By Vanshika Vipin
SUGAR LAND: SEWA International USA, a grass-root non-profit organization, having about 38 chapters in USA including one in Houston, hosted its Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the T.E. Harman Center on Friday, January 30, to felicitate the humanitarian volunteers who have whole heartedly contributed their time, money and skills to the NGO throughout the year 2014. SEWA Houston is among the top most chapters of SEWA International USA, owing to its diverse range of volunteers belonging to different fields, thus reducing the over-heads and increasing the efficacy of any project.
The SEWA movement began in India in 1989 with the Hindu philosophy of selfless service at its core and gradually spread its wings across the globe. Currently SEWA movement is active in 17 countries including India, USA, Australia, UK, Canada, Guyana, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago. SEWA International USA, founded in the year 2003, now boasts of 38 chapters spanning 20 metros in the 25 states of the USA.
As a gesture of appreciation, SEWA International each year hosts an appreciation dinner for its volunteers and felicitates these selfless fellow beings who strive each day to help others, irrespective of the race, caste, creed, color or religion. Last year, more than 200 volunteers contributed to a total of 1000 man hours dedicated to the selfless services spread by the SEWA Houston chapter.
They have five main project teams led by the team leaders and a group of volunteers – SEWA Family Services, SEWA Refugee Youth empowerment, SEWA Refugee Adult empowerment programs, SEWA Local Volunteering events and SEWA fundraising team. Under the guidance of these team leaders and with the active cooperation of the volunteers, SEWA reaches out to the youth, women and senior citizens to promote the concept of philanthropy.
These 200 plus volunteers were felicitated at the Appreciation dinner with plaques and certificates, thus acknowledging their contribution to the society at large. The event hosted by SEWA International at Houston also served the purpose of motivating other fence sitters to cross over and join this selfless service movement.
Based on the Hindu tradition of service before self, SEWA works to spread the message of service to the low income families of Houston. Whether it is a disaster or a daily struggle for an average person, committed volunteers of SEWA take that extra mile to ensure that a helping hand and a loving heart is not away from the individuals in need, wherever they are and whenever they need it.
After all, the world needs more hugs.
(If you are interested in volunteering with SEWA International or interested in Local/International Internship opportunities for high school and college students, Please reach out to
KavitaTewary @educationhouston@sewausa.org or call 713-303-4253)