What started as providing moral support to Ukrainians during the ongoing conflict led to helping students evacuate Ukraine. I am from Stockholm, Sweden, and am sharing my experience of the Ukraine-Russia war. When I contacted the students to instill confidence in them, they looked up to me for support throughout the journey. Listening to their cries for help, and continuous, fervent appeal, we wanted to do everything in our power to protect and keep them safe. When you know that the lives of people depend on you, you move out of your comfort zone and do the unthinkable.

With the help of the Sewa International Team, we planned their evacuation from Ukraine. I had never been to Ukraine nor had heard the names of the cities except for Kyiv. I didn't even know how to pronounce the name of the cities, and for a difficult to pronounce city name like Zaporizhzhia, I simply used the term Zeph. We used Google translate and Google maps to chart out the journey. We were assigned different regions, concentrating on the students of those regions, and took it upon ourselves to figure things out. Once we mapped our routes to the nearest borders, we shared the information and boom! we had created a route map for each city with the information we collected. We can confidently advise anyone about the mode of transport, border situation, the border options: Budomierz at the Poland border, Zahony at the Hungarian border, and Nemecke, which is the Slovakian option. When we encountered more city names, we gave confidence to the students and told them that we got them covered, only to call one of the volunteers to ask, “Do you have any idea on this city?” Mission Pesochin, Operation Zaph, Mission Poltava Rescue, and Evacuate Kharkiv were the names of the Whatsapp groups.

Each of us became experts in our routes with the knowledge we had gained and helped one another. We were in close contact with the students throughout their journey and checked on them from time to time. I had set reminders for the arrival of their trains, as most of the students traveled in groups. I used a strategy where I was in contact with two members in each group, where one was the leader of the group of students, and the other was my informant. The informant did not necessarily travel with the group but was in touch with the members. That way, I collected information from two sources to compare notes. We forwarded the vital information to other volunteers, and we planned every minute detail for the Team.

Later, we would meet to discuss, as if we were experts in route mapping, disaster management, or city planning. If there was a shelling or bombing somewhere or we saw the information on Twitter or the news, we informed each other and the students and kept close communication with them. We were also in constant touch with some parents to provide them with information about the routes. The students suffered greatly, and unknowingly we sponged some of the pain. Some of the students were beaten up, kicked, slapped, or shoved by a rifle in the stomach. The students called and expressed their anxiety. To divert their attention, we told them to close their eyes and imagine their home, their parents, their pets, or friends. Sometimes, I even asked them to push a little harder and imagine the endgame. We ended up in tears after the calls. Most of us had sleepless nights, as we were constantly checking on them, asking them to eat, and worried if they had crossed the border and boarded the flight.

On boarding the flight, one student even told me, “Ma’am, you too need to sleep.” Every small victory was celebrated and applauded in our Sewa Whatsapp groups, and every time we felt low after hearing a student cry, someone or the other would give us strength. The volunteers, I built a close connection with, are Sai, Gunesh, and Divyang. We would say our goodnights, only to ask more questions about the updates on Twitter and directives from the Embassy.

Late-night voice notes about our frustrations, sleepless nights, nightmares, and helplessness that we felt were something I held close to my heart. We know that we have changed. We have become a different version of ourselves. Something in us shifted, and we are now aware of our abilities that lay dormant, and it would not have been possible if we were not associated with the Sewa International for #MissionEvacuate. If you want to come to Ukraine in the future, we can help you map your journey. We began our volunteer journey with Sewa International during the Wuhan virus/Covid and black fungus crisis in India, and this is our second volunteer assignment with them. This has been an incredible journey, and we look forward to working with them on more missions. We had never thought that we would be witness to war or part of a wartime rescue effort.

- Kajal Pradeep

On this day of Keti Koti, July 1, celebrated to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Suriname, I ponder on my wonderful trip to Suriname. My heart skipped a beat. On June 8, three Sewa karyakartas met each other for the first time at Miami Airport searching for Suriname Airlines. We boarded the plane and wondered, Suriname, such a surreal name, perhaps a heavenly abode since it is in the Amazon. Partly informed and partly imagining we landed at Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname, around 9 PM on June 8, 2024.

Roberto was already at the airport wearing a Sewa T-shirt with a gleaming smile on his face, just like your own brother, to receive us. He said, “Yes you are in the Amazon forest”! Suriname is a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean in the North and the Amazon forest in the South. It is one of the most beautiful countries. “Here Mai and Baba came from Bihar 150 years ago to work and preserve Hindu traditions. We have temples, we have Hindu names, we have bhaithak gana, we have the Bhojpuri language, we have Hindustani roti, daal and sabji, bara kip, banana chips, and cassava chips! Here we celebrate Holi as a major festival in spring. People from all walks of life rejoice in the elaborate festivities, food, and Holika Dahan,” said Roberto!

Ashwin, a Sewa volunteer from Sewa International Suriname, also wearing a Sewa Yellow T-shirt brought dinner, lovingly made by his wife Madhavi and his sister Anoushka. We were hungry and ate the delicious food enjoying every morsel. We were chatting with our two newfound brothers, Ashwin ji and Roberto ji as though we knew them forever.

