Sewa New Jersey Chapter Distributes 25,000 Masks to First Responders

Parsippany, NJ (May 31, 2020): Sewa International’s North Jersey Chapter distributed 25,000 masks, 500 sanitizers and disinfectant wipes to first responders such as police officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff on Friday, May 29 from 1 to 3 PM at the Police Athletic League (APL Center) in  Parsippany,  New Jersey.

Officers from more than 70 County Sheriff and EMS departments collected the PPE at the event. Sewa volunteers distributed 9000 KN-95 and 16,000 surgical masks and first responders from three North Jersey counties -- Morris, Passaic, and Bergen -- took part in the drive. 

“Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our first responders tops the list of COVID-19 relief activities carried out by Sewa across the country.  Through this drive, we are saying ‘thank you’ to EMS workers, police officers and firefighters who are working hard to help the country fight the pandemic,” said Sewa International North Jersey Chapter Joint Coordinator Rashmita Shanbhag.

Parsippany’s mayor Michael Soriano and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 26th District, attended the event. “Thank you” cards made by the students participating in Sewa’s LEAD internship program were also distributed to first responders at the event.

Appreciating the PPE drive by Sewa, Assemblywoman  DeCroce said, “Thank you for everything you do for our communities here is Morris county, in New Jersey, and in the United States because you are working not just in New Jersey but across the country and internationally. Your efforts are amazing and the work you do to help others is something of great respect”.

Sewa International has distributed 625,000 masks, 45,000 hot meals and food kits, and 10,000 bags of groceries across the country to help families and individuals affected by COVID-19. Sewa has 43 chapters in the country and more than 3,000 of its volunteers are involved in various relief activities, and nearly 1,000 Sewa volunteers are engaged in making homemade masks. Sewa is running 10 helplines in different metropolitan areas to  provides non-medical advice and assistance. Sewa has also helped hundreds of stranded international students and travelers so far.

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 25 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

Houston, Tx (May 21, 2020): Sewa International announced the first tranche of $10,000 toward rescue and relief operations as Super Cyclone Amphan devastated vast stretches of two states in India – Odisha and West Bengal.

Amphan, which began forming on May 16 and dissipated today, May 21, has caused widespread damage to infrastructure in the coastal states of Odisha and West Bengal as it moved inland with 105 mph winds, heavy sea surge, and massive rain. Boats, agricultural crops, and houses have been destroyed, electricity poles and trees uprooted, and vast stretches of agricultural land, villages, and towns have become inundated. Amphan was, according to NASA estimates, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Causing widespread damage over the Eastern parts of India and Bangladesh Amphan is the strongest cyclone to strike the Ganges Delta since 2007 and the first super cyclonic storm to occur in the Bay of Bengal since the 1999 Odisha cyclone. It has claimed 72 lives in India as of today. Adding to the challenges facing rescue and relief efforts is the current pandemic where these affected areas are developing into COVID-19 hotspots.

“Sewa International with on the ground partners/volunteers is committed to providing all support to the affected people in this hour of need,” said Swadesh Katoch, VP of Disaster Recovery, Sewa International. “We have partnered with relief organizations in India over the past two decades, and our people are already in the area working on rescue and relief operations. There is an urgent need of tarpaulins, packed food, utensils, seasonal clothing, first-aid kits, toiletries, flashlights, water bottles, mosquito mats/nets, backpacks, etc., and we will do our best to supply them in the coming days. I urge people to donate generously to Sewa so that we can provide the necessary support in this time of need,” Mr. Katoch urged.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

Houston, TX (May 13, 2020): Sewa International and the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO) have partnered to organize a live concert – to be streamed online -- by well-known spiritual singer Kailash Kher on Saturday, May 16. The concert will help raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts. This concert is dedicated to "Front line and Healthcare Workers" who are working day and night to keep the country safe against COVID-19.

Kailash Kher singing in one of his concerts (Photo Courtesy: https://www.kailashkher.com/)

The event is scheduled from 1 to 2 PM EST on May 16 and hosted as a Facebook Live event on the Sewa Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sewainternationalusa/). “We feel delighted that Kailash has agreed to appear in this concert to help Sewa raise funds for its nationwide COVID-19 relief work. We are really honored to present this concert in partnership with Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO),” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International.

