Now in 8th grade, she has been part of our program since its inception. Initially shy, she blossomed into a confident speaker at the Education Summit.

When she first joined our program three years ago, she was a quiet and reserved 5th grader, hesitant to participate in group discussions. With English not being the primary language spoken at home, she often struggled to express herself and lacked confidence in conversations.

With the support of dedicated AmeriCorps members, she found a safe space to learn and grow. Through one-on-one tutoring, structured reading activities, and social-emotional learning exercises, she gradually built the skills and confidence to speak up. Our program encouraged her to join discussions, read aloud during tutoring sessions, and even mentor younger students—small but significant steps toward finding her voice.

Now in 8th grade, she has transformed into a poised and articulate young leader. Her biggest milestone came when she spoke in front of a virtual audience at the Sewa Education Summit in October 2024, sharing how after-school tutoring shaped her academic and personal growth. Watching her speak with conviction was a testament to the power of mentorship, encouragement, and the right learning environment.

Her journey is just one example of how the Sewa AmeriCorps Afterschool Tutoring Program empowers students beyond academics, helping them find their voice and the confidence to use it.

From Summer Camper to Community Speaker: A Student’s Journey

A 6th-grade boy who joined the Sewa summer camp in 2024 became a dedicated participant and later a featured speaker at the Sewa Gala.

When the boy, a rising 6th grader, first joined our Sewa AmeriCorps Atlanta Summer Camp in 2024, he was simply looking for a fun and engaging place to learn and make new friends. What he found was much more—a community that nurtured his talents, built his confidence, and empowered him to share his voice.

Throughout the summer, the boy became a regular, eagerly participating in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities, yoga, and games. With encouragement from AmeriCorps members, he stepped out of his comfort zone, shared his thoughts in discussions, and even led small group activities.

His journey took an inspiring turn when he was invited to speak at the Sewa Gala in December 2024, a prestigious event celebrating service and community impact. Standing before an audience of donors, community leaders, and families, he spoke about how the tutoring program and summer camp shaped his confidence, enhanced his academic skills, and gave him a sense of belonging.

From a curious summer camper to a poised public speaker, his transformation is a testament to the power of mentorship, encouragement, and a supportive learning environment. His story exemplifies how the Sewa AmeriCorps Afterschool Program goes beyond tutoring—it nurtures future leaders.

In the battle against COVID-19, vaccination was a crucial weapon. However, a large percentage of India's population was not fully vaccinated as of March 2022, a year and a half after vaccine availability. One significant hurdle was the fear of vaccination side effects. This fear was compounded by the vast and scattered population, making education and outreach challenging.

Take the story of a 70-year-old daily wage worker from Saliyana village in Uttarakhand. Like many others, he lost his job during the lockdown and relied on government and non-profit aid for essentials. When vaccines became available, he initially hesitated but eventually got his first dose to return to work. However, the side effects hit him hard. Experiencing sudden high fever and weakness, the old man vowed never to take the second dose.

Sewa volunteers played a crucial role in convincing him to complete his vaccination regimen. After multiple phone calls, they visited his home personally. It took half an hour of patient explanation to persuade the old man to get his second dose. Fighting pandemics like COVID-19, it is clear that vaccination efforts must go hand-in-hand with education and outreach. Organizations like Sewa International can make a difference by addressing individual concerns and fears.

Divorce is a challenging life event that can turn one's world upside down. For women, especially those with children or those who are on dependent visas, the process can be particularly daunting. Here are some inspiring stories of how Sewa has made a difference in women's lives.

A Lifeline for a Visa-Dependent Woman

In a recent case, a young woman on a dependent visa found herself suddenly homeless after being kicked out by her abusive husband. Reaching out to Sewa in her time of need, she received comprehensive support, including connecting her to an organization offering financial assistance, helping her secure transitional housing, and directing her to legal aid for the divorce process. When she fell ill during this tumultuous time, Sewa volunteers provided nutritious meals, warm clothing, and transportation to medical appointments. This helped ensure that the woman could focus on her health and legal proceedings without worrying about necessities.

