Trinidad’s Offering, Zone 1

Dear Envirocare Coordinators, Go Green Champions, and Eco Explorers,

As devotees around the world celebrate the 100th anniversary of the incarnation of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, this year invites us to pause, reflect, and offer our heartfelt gratitude for His infinite love and guidance. In this issue, we honour the seva offered with the love and dedication of our Trinidad Sai Family. Every single sapling was planted with care as an offering at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan. This seva to the environment is a powerful expression of His teaching that ‘Nature is the vesture of God.’

The “Caribbean Trees for SAI-100” initiative began at the R.I.S.E. (Renew, Inspire, Service and Enlightenment) Conference in January 2023, with the planting of 15 Tecoma (dwarf Poui) trees on the conference grounds in Penal, Trinidad. Over the next three years, SSSIO Zone 1 continued planting trees across the Zone, working towards the celebration of Sai Baba’s 100 Years of Pure Love. Across Trinidad, the West Indies, and our wider Zone 1 family, every act of environmental service was a silent promise to protect, nurture, and preserve the sacred balance in Nature. 

These tree-planting efforts went far beyond placing plants in the ground, for they were carried out with the quiet intention of restoring the majesty of creation, His divine manifestation. Inspired by Swami’s message of Love All, Serve All, devotees of all ages thread gently on the Earth, reminding ourselves that whenever we approach Nature with humility and gratitude, She responds with grace, resilience, and abundance. Every act of service is a living reflection of devotion, unity, and love—a fragrance offered in joyous celebration of His centenary year.    

Corpus Christi is a major Christian feast observed in many countries around the world, and in Trinidad and Tobago it has developed a distinctive local tradition linking the day to favourable planting conditions. During this period, the expectation of abundant rainfall leads many gardeners to view the day as especially favourable for planting, believing that anything sown will thrive. 

Farmers and first-time planters eagerly source quality seeds, seedlings, and fertilisers, with some even bringing seeds to church for blessing (National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS), Trinidad and Tobago, W. I.).

The Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation of Trinidad organised a tree-planting initiative at the Eco Park in Central Trinidad, where around 30 devotees gathered at dawn on 19 June 2025. The morning began with the enveloping vibrations of Omkar chanting, followed by Suprabhatam and Nagar Sankirtan, all of which created a serene and devotional atmosphere. 

A few non-Sai devotees joined the group and together they planted 10 ornamental, shade, and fruit trees along the park’s periphery. Later in the day, devotees continued their seva at their homes, planting an additional 39 trees and spreading the day’s blessings throughout their communities. 

As part of the SAI-100 initiative, in 2024, our West Indies SSSIO team actively fostered environmental awareness among young learners with a session on 8 November 2024. The Environmental Coordinator and Deputy Director of ISSE WI visited two Sathya Sai preschools in South-East Trinidad. The team presented garden tools and plants, including watering cans, ochro, sweet pepper, turmeric, thyme, oregano and sweet potato, to inspire children to try their hand at gardening. The children and teachers eagerly engaged in the gardening activities, embracing the joy of learning by putting their hands into the soil.

By joining hands, we can create a lasting positive impact on our planet and build a meaningful legacy for generations to come. Let us continue loving and caring for our Earth, while inspiring others to unite with us in advancing our 2026 environmental initiatives to shape a greener, more sustainable future. This commitment is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Advent of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and honour His teachings of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-violence), along with His message of love and service to all. 🌍

Schweickert (2005), who also serves on the SSSIO Environmental Sustainability Committee, states:

“Sathya Sai wants us to realize it is not enough to witness the beauty of Nature or be grateful for Its bounty. We must seek to know it as God Itself—a physical manifestation of the Divine in every leaf, twig, blade of grass, as well as insects, predators, songbirds, and stones. Everything, all of Creation, is an aspect of God, as are we.”

We invite you to share the environmental initiatives and tree-planting activities you are organising in your communities, countries, or Zones at gogreen@sathyasai.org.

VISIT the Environmental Sustainability Hub for more insights, Go Green tips, and resources.👨‍🌾

With Sai Love and Care,

Wishing you a bright and eco-friendly New Year, full of hope and positive change! 🌱🌞

Environmental Sustainability Committee

Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

References

_{National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS), Trinidad and Tobago, W. I. (n.d.) Corpus Christi traditions in Trinidad and Tobago. Available at: https://www.nalis.gov.tt/resources/tt-content-guide/corpus-christi/}

_{Schweickert, T. K. 2005. Tread softly: Sathya Sai Baba’s Teachings on Nature and the Environment. Salem, Oregon: Oak Savanna Publishing, p. 30.}