Seva News
Photo

“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

Photo

"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

Photo

"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

Photo

"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

Photo

"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

Photo

"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

Photo

“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

Photo

“I congratulate Seva Foundation for the magnificent work they continue to do."

Odetta
Legendary Folk Singer

Photo

“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

Photo

“Such dedication to others — how could you not love Seva and what they accomplish? Well done!”

Graham Nash
Singer / Songwriter

Sign-up for e-Updates!

   Please leave this field empty

Ama's Story
ama video.jpg
Two out of three people who are blind are women and girls. Your compassion restored Ama's eyesight, and is helping to increase access to eye care for women around the globe.

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos
A Seva Story
origins_video2.jpg
This micro-documentary explains the origins of Seva and our work to prevent and cure blindness around the world.

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos
Let There Be Sight
lettherebesight_video2.jpg
Witness a Seva Eye Camp in the Himalayas of Nepal. In Let There Be Sight, Seva donor Turk Pipkin chronicles his journey with a Seva medical team to a remote surgical eye camp in Nepal's Himalayas where hundreds of people had their vision restored. Special thanks to musician and long-time Seva supporter Jackson Browne for use of his song "Doctor My Eyes."

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos
What Does Seva Mean...
chundak_video2.jpg
We asked Dr. Chundak Tenzing, Seva's Sight Program Director: "What does 'Seva' Mean to you?

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos
Sight in Cambodia
cambodia_video2.jpg
Many Cambodia children do not have access to eye care services. Seva trains Cambodian doctors and provides infrastructure so that Cambodia can provide care to it's own citizens. Last year, over 70,000 children in Cambodia received eye examinations as a result of Seva's work. 1/2 of children who go blind in developing countries will die within the first year. By preventing and treating blindness, Seva provides opportunities for life to children around the world.

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos
For a Chance to See
forachancetosee_video2.jpg
Dhana lives in one of the most isolated, impoverished villages on the planet, Bajura, Nepal, a stunning but unforgiving landscape he has not seen for five years. Dhana Kadka is blind due to cataracts. Despite this, he walked 10km through the rocky terrain of far west Nepal by feel and memory. Kadka learned that a group of Seva-supported eye doctors were coming for a special visit. So he made the perilous journey on foot for the chance to see.

Watch the Video

Watch more Seva Videos

MEET: Ram Bahadur Pandley

Age 56, male
Family: his wife, 8 children
(5 daughters and 3 sons)


Seva's eye care team met Mr. Ram Bahadur when he and his wife came to a Seva remote eye camp in the town of Arghakhanchi, Nepal.

Bahadur couldn't see our faces because he had completely lost his eyesight, but he told us his story.

RPandley.jpg

Many years ago, Bahadur explained how he had lost vision in his right eye after an accident while working to make gravel for concrete. He was breaking rocks by hand when a piece fl ew up and injured his eye. His eye got infected and though he went to traditional healers, he did not seek medical care from eye specialists because of his poverty. Eventually the infection worsened and he lost his eye. Had Bahadur simply had access to eye care at that time, a $1.00 bottle of antibiotic drops would have treated his infection.

In the years that followed, Bahadur began to lose vision in his left eye as well, until eventually he went completely blind. He didn't know why his left eye had lost vision and was too poor to afford a visit to an eye doctor.

Bahadur explained that for years he has been completely dependent on his wife and children to guide him by the hand to his food and to the bathroom. Without eyesight, he felt he had become a burden on his family and seemed very sad.

Bahadur's wife heard that Seva was setting up a surgical eye camp near their remote village in Nepal. Filled with hope, she carefully led him by the hand along a rocky mountainside, slowly making the journey to the Seva camp.

Upon arrival, Seva's team of doctors guided Bahadur to an eye chart where his vision was tested. Not only was he unable to see the eye chart, he could not even count the fi ngers of the doctor held just a foot in front of his face. In desperation, Bahadur reached out to try to feel the doctor's hand to count the fi ngers by touch.

It was determined that though he had been blind for years, Seva would be able to restore eyesight to his left eye by removing the mature cataract which had formed and clouded his vision.

That afternoon, thanks to the generosity of Seva donors like you, Bahadur was provided with a free cataract surgery. The simple 15-minute procedure would reverse years of blindness and suffering.

Following the surgery, an eye patch was carefully placed over the eye and it was allowed to heal overnight. Bahadur and his wife spent the night at a friend's home nearby, waiting and hoping for a new life the next day.

In the misty morning light, Bahadur waited quietly for the bandage to be removed. As soon as the patch was removed he was able to see his wife's face! Within about two minutes, he stood up and began walking around on his own, heading over to examine the eye chart that he had been unable to see just the day before.

Bahadur's smile beamed for all to see. But he was not the only one smiling. Bahadur's wife as well was clearly thrilled. Her broad smile showed how relieved and happy she was that both of them had regained their independence and dignity. She told us how grateful she is to not have to lead him everywhere and how proud she is that he will once again be independent.

For over 35 years, Seva has been helping people just like Bahadur. To date, nearly 3.5 million people have had their sight surgically restored, and 1 million are provided with glasses or other eye care services each year around the globe.

Your support not only provides eye care, but also helps to train local eye care professionals and build local capacity so that more people like Bahadur can have access to affordable eye care.

We join Bahadur in saying thank you for your compassion and generosity. Without support from donors like you, none of this work would be possible.

Share our vision

Don't miss out on more good news.

 

Sign up today and get life transforming stories and event announcements.

* We won't share your email and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Holiday Impact Prize GuideStar Charity Navigator BBB Accredited Charity The Life You Can Save Charity Watch

Follow Seva:

Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation

Contact Us | Search | State Disclosures | Privacy Policy | Job Opportunities | Sign In

Seva Foundation 1786 Fifth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 phone: 510-845-7382 fax: 510-809-3364
Seva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. © 2024 Seva Foundation. All rights reserved.