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www.sewaday.org sewaday

#sewapioneers

Awards ceremony held on Wednesday, 24th June 2015

Atlee Suite, Portcullis House, London, SW1A 2LW

sewapioneersawardreal people, real projects, inspiring action

Congratulating the nominees and winners of the

inspiring action

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Sewa Pioneers Award for participation in Sewa Day 2014

Alec Reed Academy, Northolt The students at Alec Reed Academy visited The Grange Residential home to read with the eldery. The children enjoyed the experience, whilst also gaining confidence in their reading ability.

What the Judges said“A great activity with the local elderly”

Asda, FelthamA team of 15 volunteers from Asda Feltham alongside Sikh Welfare Awareness Team (SWAT) organised a vibrant project, which created huge impact despite such a small number of volunteers. Asda staff joined SWAT for one of its regular Sunday evening slots to feed the homeless. The team helped to collect food and fed nearly 400 homeless people on Sewa Day. They continue to work closely with SWAT and have a great ongoing relationship.

What the Judges said“A vibrant project which made a huge impact, with only a small number of volunteers”

Welcome to this year’s Sewa Pioneer Awards, a day which has become a key highlight of the year, providing us with the opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements of the last 12 months, whilst looking ahead to the next.

This year our judges have been inundated with projects from around the world, making their choice of the most pioneering projects a tough call to make.

We thank the three independent judges Reena Ranger, Jigna Patel and Rajay Naik for meeting this challenge and helping to showcase the change that we can all be.

As Sewa Day grows from strength to strength we recognize the contribution of each and every one, whose sacrifice, however great or small, helps to inspire the future generation. Sewa Day has now become a regular feature in 25 countries and in many of these places individuals are working tirelessly to establish Sewa Day further and deeper.

Moving around the country, it strikes me how motivated and inspired the younger generations are to be involved with Sewa Day. I’m sure you will agree that with this type of attitude, the future looks bright for us all.

I’m humbled by the number of Sewa Day projects which continue on a regular basis throughout the year. As one volunteer put it “Sewa Day comes and goes but I realised that this Charity requires support all year round. Therefore we decided to offer our Sewa regularly.”

And it is this realisation that provides the basis for Sewa Day 2015, that Sewa becomes us – a way of being, each and every day.

Bharat VadukulTrustee & Chairman, Sewa Day

Sewa Pioneers Awards Judges

Jigna M. Patel – ChairHaving completed her maths and computer science degree at Imperial College Jigna embarked

on a software development career which was cut short to support her

husband Mayank Patel in building the UK’s first non-bank foreign exchange company Currencies Direct Limited. Whilst her priority early on was in supporting Mayank and being a full time mum her underlying interest has always been in steering her family towards a balance between commerce and philanthropy.

Today, in addition to founding her own family foundation which aims to directly support children’s’ charities in India, Jigna is also supportive of a number of UK based organisations including the British Asian Trust (BAT) where she and Mayank have been patrons from inception and quite recently have further increased their involvement by becoming founding members of the UK Advisory Council to help BAT achieve its 5 year plan.

Rajay NaikRajay Naik is Director of Government and External Affairs at The Open University (the UK’s largest

University and the world leader in online learning) and Chairman of UK

Funding at the Big Lottery Fund (the largest funder of charities in the UK investing over £900m per annum). He serves on the boards of the National Careers Council and the UK-ASEAN Business Council. Rajay was one of five panel members on Lord Browne’s Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.

Previously he held senior roles in Local Government at Coventry City Council; Central Government at the Cabinet Office and in the voluntary sector at the Royal Society of Arts. He is a former Chairman of the British Youth Council; Trustee of vInspired, National Youth Agency and Changemakers Foundation; and Council Member of the Learning and Skills Council. Rajay is a published author and holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from The University of Warwick.

Reena RangerReena is Chairman and Founder of Women Empowered, a social initiative that aims to inspire and

help women make the best of their individual talents and skills by providing

role models to engage, encourage and empower. WE aims to enable change by connecting individuals with others and organisations with a view to help them make the most of their abilities and help them gain new opportunities. The group is championed and supported by prominent women and men from all walks of life, from politics to media, from finance to music.Reena was successfully elected as a District Councillors in May 2014.

sewapioneersawardreal people, real projects, inspiring action

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty

Bringing a little Joy

Voluntary Groups

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Sewa Pioneers Award for participation in Sewa Day 2014

Atma Vignan Dada Bhagwan Foundation, Harrow Thirty one volunteers consisting of the group’s kids club, co-ordinators and parents served food, drinks and entertained elderly people at James Court, a retired sheltered housin community in Northwood. The foundation has been running projects for years and once again organised a great project making a real difference to the residents at the home.

Ashiana and Sathya Sai Centre, London An empowering project for anyone who was exposed to it; the team helped to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with learning disabilities by encouraging and providing volunteering opportunities to our service users. The team served and entertained elderly residents of the borough, helping them to integrate within the wider community.