Roberto lit incense that kept the mosquitoes away throughout the night, reminding us of our childhood days in India. As soon as it was dawn, we had coffee and some granola and got into the Sewa van. We bid farewell to Roberto and left to Nickerie from Wanica. Ashwin was driving the car, and Deepak accompanied him to Nickerie. Deepak brought some more food that his mother made at his home for our journey. The family woke up at 4 AM to prepare lunch for us! The food was so delicious and made with so much love that it was irresistible. As the sun rose, we drove four hours to Nickerie. The unending two-lane road divided the vast paddy fields that were being prepared for sowing. The paddy fields appeared like an infinite number of mirrors reflecting light as the squares and rectangular fields were filled with water underneath the bright sky. Alongside the two-lane road, there are miles of canals filled with “cola water” supplying the paddy fields. The cola water, as the locals call it lovingly, is the dark brown water formed from the pith of the leaves fallen into the water from Amazonian trees. The water supplies the paddy fields making the rice one of the most organic produce. The road has sunk in some places since it is adjacent to the paddy fields and water canals. Ashwin knew exactly where to slow down and when to speed up. We enjoyed this road trip so much that we took turns driving a few miles each. To feel the road and the surrounding beauty was an experience so unique. Yes, we made it safely.

This is a large country with a very small population – just about 633,000 people in a country that is 63,250 square miles in size, with a population density of 10 per square mile! Hindus, at 27.4 percent of the population, are the largest ethnic/religious group.

We went through many villages where people lived peacefully and happily. Their main economy came from the crops in the villages. They maintained the toilets for the travelers’ s convenience for a small amount of fee on the roadway from Wanica to Nickerie. On the way, we were thrilled to find many temples with “Om” and “Swastik” embossed on the flags, flying high and assuring us in many ways. As we reached Nickerie, we stopped at the Sri Vishnu Temple. We were blessed to see many deities -- Ganesh, Hanuman, Siya Ram, Mata Rani, Shiv, Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Swayam Bhagwan -- in the temple. We offered our salutations and left to Mungra Medical Center to meet with the Director, Dr. Farah, the Coordinator, Inderjeet Jaglal, and the President, Ms. Abdul. We were invited with honor. We had a few minutes of briefing about what to expect and how to work at the Mungra Medical Center. Then we were escorted to our quarters in Nickerie provided by the medical center. There were two bedrooms, a living room with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a shower, all fully equipped and furnished matching American standards. We had hot water. We had air conditioning. We had king beds in each one of the rooms with comfortable mattresses and pillows, just as a three-star hotel would offer in the United States. This was a brand-new accommodation!

Thanks to Soniya ji, our Sewa karyakarta from Pittsburgh, we went to a grocery store nearby and brought milk. We then had our dinner provided lovingly by Deepak’s family, from Wanica. We then slept soundly in our comfortable beds. The next morning, we were at the Mungra Medical Center by 7 AM to receive the handover from the night shift staff to prepare ourselves to meet our patients in the wards. We introduced ourselves as Sewa international volunteers coming from the United States to the other doctors after the handover. The doctors and staff were very happy that we were there, although for a short time.

As an internist, I had the opportunity to make the rounds with the chief of internal medicine, Dr. Reyes.

We rounded in the internal medicine ward along with the medical ICU. Two medical students were rounding with us. We saw about 20 patients in the men’s ward, 15-20 patients in the women’s ward, and about six patients in the medical ICU. The infusion pumps are manual. They are not automated. The blood pressure cuff and the pulse oximeters are automated. The beds are not powered hospital beds. The wards are not air-conditioned. They do have fans to circulate the air. Gloves, masks, and hand sanitizers are all used very carefully. The examination of patients is done very carefully. The medications are bought by the patients, in the hospital pharmacy, just like in India. Most of the expenses are paid by the insurance that the patients carry. If not, they will pay out-of-pocket. Some of them refused treatment because they could not afford it.

In the medical ICU, there is telemetry available. Bi-Pap, CPAP, and non-rebreather masks are available, as well as oxygen. Unfortunately, the infusion pumps are all manual. The lab is not equipped with lactic acid/ABG/ in-house blood culture reports. There is no microbiology lab to perform Gram stain even, making it extremely difficult for physicians to treat complicated conditions. The physicians must rely on empirical methods. The patients are transported to Paramaribo, which is four hours away from Nickerie in case the patient’s condition deteriorates. There is an anesthesiologist to perform intubation as needed. The patients are transported to Paramaribo once they are intubated or placed on pressors or in anticipation of such critical procedures. One patient had to wait for a blood culture report for one whole week. She was being treated for staphylococcus pneumonia with Meropenem. Vancomycin is very expensive and is rarely used. This patient was also on a non-rebreather mask for oxygen. Her respiratory rate was 32 per minute and she was transported to Paramaribo for further management of a simple staphylococcus pneumonia. Thankfully, she was maintaining reasonable blood pressure and urine output and did not need pressors. Every day feels as though it is the impending end of life in this medical ICU. With many uncertainties haunting the patients, their families, and the physicians, this Medical ICU needs serious upgrades.

We also had a young woman with aortic valve replacement who went into SVT (Supraventricular tachycardia or SVT is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, that causes the heart to beat very quickly), but thanks to the cardiologist, she was administered Adenosine and revived her in the ICU. There was also a patient with DKA. The bold Chief of Medicine was skillful enough to treat the patient with minimal tools. There is no Arterial blood gas (ABG) available in-house. The next day we went to the outpatient clinic that they call “poly”. Each doctor has their poly. Each polyclinic serves 25 to 30 patients a day. They’re all seen within about six hours. Most patients spoke in Hindi, Surinamese, and Dutch. There is a nurse who could translate Surinamese to Dutch and vice versa. The blood pressure is measured on a mercury-sphygmomanometer. Yes, they have, two sizes larger cuff and a regular cuff. Most of the patients are overweight or obese. They eat a high-carbohydrate diet. Lean meats and high-protein foods are expensive.

