'Sewa Volunteers' is organising an event which will see fundraisers take on the challenge of learning how to sail before taking part in a race against other teams. The event takes place on the 27th June 2009 with funds being raised for BBC Children In Need. More details can be found here.

 

  

On Saturday, 13th September 2008: Local charity, Sewa International, held a sponsored night walk in Kenton (Harrow) to raise money for two blind associations. Sewa International attracted almost 700 participants (mainly from London’s Indian community) for the event to raise money for the Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB) and the Mamta Welfare Trust (UK) - who provides funds to a special needs school for blind children in India.


The night walk started at 7.00pm from St Gregory's RC School on Donnington Rd, Kenton, and followed a 5 km route finishing back at the school.  
 
Co-ordinator for Sewa North London, Arup Ganguly, said: “with 677 participants, we are overjoyed with the response to the event.  This clearly shows that British Asians are keen to support local charitable initiatives, Ganguly added: “We must seize the opportunity and harness the UK Indian community’s willingness and ability to help those less fortunate. SewaVolunteers are well placed to channel this philanthropic energy toward worthy causes”.


The walk was flagged off by chief guest Hitesh Nathwani (CEO of the VB & Sons food-store chain, one of the event sponsors), to a fanfare of dhols (Indian drums) and conch shell blowing. Also in attendance were Cllr Paul Lorber (Leader of Brent Council), Cllr Harbhajan Singh, Cllr Vina Mithani, David Pearce (from MAB) and Dhruv Patel (from the City Hindus Network - CHN).

Mr Patel commented, “The CHN are very proud to have supported Sewa in putting on this successful event.  The great turnout must surely reflect an increasing unity in our community and is another demonstration of our continuing contribution to life in the UK”.

“The Association (MAB) was delighted to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the Sewa ‘Walking in the Dark’ event.  It was a great night.  Our thanks to everyone who organized and attended the event. The funds raised will go a long was to helping Visually Impaired People both locally and in India and on their behalf we would like to thank you for Sewa’s support.", said David Pearce.

Sewa International expects the final total raised, including direct donations, to be £6,000 approximately. MAB anticipates that “monies will be used to purchase equipment for the Resource Centre and to support visually impaired people through the Home Visiting Service (e.g. recruit volunteers)”.

Sewa International recently launched its own volunteer network, the UKs first structured volunteering scheme to target the Indian diaspora. The 1.3 million Indian community in Britain is recognised to be charitable and supportive of causes internationally and in Britain, often repatriating huge sums of money to causes in India and elsewhere. However, this new initiative seeks to take advantage of their interest in volunteering by making it easier for them to find local groups and charities, which can make good use of their time, skills, and experiences. Monty Panesar, international cricketer and the face of the scheme, said: “I support SEWA Volunteers, please give some time”.



NOTES TO EDITORS:

Media enquiries to: Arup Ganguly – 07788 598 723

Comments from leading figures in the Indian diaspora can be provided.

SEWA INTERNATIONAL – www.sewainternational.com
SewaVolunteers – www.sewavolunteers.org

In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means Service. In line with this definition, Sewa International is committed to working with local causes and charities by motivating a volunteer network to provide their selfless service and providing their know-how, expertise, money and most importantly – by giving their time.

Sewa International is a charity of Indian origin that came into prominence in the 90s when huge natural disasters affected India. Working in partnership with business leaders, politicians, civic society and local communities, Sewa International has raised substantial funds for various calamities internationally.

We are proud to have the support of people of all backgrounds for our campaigns, appeals and volunteering projects. We are a non-sectarian and non-governmental voluntary organisation regulated & supervised by the Charity Commission for England & Wales.

 More photos of the event can be found by clicking here.

 

The flood situation in Bihar, India, this year has been the worst in living memory, leaving thousands dead and homeless and destroying crops, cattle and property worth billions. The hapless victims of this catastrophe are in dire need of assistance and will have to begin their lives from scratch when the flood waters recede.

The Kosi River, sometimes called the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’, changed its course after almost two centuries, following a breach in an embankment upstream in Nepal, flooding 14 districts of Bihar. Supaul district has been the worst hit followed by Madhepura, Araria and Saharsa. The river Kosi still remains untamed showing no signs of receding. The first four districts were the worst affected where over 2.27 million people in 755 villages were left reeling under its impact. Thousands of families have been forced to live under the open sky or on embankments, roads, roof tops and bridges waiting for help.