“More than 2500 Sewa International volunteers from 43 chapters are working in 22 metro areas across the country to provide relief to the community beleaguered by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help the frontline workers, we have distributed 300,000 N95, KN95 and surgical masks so far. We are supported by 275 community organizations and we are running eight helplines to provide non-medical help. Sewa’s online COVID Plasma Registry has 75 registered donors and 30 recipients. We have performed four matches until now,” Prof. Sreenath said.

Kailash Kher, a playback singer from India is a winner of the “Padma Shri” award, one of the top civilian awards given by the Government of India, for his achievements in the field of music. He likes to call himself a mystical nomad and his music is influenced by Indian folk music. Kher says he was born Into the world of Nirgun Sangeet and his childhood was filled with music and compositions from Pandit Meher Singh Kher (his father) and teachers from India’s famed spiritual and music tradition such as  Kabir Das, Guru Nanak, Ravi Das and Guru Goraknath.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

 Sewa International Bay Area Chapter Distributes 28,000 Masks to First Responders

Milpitas, CA (May 3, 2020): Sewa International’s Bay Area Chapter donated 28,000 surgical, N95, and KN95 masks to first responders such as healthcare workers, police officers, fire fighters, and hospital staff. They also distributed 1500 meals to families in need on Sunday, May 3 in an invitation-only drive-through event as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts.

“We wholeheartedly pledge to support the courageous healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and many others who are working hard to make our community COVID-19 free.  As part of our pledge, Sewa International has committed to provide these front-line workers with the personal protection gear (PPE) they need to stay safe,” said Sewa International Bay Area Chapter President Jayant Somani.

Supplies were distributed to 20 agencies including San Mateo Medical Center, Oakland Children’s Hospital, City of Sunnyvale, City of Cupertino, and the Mountain View Police Department. Ten volunteers and key donors were at the event to ensure that the event was a success.  “We pledge to continue to support these essential workers each week until the situation improves,” said Mr. Somani.

Mayor of Cupertino Steven Scharf, Mayor of Sunnyvale Larry Klein, San Mateo Medical Center CEO John Jurro, and the City Manager for the City of San Mateo Drew Corbett were present during the drive.

Building Community

“I appreciate what Sewa is doing. It is bringing people together in our communities.  I especially appreciate what Sewa is doing today in handing out these masks and food to organizations and different people in our community who really need it.  I appreciate Sewa’s building this community which is a critical thing, and I appreciate everything they’re doing around the bay and around the world," said Larry Klein, Mayor of the City of Sunnyvale. 

“I just wanted to say thank you to Sewa for the masks for the community. We are currently seeing a tremendous need out in the community for all the folks who need masks to do critical things, even go to the grocery store. For instance, all the cloth masks Sewa donated today will be delivered to our vulnerable senior population who are not necessarily able to get their own masks right now. They are helping serve a tremendous need in our community, and, on behalf of the city of San Mateo, I would like to thank Sewa for its generosity during this difficult time,” said Drew Corbett, City Manager for the City of San Mateo.

Food to the Homeless

In addition to the protective gear, Sewa volunteers also distributed over 1500 food packets and meals to the Oakland and Mountain View homeless communities, Fremont families in need, the Muslim Community Center of Pleasanton, the Alcosta Senior Center in Livermore, and many others.   “Sewa International and the Mountain View Police Department have been partnering for about three weeks now to help our homeless population get the food that they need and the masks out to the vulnerable population, and we really appreciate this partnership,” said Police Sergeant Wahed Magee with the City of Mountain View.   

Prior to this event, the Bay Area chapter had distributed almost 20,000 KN95, N95, surgical and hand-made masks and face shields to the United States Postal Service, Valley Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, San Ramon Police Department and many other medical and emergency service responders.  

Nationwide, Sewa International has donated over 300,000 masks, 1000 liters of sanitizer, 4000 hot meals each week, and over $100,000 to food pantries during this COVID-19 crisis.  Through the hard work of more than 2500 volunteers across 43 chapters and 22 metro areas and in collaboration with over 250 organizations across the country, Sewa International has committed to supporting all essential workers and service industries in these trying times.  In addition, Sewa International has set up eight national helpline centers to field and monitor all calls for help and information. Through the information received via these helplines, Sewa International launched the Plasma Registry Drive which led to successful registry matches for four COVID-19 patients. 

