Esha (name changed) from Mumbai visited Phoenix, AZ, U.S., for the first time in 2018 with her mother to care for her cousin, who was struggling with severe mental health issues. Instead of improving, he resisted all efforts, leaving Esha and her mother feeling overwhelmed and helpless in a foreign land. With no local support and no idea where to turn, they felt completely lost.
During this stressful situation, a volunteer helped Esha connect with Sewa—a moment she now considers a blessing. Sewa volunteers stepped in immediately, helping Esha to travel from Phoenix to Atlanta, GA, to renew her cousin’s passport. They provided directions, arranged food and safe lodging, and supported her through every step of the unfamiliar process.
Looking back, Esha is deeply grateful. Without Sewa’s help, she says, her visit to the U.S. would have been futile. Today, her cousin is back in India, recovering well and showing signs of progress. She credits Sewa’s timely support for making this possible.
“If someone in pain blesses you, those blessings spring from the heart. What Sewa is doing is truly valuable,” she said. Esha hopes to volunteer for Sewa in the future.
A Helping Hand When It Mattered Most
Yash (name changed), a student in Buffalo, NY, faced a crisis when he couldn’t transfer money from India to pay his rent. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, India was under strict lockdown—people stayed home and the businesses were temporarily shut down. Online money transfers failed, and the local bank stopped responding to his family's calls or messages. Despite making the initial contacts with the branch manager, both Yash and his father felt helpless as the bank could not transfer the money.
On many university campuses, several students were in the same boat as Yash—part-time jobs had disappeared, and rent and daily expenses were now mounting. On his mother’s suggestion, Yash reached out to the Indian Consulate in New York. The consulate connected him with a senior Sewa volunteer, who understood the urgency of the situation. Using his professional and social network and years of experience supporting students, the volunteer helped resolve Yash’s issue within a week. What may have seemed like a small task to the volunteer turned out to be a lifeline for Yash.
Another Sewa volunteer even transferred money from his personal bank account to help Yash pay rent on time. He went a step further by sending more money than needed to ensure Yash was comfortable. The timely help he received from Sewa inspired Yash to assist others in need.
A Mother’s Strength and a Community’s Support
Gayatri (name changed), a student in South Bend, IN, lives with her husband, Gopal (name changed), and their two sons, aged 16 and 14. When his father fell seriously ill, Gopal rushed to India, expecting Gayatri and the children to travel soon. But within two weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a worldwide lockdown. Flights were canceled, and Gayatri was stuck with her children at home in the US, with no job, no income, and no family or friends nearby.
Gayatri called the Indian Consulate, explaining her situation, and pleaded with them to help her travel to India. Life had become incredibly difficult, and she was trying to care for her children, manage daily needs, and deal with growing uncertainty.
Unable to help her due to the travel restrictions, the consulate advised Gayatri to contact Sewa International. She reached out to Sewa right away and the Sewa volunteers inquired if she needed food, accommodation, or medical help, and responded immediately to her needs. As the Covid-19 situation worsened around the world, a senior Sewa volunteer called her every day, offering emotional support and reminding her that she’s not alone.
Meanwhile, in India, Gopal faced a crisis. His father needed to undergo brain surgery, but his overall health condition did not permit it. At the same time, Gopal was deeply worried about Gayatri and the kids being stranded. He too, contacted the Indian Consulate, which once again put him in touch with Sewa. Over daily phone calls, the same senior volunteer who was helping Gayatri, reassured Gopal that his family was being taken care of and in safe hands.
With Sewa and the Indian Consulate both involved, Gayatri slowly began to see hope. Even though she knew none of the volunteers, they treated her like family. They provided her with food, medicine, emotional support, and eventually even accommodation. A kind Sewa volunteer invited her to stay at her home. Gayatri also met another woman who was going through a similar hardship, and they developed a close bond and became friends for life.
Eventually, Gayatri and her children were finally reunited with Gopal in India. Their nightmare ended, and they were together again.
Filled with gratitude, Gayatri said, “Sewa volunteers are truly kind-hearted people. We didn’t know anyone, yet they stood by us in every way. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened without them. I can’t thank Sewa enough for all their help, support, and good deeds.”
A Journey Home with Support and Hope
Mayur and Isha (names changed), international students on J1 visas, came to Lexington, KY, for a one-year program in 2019. As their internship neared its end in March, they started planning their return journey to India. But the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 shut down international travel. With borders closed and flights canceled, they found themselves stranded far from home, with no support system and limited financial resources.
As COVID was rampant across the world, their days of waiting turned into weeks and then into months. , Besieged by the uncertainty, Mayur and Isha waited anxiously for air travel to restart, hoping for a way to return home. During this difficult time, Sewa’s Family Services volunteers stepped in. A senior volunteer kept in regular contact with them, offering emotional support and ensuring they had what they needed. Another volunteer helped them by providing groceries for several weeks, easing their daily struggles.
When flights to India finally resumed under the “Vande Bharat Mission,” the demand was overwhelming. Many Indians were desperate to return home, and the ticket prices were extremely high. Mayur and Isha tried their best to book tickets, but could not afford the cost.
Once again, Sewa stepped in. Understanding their situation, Sewa volunteers arranged and paid for their tickets, making it possible for the couple to fly back home safely.
After completing their mandatory quarantine, Mayur and Isha returned to their hometown, filled with gratitude.
“Sewa supported us through our toughest time,” they say. “We will always remember their kindness and timely help.”
A Helping Hand Toward a Better Future
Ramesh (name changed), a student enrolled in a training program, faced serious financial difficulties while trying to complete his course in San Diego, CA. The training, supported by a transportation agency and offered through a local workforce initiative, aimed to help students gain practical skills and build valuable connections for future employment.
Despite his best efforts, Ramesh struggled to manage his living expenses. The stress of financial instability began to affect his focus and his ability to continue in the program. Aware of his situation, Ramesh told his instructor about the challenges he was facing. Moved by his determination, the instructor reached out to Sewa for support.
Sewa volunteers stepped in and arranged temporary accommodation, allowing Ramesh to continue his studies without having to worry about paying rent. With this crucial support, he completed the training program.
Ramesh found a job thanks to the training he received. He remembers how Sewa helped him in a critical moment. Easing his immediate struggles and providing shoulders to lean on, Sewa made a difference between success and failure, Ramesh says.
Finding Purpose Through Service
A veteran leader in his eighties from Sewa International has dedicated his life to supporting families through compassionate case management. His Sewa journey began while living in Houston, TX, working alongside others in the field of healthcare and community service. When asked what inspired him to devote so much of his time to helping others, especially in Family Services, his response was simple yet profound: “We all carry a space within—a place of goodness. When you make a conscious effort to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, guidance comes naturally. After that, you don’t need to think twice. Helping becomes as effortless as being on cruise control. You simply respond. You don’t stop to question whether or not to act—it flows automatically. And over time, it becomes a way of life.”
Reflecting on his journey, the veteran leader shared his belief that he never felt he was doing something for others. Instead, he sees his work as a path of self-discovery. “These situations, these people,” he says, “gave me a chance to understand myself better. I wasn’t trying to save anyone—I was learning who I am.”
He believes that while most people wake up, grow up, and focus on earning a living, life holds much more. “When you find something meaningful—something that lights up that space inside you, everything else starts to make sense,” he says. “We’re all born for a purpose. And once you recognize that purpose, despite challenges or distractions, you begin to live a life that feels truly yours.”
His words remind us that service is not just about giving—it’s also about awakening something deep within. Through years of helping others, this Sewa leader has found clarity, growth, and fulfillment.
