UK Charity, SEWA International is a charity organization entirely run by dedicated volunteers, heralding from all sections of the community, working together to Serve to Humanity.
SEWA International UK is a service project of Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS UK).
Most of these are donors whom have visited some of our supported projects in India. Once they return back we ask them to write a report to let us and everyone know their experiences. We hope you enjoy them.
We need volunteers from every background and with all types of skills.
If you have any ideas about how we can raise money through arranging various fund raising events, or whether you can help raise money through Corporate Sponsorship or even if you can help take part in any fund raising events for the projects supported by us - SEWA International would like to hear from you.
To make our Appeals and on-going Projects successful - we rely on volunteers to come forward and help us!
Join us to help the poor, the needy and the underprivileged across the World.
Your help can make a difference…
For further information please contact:
SEWA International
L K Advani the former Deputy Prime Minister of India
“SEWA International has indeed lived up to its motto ‘Serving Humanity is Serving God’. We in India shall remain indebted to SEWA International for their dedicated material and emotional support in the hour of crisis. Today, Gujarat stands reconstructed, rejuvenated and economically stronger than ever before. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for this unforgettable gesture.”
DISASTER RELIEF FUND APPEAL Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Floods
09 Oct 2009
SEWA INTERNATIONAL UK is appealing for donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to help unfortunate victims. Your support will help reduce the suffering of those affected and allow the victims to re-build their lives. Your donations will enable us to send assistance where people have suffered as a result of such disasters.
The Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have witnessed unprecedented flooding as a result of heavy rainfall since the 1st of October 2009. Thousands have been rendered homeless and over 40,000 homes have been damaged in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh alone. More than 150 deaths have been reported in the two states so far. The victims of this catastrophe are in dire need of immediate assistance and will require help to re-build their lives once the flood waters have receded.
Volunteers from our local partner organisation, Sewa Bharati, have responded immediately in both states. Their primary task is to evacuate those affected from the flooded areas to safer locations and to distribute food through mass feeding camps at various locations. A team of Doctors has also been deployed to take care of the resulting health issues of the flood victims.
The most urgent requirements include access to fresh water, food, emergency medical supplies, shelter and basic household items. Our grassroots volunteers in respective districts are engaged in providing immediate relief with locally raised resources. Plans for launching rehabilitation projects for the flood victims will be considered once the primary rescue and relief tasks are completed.
There is an urgent need to provide relief to the many victims of this natural disaster. Whilst the Governing bodies of the two states are making their own efforts to rescue people and provide relief, the magnitude of devastation is such that additional aid and resources are urgently required.
YOUR SUPPORT WILL ENABLE SEWA INTERNATIONAL UK TO PROVIDE HELP TO THE NEEDY.
Information & Credit Card Hotline Telephone: 0116 261 0303
Please send your generous donations to (no stamp required):
Sewa International UK, FREEPOST LE 6407, 46-48 Loughborough Road, Leicester LE4 5LD
(Please make cheques payable to “Sewa International UK” and mark the envelope “Disaster Relief Fund”
Donate securely on-line: www.sewainternational.com
and follow links for Justgiving & Paypal
Use Gift Aid and make your donation worth more at no extra cost to you.
INDIAN HIMALAYAS TREK - Charity Through Adventure
21 Nov 2009
SOURCE OF GANGES TREK
Trek dates: approximately 15th-28th August 2010
FOR BEGINNERS – moderate challenge to high altitude, suitable for first timers.
Gaumukh 3900m, Tapovan 4450m, and Nandavan 4570m, Vasuki tal 4898m
Gaumukh, at an altitude of over 3900m, is the visible snout of holy river Ganges. The Bhagirathi sisters (peaks seen in the background) hold the Gangotri glacier on its lap, which is the source of the lifeline of northern Indian plains and is also a sacred place for Hindus. The stunning mountain views are a bonus.
KALINDI KHAL PASS 5947m BADRINATH TREK
Trek dates: approximately 15th August to 3rd September 2010
Difficult and challenging.
Kalindi Khal Pass Trek is suitable for persons with some previous high altitude trekking experience. KK pass is one of the highest passes at 5947m, higher than Mt Kilimanjaro. The trek starts from Gangotri, crossing over six glaciers and base of many high mountains to Badrinath.
MINIMUM FUNDS TO RAISE £500 with a target of £1000
Nairobi 16 August - a big charity presentation with local Hindu community, Rotary Club and local aid benefactors.
1 day Mt Longonet Crater rim walk, 14 miles, 2766m 9108 ft altitude
A perfect volcano with some hot steam gushing out.
Visit to Nakuru in the famous rift valley, 5800ft
MT KENYA - Pt Lenana 4985m
Trek starts on 20 August, going up on the Sirimon route and coming down from Naro Maro route. The 5 day and 4 night trek will give a feel of high altitude and have enough time to enjoy the magnificent views.