For more information on Sewa International’s efforts to support communities nationwide during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit https://sewausa.org/covid-19.  

Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based, humanitarian, nonprofit service organization.  Founded in 2003, Sewa strives to serve humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, or nationality.  Sewa’s development programs focus on family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education. 

For more information on Sewa International and its activities, please visit www.sewausa.org.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency.

India’s Consul General in Houston, Aseem Mahajan (second from right), and Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum (fourth from right), were present when protective gear was distributed to San Jacinto Sheriff officials. 

Sewa International Houston Chapter Distributes 30,000 Masks to First Responders

Houston, Tx (April 26. 2020): Sewa International’s Houston Chapter donated 30,000 N95, KN95 and 3ply masks and 20,000 ounces of hand sanitizer on Saturday, April 25  to first responders such as healthcare workers, police officers, fire fighters, and hospital staff in an invitation-only drive-through event  as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts. The PPE distribution drive was from 11 am but vehicles started lining up from 9 am itself, stretching for more than half-a-mile long in two lanes by the time distribution started at 11 am, indicating the dire need of PPE's in the Houston area. 

Vehicles lined up in two lanes ready to pick up the masks and sanitizers

Dr Randeep Suneja was one of the doctors who acknowledged this effort: "Thanks to Sewa International for providing free masks and sanitizers to physicians in the Houston area including our practice. Sewa is doing an incredible job! Keep up the good work!"

Amity Home Health, a Houston area home health agency was there too, and expressed their thanks to Sewa: "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sewa International USA for their much needed distribution of masks and sanitizers to healthcare professionals in the Houston area. Kudos to your humanitarian efforts and tireless volunteers who helped make this project a reality. Thank you!"

“Not all angels have wings. Thank you Sewa International," posted Health Choice Clinic folks on social media. “It is our mission to support people on the frontline in our fight against COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with personal protection gear (PPE) to stay safe. Our physicians, nurses, healthcare workers, fire fighters and police officers are putting their lives on the line to protect our country against the pandemic and we thank them,” said Sewa International Houston Chapter President Gitesh Desai.

 Councilman Edward Pollard and Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum addressing the media at the distribution venue

“We distributed the protective gear to about 100 agencies including county officials and the Sheriff’s Department from the Houston area and received a tremendous response to and appreciation of the drive. About 20 volunteers and a few key donors made this event possible. We plan to continue this drive every week until the situation improves,” said Mr. Desai.

India’s Consul General in Houston Aseem Mahajan, Houston City Council Members, Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum from District K, and Councilman Edward Pollard from District J were present during the drive and helped distribute masks.

In another event, Sewa volunteers also distributed meals to Harris County’s Public Health Department’s Katy Testing Center located in Katy, TX. Sewa International operates one of its eight COVID-19 helplines from Houston and provides non-medical advice and information to the people to address COVID-19 related issues. 

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Houston, TX (April 20, 2020) – Sewa International, a nonprofit Hindu faith-based disaster relief organization, with 43 chapters spread across the United States, and the South Asian Women Physicians of North America (SAWPNA), a nonprofit organization comprised of working physicians and physician-scientists, which has 5,320 registered members from all parts of United States and Canada, have decided to collaborate to respond vigorously to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two organizations released a joint statement:

“We have watched with concern the unprecedented and unpredictable spread of COVID-19, that as of today, April 19, 2020 has infected more than 2.41 million people and killed more than 165,000 people around the world. The rise in infection and deaths has crested in some areas of the world, while it is still climbing in other parts. Much of the world is in some form of a ‘lockdown’, and governments and communities are struggling to put administrative controls in place so that the spread of the virus can be stemmed and that hospitals and doctors are not overwhelmed by the stream of arriving patients and the heavy of load of the sick they have to tend to. Given the nature of this pandemic, and the deep stresses and strains that individuals, communities, cities and states are struggling with, we believe that it is essential, indeed imperative, that we work together to stem the tide of this pandemic, help those who are afflicted to find medical care, and support those who are in some kind of financial or personal distress.