Sewa International and Sewa Bharati are working together, serving under the banner of “BARH RAHAT SAHAYTA SAMITI” with its centre at Saharsa and “BARH PEERIT SAHAYTA SAMITI” with its headquarters at Muzafferpur, Bihar.

We are fortunate to have a very strong force of over 3500 dedicated volunteers who are working round the clock rescuing those who are stranded, distributing relief materials and providing food and essential health care. We have an advantage in having local volunteers who are familiar with the topography. We have been able to reach the most needy located in remote areas and evacuate them to safer locations, providing them with much needed care and assistance.

Our Response:

From 19th of August 2008, Sewa Centres/Camps in 7 of the most affected districts were set up to provide immediate relief, food and shelter. We are able to treat sick people on arrival at the centres. The seven centres are located in the following areas:

1. Raghopur: this centre caters to the needs of flood victims from Raghopur, Pratapgarh and Saraigarh.
   
   
2. Vivah Bhawan, Shankar Chawk, Saharsa: this centre helps people from the districts of Saharsa and Supaul.
   
   
3. Bihariganj, Madhepura: this centre takes care of the people of Madhepura district.
   
   
4. Sewa Bharati Office, Madhubani Chawk, Purnea: this centre is for the people of Purnea and adjoining districts.
   
   
5. Sangh Karyalaya, Shiv Mandir Chawk, Katihar: this centre is for the flood victims of Katihar.
   
   
6. Sangh Karyalaya, Nawgachhia: this centre is for the people of Bhagalpur district.
   
   
7. Shiv Mandir, Forbisganj, Araria: this centre caters to the victims of Forbisganj and adjoining places.

Relief materials are collected at these centres and are then distributed to the people by small boats and head loads by our volunteers.

A separate relief centre has been set up in the Zila School, Saharsa where over 4000 people have taken shelter and are being fed and taken care of.

From the 29th of August 2008, all seven centres set up a community kitchen where over 3000 people are fed daily. There are plans to open more mass feeding camps at different locations to ensure that many more flood victims are reached.


Twenty-one sub-centres have also been set up so that much needed support, packet food, essential medications, water, mosquito nets, and essential household utensils such as cloths, polythene sheets, lanterns, candles & match boxes, etc, are provided at greater speed.


The water is showing no signs of receding as a result of the incessant rains. Therefore, rescue and relief will have to continue for a greater period. Constant support is needed.


 

SEWA International together with other Indic/Hindu based faith group supports the Call to Action by Gordon Brown for the Millenium Development Goals.

 

Please download the PDF file to find more information.

Govindbhai Patel said

"We appreciate the humanitarian work being carried out by Sewa International."

 

We are sure you will have seen the appalling pictures from Burma, where cyclone Nargis has left more than 100,000 thousand people dead and more than a million rendered homeless without food, water and shelter. The roads to the city are strewn with uprooted trees and electricity poles while roofless houses are surrounded by over spilling water.
Sanjay Jagatia of Sewa International said


Sewa International, an International humanitarian operating in over 20 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, Burma, West Indies and Africa. In the past, Sewa International has undertaken relief activities and raised millions of pounds for major disasters such as Super Cyclone in Orissa in December 1999, Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001, Tsunami of December 2004 (India and Sri Lanka), flood relief in Guyana and Mozambique, famine relief in Kenya and the Hurricane  that hit New Orleans in 2005. These activities ranged from providing immediate medical treatment, shelter, and food to the victims and also providing them permanent accommodation, vocational assistance, counseling and psychological assistance.

Sewa International UK has launched an emergency appeal to help and provide relief to these unfortunate victims. Your donation will help reduce the sufferings of the people in the cyclone hit areas and will be used to purchase much needed items for immediate distribution and rehabilitation.

PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN – WE ALL NEED TO ACT BEORE THIS DISASTER CLAIMS MORE AND MORE LIVES: Epidemics of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, diarrohoea and dysentery are now feared; putting thousands more lives at risk.

Barry Gardiner, Member of Parliament for Brent North, a friend and supporter of Sewa International UK, appealed to the people of UK, “now is not the time to worry about Burma’s politics. Now is the time to worry about Burma’s people. Please give generously”.


 

The UKs first structured volunteering scheme to target the Indian diaspora was launched today in North West London with the support of Cricketing hero Monty Panesar.
The 1.3 million Indian community in Britain is recognised to be charitable and supportive of causes internationally and in Britain, often repatriating huge sums of money to causes in India and elsewhere. However, this new initiative seeks to take advantage of their interest in volunteering by making it easier for them to find local groups and charities, which can make good use of their time, skills, and experiences.


