All the Sewa volunteers join me in wishing you and your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year - a year that is filled with the Grace of God. We would like you to know that you are an important part of our lives.

Plan Ahead For Year-End Gifts

As the year comes to a close, please consider making a donation to support the valuable work of Sewa International USA.

The advent of a New Year marks important beginnings and transitions. In this spirit, I appeal to your noble souls for making a commitment to continue to support the Sewa International USA in its service to the needy the world over. As the year draws to an end, I request you to donate and be an active ambassador of Sewa International.

Sewa International being a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, your contribution could be tax deductible.

We have made donating easy. You can make a single contribution by sending a check or make contributions online.

Please tell your friends and relatives about this noble cause, and invite them to join you in this service to the poor and needy. If you can spread this message even to a few friends and relatives and urge them to join this cause, we will have a ground-swell of support.

As always, my thanks in advance for your continued support, and I eagerly look forward to your enhanced resolve to increase your commitment to this cause.

Give At The Office

In many communities, you can give to Sewa International through your company and take advantage of your company's matching -gift fund program

Giving Made Easy

Starting new year Sewa International offers automatic withdrawal. This will help our donor sign up for monthly donation . For information and application email us.
--
Srikanth Konda
Sewa President

After a successful pilot program, we are glad to introduce this year’s flagship program “Yuva for Sewa”. Shri Shobhit Mathur, a graduate of University of Seattle and currently employed at Amazon Inc, volunteered for more then a month in Caribbean teaching basic computer skills to students and teachers. See details below.

The volunteer movement is particularly strong among young people. This heightened awareness of social responsibility and youth's energy has to be harnessed for improving quality of life world over. We believe that youth involvement in meaningful activities will deepen their sense of civic responsibility and allow young adults to implement what they are learning in the classroom. Active involvement with community issues and concerns build critical thinking and interpersonal skills and foster an appreciation of its larger social implications.

Do you want to help others and make an impact locally, nationally and internationally? Then consider volunteering with the Sewa International USA! Sewa has projects in fields of Basic Education, Healthcare, Women Empowerment, Yoga for social harmony, self employment and Environment care in various countries such as USA , India , Caribbean and many other countries.

Becoming a Sewa USA volunteer is a great way to gain new skills and help humanity. For volunteer application email us.

In September 2004, I came to the USA , for my graduate studies in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Washington , Seattle . During my graduate studies I was an active member of ‘Hindu YUVA’, the youth project of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. As a Swayamsevak, I had the opportunity to learn about the Hindu Culture, the great heroes it had produced and the values it stands for. This was a very inspiring experience and it motivated me to think about the society at large. I completed my Masters in March 2006 and after my graduation I was offered a job at Amazon.com as a Software Development Engineer. While on one hand I was very happy to have a job offer, on the other hand I felt that instead of going through the routine career path, I should try something different.

During this transitional period of my life, I felt that I should take time off before I joined Amazon.com and devote it for volunteer work. I came across opportunities with Sewa International through some personal contacts and I immediately got in touch with the volunteers. My idea was very much appreciated and keeping my background in mind I was assigned a project in the University of Suriname . Suriname is a small country in South America located at its North Eastern Coast . I was very excited about the idea of going to Suriname as it would expose me to a totally new culture about which I wanted to know more about.

From April 15th 2006 to May 20th 2006, I volunteered as a fellow of Sewa International in Suriname . My focus in the University of Suriname was to increase awareness about the modern aspects of Information and Communications technology among the faculty and students. To achieve this end, I conducted workshops and delivered lectures in the University. The students and faculty members who attended these lectures and workshops showed a lot of interest and felt that they learnt a lot. In this aspect, I was very successful in generating interest in IT among the students.

-- Shobhit Mathur

“Giving back involves a certain amount of giving up.” Colin Powell

In 2006 Sewa International disbursed $417,141 for disaster relief and to support various projects. The disaster relief funding were for the continued work of supporting those affected by Tsunami in India and Hurricane Katrina in USA . The projects varied from housing to education to rehabilitation of the needy.

During the Tsunami disaster of 2004 December, Tamilnadu was the hardest hit state in India . Sewa has continued supporting the local communities in Tamilnadu during the current year like it did during year 2005. There were $170,000 spend on major housing projects undertaken by Sewa Bharati in the state. The housing project allowed families to return to a new home and start their life once again. A typical house is a one to two bedroom house with kitchen and a bathroom facility.

Support for education has always been high on the priority list. Funding tuition centers in and around the city of Pune , Maharastra, is one such example. This will provide opportunities for students to excel in their career ahead.

Sewa International has also helped victims of terrorism in the state of Assam , working with donors in LA area.

Several donors earmarked their donation for specific organizations and Sewa International has worked with the donors and the organizations to support projects such as day-care centers in Vinukonda, elementary schools in Pune and Karnataka.

Overall, Sewa International USA funds were disbursed to over four countries: India , Sri Lanka , Guyana , USA.

We look forward to 2007 and hope for the continued support of our donors.