“It is in this context that Sewa International and SAWPNA affirm that the two organizations will collaborate and work together to respond to this pandemic and do as much as we can to alleviate the problems posed by this pandemic.

“Sewa International’s 1000+ volunteers over the past six weeks, having set up eight helplines to offer information and resources about travel, health, visas and visa status; delivery of masks to first-responders and those at the frontlines, and delivering food, groceries, and medicines to those who need them; helping seniors in the community  with medical advice, and delivering grocery/meals; helping international students by connecting them to doctors, foreign consulates for helping them with visa and travel updates; assisting stranded students with accommodation needs and food; and providing consultation with doctors and lawyers to those who need them.

“Volunteers have also been busy organizing webinars on a variety of health, wellbeing, travel, business, and other related issues; making and delivering masks; raising funds to buy essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and to help those in distress; networking and collaborating with other community organizations to pool resources and organize delivery of services through a single-point delivery system; and setting up a national convalescent blood plasma registry, the first such, to help those seeking blood plasma transfusion and to enable those who have recovered from the infection to register to donate their blood plasma.

“Sewa International has raised over $500,000 already and seeks to raise $3.5 million to help facilitate this work over the next few months.

“SAWPNA, a unique group that brings together South Asian women physicians and women physician-scientists together, is best positioned to offer important and valid information regarding the nature of the virus, medical response to deal with the virus, and any advances in the research to respond effectively to those who contracted the virus, such as the convalescent blood plasma therapy. SAWPNA will also be able to leverage the information in the plasma registry on a real-time basis and help in connecting donors with recipients through the network of hospitals and laboratories that members of SAWPNA are affiliated with.”

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people and have served thousands of affected families since then. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, including a grant of $400,000 from the Houston Mayor’s Fund, and a $500,000 grant from the American Red Cross. Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and greenhouses, which serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa has also provided case management to affected families more than two years after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

About SAWPNA

SAWPNA exists as an organization of international scope that advocates the broad interests of South Asian Women physicians of North America. It encompasses physicians of multiple ethnicities, countries and faiths and is 5320 members strong. The group provides a support system for its members facing domestic violence, physical handicap or loss of family members. SAWPNA provides mentorship for young physicians entering the field of medicine. The group plays a big role in physician advocacy programs and CME talks for physicians. SAWPNA has actively participated in multiple charities such as MANASI project with AAPI and fundraisers for Rohingya and Syrian refugees.

Houston, Tx (April 11 2020): Sewa International today launched a national registry for COVID-19 Blood Plasma.  As of today, the Sewa Plasma Registry (www.sewacovidplasma.org)  is the only 24/7 service that offers a national registry for both donors and recipients under the Convalescent Plasma Therapy program with live phone and social media support. “Our mission is to bring together matching blood donors and COVID-19 patients seeking the plasma, in-time and save lives, and we are open round-the-clock to serve” said Sewa International President, Prof. Sree Sreenath.

Sewa’s registry is a mobile enabled, fully functional, self-registry service with 24/7 live phone and email support that offers both pre-screening and donor-patient matching services. The registry includes status updates and email communication with an automatic status change intimation. Run by a dedicated team of Sewa volunteers, the services adhere to HIPPA medical data protection laws, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of the registered users (donors and recipients). “A dedicated group of physicians and technologists designed and developed this registry rapidly because they saw the urgent need for such a service nationwide,” said Prem Pusuloori, Sewa Director of National & International Programs.

Users of the registry can call 302 659 SEWA (7392) or contact via email: PlasmaSupport@SewaUSA.org.

Convalescent plasma therapy is an investigational treatment under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations (see Box) that physicians use to treat patients with respiratory failure from COVID-19. Results have been encouraging, and more and more physicians are opting for this treatment for their critically ill COVID-19 patients. 

Dr.Hari Bogabathina, MD, Board Certified Cardiologist and Interventional cardiology fellow, from Louisiana said, “The medical community worldwide is hard at work developing several investigational therapies. Convalescent plasma therapy was consistently successful in saving patients with favorable risk-benefit profile during prior epidemics like the Spanish Flu in 1918 and the SARS-CoV-1 (older cousin of SARS CoV-2 or COVID-19) in 2003.”

