Seva News
“Seva has given so much help to so many thousands of people for so many years — such a wonderful example of love in action.”
Bonnie Raitt
Singer / Songwriter
"For nearly 40 years Seva has made an extraordinary contribution to the world — not only through their
international programs, but here in some of the most impoverished communities in North America, on Native American reservations. Thank you Seva."
Jackson Browne
Singer / Songwriter
"Seva takes the impulse towards generosity and turns it into compassionate action that helps people in real need. I honor my friends and relations by giving to Seva in their name — the entire world benefits. I hope you'll join me."
Peter Coyote
Actor / Writer
"Compassion and caring for people in need - that's simply a moral necessity. But it's not
always easy to do. Seva makes it easy. They know how to put your donations to work in ways that truly benefit people."
Joan Baez
Singer / Humanitarian Activist
"When we met the folks at Seva, we knew we were among kindred spirits, joining to bring people together in service to others. Whether preventing blindness in Nepal, assisting native peoples in Guatemala and Mexico, or helping our own Native Americans, Seva has been there to help alleviate suffering and improve people's lives. Long may they rock!"
Phil Lesh
The Grateful Dead
"Seva's efforts create hope and happiness worldwide for so many people in difficult conditions. I've always been amazed and cheered by their good works and I've been very happy to help them in their fundraising efforts."
Bruce Hornsby
Singer / Songwriter
“I admire Seva's spirit of innovation. Seva is constantly looking for new ideas that can benefit the world, especially the poor, and they aren't afraid to try something that no one has ever tried before."
Dr. Muhammad Yunus
Nobel Prize Winner / Seva Partner / Founding Chairman of Grameen Health Services
“I congratulate Seva Foundation for the magnificent work they continue to do."
Odetta
Legendary Folk Singer
“Seva has done an incredible job all over the world helping people who really need it. I am proud to be one of the many who followed Wavy and his friends down this particular yellow brick road.”
David Crosby
Singer / Songwriter
“Such dedication to others — how could you not love Seva and what they accomplish? Well done!”
Graham Nash
Singer / Songwriter
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A Generous Donation by MODO Provides Eyeglasses to Nepal and Guatemala
Each year, Seva is the beneficiary of
numerous in-kind donations. From
volunteers giving their time, to supplies
and equipment, the poorest of the poor
can be served with sight saving eye care
thanks to this important support.
We are excited to share that recently, Seva
received a large-scale donation of high
quality eyeglass frames from the popular
New York based eyeglass company MODO.
To date, over 30,000 eyeglass frames have
been donated by MODO, with even more
in the pipeline for the near future.
These donated eyeglasses are a key to
breaking the cycle of poverty.
Seva and MODO are collaborating to
assist people in need in several countries.
The largest partnership is with the Nepal
Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) a Nepali
organization whose mission is to provide
high quality, sustainable, comprehensive
and affordable eye care services to all
of Nepal's population.
With a population of 31 million and a per
capita income of $750, Nepal is among the
poorest countries in the world. The nation
currently ranks 157th out of 187 countries on
the Human Development Index. With high
rates of poverty, and a 43 percent illiteracy
rate, a large number of Nepalese are unable
to afford eyeglasses.
MODO's generous donation is helping
Seva and NNJS to improve vision for people
in need. Many thousands of these donated
eyeglasses are sized for young children and
teenagers. The youths who received these
glasses will now be able to stay in school,
dramatically increasing their ability to
succeed and avoid a lifetime of poverty.
Professor Tirth Mishra, Secretary General
of the NNJS, applauded this three-way
partnership, saying, "On behalf of Nepal
Netra Jyoti Sangh, Nepal's Comprehensive
Eye Care Society, I want to share our
excitement about our new alliance with
MODO and Seva which will enable NNJS
and our partners to expand service to
thousands of people in need of glasses
throughout Nepal. Refractive error is the
largest single cause of impaired vision in
Nepal. MODO's generous support to NNJS
will enable us to serve thousands of needy
women, men and children who otherwise
may not be able to access or afford eye
care and the prescription glasses they so
badly need."
MODO Global CEO Alessandro Lanaro
explains that MODO is very proud of their
partnership with Seva and NNJS, noting
that "sustainability and social responsibility
have become an important part of our
DNA. We are excited to extend our social
responsibility efforts."
The first 25,000 MODO frames traveled by
sea freight to India and then overland to
Nepal. In October, a distribution ceremony
was organized and representatives from
23 eye clinics and hospitals came together
at the Seva-supported Bharatpur Eye
Hospital near the Indian border to receive
allotments of frames.
In March of 2014, a second donation of
5,000 MODO frames arrived in Guatemala
and will be distributed in partnership with
Visualiza, a key Seva partner with programs
in remote areas throughout the country.
Many of these are pediatric frames that are
being donated to children who can't afford
eyeglasses through "Ventanitas de Luz"
[Little Windows of Light], Visualiza's pediatric
eye care program.
Corporate partners such as MODO
have been integral to supporting Seva's
sustainable programs over the years.
On behalf of Seva and Seva-supported
programs, we would like to thank all of
our corporate donors for their continued
support."