Rice is the major staple food. Although the land is very fertile, Suriname lacks human resources. The fish are untouched even though available right on the seashore, uneaten by humans. Food is abundant, but not much is available for the people on their plates. The President, Cham Santokhi, seems to be coming up with projects to encourage young adults to become entrepreneurs and develop the nation. The efforts are in the very initial stage. The reasons why people are sick may be many. The most common conditions are diabetes type 2, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), ischemic cardiomyopathy, peripheral arterial disease, obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and kidney failure.

One of the striking conditions we came across was “antiphospholipid syndrome”. Pregnant women with this condition are treated with Heparin from the early stages of pregnancy until delivery of the babies. Many mothers lost their babies during pregnancy due to this condition going untreated.

Our young Sewa Volunteer from Pittsburgh had a chance to rotate with one of the doctors in the pediatric ward at the Mungra Medical Center. Anoushka, a high school student from Pittsburgh, experienced one of the toughest situations possible in her life. She witnessed a teenage boy succumb to presumably drug overdose. The boy was from a broken family and was quite neglected. This young volunteer’s mother, Soniya ji, is a social worker who played a key role in our visit to Suriname. She was moved and made a significant effort to learn about the social structure of Suriname, which is unfortunately not immune to inequality, child labor, and child neglect, just as any of the downtown areas in the United States.

The Mungra Medical Center does have a dialysis center, called the “Brahma Dialysis Center”. It serves about 50 dialysis patients. The center has 25 dialysis machines, 2008 models. They are in working condition and have dedicated staff. It was heart-rending, however, to know that at least 25 dialysis patients died during COVID-19 times in this hospital.

The Mungra Medical Center is also the premier Institute in Suriname and is hailed as one of the best hospitals in the Caribbean and South America. Unfortunately, due to economic decline and financial struggles, the Center has been deprived of funding. Affluent people fly to the Netherlands or other developed countries to get their treatment or move to other developed countries to live a better lifestyle.

The general medical ward treated patients with an enormous number of medical conditions, including stroke, diabetic foot, pneumonia, uncontrolled hypertension, hypertensive emergencies, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc. Those with cancers go to Paramaribo for treatment in an academic medical center. Specialists are only available in Paramaribo. According to reliable sources, there is only one gastroenterologist for the entire country, with a population of 633,000! Vascular surgeons, gynecologists, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons fly from the Netherlands or other neighboring countries to Suriname from time to time. Patients in Suriname are waiting for vascular access to get on dialysis. Patients are also waiting for upper endoscopy and colonoscopies. Patients wait for elective surgeries for many months at a time. Some of them elect comfort measures. However, it is unclear how comfortable they would be at the end of life in a place like Suriname.

Sewa Suriname provided a bed and a mattress to a person affected by a stroke. They not only delivered a bed but also assembled it for this person, who felt very grateful. Sewa International Suriname has been serving at the grassroots level to bring a sparkle to the eyes of those suffering from illnesses.

We had a very nice dinner with Ramanujam ji and his wife Dr. Reena in their beautiful home along with their two children in Paramaribo. We then took a little tour of the downtown, thanks to Ashwin who also showed us the city lights at night from a famous bridge. Words cannot describe the affection and hospitality that was showered on us by the Sewa Suriname team.

The oceans, the rivers, the birds and the butterflies, the greenest land of the Amazon forest, the sky that showers billions of tons of rain a year, the vast paddy fields, and the enormous treasure hidden in the ocean, the gold mines, the oil refineries, everything looks incomplete without adequate medical care for those in need. The physicians are overworked, but they pull through. They remain resilient just like the rishis and sages in India with the conviction to serve humanity. It is their calling.

--Dr. Sarvalakshmi Uppuluri

Sewa International's work has brought profound purpose and change into my life, especially, since it significantly transformed my son's life. He, in his very first project, became the youngest volunteer, standing proudly in a photo from the sandwich project. At just eight or nine years old, he questioned why we were helping the Bhutanese while he stood by. I encouraged him to interact with the other children, and he did. This led to his request for a soccer ball. After buying one, he quickly realized that merely purchasing the ball wasn't sufficient—he needed to play with them to establish a genuine connection.

This early exposure to Sewa shaped his character. In high school, he volunteered to teach math and English to younger students, showing notable leadership skills. His college essay reflected on these experiences, acknowledging the impact of his upbringing on his commitment to service.

In his college essay, he wrote about his Sewa experience without prompting. He wrote, "I first thanked my parents. I engaged in Sewa activities because I learned that making others happy brings me greater happiness." Reflecting on these experiences, as a parent, I have accomplished my life's purpose, and I must admit that it was an emotional moment for me. I found myself in tears as I came to this realization.

Seeing my son's dedication, even my younger child followed suit, volunteering and inspiring others. Through their actions, my children learned the value of serving others, a lesson that has deeply touched my heart. Witnessing the transformation in my children has been incredibly moving, and I am grateful for the role Sewa International has played in shaping their values and character.

