 | |
| Formation | 1978 (1978) |
|---|---|
| Type | INGO |
| Purpose | Prevention of blindness. |
| Headquarters | 1786 Fifth Street |
| Location |
|
Region served | Worldwide |
Executive Director | Kate Moynihan[1] |
| Website | www |
Seva Foundation is an international non-profit health organization based inBerkeley, California, known for preventing and treating blindness and othervisual impairments. It was co-founded in 1978 by Dr.Larry Brilliant,Ram Dass,Wavy Gravy,Nicole Grasset andGovindappa Venkataswamy.Steve Jobs served as an early adviser and major contributor.
Seva works with local communities in more than 20 countries around the world to develop locally-run, culturally appropriate, self-sustaining programs to increase access to eye care. Seva works with local eye health hospitals and clinics in central Asia, southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation also works with Native communities in North America through itsAmerican Indian Sight Initiative.
Seva Foundation, based inBerkeley, California, was founded in 1978 by public health expertLarry Brilliant,[2][3] spiritual leaderRam Dass[4] and humanitarian activistWavy Gravy. Other co-founders include Dr.Govindappa Venkataswamy, founder of theAravind Eye Foundation, andNicole Grasset, the senior adviser for theWorld Health Organizationsmallpoxeradication campaign.[5][6]Steve Jobs also participated as an adviser at early Seva meetings and provided the first significant cash donation along with anApple II to enter and analyzeeye care survey results in the original Nepal program.[7]
According to the Seva Foundation's website, "Seva (pronounced Say-Va) is aSanskrit word meaning 'selfless service to others' and came to represent for us the dream of relieving suffering and reducing poverty in the most effective ways possible."[8]