The action plan we came up with is now being carried out in the Cambridge/Boston area in Massachusetts. The plan is to develop a working relationship with students in a neighboring high school and to create mentoring and tutoring programs for these students. In addition, the idea of creating a service program within the school was discussed. This service group, comprised primarily of students, would be a basis for the students to go into their own communities and serve.

Upon returning to Boston, I was unclear on how exactly I was going to accomplish this task. Although we have a very active Young Adult program in the area, this particular action plan has to be carried out at a more individual level. Within days of my return from Prashanthi Nilayam, the Lord guided me to exactly the right people ("instruments") to accomplish this action plan. I became re-acquainted with an organization that has already established a mentoring and tutoring program with the local high school. The director of the program asked me to begin helping her establish a better tutoring program for the students especially those who were applying to college. I started organizing college preparatory tutoring for the SATs and TOEFL examinations. After briefly describing the SSEHV main ideas to the director of the program, she asked me to do a "Values" Workshop with the students. I was thrilled at her unexpected request, but very unclear on how to approach this topic with the students! I am not a teacher by profession, but I have taught Sai Spiritual Education-Group III for the past three years. I have really enjoyed working with teenagers since it was not so long ago that I myself was one. The workshop went very well and the students had much to say about their own values. We discussed that people have different values based on their cultures and religions, but there are some universal values that cross the boundaries of countries and ethnicity. All in all, the workshop was uplifting and enlightening for both the students and myself.

Following the workshop, I was fortunate enough to meet someone who was beginning another mentoring and tutoring program that focused on helping immigrant South Asian students. The group is called SAMTA, which means equality in Hindi, but can also stand for "South Asian Mentoring & Tutoring Association". These are immigrant youth that have come to Boston from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries within the past 1-10 years. Most, but not all, of these students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Many do not even know English and go through quite an adjustment after arriving here. One of the members of this organization invited me to attend a school meeting with the students. I expressed my interest in helping out with the students as well as organizing the events. Within a few weeks, I was leading the school committee for SAMTA and designing programs for the students. We have about 40-50 students who are involved, and we provide mentoring & tutoring for them, as well as workshops on career topics, social/civic issues, etc. The pace at which the group expanded is amazing. By word of mouth we had many volunteers willing to help out with anything from being a mentor to making the website.

The part about this organization that touches my heart the most is working with the children. If we can give them the tools to help them integrate & assimilate to this society without giving up their customs, culture, heritage and language, the effects will be amazing. We have already seen glimpses of that in the students! A few weeks ago, the final part of my action plan was answered. I was calling the students to remind them of an upcoming event, and one of the students who was new to SAMTA told me that he would be very interested in doing community service projects with SAMTA. I was ecstatic! My hope was always to begin a service organization at the high school where the students would be able to serve others in their community. "Youth Transforming Youth" are Swami's words that often resonate in my ears. I feel that by the students helping their family, friends and neighbors, they will be spreading the message of service to the community.

As I look back, I am amazed to see how the Lord has guided me into meeting exactly the right people to carry out His action plan. The progress that has taken place in the past 7 months is incredible. Through this experience I have learned the meaning of being an instrument of the Lord. We are all His instruments, and if we whole-heartedly take His name and do His work, it will produce results beyond our wildest hopes and dreams!