VICE PRESIDENT OF KENYA FLAGS OFF FAMINE RELIEF OF SEWA INTERNATIONAL
AS PART OF ITS AFRICA PROJECT, Sewa International (UK) donated 25 metric tonnes of maize meal ( worth Ksh. 1 million) to Kenya Red Cross Society on 14 May 2009 for famine relief in North East of Kenya.
Rotary
International District Governor Kaushik Manek (left) leads (from left) Kenya
Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet, Vice President of Kenya Hon. Kalonzo
Musyoka and representatives of
Sewa International
to flag off relief food donated by
Sewa International.PHOTO/KRCS
The donation was made at a special ceremony held during the Rotary International District 9200-84th District Conference & Assembly. The famine relief programme was flagged off by the Vice President of Kenya, Mr.Kalonzo Musyoka and witnessed by representatives of Sewa International, Kenya Red Cross Society Sec. Gen. Abbas Gullet, Rotary International District 9200 Governor Kaushik Manek and other Rotarians.
A total of 1,200 beneficiaries were reached in Garissa while 3,726 beneficiaries were reached in Turkana.
Maize meal donated by
Sewa
International. PHOTO/KRCS
Maize
meal donated by
Sewa International
at KRCS Garissa Branch warehouse before distribution. PHOTO/KRCS
AFRICA AID PROJECTS Funded by Sewa International (UK)
16 Jul 2009
Sewa International(UK) provides humanitarian aid by working with local communities
Including Bharatiya Swayamsevak Sangh (Kenya), Hindu Council of Kenya, Jain Samaj, Rotary Club, Lions Club and other NGOs.
Water Aid Projects:(Famine area)
Water Aid Project - Bore Wells
Sewa funded projects for construction of Bore-Wells in rural areas where people face extreme hardship for obtaining water. The areas are selected after obtaining geological reports and professional guidance so as to optimise the usage of the water. The village communities are trained to maintain the hand pumps and to ensure fair & sustainable water supply.
Food Aid Projects:(Kenya)
Crop failure results in famine
Distribution of emergency medical aid & food supply was funded to elevate hardship and human suffering. The project helped save lives of the most vulnerable in the communities- the children, the old & the sick.
Medical Aid Projects:(Mombasa)
Eye-operations were funded to help those with visual impairment and help restore the sight of many, giving them personal independance and a new lease of life.
Education Aid Projects (Nairobi):
Providing bursary to impoverished students in Jamhuri High School (Previous Duke of Gloucester School). Bright students facing financial hardship, often as a result of losing one or both parents, are helped through this scheme to continue and complete their education.
Social Welfare Projects:
Funding was provided for acquisition of portable tractors to help yield better crops and achieve self sufficiency for the families in the farming communities in Kenya.
Conservation Aid Projects (Ndyaka Dam):
The purchase, planting and nurturing of tree saplings in the forest conservation area was funded to help with the work and the efforts of the local communities.
NEW PROJECTS FOR THE PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY CHALLANGED:
Mobility Aid Project:Help for the people who have lost limbs to gain mobility & independance:
Fitting of Jaipur Foot- specially designed prostethic limbs
Provide wheelchairs including some specially fitted to convert to mobile business stall to enable the user to be able to earn a living for themselves & their children.
Provide crutches, surgical shoes and polio shoes to assist mobility & reduce suffering.
\ Jaipur Foot Project - Prosthetic Limb
Mobility Aid Project - Wheel Chairs
Womens Empowerment Projects:
Provide sanitary towel packs and personal toiletry needs to enable girls to continue attending school.
Food Aid
For Homes for orphans, senior citizens, mentally handicapped children - give financial support for the provision of meals at care homes for the needy.
Sewa is 'Service to Humanity' Thank you for your support
You have helped make a difference in the lives of so many !
Inauguration ceremony takes place at Sewa funded Hostel
03 May 2009
In 2005 Sewa International UK sponsored the
construction of a Boys Hostel at the Swaminarayan Gurukul; Rapar,
Gujarat. The construction project was finally brought to
an end with a three day inauguration ceremony that took place on the 1st
– 3rd March 2009. Shri Arjun Lal Sharma from Sewa International
UK and Shri
Navin Prasad from Sewa International Delhi attended the ceremony on behalf of
the donor agency Sewa International UK. The ceremony was presided over by the
present Swaminarayan Bhagwan Shri Kaushlendra Prasadji Maharaj, who felicitated
the representatives of Sewa International and thanked them for their support towards
the building of the hostel. The plaque of Sewa International on the hostel was
unveiled by Shri Arjun Lal Sharma and Navin Prasad, which was followed by a tree
plantation in the name of the charity. The inauguration ceremony ended with
Aarti and a Hawan followed by lunch for all the guests who attended the
ceremony.
The sailing challenge raising money for BBC Children in Need
'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.
700 SewaVolunteers “Walk in Dark” to Help the Blind
29 Sep 2008
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.
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.
Sewa International (UK) supports Health care centre at:Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra.A residential school at Neeralkatti village, near Dharwad, Karnataka (India)
Back to top
\
