this. More than the academic and worldly knowledge I acquired, I felt something inside myself beginning to grow and bloom. Qualities such as self-confidence, calmness, creativity, innovation, passion and many other good characteristics were growing inside without me even realizing it at the time. But the biggest lesson I learnt from both the Institute and the Sathya Sai School is that Swami is present everywhere and He is the doer and we are merely instruments in His Hands. With love and an attitude of surrender and dedication we can feel His Love even more. I learnt all this from the teachers, students and staff at the Sathya Sai School and Institute. It is a wonderful place to learn. The other thing I also got from there was so many ideas to teach and integrate values into every subject and learn how to conduct EHV classes.

There are not enough words to express what we can learn and gain from being at the Sathya Sai Institute. I am so grateful to all the teachers, students and staff and may Swami always bless all of them.

- Mr. Wyan Wijania
Principal of the Sathya Sai Kindergarten, Bali, Indonesia

My name is Lina Maria Valencia Gonzalez. I am a psychologist who has been working with children in schools in Colombia. I heard through acquaintances about the Institute of Sathya Sai Education courses in Thailand (I had no contact with the Sai Organisation before and I, like most of the people in my country was brought up a strict Catholic). I travelled to Thailand and stayed there for over a year. Just two months ago I finished the Advanced Diploma Course at the Institute of Sathya Sai Education and I want to share my experience.

In the past, to me ‘to study’ simply meant buying knowledge and acquiring more information, but my experience at ISSE taught me that study can also mean ‘the awakening of the heart’. Being at ISSE provides its students with the opportunity to awaken their inner knowledge. It shows them in an experiential way how to take this knowledge back to their individual countries. For myself, I can honestly say that ISSE not only gave me the valuable tools for my professional life, but it also allowed me to know, accept and heal myself. I began to understand that you cannot teach others if you have not learnt about yourself; you cannot give if you don’t know what you have to give and you cannot love others if you do not love yourself first.

The programme conducted mostly by Dr. Art-ong Jumsai and Teacher Loraine Burrows allows us to realize our true potential and shows us how to apply this not only in our work situations but also in our daily lives and with our families and friends when we return home. The transformation that occurs with this programme is a priceless gift that Swami put in the hands of these worthy people to share with humanity.

Back in society, after completing the course, I am using what I have learned both in my daily and professional life. The change in me is very positive and noticeable. I can only say; “Thank you.”

- Miss Lina Maria Valencia Gonzalez
Psychologist, Colombia

Being brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth and always having luxury at my disposal, I began taking this lifestyle of comfort for granted. However, the course that I undertook at the Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Thailand for about two and half months, was truly an eye-opening experience for me. Right from staying in a simple environment with a disciplined routine of sleeping and waking up early for morning meditation and prayers, to cleaning and washing toilets, these were some of the many things that I initially found extremely challenging to adapt to as I had never done them before. As the course progressed and we were facilitated by the various workshops and lectures, it dawned upon me that all the indulgences I had back at home were so temporary, and there was so much more to one’s purpose of life. Several other negative qualities within me, such as anger and ego, that I was absolutely unaware I had within myself, surfaced during this time too. Just as the story goes of the churning of the ocean between the Devas and Asuras for amritam, the first thing that arose from the water was poison – which Lord Shiva had to hold in His throat; similarly, I too realized that this course was a churning process for me to become conscious of all the ‘poison’ that was within me. I understood that one must first recognize his/her flaws, only in order to rectify them. It felt like Swami had put me in such circumstances so I could cultivate patience, understanding and love for all. I cannot express enough gratitude to my most loving Teacher Loraine and awe-inspiring Achan, better known as Dr. Art-ong Jumsai, who taught me so much and guided me immensely throughout this journey of mine.

- Piya Sukhani
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I, Venu Raj Sukhani, mother of Piya, would like to share my thoughts on how my daughter has transformed after returning from the Institute of Sathya Sai Education at the Sathya Sai School in Thailand. When I look back and recollect, I remember Piya would receive positive feedback from her teachers for excelling academically and always being helpful; however, I couldn’t see much of it being practice at home. There was a time period when she was very short-tempered and stubborn, not compromising in conflicting situations. But after she returned from Thailand, I can see that she is a completely changed person! She is so easy-going now, with her anger seemingly completely disappeared. She has become really calm and caring towards all. She has also become so responsible – right from organizing and tidying her own room to waking up early, meditating and helping everyone out at home. She used to be addicted to her mobile phone and now she hardly even touches it! I am so happy that we agreed to let her do this course (although she was only 17) and feel that this is one of the best decisions that we have made, not only for her, but for ourselves too. Words are not sufficient to express my feelings of gratitude towards Teacher Loraine and Dr. Art-ong Jumsai, who with Sai’s blessings, have polished our diamond into an ideal gem. Thank you so much.

Venu Raj Sukhani (Piya Sukhani's mother)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia