voorzitter stichting Sssso-hc 
Internationale coordinator Ssssb

My name is Sunil Marapin, and I am the founder of SRF (Sairam Foundation), which was officially renamed on 19 January 2022 to Stichting SSSSOHC
(Shri Sanjay Sai Seva Organisation Holland Chapter).

I was born in Suriname and have been living in the Netherlands since 1982. My grandmother originated from the North India / Nepal region and emigrated to the former Dutch colony of Suriname on 14 April 1905, at the age of twenty, aboard the ship “RMS Demerara.”

Education and Early Awareness

At the age of ten, I already began to worry about injustice and the unequal distribution of resources in the world. These concerns stayed with me and shaped my way of thinking from an early age.

After primary school, I attended technical school (LTS) and later progressed through MTS to HTS. For a long time, I believed that educated people were the ones best suited to address and solve the major problems facing the world.

However, during my studies, I discovered—much to my shock—that some teachers showed little to no concern for the less fortunate. My expectation that knowledge and education would naturally lead to compassion and responsibility turned into deep disappointment.

Before I even reached the age of eighteen, I lost my motivation to continue my studies. My concerns about the state of the world intensified. I feared that if nothing changed, those in power would ultimately destroy not only the world, but also themselves.

I tried in many ways to achieve something: to find a platform from which I could speak to the world. But I realized that this did not succeed.

On the one hand, I was — like everyone else — drawn to human values: truth, right conduct, peace, love, and non-violence, along with all their related sub-values. On the other hand, I also felt the pull of their opposites: desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy.

This inner conflict brought confusion. I did not know anyone who not only reflected on these principles, but also practiced them consistently, resulting in real inner transformation, and who could genuinely help me understand this inner tension or guide me through it.

Therefore, I decided to search for answers on my own. I went to a bookstore and bought a stack of books that could give me deeper insight into the relationship between the body, the mind, and the soul — and how they influence one another on the path toward awareness and inner growth.

After reading several books, in which I certainly found valuable insights, I unfortunately did not find any book that offered a complete solution to all the problems I was struggling with. Eventually, I came across a book by Shri Sathya Sai Baba.

In this book, I found answers to many of the questions that had occupied my mind for years. At the same time, new questions began to arise within me, such as:
Who is Shri Sathya Sai Baba? How does He know all this? How can someone who only attended school until the age of fourteen possess such profound knowledge? Is it wise to follow His teachings? Is this the highest form of knowledge, or is there something beyond it?

As I delved deeper into Him—into His teachings and the vast initiatives undertaken for the benefit of the poor, the needy, and humanity as a whole—I became increasingly impressed. I could not find anything unacceptable in this way of life. On the contrary, living from compassion, and the large-scale projects that emerged from it, made a deep impression on me.

What appealed to me most was the development of the special education programs. Mere transfer of knowledge, intellectual development, or vocational training alone proved insufficient for the true development of a student. Such education says little to nothing about a person’s character, values, and moral standards after completing their studies.

Therefore, the education program was founded on human values that are inherent in every human being. Emphasizing these values within students leads to character development, which benefits both the individual and society as a whole. The nature, mindset, and overall profile of the individual ultimately determine not only their own functioning, but also the well-being and functioning of society.

Human values are the most essential insights for bringing about world peace, and this transformation always begins with the individual. These human values are: right conduct, non-violence, peace, truth, and love. Through the practice of these values, it becomes clear that they are deeply interconnected. They are universal values, accessible and applicable to everyone.

The educational program based on these human values is known as the Shri Sathya Sai Balvikas Program within the Shri Sathya Sai Organization. Within the organization of Shri Sanjay Sai, this same program is called Shri Sanjay Sai Soul Blossom.

In time, I came to realize that Sathya Sai Baba was an Avatar, just as Rama and Krishna were in ancient times. The insights I gained and the experiences I was allowed to have through the character-formation program convinced me that, ultimately, people of good character are the ones who can solve the problems of the world. In fact, only people with pure character can truly save the world.

This is because individuals with pure character desire nothing more than the well-being of all others. They respect different cultures and differences, seize every opportunity to offer help, and protect animals and nature.

A great burden fell from my shoulders when I realized that I was not alone in wanting to address the injustice in the world. I became aware that many others also recognized the chaos in the world and the dangers such a future holds. One of the most important insights I gained was that by changing our mindset and way of living, we can already take a major step toward transformation.

Where else can we collectively begin to reshape our thinking if not at the foundation? That foundation is education, and education begins especially with our youth. With an education program rooted in human values, humanity will prove capable of transcending itself and creating a beautiful world.

Only then will the injustice and inequality—poverty and imbalance as we see today—give way to a more just and equitable world. Through the SSSSB program, I wish to contribute to this evolution.

Travels to India and Nepal

After traveling to India many times and becoming involved with schools and orphanages there, I decided at a certain point to visit Nepal. One of the reasons was that the climate was less hot than in India. By then, I had already established contacts with Nepali people living abroad and reached out to Dutch aid organizations that were active in Nepal.

In August 2012, I arrived in Nepal. When I stepped out of the airplane and placed my feet on Nepali soil for the first time, I felt a deep and indescribable emotion. I stayed for three weeks and visited orphanages and organizations with whom I had already established contact from the Netherlands, as I did not yet personally know anyone in Nepal.

This first visit was mainly an introduction to the country and an opportunity to build relationships with people who were willing to support and collaborate with me. I wanted to gain insight into the living conditions and understand what was truly needed to improve them. Nepal turned out to be a country with a rich culture, deeply grateful and helpful people, and great potential. Because of my own background, many aspects of Nepal’s culture felt familiar to me. It seemed to be the perfect country to further develop SRF projects—a place where a strong foundation could be built, from which the work could later expand to the rest of the world.