What the Judges said“Wonderfully understated efforts from AVDBF, which has been running for years and deserves strong recognition”

What the Judges said“Ashiana has been arranging inspiring projects for years and this year was no exception”

Ernst & Young and Standard Chartered, Hong KongThe team organised several projects this year, however one of the most striking involved young students leading the way. Five volunteers under the age of 21 worked with Standard Chartered Bank to give 16 vulnerable refugees a once in a lifetime experience with a visit to Hong Kong’s premier Trampoline park, followed by a financial planning workshop and finally preparing dinner for them.

What the Judges said“A great project with youth taking a lead in organising. The ongoing nature of their work is brilliant”

Mandhata Community AssociationThe team collected a vast amount of food collected by the entire community at their Navratri festival. They also recited bhajans (devotional hymns) at two local nursing homes and helped to get volunteers into the local community to perform. With such a large amount of food collected at a festival time this was a great project with significant impact.

What the Judges said“Large amounts of food collected at festival time. This has become a staple of the navratri time, which is testament to the work of MCA”

Bringing a little Joy Bringing a little JoyBringing a little Joy

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty, and bringing a little joy

Voluntary Groups

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Sewa Pioneers Award for participation in Sewa Day 2014

National Hindu Students Forum, Bradford The students from Bradford University cleaned their local park, temple and primary school playground. In addition, the team donated a large amount of food. The students have since forged an ongoing relationship with the local temple to make volunteering regular.

What the Judges said“Wonderful efforts from the students of Bradford”

United Religions Initiative International, KenyaThe team ran a mentorship programme for children, helping pupils to explore their passion and provide them skills for life. From tips to passing exams to behavioural and moral guidance, the programme aims to grow responsible citizens giving them a platform to alleviate from poverty in their homes.

These children are on a free lunch program which is offered by Food for Education led by a nutritionist, Wawira Njiru. This lunch program encourages pupils to attend classes despite the several challenges that they face in their homes. The volunteers had a chance to serve lunch and enjoy what they eat on a daily basis together.

What the Judges said“The multi-cultural nature of the organisation and the impact of mentoring are both undeniable. Wonderful project with a huge ongoing impact”

OM Group, LutonOM Group volunteers arranged a wide variety huge range of projects in Luton, amongst them a truly unique project. Volunteers spent the day helping at Appledown Dogs Kennel giving attention to rescued dogs, taking them for walks and carrying out maintenance on the grounds to make them more dog-friendly and pleasant for those visiting their potential new pets.

Thirteen volunteers took part, ranging in age from 13 – 50 years.

What the Judges said“A truly unique project. Om Group has managed to arrange a huge range of amazing projects that create impact in Luton”

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, StanmoreEntire families and volunteers of all ages came together to help around the temple grounds; gardening and clearing the area. A great feature of this project was the amount of first time volunteers who, having experienced performing Sewa, have come back to the temple and volunteered for other projects. Everyone joined in and had a blast of a time doing even the most menial jobs. The enthusiasm of the sewaks (volunteers) themselves was infectious!

What the Judges saidThe temple grounds have benefitted hugely from sewa day projects over the years and this was no exception. Amazing work!

Helping to relieve hardship

Bringing a little joy

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty and bringing a little joy

Helping the environment

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Schools Sewa Pioneers Award for participation in Sewa Day 2014

Driffield School and Sixth Form, YorkshireStudents from all year groups came together to help out at a local skate park, Skateopia, that attracts hundreds of young people every day. The skate park is central to the local community providing a safe place for young people to get together outside of school. By helping a centre that in turn helps hundreds of young people allowed the pupils to really understand the importance of giving time.

The volunteers cleared grassy areas which had scrap pieces of metal and wood lying around. They also painted the ramps which had not been painted for years. The students also conducted questionnaires, which gave knowledge to the skate park owners.

The Sewa Day project in schools is a week-long initiative with assemblies explaining the concepts of sewa, lessons using the free classroom resources provided by Sewa Day and activities enabling students to participate in sewa activities.

What the Judges said“A whole week of sewa, which clearly leaves a positive mark! Inspiring!”

Barham Primary School, WembleyBarham Primary School conducted yet another great week of Sewa activities, with children in each class making Sewa pledges and tying them to the school playground railings. A range of activities were organised including, sending the school choir to visit the local nursing home and singing to the wider public at the Wembley designer outlet. One of the biggest highlights was the year 6 pupils preparing a Sewa Rap that was sung at a special Sewa themed Assembly.

What the Judges said“A great week of fantastic sewa activities”

Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis, DubaiThe school hosted a winter appeal for the children of Syria, forming a partnership with Red Crescent to collect blankets, warm clothing and tinned foods. The appeal went out across the school and the local community with the response being huge. In addition there were themed days throughout the week – Sharing Sunday, Message Monday, Teamwork Tuesday, World Wednesday and Thoughtful Thursday. On Message Monday each child in the Primary Phase wrote an act of kindness pledge on a special luggage tag. Their pledge had to be one act that they could complete to bring joy to others.