Dr. Bogabathina pointed out that convalescent plasma therapy has been successfully used in current critically ill COVID-19 patients in China and that this investigational therapy has been deployed in the US under FDA guidance. “Early therapy has been found to be beneficial from prior experience with SARS CoV-1. Critically ill COVID-19 patients cannot wait until approved therapies become available. Convalescent plasma therapy unlike several other therapies is available now, only if we can streamline and organize a steady stream of donors who are COVID-19 survivors among us,” he said.   

“We at Sewa International are using technology and human resources for troubleshooting regulatory and logistical bottlenecks. We are in a mission to help physicians and families of critically ill COVID-19 patients obtain convalescent plasma in a timely manner,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

Houston, TX (April 9, 2020) – As the eight helplines operated by Sewa International continued to offer support and help to people calling from all over the country, the most immediate concern was to find plasma donors for four people who have contracted the coronavirus and whose families have sought the help of Sewa to find a matching plasma donor. All four patients are in critical condition. With Sewa's helpline and assistance, two patients received the first dose of plasma last week.

Sewa’s non-medical helplines have been busy receiving hundreds of calls a day seeking COVID-19 related information and requests for help. Sewa’s Houston Chapter alone received over 325 calls the first week of April.

As of April 2, Sewa International had distributed more than 25,000 masks; reached more than 50,000 people via social media updates and webinars; had more than 100 volunteers involved in making masks at home; and raised $310,000 toward COVID-19 support work. Through their unique community network building effort called “Sankalpa Patra” (Pledge of Service), Sewa International leadership had sought the involvement of other community organizations in combining and coordinating efforts to fight this pandemic. “Together we are stronger, we serve better,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International, commending the work of his colleagues who have been diligently reaching out to community organizations throughout the country to sign this pledge of service.

Sewa has a team of more than 50 doctors, therapists, attorneys, business, finance and employment consultants offering webinars for guidance to the community. Sewa has conducted 20 webinars since March 18, and three webinars are planned for this week: a webinar on April 8 by Prof. Jagdish Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Business at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School on how small businesses can respond in this shutdown; a webinar by Aseem Mahajan, Consul General of India in Houston, TX on April 9, followed by a webinar on April 10 by Indian Consul General in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Kulkarni, on the support that the Indian Government is lending Indians stranded abroad or dealing with a variety of health, visa, student status and travel issues; and a webinar on April 12 by Dr. Sheetal Shah on how meditation can help people cope with anxiety during this crisis.

In Houston, over 1,400 meals have been served -- are served that averages about 100+ meals per day. The Atlanta team of Sewa volunteers donated more than 2000 masks to local fire departments, the Sherriff’s office in Cumming, GA, Gwinnett County Jail, the Northside Hospital, and to doctor’s offices. Reaching out to the community, these volunteers also served 200 meals to the healthcare staff at Northside Hospital, Dunwoody.

The helplines have been busy receiving calls from Indian students stranded in their university dorms, towns, and quick networking has enabled the volunteers to contact private individuals, Indian grocery stores, and motel owners who have donated generously to help these stranded students. “Let us act, and let our actions be of help to those who need support in these difficult times,” said Swadesh Katoch, Vice President for Disaster Recovery, who is based in Atlanta. “Our volunteers are busy stitching and making masks that can be used by ordinary citizens. We are donating them to people who call us asking for masks since they cannot find ordinary masks in any store, and they don’t know how to make these. Calling our helplines for these masks can help us send them to you,” he said.

“We still have a long haul ahead, and we do not know how this crisis will unfold over the next few weeks. People are confined to their homes, they are anxious, they are fearful, and many need help. We will do our best, and our dedicated volunteers will rise up to the occasion,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath.

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people and have served thousands of affected families since then. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, including a grant of $400,000 from the Houston Mayor’s Fund, and a $500,000 grant from the American Red Cross. Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and greenhouses, which serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa has also provided case management to affected families more than two years after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

In a message sent to Sewa, Charity Navigator said it received “an influx of charity submissions to be featured on this list,” and that they had to “re-evaluate who was to be featured on the COVID-19 Hot Topic page. The top 6 list was based purely on Charity Navigator scores.” Charity Navigator also said nonprofits were broken down into sub-categories on the basis of type of relief they were providing.