To share another experience, Sewa International appointed Raj Rastogi, Sarang Rastogi's father, the first Vice President of the Administration Team. He attended the National Conference in Indianapolis in 2008. However, fate had a cruel twist in store. Tragically, within a few months, he passed away due to a heart attack, making him the only national team member to die shortly after assuming his role.

Sewa announced Raj Rastogi's selection as Vice President in early 2008, and he attended a meeting in May of that year, though he had not yet made significant contributions to the team. His sudden passing in August 2008 deeply affected those who knew him.   

I vividly recollect the events of that fateful day in 2008. My wife and kids were returning from a trip on the evening of August eighth, and their flight got delayed. Concerned that they might miss their connecting flight, I phoned Raj Rastogi to inquire if he could pick them up from the airport and provide them with a place to stay if required.

Raj reassured me that there was no need to worry and that he would take care of it. Thankfully, my family did not miss the connecting flight, and I reached Raj again at 9 o'clock to inform him. He was pleased to hear the news.

Tragically, just three hours later, at midnight, Raj passed away unexpectedly, which left me shocked and saddened. I remember our last conversation, and I struggled to come to terms with his loss. Raj's kindness and willingness to help, even amid his responsibilities, is something I can never forget. Even now, he remains etched in the memories of those who knew him, a poignant reminder of a life lost too soon.

-  Venkat Santhanaraman, VP, Finance

I will briefly share how I was introduced to the idea of sewa and how it has impacted my life. I was at the University of Washington pursuing my graduate studies. Interestingly, I was not familiar with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at the time, but I learned about it and its activities through some people I met at the university.

One day, a person named Shyam Parande, who was a Sewa International Coordinator from India, visited my apartment. He was there to talk about Sewa's relief activities in India following the tsunami. During his presentation, he mentioned the possibility of graduate students becoming Sewa interns. This idea remained with me, and after completing my master's degree, I decided to take a two-month break to become a Sewa Vistarak (full-time volunteer). Instead of choosing to go to India or stay in the US, I expressed my interest in going to a completely different country. 

Shyam Parande ji suggested Suriname, a country I had never heard of before. I deferred my job offer from Amazon and embarked on this volunteer journey to Suriname, a Dutch-speaking country in South America with a significant Indian diaspora.

In Suriname, I engaged in various activities, including training university professors and students in computer science. It was a fascinating experience, being in a new country with a different cultural and historical background. The youth-driven organization there was unlike anything I had seen in the US.

The confidence I gained from this experience was immense. It was the first time I had done full-time voluntary work, and it gave me the confidence to later start the Yuva for Sewa program and a magazine called Tattva, written by and for youth. This experience also led me to take on more responsibilities in the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Sewa International in Seattle.

The Sewa internship experience was an inflection point in my life, giving me the confidence to take bigger steps. The support I received from the Sewa team was crucial, and I'm grateful for the opportunity they provided me. It was a transformative experience that has shaped my path ever since. 

The Yuva for Sewa program originated from my experiences in Suriname. It was a challenging program because it involved cross-cultural boundaries, whether from the US to India, the UK to India, or other combinations. Executing such programs is challenging because while we plan for sewa on the ground, we don't always anticipate all the factors that impact our work.

My experience and how Sewa structured the program have inspired many other Sewa interns over the years, and they continue to join the program. Looking at the Sewa internship program has been a catalyst for many impactful initiatives.

Moreover, I believe, we should view this program as part of a larger context, especially what we are doing at Rishiḥood University today. Rishihood is an Indian private university located in Sonipat, Haryana. The seeds of our current efforts were sown in Suriname. I often share these fascinating stories with students here, and they are intrigued by how people from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were so enterprising, eventually becoming the wealthiest population in a new country and assuming leadership positions. This is in stark contrast to the perceptions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar today. I remind students from these regions of their ancestors' entrepreneurial spirit, who, despite starting as indentured laborers, went on to achieve remarkable success and even rule countries. These stories continue to resonate today, showcasing the incredible achievements of the Indian diaspora.

I stayed at Ashvin Adhin's place in Suriname. He later pursued a career in education and politics, eventually serving as the Vice President of Suriname from 2015 to 2020, approximately ten years later. Yes, I believe we stitched and created a great bond. 

When I came to Chicago in 2018, we met and had a good time discussing how we started by playing football in the fields of Suriname. I didn't anticipate that he would become Vice President of Suriname, but I learned a lot there. I also brought back to the HSS in the US the way Ashwin used to run shakhas, where about ninety percent of the time was spent playing football and only ten on prayer. It was fascinating how he would gather kids by playing football and build the whole system there. So, there was a lot of learning about how to effectively manage organizations and engage with youth.

-Shobhit Mathur

(Co-Founder, Vice Chancellor, Rishihood University, Haryana)

Over 10,000 people, mostly women and children, died in Chennai due to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004. Sewa conducted its first fundraising activity in Delaware and the East Coast in response to the disaster. At that time, Sewa's presence in the area was nascent and the term "Sewa" was not widely recognized. Yelloji Rao asked me to pick up a box of items for fundraising, which a Gujarati businessman from Oak Tree Road had donated. He suggested selling them in Delaware to raise funds, marking the beginning of our fundraising efforts on the East Coast.

