Spotlight on nonprofit: SEWA International USA

Dance for Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation

Don't judge an entertainer until you've danced in her/his barefeet!  That is what I took away from the artistic performances and informational presentations provided by SEWA International USA in THIRKAN 2012 on February 18 at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Ga.

SEWA, with a motto of "Service Above Self," is a 501 (c)3 organization started in India in 1989, morphed into the UK in 1991, and branched out into Atlanta in 2003. Its leader is Dr. Sree N. Sreenath, a director of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Case Western Reserve University who is also involved in cultural affairs and fundraising for Srilankan refugees.

"We can relate to their daily hardships. We are proud of our culture and strive to help...the orphaned,  widowed, mentally ill, distressed youth, and deserving students. "Our duty is to share. We sleep well, but we have a greater task ahead than just keeping ourselves comfortable," Sreenath told the crowd of about 300.

Another notable guest at the event was Dr. Ravi Sarma, an oncologist and practicing doctor. “One’s spirit can be kept alive by giving a little of ourselves to make a lot of someone else’s life,” Dr. Sarma was quoted as saying in a previous interview.

SEWA is billed as the only Hindu, faith-based NGO permitted to operate in Sri Lanka.

The organization lives by the creed, "Love Ever, Hurt Never." The event brought to my mind the idea that the inhabitants of Sri Lanka have a shared history of sacrifice faced by other displaced and suffering peoples around the globe. Despite their suffering, the result is relational caring.

A history lesson focusing on Portuguese and British invasions of Sri Lanka was also given during the 4 1/2 hour event.

 

Participants gave a portion of their tenacity, beauty, bells, henna, gold and pearls, flowers, prayers, simplicity, fluttering hands, barefooted humility, strength, courage, sadness, joy, seductive control, fortitude, and organizational skills. The financial goal is to raise an additional $30,000 for their cause. Revenue in 2011 is reported at $910,000.

 The experience gave me a different respect for Indian and Hindu culture and renewed my faith in social justice and nonviolent change espoused by Gandhi and later adopted by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We do have a lot in common," said Rakesh Pathak, one of the event's organizers.
 

 Bhutanese Artists of Georgia

To learn more about SEWA, go to http://www.sewausa.org or email info@sewausa.org.

Photos courtesy of SEWA International USA.
©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.