Talk:Seva Foundation

= Inconsistency =

Untitled
The article says:
 * seva ... founded in 1978 by public health expert Dr. Larry Brilliant.

But the Larry Brilliant page says:
 * Co-founder and chairman of Seva

And the Neem_Karoli_Baba page says:
 * After returning to the United States, Ram Dass and Larry Brilliant founded the Seva Foundation

75.93.149.42 (talk) 02:10, 11 May 2012 (UTC)

Proposed merge with Gifts of Service
Doesn't merit a separate article Rathfelder (talk) 10:33, 27 May 2016 (UTC)
 * ✅. --Krinkle (talk) 23:27, 19 November 2017 (UTC)

Paid-contribution disclosure
My team and I am doing some paid consulting work for the Seva Foundation. We noticed that the information on their Wikipedia page was woefully out of date and much of it was inaccurate. Our edits replace the incorrect text with up to date information about how the organization functions. We are not trying to advertise Seva or promote a product, and we’d be happy to remove the section that gives information about the organization’s fundraising program if that would make the rest of the edits more acceptable. We could also make the updated page shorter, with less detail, if that is needed. But I want to emphasize that all the information is accurate and is not promoting a product or a fundraising event.

We will work on finding more external sources. Bjameskimball (talk) 23:06, 7 November 2018 (UTC)
 * , thank you for declaring your paid status. You'll need to make a complete paid-contribution disclosure – I'll leave a note on your talk-page about that. Any member of your "team" who wants to edit Wikipedia will need to create their own individual account and make a similar disclosure. Each and all of you are strongly discouraged from making any direct edit to the article. If you can identify some solid independent reliable sources that actually give some useful information about the foundation, please list them here, on this talk-page. That would be helpful, thank you. Oh, and you don't need to worry about removing stuff that you added, that's already been done. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 23:43, 7 November 2018 (UTC)


 * I'm not an expert on paid contributors, but I think it would be acceptable if they did edit the article -- especially since they are being up-front about it, and are starting out by saying that they are flexible about their edits being changed or removed. That said, I guess it would be good if they posted reliable sources on the talk page, for other editors to use.  — Mudwater (Talk) 01:53, 8 November 2018 (UTC)
 * I came to the article to see if anyone had noted some of the current and former Seva board members and discussed some of its lesser-known projects. I'm extremely tight for time, but I'll try to give it a shot. Given the disclosure regarding this 501(c)3, I'm okay with User Bjameskimball editing, as long as he provides sourcing. I've found similar edits by others to other high-interest articles by up-front paid, volunteer or affiliated editors, so usually try looking for sources rather than deleting content directly upon the disclosure. Activist (talk) 10:31, 7 August 2019 (UTC)

--

Some proposed changes

 * COI suggested edits, providing more accurate information concerning Seva Foundation's work

Information to be added or removed: New top-page intro:

Seva Foundation is a non-profit international eye health organization based in Berkeley, California known for preventing and treating blindness and other visual impairment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_impairment. It was co-founded in 1978 by Dr. Larry Brilliant, Ram Dass, Wavy Gravy, Nicole Grasset and Govindappa Venkataswamy. Steve Jobs served as an early adviser and major contributor. Seva works in more than 20 countries around the world to develop locally-run programs that increase access to eye care. Using a local capacity-building approach, the organization has restored sight to well over four million people and provided medicine, glasses, and other services to address and prevent low vision in millions of others.

Explanation of issue: Updating inaccurate information (if proposed changes are neutral and deemed to feature acceptable sources) References supporting change: https://nei.nih.gov/node/2164; https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org/where-to-donate/seva; https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/seva-foundation-world-sight-day_us_56166cbee4b0082030a13cf1

Some proposed changes
Information to be added or removed: More information on Seva's mission/history

Seva Founders [a subsection of “History” - ] Larry Brilliant invited medical professionals, public policy experts, and humanitarian activists to work with him to launch Seva. In addition to Ram Dass, Wavy Gravy, Dr. Venkataswamy, Nicole Grasset, and Steve Jobs, discussed above, other co-founders and early leaders and advisors included smallpox eradication campaign worker and women’s rights activist Girija Brilliant; author and spiritual leader Mirabai Bush; Buddhism scholar and author Lama Surya Das; international business and finance influencer Robert Friedland; international health expert Suzanne Gilbert, MD, MPH; physician and smallpox eradication campaign worker T. Stephen Jones; anthropologist and filmmaker Alan Morinis, PhD; humanitarian and actress Jahanara Romney; physician Beverly Spring, MD; musician Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead; physician Carole West, MD; and physician Nedd Willard, MD.