What the Judges said“Great to see such an effort for people who need it so much in Syria’s current crisis”.

International School, IndiaThis project, conducted during the period of Diwali, saw elderly people at the Mother Teresa old age home in New Delhi visited by pupils, bringing with them some necessities for the residents. This had a profound effect on the pupils who visited the home and is now a continuous activity with parents and children donating to the home on a monthly basis. This project is having a great impact on the volunteers as well as the beneficiaries.

What the Judges said“Wonderful to see how the old people of India benefit from this project”.

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty, protecting the environment and bringing a little joy

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty, protecting the environment and bringing a little joy

Bringing a little joy

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty

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Schools Sewa Pioneers Award for participation in Sewa Day 2014

The Kindergarten Starters, UAEInspired by the rice bucket challenge that went viral on the internet, the school took it onboard to organise a huge collection of rice with staff, students and parents coming together to collect over 6000 Kg in two days. The volunteers then ensured it was arranged and handed over to the Red Crescent charity for use and distribution to the needy in Gaza. All 6000 students, staff and parents assembled to witness the culmination of this challenge. Dignitaries from the Red Crescent, UAE congratulated the volunteers for collecting 6000 kilograms of rice for Gaza in such a short period of time.

St Hilda’s School, BusheyThis was the first year St Hilda’s participated in Sewa Day. Twenty four pupils came together to perform a Christmas music recital at Bushey Beaumont residential home. The pupils were unprepared for how much of an impact this simple act of kindness would have on the residents. It really brought home to them the fundamental ethos behind SEWA. One gentleman was so moved that he shed a single tear during the performance. The residents enjoyed the performance and this project enabled the school to build an ongoing relationship with the local home.

What the Judges said“Taking inspiration from a global trend and they made it their own. Well done!”

What the Judges said“Sewa with a musical twist! An inspiring project”

Modern Academy, UAEOver 250 volunteers from across the school community took part in a great project with a great legacy. Joining the Dubai Police drive to support the UN’s “Billion Tree Campaign”, the school planted over 200 trees. This was a great initiative that highlighted to the students the importance of protecting the environment with great support from the Dubai Police Academy. Sewa Day is now an integral part of the Academy’s calendar and it is great to see the students driving projects.

What the Judges said“Wow! The impact of the trees planted will be felt for generations to come”

Our Own English High School Fujairah, UAEThe school organised a creative project where pupils held a training camp for elderly people including staff and support staff on how to use computer technology, the latest mobile phone applications, social media and other technical advancements. This project was created by the students and they took the initiative to ensure it was a resounding success, also learning how difficult it can be to train someone for the first time. This immediately improved the lives of the beneficiaries.

What the Judges said“A wonderfully creative project to help those less digitally literate, this will no doubt improve the lives of beneficiaries”

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty, bringing a little joy Bringing a little joy

Protecting the environment

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty

Schools

West Lodge Primary School, PinnerThe school organised an entire weeks’ worth of activities under the banner Sewa Week. The children in each class came up with ideas for their own Sewa projects and took ownership from the start through to leading the activities. Examples include decorating biscuits and making welcome cards for the new Reception children. Year 1 also made bookmarks for a local nursing home. Year 3 made mini storybooks for children in a local hospital and collected old football kits for War Child. Year 4 made treats (cookies and cakes) for local emergency services and delivered these by hand (local police and fire stations).

Sewa Day is a registered charity (No: 1146848)

Visit and sign-up at www.sewaday.org | Phone: +44 (0)207 193 7108

Mobile: +44 (0)7957 197527 | Email: info@sewaday.org

www.sewaday.org @sewaday

What the Judges said“It is wonderful to see the wide ranging impact of Sewa day taking shape across the School. The cultural impact of these projects will cause an amazing shift”

Supported by:Mr & Mrs BC Agarwal, Arvind Jobanputra & Co, Chinmaya Mission UK, DBF Associates, Elite Visions, Mr & Mrs Dixit Joshi, Mr & Mrs Mayank Patel, Sewa UK, SPL Trust, The Varkey GEMS Foundation, Vascroft, Vinod Shah & Co.

Winchester School, DubaiThe school organised a ‘blood donation drive’ working with the Latifa Hospital. Pupils lead the initiative by formally corresponding with the local government organisation to get the drive organised. It was a five hour drive in which 46 staff members successfully met the criteria to donate blood from the 80 people who had volunteered.

What the Judges said“Blood donation is an amazing cause to highlight and aide, this project does that perfectly. We should all give more blood, this is an example to us all”

sewapioneersawardreal people, real projects, inspiring action

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty, protecting the environment and bringing a little joy

Helping to relieve hardship and poverty