 

I took nearly 50 to 60 saris to the Delaware temple, where I met with the Delaware Chapter President, who was impressed and arranged a fundraising program. We displayed the Sewa International banner and sold the saris, collecting a significant amount. It was a learning experience for me, as I was new to the country, having arrived in 1998 and previously running the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in Minneapolis, MN.

 

However, after this incident, the president of the Delaware Temple called me and advised me to represent Sewa as an independent organization, not associated with any other groups. He explained that some people were already complaining about Sewa's perceived affiliations. This experience taught me the importance of strategic presentation when representing Sewa.

 

Despite these challenges, we received encouragement from the temple when we started a project with Bhutanese refugees in Philadelphia. The temple provided a bus, and we brought about sixty Bhutanese families to the temple, which helped Sewa gain a good reputation. This project was a turning point for Sewa, establishing a strong relationship and paving the way for the official establishment of the Sewa International Philadelphia and Pennsylvania chapter.

 

The Bhutanese project had a significant impact on local communities and helped Sewa establish strong relationships on the East Coast. This project was instrumental in establishing Sewa's presence and reputation on the East Coast, leading to the establishment of several chapters and strengthening Sewa's relationships with local communities.

-Syam Kosigi, VP, Organization

Menstruation: it seems that the period of three to five days when girls between the ages of 11 and 14 begin to menstruate and continue till they reach the age of about 50, and menopause is something unique to human beings. Well, almost. Biologists say that apes, old-world monkeys, many bats, and even the spiny mouse menstruate. However, what these animals, unlike girls and women, experience in their menstrual cycles is that their bodies reabsorb the old womb lining rather than bleed it out. Alas, for girls and women, these monthly “periods” come with a variety of challenges – physical, psychological, and social. So, how can we help our women, especially our girl children, respond to this monthly experience in a healthy manner and in safe surroundings?

Girl children are uncomfortable and scared to discuss menstrual health. This response is not confined to India or to girls and women in poor or developing nations. Menstruation is considered both impure and sacred, and people across time and in different cultures have responded to these monthly periods in different ways. What we do know is that poor menstrual hygiene can lead to many issues, such as fungal or bacterial infections of the reproductive tract and the urinary tract. Irritation of the skin causes discomfort and can result in dermatitis – a medical condition in which the skin swells, turns red, and becomes sore with blisters. Knowing these challenges facing girls and women in India, Sewa International educates them on menstrual health and removes fears and doubts about menstruation.

In villages, women rarely discuss menstrual health. Girls are not offered information and do not know how and where to collect proper knowledge. They feel scared. Inappropriate and incorrect information as well as superstitious beliefs can lead both to physical and psychological debilitation. Sewa volunteers therefore travel to villages with sanitary and other relevant health products and create awareness using especially helpful videos. Dr. Sanjana, a gynecologist from Hubli, in the southern state of Karnataka, is happy to see such a program there.

Usually, schoolgirls are not completely aware of menstruation. They also do not know how to get their doubts clarified. Sex education in many Indian schools is either not offered or is done inefficiently and ineffectively. Therefore, Sewa’s awareness program benefits these girl children. They are informed of the use and the benefits of switching from disposable single-use pads, which are also expensive, to cloth pads that can be affordable and made locally, even at home. Sewa's women volunteers make them understand how this benefits the environment. They have also distributed cloth sanitary pads to girl students in the program. “We have reached the students for whom it was of utmost importance,” says Richa Handa, a social activist from Hubli. “These teenagers, once they grow and feature their children, must be confident roughly passing at the facts to the succeeding age group,” she says.

 Dr. Jayanti Ramanan, Director of Sewa International’s “SHE Project for the Girl Child,” envisioned this project for girl children in 2018. Sewa has established a team for stitching these reusable cloth napkins, which are eco-friendly. Sewa volunteers conduct free tailoring classes to teach how to make these reusable napkins. Girl students and women have offered their thanks to Sewa for conducting this beneficial program in their towns and villages.

Sewa has distributed more than five thousand cloth napkins in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. It is planning to extend the project to many more Indian states too. According to a report, more than 23 million girl children drop out of school annually due to inadequate menstrual hygiene resources. “We have a much lengthier way to progress, and many more adolescent girls to attend,” says Dr. Jayanti Ramanan.   

Sewa Rehabilitation and Rebuilding in Ankalagi

In Ankalagi, North Karnataka, Sewa International reconstructed a flood-affected school building. The rains in 2019 had come down heavily and caused a disaster. Floods damaged everything in their path, destroying houses, schools, farmland, and more. Flooding has led to the loss of life and damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, sewage systems, roadways, and canals. Floods also harmed power transmission and power generation, which had knock-on effects caused by the loss of power. Sewa International, after the initial survey, identified the impacted schools. Ankalagi Boys School is one such flood-impacted school. Due to the floods caused in August 2019, the school had become dilapidated. The doors, windows, roof, and the floor of the classrooms were damaged, as water had risen to waist level.

Sewa got the necessary approval from the school management and started the work in the school. With the help of Sewa's "Rehabilitation Funds," volunteers and workers rebuilt the toilets, urinals, kitchens, floors, roofs, doors, and windows of the classrooms that the floods had destroyed. Sewa International views reconstruction and rehabilitation as developmental activities to be taken up in extreme conditions such as in the aftermath of disasters. Sewa's approach to such programs is positive with stress on building new socio-economic and physical structures.