Explanation of issue: Updating and adding additional information

References supporting change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiZLgR8fIOk

--

Some proposed changes
Information to be added or removed: addition of Sight Program section

Sight Program Data from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), shows that, as of 2015, an estimated 36 million people are blind worldwide, 1.4 million of whom are children. An additional 217 million people, including 19 million children, live with visual impairment. New projections show that by 2050, 115 million people will suffer from blindness worldwide. More than 75% of blindness and visual impairment worldwide is avoidable or treatable, according to the IAPB. The World Health Organization ranks restoring sight as one of the most effective ways to relieve suffering and reduce poverty. Blindness due to cataract, which causes about 35% of global blindness can be reversed with a simple 15-minute operation. Seva works to make this treatment affordable and accessible to people around the world. For example, the organization supported the development of Aurolab, the manufacturing division of the Aravind Eye Care System in India. Aurolab produces the intra-ocular lenses required for cataract surgery at such a low price that a person’s sight can now be restored for only $50. This innovation was originally introduced to Aravind by American ophthalmologist and Seva volunteer and lifetime board member Dr. Richard Litwin. Over the past 40 years, Seva has helped more than 4 million people to regain their eyesight. Through its Global Sight Initiative, Seva provides a platform for dozens of partners working to reach people in underserved regions. The organization provides trainings, outreach, equipment, and supplies to help economically marginalized communities access essential eye care. Seva also provides technical support and training for administrative management.

Explanation of issue: Out of date information listed on page, as it stands, providing additional info about current work References supporting change: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr55/en/, http://atlas.iapb.org/global-burden-vision-impairment/gbvi-global-cause-estimates/, http://onphilanthropy.com/2007/a-vision-of-sustainable-enterprise, https://theophthalmologist.com/issues/0518/a-question-of-capacity/, https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/08/09/visions-in-eye-care/, http://www.gsinetwork.org/

--

Some proposed changes
Information to be added or removed: Description of Global Sight Initiative
 * Addition of Global Sight Initiative section

Global Sight Initiative Seva leads the Global Sight Initiative(GSI), a global network of eye hospitals. High-performing eye hospitals, many of which are themselves located in developing countries, mentor underperforming mentee hospitals. This relationship helps mentees reach more people, improve quality of service, and become financially self-sustaining. GSI works with 10 mentor institutions and 101 mentee hospitals around the world.

GSI funds and guides mentors to provide training, coaching, and system development to mentees. Mentor eye care facilities focus on the priority needs of each mentee institution. These needs typically include increasing community awareness of eye care, expanding the number of locally-trained staff, improving patient flow and service quality, and boosting the number of people who receive care. Developing the financial health and governance of mentee hospitals is also a priority so that, over time, they will no longer rely on donations or foreign help, ensuring ongoing sustainability.

The current stated goal of Seva’s Global Sight Initiative is to enable its network of eye hospitals to sustainably perform at least one million additional cataract surgeries every year by 2020. Explanation of issue: No mention on current page References supporting change: http://globalsightinitiative.org, http://www.seva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gsi

Some proposed changes
Information to be added or removed: See below:
 * Additional sections, outlined below

Additional Areas of Expertise In addition to GSI, Seva dedicates effort to specific communities that are particularly vulnerable to sight-related challenges.

AIDS Eye Initiative With a weakened immune system, AIDS patients are susceptible to many serious infections, including cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis). CMV retinitis attacks the retina and can lead to sudden blindness. While blindness is no longer a common side effect for patients living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, the same is not true in developing countries and in areas where the disease still carries significant social stigma.

Seva launched the AIDS Eye Initiative in 2007 to reduce blindness caused by CMV retinitis worldwide. Seva volunteers travel to places with high rates of HIV/AIDS infection to train local clinicians to diagnose, manage, and treat this condition to help patients retain their sight.

Ophthalmologist Dr. David Heiden, Medical Director of the AIDS Eye Initiative, received the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2018 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award for his work to bring blindness prevention techniques to HIV/AIDS patients in politically unstable and poverty-stricken environments.

American Indian Sight Initiative (AISI) Due to a critical level of rural poverty on most American Indian reservations, high quality eye care is often not available. American Indian children have high rates of astigmatism, making access to basic eye care, like exams and glasses, particularly important for this community. In addition, Native Americans suffer disproportionately higher rates of serious eye conditions, such as diabetic eye disease, which can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Seva works with Native partners to overcome barriers to basic eye care in rural and low-income American Indian communities. The organization focuses on increasing community outreach; providing glasses, equipment, and screenings to children and the elderly; and supporting the training of mid-level eye care professionals.

