Seva Foundation is a donor-supported non-profit organization that builds partnerships to respond to locally defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions throughout the world.



In the vision that inspires Seva's work in the world, health is not simply the elimination of disease; it is a condition of wholeness and freedom of being. We believe that international service requires a consciousness of the interplay of both economic and political forces as well as social, cultural, and spiritual influences. Service that seeks to work for significant and measurable improvements in people's lives also requires relationships that are based on an appreciation for the fullness of our human diversity.



At the heart of Seva's vision is a growing perception that western technology and skills must be used in ways that are sustainable and that can be shared with those who do not have access to capital and resources. We call this compassionate capitalism. At the same time, indigenous cultures have long sought to survive in a world increasingly dominated by corporate greed and environmental destruction. They struggle to integrate modern tools with a vision of life that is rooted in a reverence for the Earth's biosphere. Their spiritual knowledge and insight is one that places human life in relationship to all other forms of life.



Seva seeks to serve an evolving vision that integrates the ancient and the modern in ways that promote health and human harmony. It is a vision that has us working with modern surgeons and traditional healers, sharing the technology for surgically implanted lenses and supporting herbal remedies used by Mayan midwives. A vision that accommodates the best of both worlds.





Guiding Principles
Seva Foundation is dedicated to finding skillful means to relieve suffering. We call this compassion in action. We do not base our approach 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.