Supporting a Mother Through a Custody Battle

Another case involved a single mother facing an extended divorce and child custody battle. Recognizing the unique challenges mothers often face in these situations, Sewa Family Services provided the woman with essential supplies to help her manage day-to-day life, and emotional support throughout the two-year process. With Sewa's backing, this resilient woman was able to return to school, earn a vocational degree, and secure employment. She credits Sewa volunteers' support as crucial to her ability to persevere and rebuild her life.

Escaping Domestic Violence: A Story of Triumph

In a particularly harrowing case, Sewa volunteers aided a young woman fleeing domestic violence and fighting for custody of her child. After learning about Sewa while staying in a local shelter, she was able to receive organized food deliveries, transportation assistance, legal aid, and help finding new shelter accommodations when needed.

 Divorce can have significant impacts on women's health and financial stability. Studies show that women often experience higher levels of stress-induced inflammation, longer recovery times before remarrying, and more severe financial setbacks, sometimes taking years to regain equilibrium. Sewa International recognizes these challenges and strives to provide a support network that addresses both immediate needs and long-term stability.

Sewa's Commitment to Family Services

Through its Family Services program, Sewa International continues to offer vital assistance to community members facing crises like divorce. By providing case management, educational workshops, and health and wellness programs, Sewa aims to empower individuals to overcome obstacles and build brighter futures.

Sewa International provides crucial support to those fighting the difficult "battle" with cancer. Here are two stories of how Sewa assisted cancer patients in their final days.

A Last Wish Fulfilled: Alternative Care in India

One cancer patient, after a year-long struggle in the US, found himself in palliative care. He expressed a desire to try alternative therapy in India, and the Sewa Family Services and Sewa Bharat teams collaborated to make this wish a reality.

In India, alternative cancer treatments often include tribal, folk, herbal, and Ayurvedic medicines. Ayurvedic preparations like valipani, navjeevan, and kamdudha have shown promise in treating certain leukemia cases. Ayurveda is the most preferred Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in India. Although he lost his battle with cancer, Sewa's support allowed him to spend his final moments in India, his home.

Supporting a Young Family Through Crisis

Sewa came to the aid of a young immigrant family where the father was stricken with cancer. When local treatment options were exhausted, he had to be transferred to a city hospital, leaving his wife overwhelmed with two small children.

Sewa volunteers stepped in to provide comprehensive support by arranging temporary accommodation for the relatives of the family, offering guidance on medical care, and making regular visits for moral support. After the man passed away volunteers continued to help the family with the repatriation process, ensuring dignity and support.

Sewa International's work reminds us of the importance of community support in the face of life-threatening illnesses, bridging gaps in care and providing comfort when it's needed most.

When a man and his wife arrived in Houston from Kentucky for her cancer treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, they were understandably overwhelmed. Far from home and facing a challenging medical journey, they found unexpected comfort through the kindness of Sewa volunteers.

While at the hospital, the man met an Indian woman whose husband was also receiving treatment. This serendipitous meeting connected him with a veteran Sewa volunteer and case manager at Sewa Family Services.

Upon learning of the patient’s situation, the veteran Sewa volunteer took action. Without the patient’s husband even mentioning a need for Indian food, the senior volunteer mobilized Sewa volunteers to create a meal delivery schedule.

A Sewa volunteer developed a healthy meal plan tailored to the patient’s needs. Each day, dedicated volunteers drove 25-40 minutes to deliver home-cooked meals to the couple. The impact of this gesture went far beyond providing nourishment. It offered a taste of home and a sense of community during a difficult time.

Even after returning to Kentucky, the couple maintained contact with Sewa supporters. "To this day, I can't describe the feeling when the veteran Sewa volunteer showed me the prepared Excel sheet. It was a wonderful experience, and an indication of the selfless service Sewa volunteers have provided," the patient’s husband reflected.

The senior volunteer noted that this experience was new even for Sewa volunteers. He emphasized the importance of being innovative and thoughtful in identifying and meeting diverse needs within the community.

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