SEWA VOLUNTEERS is a flagship initiative of leading British charity – Sewa International. Whilst it is aimed at promoting volunteering to the Indian diaspora, it is not restricted to the community and interest from people of all backgrounds is welcome.

In the first phase, the scheme is to be implemented in North West London, which is home to a large Indian population. It is envisaged that this scheme will be rolled out in other cities and towns with significant Indian populations.

The first set of partner charities are:

• Harrow Mencap – works with people with learning difficulties
• Middlesex Association for the Blind – help the visually impaired
• Age Concern Harrow – lend a hand to the elderly
• Sansaar – teach Gujarati through pantomime and music

The Fryent Country Park (Barn Hill) Conservation Project – protect the natural environment

This is the FIRST scheme targeted at the Indian Diaspora which:

• Provides volunteers for a number of local causes.
• Actively monitors & manages the ‘volunteer experience’.
• Transcends all affiliations to temples, faith groups, youth groups, regional groups, caste associations, companies and businesses etc.

By promoting volunteering, Sewa International aims to:

• Engage people from all backgrounds with local projects that deliver services to disadvantaged communities. By doing so, providing our partner charities with much needed skills and experiences that enable their success in dealing with tough social issues.
  
  
• Build awareness of social & cultural issues challenging local communities in Britain.
  
  
• Raise the profile and virtue of public service. The Indian diaspora is renowned for its philanthropy and financial support for causes. This initiative aims to promote the need to provide ‘time’.

How to register as a SewaVolunteer:

• On-line – www.sewavolunteers.org
• Paper registration forms can be provided by calling: 020 7193 7108
• A team of volunteers will be attending key events & festivals to recruit volunteers

Arup Ganguly, President of Sewa International (North London), said:

“The most valuable commodity that people can donate to charity, in this relentless world, is their time. I find the willingness of our community to give up their leisure time to help the needy, quite frankly, humbling.”

Due diligence: “We’ve conducted interviews and assessments of the charities in order to satisfy ourselves that those who register with this scheme will be managed properly and will receive guidance and support throughout their association with a particular charity.”

On volunteers: “We value the time that people want to give. To ensure that they receive appropriate advice, we will brief each volunteer individually with the aim of understanding their background and motivation in coming forward so that we are able to pair them with a local group where we believe a ‘fit’ exists.”

Future plan: “We envisage this scheme expanding to include other towns, cities, and we will also focus on developing relationships with companies who encourage volunteering as part of their training & development programmes. Eventually, we’d like to promote volunteering as a tool to encourage development internationally by providing opportunities overseas.”



VOLUNTEERING - KEY FACTS:

Source: ‘Helping Out: A national survey of volunteering and charitable giving’ – Cabinet Office, 5th Sept 2007:

2,705 people in England were interviewed for ‘Helping Out: A national survey of volunteering and charitable giving’. More than half (58 per cent) had both volunteered and donated to charity in the last 12 months, and most (81 per cent) had given to a charity within the last four weeks.

The most common reasons for volunteering were ‘to improve things or help people’ (53 per cent), ‘because the cause was important’ (41 per cent) or ‘because they had spare time’ (41 per cent).

59 per cent had volunteered in the last year (39 per cent had done so at least monthly), and 69 per cent in the last five years, with an estimated economic value of £38.9 billion;

On average, volunteers had given 11 hours over the last four weeks;

Positive feelings were expressed on the experience of volunteering – nearly all (95 per cent) of regular volunteers said their efforts were appreciated and nine in 10 had the chance to do activities they liked;

Cited benefits of volunteering included satisfaction from seeing the results, a sense of personal achievement, and the opportunity to meet people and make new friends;

Those in the 34-44 and 55-64 age brackets, women, the employed and people of religious faith were more likely to volunteer than other social groups;

There is room for improvement in organisation (31 per cent said their volunteering could be better organised) and in reducing bureaucracy (mentioned by 28 per cent).

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

NOTES:

1.    SEWA INTERNATIONAL.

2.    HARROW MENCAP
Doreen Luff, 020 8423 7382, www.harrowmencap.org.uk

3.    SANSAAR
Shandip Shah, 07780 690432, www.sansaar.org

4.    MIDDX ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
David Pearce, 020 8423 5141, www.aftb.org.uk

5.    AGE CONCERN HARROW
Jackie Butler, 020 8861 7997, www.acharrow.org.uk

6.    BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP
Cathy Northcroft, 020 8206 0589, www.bhcg.ik.com


For further details about Sewa International UK contact: Sanjay Jagatia, Public Relations Coordinator