My second and third visits to Nepal were more goal-oriented. The aim was to establish a model school, or at the very least, to start a character-formation project. Together with a group of people from Nepal and the Netherlands, we launched the EHV program. During each trip, I carried as many supplies as possible, such as clothing, toys, and educational materials for character development.

Between my third and fourth visit, the devastating earthquake struck Nepal. Just as the country was making progress, it suffered a massive setback. Thanks to donations from sponsors and the dedication of our hardworking team in Nepal, we were able to provide solar lamps, tents, food, and other essential aid to those in need.

My fourth trip to Nepal, in April 2019, felt decisive. I had a strong sense that now it really had to happen — now the big step had to be taken. Nepal has everything it needs to grow into an economically strong country. Many essential elements are already present. If character formation were integrated throughout society, it would only be a matter of time before Nepal could become one of the first example countries for the world in all areas.

During this journey, I visited as many organizations and gatherings as possible, actively seeking out young people and others to share the message that they could play a crucial role in developing themselves, their communities, their country — and that the world would naturally follow.

To my great disappointment, there was little to no interest from the youth, even though most people seemed deeply impressed by my story and plans. One great source of hope — and the most important one — was that the children clearly saw the value and were enthusiastic.

Because I live and work in the Netherlands, it was not possible for me to be physically present on a continuous basis. Although our projects continued successfully, I carried a strong desire to bring out the maximum character growth in everyone involved.

December 2019 – The Beginning of My Golden Era

In December 2019, my golden era began.

That month, I watched a speech by Shri Sanjay Sai Baba from Nepal on YouTube. His words, plans, and guidance were incredibly precise and perfectly suited to the time we are living in. Moreover, he presented them in a way that was clear, inspiring, and deeply understandable. What touched me most was the fact that he himself is from Nepal, and that both his organization and school are based there.

I watched everything I could find on the internet by and about Shri Sanjay Sai Baba, many times over. Soon, the same questions arose in me that I had experienced years earlier after reading about Shri Sathya Sai Baba:
Who is He? How does He know all this? How is it possible that His words resonate so perfectly with the needs of this era?

After three days and nights of continuous study and reflection, I came to a clear realization: Shri Sanjay Sai, just like Shri Rama, Shri Krishna, Shri Shirdi Sai, and Shri Sathya Sai, is an Avatar.

When this understanding dawned upon me, I remained silent for a long time. I felt with certainty that we are living in a period of great transformation—a transition between the hectic world of today and the peaceful world that is to come.

We are entering a time in which more and more people will develop stronger character, especially through the worldwide integration of the Shri Sanjay Sai Soul Blossom Program into regular education systems. Through this, the following changes will naturally unfold:

• Respect and genuine interest in people from different cultures and backgrounds will grow.

• More and more people will willingly help one another.

• Countries will stand in line—and may even compete—for the opportunity to help during emergencies and disasters.

• Nature (plants, animals, and ecosystems) will be left in peace, allowing Mother Nature to heal herself.

• Nations that once viewed each other as enemies will make peace and solve problems together.

• More people will feel content with having only what they truly need, creating abundance and reducing exploitation of the Earth.

• Instead of exploiting nature, humanity will work collectively to restore and protect it.

What amazed me deeply was how his organization had already established a model school based on character formation—exactly what I had long envisioned. Even more remarkable was that he was born and active in Nepal, not far from the areas where our own projects were taking place—the very country I had consciously chosen years earlier.

You may already guess what happened next: I immediately booked my fifth trip to Nepal.

On 10 January 2020, I arrived in Nepal and traveled straight to the Shri Sanjay Sai Organization. In the days that followed, I was blessed to experience so much with Shri Sanjay Sai Baba, his school, his teachers, his students, his organization, all those involved, and many devotees from Nepal and other countries.

Initially, I planned to dissolve SRF and continue my work entirely within his organization. However, on 11 January, Shri Sanjay Sai clearly instructed me not to do so. He advised me to continue my work as I had been doing.

As a result, I adapted the EHV program to the needs of the present time. It is now called the Shri Sanjay Sai Soul Blossom (SSSSB) Program. Through this transformation, the program has become even more effective—for both facilitators and students.

Elsewhere on this website, you can read about the experiences of those involved with the SSSSB program.

Key Focus Areas of Stichting SSSSOHC

1. SSSSOHC places strong emphasis on the SSSSB program, which is focused on character development for everyone. Further details about the program can be found elsewhere on this website.

2. We collaborate with the Shri Sanjay Sai Seva Organization wherever possible. This includes cooperation with and sponsorship of the SSSVM School, where 450 students receive free education.

3. The foundation’s financial administration is fully transparent. It is accessible not only to sponsors, but also to other interested parties.

4. Furthermore, it is our aim to operate entirely on a volunteer basis. Our volunteers are deeply committed and share one common goal: working on self-development and applying their talents within the projects. Through this unity and the diversity of talents, SSSSOHC is able to provide stable and sustainable services.

5. SSSSOHC follows the teachings of Shri Sanjay Sai. These teachings are, in essence, the same as those of other Avatars, Prophets, and Saints.

6. We are already actively involved with the SSSSB program at the SSSVM School and in other Soul Blossom classes in Nepal. Our goal is to bring the SSSSB program to an ever-growing number of people.

7. Other organizations are warmly invited to collaborate with us. When we focus on what unites us, all involved parties grow stronger. If we focus only on differences and therefore choose not to collaborate, we risk missing a valuable opportunity.