They help us take our first steps, teach us to keep our heads high, and support us in every which way.
And through the years, you’ve helped moms around the world regain their sight, and with it, regain their lives. But don’t just take our word for it – meet a few of the inspiring women who are living happier lives because of you!
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See the oddly shaped white device that the doctor is looking through (behind the big retinal camera) in the picture above? It may not look very significant but it is doing marvelous things for the people of Burundi!
It’s called a slit-lamp, a critical piece of equipment used in eye exams that includes a built-in camera – a type of microscope. The slit-lamp helps ophthalmologists find abnormalities in the eye while capturing digital images to track changes in the eye over time.
Our partner in Burundi, CTSOE (Centre Tertiaire de Santé Oculaire de L’Enfant), received one of these essential devices – and has reported back the following observations:
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Today – April 6th – is a special birthday: Ram Dass’. He embodied a life of selfless service, compassion, and generosity, setting a precedent for Seva and millions of others around the world: Lead life, first and foremost, through love.
In the 1950s, Ram Dass, then still known as Dr. Richard Alpert, was a prominent Harvard psychologist and author researching human consciousness. His cosmic spiritual shift began in 1967, while on a trip to India. There, he met his guru Neem Karoli Baba, who gave him the name Ram Dass – meaning “servant of God” in Hindi.
Upon receiving guidance from his guru, Ram Dass co-founded Seva in 1978 with a singular goal to reduce human suffering. “When I got involved with Seva, it was like putting on an outfit that multiplied my capacity to be involved with the relief of suffering a thousandfold, because this group has such extraordinary diversity of skills, and talents, and preoccupations if you will,” he shared.
With Ram Dass’ vision, support, and guidance over the last four decades, 46+ million people have received Seva-supported eye care services. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy, spirit, and unconditional love lives on in each and every one of these individuals, and the millions more who will go on to receive the gift of sight.
Today, in the memory of Ram Dass, bring joy and spread unconditional love to your friends, family, and the world. If you’d like to support Ram Dass’ vision of a world free of avoidable blindness, please click on the link below.
Seva shares special history with Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus, as a supporter, ambassador, and our first partner in Bangladesh. Since 2006, we’ve worked together to establish hospitals, perfect our training programs, and establish sustainable systems of eye care throughout the country that reach millions.
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The story behind this photo radiates with your love. ❤️
On a trip to Nepal, voluntary ophthalmologist and Honorary Lifetime Board member, Dick Litwin found himself in front of hundreds of patients who had received life-changing eye surgery just hours earlier. No longer scared, these smiling faces would soon see the world anew.
Looking from afar, Dr. Litwin couldn’t help but notice the bandages across patients’ eyes looked a bit heart-shaped. The tape reminded him of the arrow that runs down. And that’s when it hit him. Just as we’ve always sent paper heart Valentines to our loved ones for centuries, this was you – our Seva community – sending Valentines to the people of Nepal. Your gift of sight was a Valentine more powerful than any words, and sweeter than any candy.
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Whitney Houston sang it loud & clear: “Children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way!”
Sometimes, the leaders of tomorrow need support to succeed. For kids who struggle to see, life can be a challenge. They miss school, are ostracized by peers when their eyes appear different, & often face issues with self-esteem.
Our school screening programs are designed to address this. We bring eye care to students, teachers, and parents exactly where they are – in the classroom!
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Thanks for your votes!
Renowned philanthropist Peter Singer has won the Berggruen Prize, and he’s giving away $100,000 from the prize money to three of The Life You Can Save’s recommended charities based on a public vote – Seva won $30,000!
Each dollar goes directly to provide critical eye care, medicine, and treatment to underserved communities. That means thousands can go back to school, work or serve their communities! It’s never been so simple to transform lives!
Thanks again – it takes a community to bring the gift of vision to those in need.
You know how the holidays are filled with joyous music, spreading cheer far and wide? Well, we have a treat for you today! Our youth outreach team in Nepal created a jingle about the importance of eye care. It may not be a familial holiday tune, but it has the same spirit and energy this time of year brings to all of us.
Listen to the full clip and follow along with the translations below:
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Native Americans disproportionately suffer from higher rates of preventable and treatable eye conditions. Poverty, geographic isolation, and finding culturally appropriate providers often prevent Indigenous communities from accessing the treatment they need.
Seva’s American Indian Sight Initiative exists to meet the eye care needs of the five million Indigenous people throughout the United States. We structure collaborative, locally-based partnerships with hospitals and clinics in and near Indigenous land to enable Native communities to access health and wellness services year-round.
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We’re always on the hunt for the greatest eye care inventions. Last year, Seva announced a Call for Ideas to identify innovative technology-based solutions to improve eye care delivery. We wanted to give you the opportunity to check in on The University of Washington (UW) at Bothell that has been working on the development of an EYE Toolbox, a cloud-based package of software. It provides secure and effective training, helps coordinate electronic medical records, facilitates collaboration between eye clinics, and allows for remote treatment interventions.
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Seva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. ©2021 Seva Foundation. All rights reserved.