"We are grateful for the service rendered by Sewa International, as this helped a lot to the kids and the staff of the school," said assistant teacher, M.V Rajput. "You identified our problem, and we appreciate your effort. We request you to continue giving service as it benefits many," said another teacher.

Floods due to incessant rains in 2019 disrupted the lives and crops across many states in India. Sewa International was involved in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the flood-affected schools and homes in many parts of Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, and Karnataka. 

In Lucknow, Toilets for Girl Children

Monica, a Sewa volunteer, works on the “Toilets and Hygiene Project for the Girl Child”. Sewa volunteers initially surveyed primary and upper primary schools. They shortlisted the schools with toilets in substandard condition or no toilets at all and began working on a plan to build toilets in such schools. During my school review appointments, adolescent girl students put forth their prerequisites of a silent, isolated place separate for toilet purposes, or they went home. If they could not find such places, they decided to quit school. They wasted much of their time searching for an isolated place behind a bush. They faced embarrassment every day due to the lack of toilets," Monica said. According to Monica, if the girl students did not find a secluded location, they simply went home. Once they reached home, returning to school would take more than an hour. So, the elders at home would not let them go back to school, as school was almost getting over for the day.

For adolescent girls, from the sixth to eighth grades, it is difficult to manage their monthly period without toilets. “They need clean and safe toilets. It is as simple as that," Monica says. In whichever schools Sewa has installed toilets, girls feel more comfortable. There is no need to skip school during their monthly periods. Even the parents of these girls are content as their children need not go out of school to relieve themselves. The toilet facility provided by Sewa has enabled these children to focus on their studies, as they can spend more time in school. They do not need to be absent from school, and they do not miss their studies. The best part is that they can fulfill their natural urges without delay, as the toilets are safe and covered. And most importantly, it is within the school premises. Earlier, the girl students and lady teachers avoided drinking water once they came to school for fear they would have to urinate and there would be no place for them to do so.

Every girl child feels happy about the clean and safe toilets. That every school should have toilets should not come as a surprise, but those local authorities had failed to ensure that is also a commentary on the poor governance in many rural areas or in low income areas and shanty towns in cities across the country. Sewa has installed twenty-two prefabricated steel toilets in twenty schools and renovated seven old toilets. More than twenty toilet renovations are in progress in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. In Agra, the construction of eleven new bio-toilets and ten restrooms are in progress. In Gorakhpur, Sewa has identified twenty schools for building new amenities and renovated seven toilets. In Varanasi, Sewa has installed thirty-two new toilets. Sewa has installed more than one hundred toilets in South India.

Google for Toilets: Some of North Karnataka’s Successful Projects

Sewa International partnered with Google to construct toilets under the “Toilets and Hygiene Project for the Girld Child” in Belgaum, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Belgaum, a large town, is 300 miles north of Bengaluru, the capital of the state. The school in Vadgaon, Belgaum, was identified by Sewa International for the construction of new toilets. The school offers education to some 1,500 children, from 7th to 12th grades. For these many children, the school had only six toilets and ten urinals. It caused a lot of inconvenience to both the children and their teachers. There are about 35 women teachers and 500 girl students in the school.

Due to the lack of toilets, they were facing many health issues. Lack of access to sanitation was a leading risk factor for infectious diseases, including cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, Hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Sanitation is more than just toilets. It involves the facilities and performances that inhibit viruses caused by contact with human defecates. Sanitation denotes the etiquettes that can improve hygiene and lead to well-being.

 After identifying the Vadgaon School, Sewa and Google procured the necessary materials to start the construction. Within the stipulated time, they constructed 25 toilets. The teachers and the girl students are happy to see the improvement in basic amenities in the school. Teachers are especially grateful that their girl students have access to these toilets in the rainy season, which is quite a long one in Belgaum. Earlier, their plight was bad. The headmistress of the school, V.P. Appajigol, said, "Toilets are essential for the well-being of all individuals, let alone kids. So are sanitation facilities and services to maintain hygiene. Open defecation had polluted the school environment and caused health issues and diseases. We are happy as Sewa International partnered with Google to provide us with the most required facilities for both boys and girls and the staff".

Skills Training and Job Opportunities in Pandemic Times

Life was simpler, predictable, and easier for many before the COVID-19 pandemic upturned the world. Millions lost their jobs overnight and had to struggle to find ways to get back to their villages and hometowns. After the initial chaos and fears, and as people returned home or tried to figure out what their next job would be, there began a new struggle, compounded by people falling sick. People started suffering from fever, breathlessness, coughs, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue. Many found that they had temporarily lost the ability to smell and taste. People with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease appeared more vulnerable. 

Many lost a parent, a spouse, sibling, or child to Covid. But more people had to deal with the loss of their livelihood. Because of the lockdown, many did not have any income. It was difficult for laborers, cooks, and autorickshaws and taxi drivers to make a living. If the breadwinner lost his job or worse yet, passed away, the women in such families felt the brunt. They could not run their households anymore. Many people struggled for a long time alone without receiving help from the government or aid agencies. The pandemic posed an acute threat to the well-being of women, children, and families due to challenges related to social disruption such as financial insecurity, caregiving burden, and confinement-related stress. 

Many women required money but did not know what job to do and how to earn it. Some of these families came to know about Sewa International through a random WhatsApp message that they had been forwarded. They began to call, and Sewa volunteers sprung to action. They informed the families about the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) schemes for employment. Sewa also began providing both skill development and job opportunities to these poverty-stricken women. 

