The Transformative SSE Journey Towards Easwaramma Day: Fairfax, VA
The Sri Sathya Sai Center of Fairfax, VA, held a joyous celebration of Easwaramma Day on May 10, 2026. Through meaningful plays and thoughtful presentations, the Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) children shared themes of compassion, human connection, and environmental responsibility - all very relevant to the modern age. They also explored a very current topic- the importance of values in the age of artificial intelligence.
The plays culminated a month-long transformative journey that began months earlier with the guidance and teachings of the Gurus, who shared stories of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s life and those of his exemplary mother, Easwaramma, who shaped her extraordinary son to change the world. The Gurus created an environment rooted in love, humility, discipline, and reflection to encourage SSE students to apply Sai’s teachings in their own daily lives. Through discussions on empathy, kindness, truth, and selflessness, the students slowly internalized these values and learned that spirituality is expressed not only through prayer but also through how we treat others every day.
These values were further cultivated through service at Sunrise Senior Living where children in the older groups spent time with elderly residents through Bingo games, conversations, and small acts of kindness.
These experiences became some of the most meaningful parts of the journey. The children discovered that service isn't about earning recognition or gaining career experience, but about making another person feel valued, heard, and loved. A smile, a conversation, or helping residents with simple tasks they couldn’t do became lessons in empathy and compassion. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI, the students realized that kindness, human connection, and genuine presence can never be replaced.
The children acted out the values during intense play practice in preparation for Easwaramma Day. What began as rehearsals gradually became opportunities for reflection, teamwork, and personal growth. Children practiced not only lines and stage movements, but also explored the deeper meaning behind each story and gained a stronger understanding of the values they would present on Easwaramma Day.
Each play carried an important message. The youngest group performed Young Sathya and the Hungry Man, which focused on compassion and sharing, teaching that true kindness is not giving what is extra, but sharing selflessly what we have with love.
The play by the Group 2 children (aged 9 to 12 years), Filling in the Gaps, highlighted the value of the tiniest act of service through the story of the tiny squirrel whose little contribution was bits of sand to fill between the large stones that helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka. The children learned that even the smallest contribution, when offered sincerely, can strengthen and build something much greater.
The play by Group 3 (aged 12 to 15 years), The Invisible Backpack, explored empathy by showing how every person quietly carries invisible burdens such as fear, pressure, loneliness, or expectations. The play encouraged students and audience members to become more aware of the struggles others may be facing. Their second presentation, The Sacred Second, reflected on the importance of being fully present in a distracted world, showing that listening and genuine attention are forms of love and service.
One of the most unique presentations came from Group 4 (aged 15 years and above), who developed their own original script focused on artificial intelligence, food sustainability, and environmental responsibility. The students thoughtfully explored both the opportunities and challenges of AI, emphasizing that technology should help humanity while always being guided by wisdom, ethics, and compassion.
The children’s journey of transformation culminated in the Easwaramma Day performance itself — a fitting finale for months of learning, service, teamwork, and devotion. One audience member stated that the entire journey felt as though “Sai’s invisible hand was gently weaving everything together,” guiding the children one step closer toward Sai.