Steve Jobs & Seva

Seva has a unique appreciation for Steve Jobs. While working away in his garage in the late 1970s, Steve made the first significant donation to help start Seva. His gift made it possible for Seva to launch the Nepal Blindness Program – considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive eye care programs in the developing world.

Steve Jobs, honorary Seva co-founder

Steve participated as an advisor in Seva’s first meetings, and is recognized as one of the organization's honorary co-founders. He recognized the vital nature of data for program planning and quality assurance. His donation of one of the first Apple IIs and VisiCalc enabled Seva’s US and Nepali team to enter and analyze eye care survey results. When the helicopter used in the survey needed a replacement engine, Steve's gift of communications tools came to the rescue. Results of the survey charted the course for millions of sight saving surgeries in the years since. Steve and Laurene helped Seva celebrate its 25th anniversary and the legacy of service made possible by his early gifts.

Steve Jobs Apple II Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011.

Becoming Steve Jobs

The biography, Becoming Steve Jobs, begins with Steve's participation in an early Seva meeting where he joined members of the WHO and CDC, along with spiritual leader Ram Dass, public health hero Dr. Larry Brilliant, counter culture icon Wavy Gravy and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. As the book describes, "It was quite a collection of people: Hindus and Buddhists, rockers and doctors, all accomplished..." The book goes on to note, "He meditated often. He understood the search for spiritual fulfillment - in fact, he had gone to India specifically to learn from Brilliant's guru, Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji.... He sat down and started listening. The decision to create a foundation had already been made; the question now on the table was how to tell the world about Seva..."

The Seva staff and board are grateful to Steve Jobs and his family for their longtime support in helping to tell the world about Seva.

Honor Steve Jobs' legacy with a donation to support Seva's blindness prevention programs.

Steve Jobs Apple II Dr. Larry Brilliant using the Apple II for the Nepal Blindness Program.

“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