During those challenging times, Sewa was a ray of hope to several families. Sewa provided training and jobs. Some women learned the skill of stitching sanitary napkins, masks, etc. Instead of whiling away at home with pain and trauma, Sewa's initiative brought them together and they found both companionship as well as self-confidence. 

At present, women are acquiring skills to earn a livelihood and support their families. These women offer their gratitude and thanks to Sewa for its timely support and its help in their darkest hour.

I visited Wayanad district in Kerala. It shares borders with both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. I was there as part of my Sewa Yatra. The drive is through hilly and mountainous terrain with nine hair bends. The drive is exhilarating, adventurous. Kalpetta is the district headquarters and is a hill station -- a tourist attraction. 

The people at the Vivekananda Medical Mission warmly welcomed us with a sumptuous lunch. Dr. Dhananjay Sagdeo started the mission five decades ago, which started as a humble clinic in a small hut. Dr. Sagdeo is the recipient of the Padma Shri Award (2021), given to him recognizing his work in providing medical services for the poorest as well as for identifying sickle cell anaemia among the tribals. Experiencing the impact that the  Vivekananda Medical Mission has made on the tribal community in Wayanad is heart-warming.

The team of doctors and nurses are all very energetic, and a few of them have been working for the last 35 years in the hospital as nurses. As we all know, there is now a demand for experienced nurses abroad, including in the United States. The salaries offered abroad is extremely attractive. But, these nurses have resisted the lure of the dollar and worked in the cause of helping the poor and the underserved. We have seen mobile medical vans funded by Sewa International actively engaged in conducting mobile medical camps and transporting people in need at the time of emergencies. They have been used by doctors and staff for doing a commendable job during the pandemic as well as  for conducting vaccination drives that have saved many lives.

We traveled in the medical van to one of the tribal villages. We were shocked to see the living condition in the village, and it was rather gut-wrenching. The poorest dwelled in little huts, but the children and elders were welcoming and friendly. They live close to the river, and part of nature may be the reason for their high spirits, despite the otherwise dire living conditions.

We traveled back with the deep impression made on us of the poor economic condition of the tribal villagers. This experience will keep reminding me of the social responsibility we have to serve fellow human beings.

Back at the Vivekananda Mission Hospital we had tea. We took a few pictures and headed back on the road for the four-hour drive to Kozhikode. We suggested to the mission staff that a hostel be constructed to house both tribal boys and girls so that we can empower at least the next generation.

This Sewa yatra was both informative and emotionally powerful. The impact the tribal villagers made will remain with me for years to come. Dr. Sagdeo deserves much more than the Padma Shri award, as no award can symbolize the impact he has made with his work and for the commitment to the tribes. The work that the Vivekananda Medical Mission has done in serving tribal communities is peerless.

-Vijay Mallampati

Houston experienced one of the worst hurricanes in its history in 2017. Houstonians are not new to hurricanes; however, the devastation that Hurricane Harvey caused and the traumatic experience for the city’s residents have been etched in the minds of people. But, amid terror and tragedy, challenges and difficulties, we have reason to rejoice and to hope. Even as the hurricane lingered over the city, Sewa International could connect close to five hundred volunteers, starting rescue and relief work even as the skies continued to dump rain on the city. These individuals were dedicated, highly motivated, and worked selflessly round the clock. 

In Houston, like in most other places in the US, houses are built out of wood, and with five to seven feet of water inside for days, the walls, furniture, and furnishings began to rot. They all had started getting moldy and needed clearing. The relief work ahead was massive and strenuous.  

A team of Sewa volunteers went from house to house clean-up work. We did not look to come to the aid of merely our volunteers and supporters. For example, our volunteers focused on helping a distressed family, and they started their work with enthusiasm. A few minutes later, the house owner started directing our team in a very crisp language. He started taking them for granted and had a little disrespectful demeanor. The owner and their family did not assist our volunteers in cleaning up their house and had a bit of a "being wealthy" attitude. Our team had to leave in 30 mins, so the matter did not go further. However, the same family registered again for help on our forum, and we sent out a team to their place. This time they were helpful and realized that even with financial resources, no professionals were available or ready to do the kind of rigorous work Sewa volunteers were doing. They were very thankful for our support during such challenging times. 

But the story does not end there. We invited all beneficiaries of our Hurricane Harvey relief work to our annual gala. Surprisingly, this particular family also attended the gala. They not only donated a handsome amount but appreciated all that Sewa volunteers had done selflessly. They moved from being skeptical/critical supervisors to being neutral, and finally to being a believer in the work of Sewa. The impact of forbearance and dedication always renders results. 

When compassion and humility meet:

During relief work after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, our volunteers were working round the clock. A volunteer couple was on their way home after twelve hours of clean-up work post-flooding. Clean-up is physically strenuous work, and they were exhausted by the time. On their way back home, they got a call from one of the flood-affected families who needed immediate help to move out their refrigerator and other heavy appliances. Everything in there was rotten, and it was a health hazard to take out the contents. The couple advised them not to open the cold storage and wait for them to arrive. The people who called were ten miles away, but our volunteer couple decided to stop by. They reached the address, spoke with the family, and helped them get all the heavy appliances out of the house. By the time they finished everything, it was 9 pm. The family was so humbled that they even offered to buy dinner, but the couple was already late and wanted to get home as soon as possible. The family checked on our volunteer couple the next day, asking if they reached in time and had proper dinner after going home. For the first time, a distressed family got connected with them emotionally. The beneficiary family are now Sewa patrons and support the local Sewa team. 

