Clearing the Path to Higher Ground

Mr. Ram Prasad Kandel talking with patients after their cataract surgeries.

Ram Prasad Kandel Retires After 25 Years of Caring Service

It’s not hyperbole to say there ain’t no mountain high enough to deter Seva’s Nepal Program Director, Ram Prasad Kandel. For the past 25-plus years, he’s been on the road with Seva, traversing hilly terrain and rough roads in Nepal, India, and Cambodia to support eye camps, establish Vision Centers, and connect with the people who come seeking help.

Continue reading

Love is in the air … and right here in the Seva family!

Wavy and Jahanara in more recent times.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

You already know that love sparks a lot of goodness. When we sprinkle it around, and put our love into action, the world becomes better. And you do it through Seva everyday! Did you know that many of the ‘Originals’ who jump started our mission were also couples in love? The love they carried for each other was put into action towards a greater cause – spreading joy.

This Valentine’s Day, meet a few of these Seva Sweethearts:

Continue reading

QUIZ: How well do you know Seva?

Shamimu from Tanzania was almost blind from cataracts in both eyes and did her school work by resting her chin on the page so she could see. Her spirit as well as her school work suffered and she faced a grim future. After her surgery Shamimu could see again. Happily she returned to school with new confidence and brighter days ahead.

Take this quick quiz to find out!

Whether you’re a longtime Seva supporter or just recently joined our cause, we’re glad you’re part of the Seva family. 

See how well you know Seva’s history and the people, places, and solutions that guide our work with this fun game of trivia. You may even learn a few new and surprising facts! 

Continue reading

Letter from the Executive Director – Spring 2021

"Over the years the Grateful Dead and extended family have had the opportunity to profoundly benefit hundreds of thousands of people through Seva's programs...Let's keep it rolling..." — BOB WEIR, Musician/Songwriter

Dear Friends,

Springtime brings a sense of renewal, and after a year of uncertainty with COVID-19 looming over everyone’s fate, many parts of the world can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Here in the US, with the rollout of various vaccines, I am reminded that in many parts of the rest of the world, people are still struggling with COVID, access to care, and even more significant health challenges due to the various mutations. Scientists have moved mountains; yet we must ensure that the work to save lives continues. For Seva, the work continues with safety first, as we provide life-saving and essential eye care needs to some of the world’s most marginalized communities

Continue reading

Seva Contributes to Groundbreaking Report

As a public health organization that has been active for over 40 years in 20+ countries, Seva has amassed a great deal of information pertaining to the safe and effective delivery of eye care. To bring this knowledge to the forefront, Seva recently sponsored the Lancet Commission Report on Global Eye Health and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’ Vision Atlas. This groundbreaking new report and research tool provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of eye care and a roadmap for how to proceed in creating a world free of avoidable blindness. 

Continue reading

Meet our Vision Excellence Award Winners!

A girl in Guatemala has her eyes examined. Photo by Joe Raffanti.

The International Association of Blindness (IAPB) created the Vision Excellence Award to commemorate the end of its 21-year global initiative, VISION 2020: A Right to Sight. In recognition of their life-changing, world-transforming work in the field of humanitarian eye care, IAPB has recognized a total of ten Seva team members and partners with the prize.

“On behalf of the whole Seva family, congratulations to these extraordinary sight leaders and practitioners,” says Kate Moynihan, Executive Director of Seva Foundation. “Seva staff and partners consistently set the standard for patient-centered vision care. Today’s award winners share the commitment and quality of work that brings access to sustainable eye care to millions of individuals and their communities worldwide. I can’t wait to see how – together – we will continue to change the world.”

Thank you for supporting Seva and making these incredible accomplishments possible!

Continue reading