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. 

Sewa International Activates Hotline for Corona Virus response in USA

Houston, TX (March 08, 2020) – In the midst of growing concerns about the spread of Corona Virus ( COVID-19) in various parts of the country, Sewa International convened a meeting of community leaders from across the country to prepare a framework of response to the crisis.  Achalesh Amar, Director Disaster Relief said,  “Plugging into resources offered by different government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), various departments of county and city governments, a taskforce was set up to come up with a comprehensive approach to the pandemic. Based on the recommendations of the taskforce, Sewa International is activating a hotline/helpline for non-medical advice at 281 909 SEWA (281 909 7392) for the Midwest, 708 872 SEWA (708 872 7392) and 302 330 SEWA (302 330 7392) for the Northeast, and 203 872 SEWA (203 872 7392) for Western United States”.

Swadesh Katoch, Vice President for Disaster Relief, added, “The biggest concern among the Indian American community was about schools as every school district is responding differently to the evolving situation, and most parents are not aware of the relaxation in attendance norms. The panic related to buying and stocking up masks, sanitizers, toilet paper, and food items also came up for discussion”.

"We are especially concerned about the vulnerable population with weak immune systems, such as seniors, the sick, or very young children. We are circulating WhatsApp messages with helpful information on how to prepare and take precautions. Various chapters in the US are directed to help  local communities with up-to-date information  as Corona Virus related cases get confirmed in a particular area," said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International.

Sewa International is also taking the initiative of conducting regular webinars and distributing flyers with concise information from various sources. These flyers offer information about the difference between flu and COVID-19, preventive measures, and techniques to reduce anxiety. The first webinar in the series will be conducted on Wednesday, March 11 by a qualified physician from California.

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

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 Jump to the list of nonprofits   responding >>

 The World Health Organization has classified the coronavirus outbreak as a global health emergency, and governments around the world are taking action to control the virus from spreading.

The illness caused by the virus, COVID-19, has claimed the lives of tens of thousands around the globe and has sickened hundreds of thousands of people in more than 100 countries, including China, Italy, Spain, and the United States.

A number of highly-rated charities have created funds to support communities around the world affected by the outbreak. Please consider supporting one of these trustworthy organizations today. Your support will help individuals and communities battle the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. and around the globe.

Interested in funding response and recovery efforts for those affected and for responders? The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a charity that has earned a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and is also a trusted philanthropic partner of Google, has a COVID-19 Response Fund. This fund allows donors to give now to support preparedness, containment, response and recovery activities.

Medical Services

Relief Supplies: Health & Medical

Funding Local Organizations

Education & Awareness

Relief Supplies: Community Support & Services

Medical Services

Partnering with medical teams to combat COVID-19. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view all charities supporting this cause, click here. 

Save the Children

IMA World Health

Howard Brown Health Center

Medical Teams International

Heart to Heart International

Relief Supplies: Health & Medical 

Providing much-needed medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view all charities supporting this cause, click here. 

Matthew 25: Ministries

Water Mission

Direct Relief

Convoy of Hope

Good360

Cross-Categorical

Providing much-needed assistance across multiple areas. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view all charities supporting this cause, click here. 

GlobalGiving

Americares

Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee)

UNICEF USA

Preemptive Love Coalition

CDC Foundation

Funding Local Organizations

Partnering with local organizations to ensure communities across the country have the resources and support they need. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view all charities supporting this cause, click here. 

United Way of Washtenaw County

United Way Worldwide

International Community Foundation

United Way of Hall County

Education & Awareness

Raising awareness of ways to prevent COVID-19 and how to cope with the stress it's causing. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. 

Sewa International, Inc

Healthcorps

Prevent Child Abuse America

Relief Supplies: Community Support & Services

Supporting the safety nets of our society and protecting the most vulnerable. Organizations featured are based on their overall Charity Navigator score. To view all charities supporting this cause, click here. 

Memorial Assistance Ministries

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

EUCLID, Ohio — The head football coach at Euclid High School challenges his players, in the weight room and the classroom.

“Our whole thing is GFGF. Generosity, family, grades and football,” said Jeff Rotsky.

Rotsky said he earned two degrees from Case Western Reserve University and understands the value of education in the game of life.

Players are required to attend study table to help with grades, but some were still struggling with academic success.

When a friend mentioned a tutoring program offered by the non-profit organization Sewausa, Rotsky took the group up on the offer. Tutors visit the school at least twice a week, sometimes more.

Kenyohn Smith was one of the players who needed extra help.

Smith said he was getting “Fs in physical science and English. When I started going to tutoring — boosted my grades up."

SEWA International is a nonprofit organization working in 20 countries around the world. The group helps with disaster relief, community development and family and child welfare. In Cleveland, the group started a program called ASPIRE which gives kids extra help in academics.

“Through one-on-one tutoring, the students get help with homework and tests," said Business Owner, Sunil Narahari who also tutors. "We have seen tremendous development and improvement in these kids."

“We had 20 or our 29 seniors offered scholarships this year,” said Rotsky.

Phillip Patterson is one of them; he’s headed to Lake Erie College in the fall. He wants to become a principal.

“I like kids, I feel like I can influence kids because I know what kids like me have been though,” said Patterson.

The program is currently in Euclid and Garfield Heights. Because of the success of the program, next year there is a plan to expand the program to five schools tutoring 500 students.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent re-election wasn’t met with the same breathless optimism as when he swept into power in 2014.

Some blame stalled progress on economic reforms and worries about his Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hindu nationalist bent.

