Watch the Video
Watch more Seva Videos
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
"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
Sign-up for e-Updates!
Seva and Nobel Prize Winner
in New Partnership
|
At the press conference announcing that microcredit pioneer Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank had won the Nobel Peace Prize, Yunus told reporters that he wants "to work to create some new things in the world." One of those new things is already in development — a partnership with Seva Foundation to bring eye care to Bangladesh. Seva and Grameen Bank are launching an unprecedented initiative to build a network of eye hospitals in Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries where more than 650,000 people suffer from preventable blindness. |
|||
| Scaling Up to Meet the Need Seva and our partners from Aravind Eye Care Systems in India recently met with Yunus at Grameen headquarters in Bangladesh to further develop plans for what will be the largest single undertaking of its kind. "Basically, we'll be taking our proven model for creating eye hospitals that can be self-sustaining and scaling it up to a new level," explained Dr. Suzanne Gilbert, Director of Seva’s Center for Innovation in Eye Care. "The buildings, equipment and staffing will be supported with funding from Grameen, and the systems and training will be developed by Aravind and Seva. We left the meeting feeling so excited about the venture, and with Professor Yunus having recently been awarded the Nobel Prize — it's even more of a thrill!” |
 |
|
|
Banker to the Poor
Yunus founded Grameen Bank 30 years ago with revolutionary mission unlike any other bank: to help people lift themselves out of poverty. Grameen, which means rural in Bengali, pioneered the concept of microcredit, giving very small loans to poor Bangladeshis who wouldn't dream of doing business at traditional banks.
Most of Grameen's borrowers use the loans to start businesses, spending the money to buy things like farm animals or materials to produce handmade goods. To date, the bank has loaned over $5.72 billion in amounts averaging $130 to 6.6 million impoverished Bangladeshis. Even more astonishing is the fact that the borrowers of Grameen own 94% of the total equity of the bank — and 97% of them are women.
The Nobel Committee praised Grameen, saying that with the help of microcredit, even the world's poorest people can work to bring about their own development. As Yunus puts it, "The Grameen loan is not simply cash. It becomes a kind of ticket to self-discovery and self-exploration." Of course, support of self-development is central to Seva's mission. We seek long-term solutions to poverty and disease that support economic independence of the communities we serve.
Yunus is the first Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate and the first economist to win the Peace Prize. This highlights the Nobel Committee's understanding of the importance of overcoming poverty as a necessary step to achieving peace.
Seva is proud to partner with Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank in building sustainable solutions to poverty.
Watch a video of Dr. Yunus speaking about solutions to poverty.
You may also want to visit the website of Grameen Bank.