“Charity Navigator listing Sewa International on the COVID-19 Hot Topics page provides further testimony to the good work Sewa is doing to during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President, Sewa International. “More than 400 Sewa volunteers are serving on the helpline aiding families, students and seniors. Many Sewa chapters are helping stranded foreign students, distributing masks, gloves, and, personal protective equipment to emergency workers such as doctors and police officers, and, providing groceries, medicines and food to seniors in need,” he added.

Charity Navigator is one of the major American nonprofit rating agencies, and the largest and most-utilized evaluator of American charitable organizations. It recently ranked Sewa International among the Top 10 “Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions,” with Sewa ranking fifth among the ten listed charities. Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency.

___________________________________________________________________________________

About Sewa International

Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c)(3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in disaster recovery, development, and promoting volunteerism. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin. Sewa has projects in Caribbean, Colombia, India, Iraq, Nepal, and Pakistan. The Sewa movement works with communities in need and is active in 22 countries, including Canada, The Caribbean, India, and the UK.

Sewa International Releases $10,000 for Coronavirus Prevention and Relief Efforts

Houston, TX (March 15, 2020) – To strengthen its coronavirus prevention and relief efforts, Sewa International has released $10,000 to run its helpline and coronavirus awareness campaign.

“A team of 20 physicians is helping Sewa in providing free advice through Sewa coronavirus helpline. Over 400 volunteers in 20 major cities in the country are working tirelessly to put up a formidable community response at this difficult time,” Swadesh Katoch, Sewa’s Vice President for Disaster Relief, said.

“Local businesses and medical professionals are offering their services to the community most times pro bono through Sewa International. Sewa volunteers are providing multiple services including offering and delivering free food, and help for the elderly in grocery shopping, doctor’s visits, etc., and help to those who are faced with travel and visa issues. We are also offering family therapist calls for helping parents deal with children, anxiety, and stress,” Swadesh Katoch added.

“Sewa is also helping people with COVID-19 like symptoms to meet with doctors. In a few cases our Family Services volunteers are working with friends and family of the patients who are in self-quarantine or being tested for COVID-19. Sewa is running a daily Facebook Live campaign to spread awareness about preventing the infection,” said Swadesh Katoch.

Working with Indian Consulate

Sewa teams from various chapters across the country are working with Indian Consulates to help families obtain visas to travel to India in emergency situations. Sewa is  also publishing FAQs on the Sewa website – www.sewausa.org  -- to answer  questions about visa and travel restrictions,” Sewa’s Director for Disaster Relief, Achalesh Amar said.

“Sewa has created a task force to handle various economic and social issues that may arise due to this pandemic. As many schools in the US are temporarily closed, parents from the under-privileged neighborhoods are being asked by the school administration to visit schools to collect their children’s food stamps. We are working on finding out how to help in such situations,” Achalesh Amar said. “Sewa Disaster Relief Team is also planning to conduct webinars to spread awareness on how to prevent the infection. We are also publishing videos from qualified physicians on the subject,” he said.

Indian Foreign Students affected by University Closures

 “There are over 250,000 students from India studying in US universities. More than 300 US Universities have closed including some who have moved instructions to a virtual mode, and even shut their dorms. Sewa has fielded calls from Indian foreign students from such universities who are finding it difficult to cope up emotionally, health wise, and financially,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International, who himself is an academic at a major research university in the state of Ohio. “We even had a couple of concerned parents call us from India,” he said.

Sewa Helpline Numbers

Sewa’s coronavirus helpline numbers are the following:

• ·       East Coast: 203-872-SEWA (203-872-7392)
• ·       West Coast: 302-330-SEWA (302-330-7392)
• ·       South West: 281-909-SEWA (281-909-7392)
• ·       Midwest: 708-872-SEWA (708-872-7392)

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster recovery (rescue, relief, and rehabilitation) operations having responded to 25 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, including a grant of $400,000 from the Houston Mayor’s Fund, and a $500,000 grant from the American Red Cross. Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and greenhouses, which serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa has also provided case management to affected families more than two years after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency – one of the handful 11 in the international category among over 23,000.