Sewa Covid warriors reached the unreachable:

Sewa International has been exceptionally active in India's COVID-19 relief efforts. We could see a sea of yellow helping people in need. Relief efforts under normal circumstances come naturally to all empathetic social volunteers; however, Sewa volunteers reached out to the last-mile villages in the Himalayan range of Uttarakhand. Reaching there itself was a big challenge, let alone taking relief material to these villages. Highly motivated our volunteers are, they hiked miles in hilly terrain with relief material to reach the remotest areas of the great mountain range. It is Sewa volunteers' unparalleled fearlessness that did the extensive and demanding tasks. They accessed the communities where only a few could reach. 

-Anuja Deshpande

"This too shall pass!" is the wise saying that guided me through a transformative period in mid-2023. After 25 years in corporate life, I felt my intuition compelled me to break free from the routine to seek more meaning, create an impact, and have the gratification of doing something beyond self-interest.

Gratitude fills my heart as I acknowledge the leaders of Sewa International who entrusted me with the vision of running an after-school program for underserved children. Despite being new to the task, I felt inspired by the vision, propelling me to learn, adapt, and navigate this uncharted territory.

Today, it brings me immense joy to witness the transformation of the ASPIRE program (Achieving Students Progress, Instilling Resilience, and Excellence) from a mere concept to a fully funded initiative. The program serves multiple NUSD schools (Newark Unified School District).

ASPIRE's programs thrive in Newark, CA schools: Schilling Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Coyote Hills. Strong partnerships with organizations like Think Together and Newark District have enabled us to engage over 400 students during school and after-school initiatives, making a tangible difference in their educational journeys.

In the last two months, ASPIRE tutors have dedicated over 350 hours to support students, showcasing our commitment to students’ critical developmental years. Going beyond academics, ASPIRE envisions holistic development, with plans to introduce robotics, mental wellness, and arts & and crafts programs. We are also gearing up to prepare students for competitions like Geography B and FLL (FIRST LEGO League), nurturing in students useful skills and a love for learning.

A much-needed educational program -- Cultivate Acceptance, Love & Mindfulness (CALM) -- supported by Sewa and an AmeriCorps grant followed soon and came under my radar. We envision a future where mental health is universally understood, valued, and supported, enabling every individual to lead a life of emotional balance, resilience, and fulfillment.

CALM aims to reach over 1,600 individuals across eight cities through eighty-plus workshops, weekly yoga, meditation, and mindfulness activities, creating transformational change.

Practicing Sewa’s key mantra -- Together We Serve Better -- is the only way to make these impactful programs successful. Over the last few months, I have enjoyed interacting with mayors, city council members, Representatives of Congress, school board superintendents, and members of many other nonprofit organizations.

Here are key reminders that have shaped my journey:

●     The environment shapes you: Be mindful of your surroundings as they profoundly influence your growth.

●     Good intentions manifest: The universe aligns to fulfill the desires of those with good intentions.

●     Aspire to inspire: Before our time expires, inspire others.

The key takeaway is that impactful transitions are not just about change but about embracing the lessons, finding purpose, and leaving a positive mark in this world.

-Sudha Prabhunandan, ASPIRE, Bay Area

As my mother, Neha Kaushal is Sewa’s Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for SHE National Team, we visited the Government Girls Middle School at Jharsa in the North Indian state of Haryana. Overhearing my mother's conversation with the schoolgirls, I realized some of them are irregular to school because of this issue, against their wish. It made me realize how privileged I was in America. In India, every year, diarrhea and other waterborne diseases kill over 770,000 children due to unhygienic and unsanitary conditions at home and at school.

 

On my return to the US, I searched online and found that half of the globe and about 30 million schoolchildren across India do not have access to proper sanitation facilities. I told my parents If I could do something to raise awareness about building toilets in rural India, I would not just be helping thousands of kids going to these schools, but I would also be helping raise awareness to do more in response to this problem. I set a goal of building six toilets by raising funds through a Facebook campaign. I shared my goal with various people in my community, school, friends, family and social gatherings, and at after school events.

I printed a QR code on banners and posted it on school notice boards, grocery shops, and Hindu temples.At first, it was a lot of hard work and a low collection on the Facebook fundraiser. Later, I gave presentations to some of my mom’s friends and got a few opportunities to present to different companies like Slalom Consulting, Acronis and Hitachi, and the donations started coming in.

I was able to raise $2,200 over 60 days, which I donated to Sewa International’s Sanitation, Hygiene and Empowerment of the Girl Child (SHE) program. They told me about an opportunity in a rural area around Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh (my father's native province), where they had recently got approvals to build toilets. We could complete the construction of six toilets in the Government Primary School, Bhagaonpur, with their help. They even sent me a few pictures of kids with smiling faces that would benefit from our little project. It helped me reach my goal and ultimately helped some girls continue their education.

India is a massive country, and instead of being stuck by the enormity of the problem, it is better to do something to solve the problem of a few. It was in part possible because of the various donors who came forward to help. I thank Sewa International for providing me with a platform to make a difference. The lesson for me is it is all a matter of determination and focus.