SEWA Swayam Sevaks and Sevikas Define Service and Volunteerism Amid the Pandemic

By Bharti Raizada

I personally know many Swayam Sevaks and Swayam Sevikas. Their dedication and endless efforts to serve humanity cannot be described in words. This is just a small effort to let masses know that there is someone always willing to step up and serve when needed. Yes, I am talking about SEWA organization and its volunteers.

SEWA International is a Hindu faith-based., humanitarian, nonprofit organization founded in 2003. It has many chapters in different states in the USA. Its working area is international.

SEWA work area is very wide and encompasses many different levels of actions from as simple as providing a listening ear to coordination with many other organizations and entities e.g. embassies, ministries, etc.

Swayam Sevaks do mostly anonymous work, as the intention is to help and not to become famous or show off. Volunteers feel thankful for the opportunity they get to help someone, they are thankful to be a medium to help, they are thankful to know that they are in a position to help. Swayam Sevaks even shy away from calling this a help as they believe in selfless service and consider it as an opportunity to practice what they believe in from their heart, what they inherited from sages and their ancestors, and what they want their children to believe in by observing.

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Volunteers selflessly work day and night. They are always ready to help or arrange for help as much as possible. Many do not even mention the work they are doing

Everyone can serve and can get served too. Service or donations can be in the form of money, groundwork, time, spreading the word around so that people who need the service get it.

Help and donation can be for any chapter of SEWA. SEWA people never insist on helping or donating to a particular chapter, as this is a truly selfless service. They provide information about any chapter, area, and the person you want to connect to. Besides, people can reach out to any volunteer and he or she will work to connect you with the right support system.

SEWA is a Hindu faith-based organization but considers all humans equal. There is no discrimination in helping. No biases regarding race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, and social status as they believe in 'Vasudev Kutumbkam' meaning the whole world is one family and believe that there is divine in everyone.

Service recipient's faith, social status, lifestyle choices, views about Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, religious beliefs, etc. do not matter for the Swayam Sevaks.

SEWA is donating many masks, PPE's, food, medicines during COVID -19 pandemic. It has arranged for shelter for many, started a 24-hour helpline service, and arranged for educational webinars.

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I urge you to go to the following links to know more about SEWA and its contribution to societies, communities, and humanity. Please share with anyone who can benefit from this noble service.

Following is the link to SEWA's mission, vision, projects, and guiding principles.

https://sewainternational.org/about-us/

https://sewausa.org/

https://sewainternational.org/sewa-sandesh-march-2020/

https://sewainternational.org/towards-sustainable-tourism-sewa-saahas/

SEWA received widespread media coverage for its work during COVID -19 pandemic. https://sewausa.org/Media-Coverage