Give a truly Dem gift with no price-tag this holiday season

[hsher]

A lady here in Albuquerque pointed me today to this organization, SEVA. Seva is a non-profit group devoted to linking needful villages and small communities across the world to those who would like to help them with donations and volunteer service. I have decided to give the gift of service this holiday season, instead of the usual pricey items in shopping bags given to greedy relatives and awkward semi-friends. (Think a moment: who really gets the gift they love during holiday season? Those we care for, or companies selling SHTUF?) Seva helps people around the world who could truly use a helping hand, and for those who are interested, here is the link, as well as some information about this intriguing, low-key non-profit.

http://www.seva.org

Seva (say-va) is a Sanskrit word for service. Seva Foundation was formed in 1978 with a mission to alleviate suffering caused by disease and poverty.

Our approach is to build partnerships that respond to locally defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions. Seva currently works to:


Prevent blindness and restore sight in India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tanzania and Guatemala.
Help indigenous communities in Guatemala and Mexico develop their capacity to meet basic needs and create solutions to poverty and injustice.
Support Native American projects across the U.S. in the areas of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation.
Seva's work is made possible by the generosity of donors, foundations, volunteers and friends — all joined together in the spirit of service.

Our 27 years of experience uniquely positions us to:

Understand problems and challenges faced by individual countries and cultures.
Identify reliable and trustworthy partner organizations the countries in which we work.
Provide resources including professional, medical and managerial training.
Leverage and build partnerships for networking opportunities and information sharing across the globe.
Build capacity for culturally and financially sustainable solutions.
Guiding Principles
Seva Foundation is dedicated to finding skillful means to relieve suffering. We call this compassion in action. Our work isn't based upon an ideology or religious affiliation, but we do have guiding principles:

We affirm both the rational and the intuitive in all our work. We respect the spiritual and cultural roots of individuals and communities in helping them to create sustainable solutions.
We seek long-term solutions that will support economic independence while remaining committed to methods that are environmentally sound.
We promote solutions to problems that come from within individuals and communities. This principle is inherent in Seva's concept of self-reliance.
We listen attentively to the people with whom we work and to each other. This kind of listening deepens intercultural understanding, allows lasting relationships to develop, and brings "wholeness" to our work.
We are flexible in responding to the changing needs and conditions of the people and programs we help. We follow their lead in establishing goals and setting schedules.


Give a gift with no price tag on it this season. Look into Seva and see if it clicks with you. It does me. This is just the healing spa activity my soul needs.

[applegrove]

1. Nice idea!

[nam78_two]

2. Thanks a lot for passing that on!

:toast:

[Psychmd]

3. Thank You

I have been struggling with not knowing what to get my nieces and nephews this year. They don't need anything. And I have been trying to avoid the commercialization of the holiday. I have ordered this gift in their name. My freeper sister-in-law will be pissed. Perfect.

[hsher]

4. LOL

Glad she'll be P.O.! As the Australians would say, "Good on ya!" :toast: