Seva: Serving with Love and Unity

April is a month when we are free from many obligations, allowing us to dedicate more energy to activities that support the welfare of the Sangklaburi community, especially those living in poverty. One of these activities is distributing food packages to the poorest families, and our children are encouraged to take part as well.

On April 22, we conducted our regular monthly relief program, supporting 32 vulnerable families. This initiative provided each family with essential supplies, including rice, beans, oil, salt, soy sauce, detergent, and toothpaste. For these families, this ongoing support remains a vital lifeline.

As the full moon of May 1 approaches, an important spiritual date marking the birthday of our Master in the Ananda Marga tradition, we reflected on how best to honor Him. The answer is simple: to serve others with sincerity and love.

While planning these service activities, we realized that the needs in our area were far greater than what Baan Unrak alone could manage. Many people here live in poverty. As we are a project of Ananda Marga, it felt natural to reach out to the Ananda Marga Society in Thailand and request their support, especially as they, too, wished to honor Baba’s birthday through meaningful service.

We were very happy when we began to receive support, but it was still not enough. Therefore, we also invited the Sai Baba Society to join us, as they, too, wished to honor the passing of their own master through service.

On April 24, with this spirit of service, we traveled to a former refugee camp. Due to shifting political circumstances, the camp is being dissolved, leaving thousands of families in uncertainty. They cannot return to Myanmar, nor can they freely move elsewhere, as they await decisions from the Thai authorities.

Our assessment identified 215 particularly vulnerable families. They have no stable means of survival.

Despite the long, difficult journey over rough and unsafe roads, our team reached the camp. We were met by families, many of whom were elderly, sick, or disabled, whose gratitude was deeply touching. For them, receiving simple packages of rice and canned food meant more than physical relief; it restored a sense of hope and human connection.

Some recipients were unable to carry their supplies. Our volunteers walked long distances, sometimes up to a mile through forest paths and uneven terrain, to deliver the aid directly to their homes.

Many children accompanied their parents during the distribution. While waiting for their families to receive the food packages, they noticed our teenage volunteers and, out of curiosity, approached them. Our volunteers then began sharing their snacks with the children, creating a natural connection. It was a meaningful experience for everyone involved

On April 25, we continued deeper into the forest, traveling for three more hours to reach a remote community in Myanmar the conditions there were even more severe, with no prior external assistance.

In this village, we found 20 orphaned children being cared for by members of the local community. Though they have very little, these villagers offer dedication, protection, and education. Some have taken on the role of teachers, providing the children with guidance and stability.

In addition to the children, we served 53 more families. The tankfulness, the smiles, and the tears were a testimony of appreciation and hope. Our support helped ease immediate hardships and strengthened the efforts of those already giving everything they could.

With the support of CPF, the Ananda Marga Society, and the Sai Baba Society, we were able to assist a total of 300 families with essential food supplies during April.

This collaboration made the period a true offering of service and sacrifice. It is a reminder that sincere dedication not only helps others but also purifies the mind and guides us toward a higher purpose.