NAR SEWA NARAYAN SEWA
(Service to humanity is service to God)
Check out if you are eligible for Canadian Emergency Response Benefit CLICK HERE
If you live in Ontario, you maybe eligible to apply for Ontario benefits.CLICK HERE
This campaign has ended. Final Report will be updated shortly.
Updates (5th May 2020): Approximately 400 International students and counting served across 10 cities in Canada over the last 5 weeks. Gratitude to selfless workers on the ground – Sewa Youth volunteers, Guru Nanak Mission Society London, Hindu Mandir Montreal, Sree Dharma Sasta Temple Edmonton. This Seva was also made possible by our donors who have helped us raise approximately CAD$ 10,500 and contributions in kind by Om Grocers, Toronto and couple of others. Our efforts were recognized by Ajay Bisaria ji, High Commissioner of India to Canada, on social media(Click Here).
Our work on the ground continues…..
Sewa Canada International is stepping in to do its part to serve the needy across Canada, during the COVID-19 crisis. This is also in response to an appeal from the Consulate General of India, Toronto, seeking help from any quarter, to help alleviate the crisis faced by a large number of Indian International Students, in Canada.
Sewa Canada International is releasing CAD$ 5,000 of its funds immediately towards its “International Students Aid” project. This will help our work get started on the ground immediately, to bring relief to the needy at the earliest.
This work will be carried out by our committed network of volunteers in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina to get started on the ground immediately, to serve those in need.
However, given the large population of Indian International Students, the prospect of this crisis continuing longer than expected, the proportion of help needed is much bigger, requiring more funding and resources, than currently allocated by us.
Sewa Canada International appeals to its donors to donate generously to help us serve the maximum number of International students, faced with challenges of food & finances. Donations accepted online via CanadaHelps or PayPal or by cheque. Sewa Canada is entirely volunteer run and 100% of your donations will go directly to this cause. Tax receipts issued automatically for online donations. Tax receipts sent by mail to donors, for donations via cheques.
THE WHAT, WHY & HOW
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our lives in a way few could have predicted. It has thrown tremendous and unprecedented challenges for all of us. The Federal and Provincial governments have taken crucial steps, announcing actions to address the acute health, safety and economic needs of Canadians.
However, Canada is home to a large number of International students from India – who are young, new to Canada, have lost part time or full time jobs, face burden of servicing huge loans to finance their studies or depend on their parents (who are faced with similar situation) back home. Many are unable to return home due to travel restrictions. They are facing challenges with accommodation, finances and food. The Indian Consulate in Toronto has been inundated with requests for assistance and hence appealing to anyone one or any organizations in Canada, to help in this situation.
Sewa Canada via its network of volunteers and community partners have decided to pitch in and provide the needy students with the following aid.
- Food Supplies or Cooked Food (former preferred) & over the counter medications
- Guidance/Counselling with help of qualified professionals & practitioners in the community.
- Connecting with community volunteers in their respective cities for local support – health & wellness.
- Any other emergency or unforeseen scenario – On a case-by-case basis.
Any international student in Canada, requesting support are required to FILL OUT THIS FORM.
Sewa Canada and its youth volunteers will reach out to University/Student organizations and students via Social Media and word of mouth. On receipt of support requests, our team of volunteers will review the requests, assess the needs, short list the needy students, nature of support, availability of volunteers in the requested city, availability of funding and dispatch aid to the needy. Due diligence will be done to select the needy cases, including validation on the ground.
Our dependence to serve will largely depend on resources. The more resources the more international students we can serve during this crisis. Hence every donation counts and will make a difference.
All donors will receive frequent updates and reports on the progress of our campaign. Details will include funds raised, funds disbursed by location, details of students supported, locations, pictures and other details.
In case of additional questions or more information to help you make a donation, please CONTACT US.
While Online donations are preferred, donations by cheque accepted too. Cheques payable to “Sewa Canada International” & sent to:
Sewa Canada International
P.O. Box 76621,
1661 Denison Street,
Markham,ON. L3R 0N5
Canada.
VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM
(The whole world is one family)