Still, his sound victory at home and his acceptance by the Indian diaspora in the United States show that a majority remain broadly favorable toward Mr. Modi, who came into office promising a new, responsive government and undertaking an ambitious program to raise India’s global profile.

That optimism will find an outlet next month during a visit by the prime minister to Houston. He will be in the U.S. to attend the United Nations General Assembly and speak at the body’s climate change summit. It’s unclear whether Mr. Modi will meet with President Donald Trump, who rankled India in June by removing preferential tariff treatment on $5.6 billion in goods.

The “Howdy Modi” rally Sept. 22 is organized by the Texas India Forum and is being promoted by a variety of Indian-American organizations around the country, including 10 groups in Georgia.

Below are the groups registered as supporters for the event:

Indian Association of Greater Athens                          Athens              iagathens.com/

Vedas World Inc                                                          Atlanta              www.vedas.us

SEWA International – Atlanta                                     Atlanta              sewausa.org/atlanta

Hindu Friends of Atlanta                                             Atlanta           

United States Hindu Alliance                                      Atlanta              www.ushaonline.org

Overseas Friends of BJP – Atlanta                            Atlanta               ofbjp.org

The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA)                 Atlanta              gandhifoundation.us

Ekal Vidyalaya USA (Atlanta Chapter)                      Atlanta              www.ekal.org

Indian Friends of Atlanta                                           Atlanta              www.ifaworld.org

Indian Professionals Network                                   Atlanta             ipnatlanta.info

See more about how Atlantans connected with Mr. Modi during visits undertaken during his first term here: Atlantans Inspired by Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Washington Visit

Learn more about the event at www.howdymodi.org.

Fani’s Wrath — Destroyed Homes Cyclone Fani, that hit India’s east coast on May 3 with a speed of almost 200 miles per hour has claimed 60 lives in India so far. The cyclone has affected 15 million people in the states of Odisha and West Bengal and at least 3 million people have lost their homes and livelihood. The cyclone has damaged more than 500,000 houses, killed 3.4 million cattle and uprooted millions of trees.

Fani’s Fury & Trail of Destruction

Cyclone Fani, that hit India’s east coast on May 3 with the same deadly force as a category 4 hurricane has claimed 49 lives in India so far and forced more than a million people out of their homes. The cyclone has affected 15 million in the states of Odisha and West Bengal and as per initial estimates at least 3 million people have lost their homes and livelihood. The cyclone has increased ocean water flow into Asia’s largest brackish water lake, Chilka, increasing threat to marine life.

Torrential rain, gushing winds and razing  ocean have damaged more than 500,000 houses, killed 3.4 million cattle and uprooted millions of trees. The cyclone also destroyed power and telecom infrastructure across Odisha’s costal districts and has left a trail of damaged homes, schools, and businesses.

Numbers Speak

Sewa International’s partner on the ground, Utkal Bipanna Sahayatha Samithi (UBSS), is operating shelters in Odisha and has served freshly cooked meals to more than 8,000 victims. UBSS has distributed 9.4 tons of flattened rice (chuda), 1.89 tons of sugar candy (gur), 5250 packets of dry food and 415 cartons of cookies (biscuits).

 Serving Hands

More than 2,000 UBSS volunteers are working in coastal towns and villages of Bhuvaneshwar, Puri, Khorda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack and Jajpur districts. They are working with local people to clear roads of debris and removing fallen trees for vehicle movement. They are also working on distributing food and other material.

Sewa Relief Efforts

Sewa International volunteers visited Puri and adjoining areas in Odisha on Saturday, May 4, to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fani. Sewa International is operating 13 shelters in the three worst-affected districts -- Puri, Khordha, and Cuttack. Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti (UBSS), Sewa’s partner organization and a nonprofit based in Odisha, is coordinating the relief efforts. Sewa volunteers are serving freshly cooked meals in the shelters and distributing drinking water and food packets to people in need. They are also serving the cyclone victims in Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Jajpur.

 Food & Medicines

UBSS is distributing essentials such as food, medicine, tarpaulin sheets to cover damaged roofs, solar lights, ready-to-wear clothes, school supplies, candles, mosquito repellents and match boxes. It has so far distributed 42,200 tarpaulins and 7500 pieces of Polytene. UBSS is planning to open more shelters and distribution centers.

Artists, Fishermen & Weavers Hit Hard

The village well-known for handicrafts, Raghurajpur (known for woodcraft, palm leaf paintings and stonework) of Puri, and many fishing villages are in complete disarray as artists lost their homes and tools and fishermen have lost their fishing nets and boats. In West Bengal, many weavers have lost their looms.

Villages in Dark

Contacting volunteers on the ground has been a challenge as the telecommunications and electric infrastructure damaged by the rains are yet to be restored in many places. Many villages in Puri may not get electricity for months to come. Water supply is also affected in many places.

Sriram & His Friends and Their Robotics Dream

Sriram, a high school student sent a message to UBSS volunteers about destruction in his hometown, Kakatpur. He met with a UBSS volunteer in December 2018 and had shared his plans to build a robotics team in his school. But Cyclone Fani has derailed his plans for now. Sriram and his friends need help to get back to school and keep their robotics dream alive.

     Help Cyclone Fani Victims - Donate to Sewa

Online Donations:

www.sewausa.org/donate  (In “Donate For Project” dropdown, Select “Cyclone Fani on Eastern India Coast”.)

Donate through Check:

Make check payable to “Sewa International” and mail to:

Sewa International,

P O Box 820867,

Houston, TX 77282-0867