Telemedicine

Seva works with partners to support the use of telemedicine in American Indian communities in New Mexico. This technology expands access to eye care for people living in remote areas or communities with a shortage of eye doctors, and can significantly reduce healthcare costs Telemedicine allows patients to communicate with a doctor via videoconference and share test results electronically in real time.

Gender Equity According to the IAPB Vision Atlas, women and girls suffer disproportionately from blindness and visual impairment. In developing countries, women and girls are far less likely to have access to eye care services because of cultural and logistical barriers. Seva works to increase gender equity in access to eye care by improving data collection with partners and offering education, screenings, transportation, and affordable care. Seva supports women’s contributions at various levels, from community health volunteers and workers,, medical counselors and technicians, optometrists and ophthalmologists, program administrators, to institutional leaders. For example, many mid-level ophthalmic personnel such as, opticians, assistants, and counselors) and community health workers are women. These women earn an income, gain financial independence, and are respected, contributing members of their communities.

Awards and Recognitions -	American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award: Dr. David Heiden, Medical Director of the AIDS Eye Initiative, was one of two ophthalmologists to receive this award in 2018. He was recognized for his pioneering work to bring state-of-the-art blindness prevention techniques to HIV/AIDS patients in politically unstable and poverty-stricken environments. -	MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change Best Bets: Seva was named a “Best Bet” organization by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 2017 as part of its 100&Change competition. Best Bet organizations and initiatives offer high-impact philanthropic solutions to some of today’s most critical issues. The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High-Impact Philanthropy selected 11 organizations and initiatives from among 2000 competition entrants for its Best Bets list. This list is intended to serve as an actionable public resource for philanthropists and donors at every level, to drive high-impact giving and bring about social change -	Champalimaud Vision Award Seva, along with The Kilimanjaro Center for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) and Seva Canada, earned the António Champalimaud Vision Award in 2015 for its Kilimanjaro Project. This collaborative model improves eye disease outcomes, fights poverty, and increases economic stability in rural communities of Africa. The Champalimaud Vision Award recognizes extraordinary scientific advances in the treatment and prevention of eye conditions in the developing world.

Fundraising and Visibility Corporate partnerships -	As of 2018, more than 600,000 people had regained their sight through the partnership between Seva and TOMS One-for-One Sight Giving Program. Since 2011, a portion of the sales of TOMS Eyewear have supported medical treatments, eyeglasses, and sight-restoring surgeries. -	New York-based eyeglass company MODO has donated tens of thousands of eyeglass frames to help Seva provide glasses to more people in developing countries.

Celebrity Concerts In 1979, the Grateful Dead was instrumental in launching Seva by playing a benefit concert that raised $100,000. Since then, Seva co-founder and self-proclaimed “professional clown” Wavy Gravy has been organizing benefit concerts for Seva, bringing to the stage hundreds of musicians, including celebrity musicians such as the Grateful Dead and Bob Weir, Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Odetta, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Lee Hooker, Krishna Das, and Jason Mraz, as well as up-and-coming musicians such as The Sam Chase and the Untraditional and Rising Appalachia.

Charity Rating Seva currently holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator

Explanation of issue: Adding more current, up-to-date information about Seva programs. References supporting change: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.history&orgid=5295, https://www.modo.com/about/about-the-company/, http://www.seva.org/site/PageNavigator/programs/toms, https://www.toms.com/what-we-give-sight, http://first.fchampalimaud.org/en/vision-award/, https://www.impact.upenn.edu/100-and-change-bold-ideas/, https://ww1.fchampalimaud.org/premiodevisao/#blockWinnersVisao, https://www.macfound.org/programs/100change, https://www.aao.org/about/awards/humanitarian/david-heiden, http://www.seva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Community_Health_Workers&utm_source=housefile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eNews&utm_content=Spring2018, http://www.seva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Telemedicine&utm_source=housefile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eNews&utm_content=Spring2018, http://www.eyes.arizona.edu/Research/VisualDevelopment/TOVSP/commonvisionproblems.html Bjameskimball (talk) 01:17, 12 December 2018 (UTC)
 * , if you want to submit this as an edit request, you'll need to add request edit at the top of it (below the words "Some proposed changes"). However, to be honest, I don't see that there's much point – I see very little likelihood of this being accepted. It's poorly written, poorly sourced and promotional in tone; even if it were none of those things, there would still be the problem of deceptive advertising. I for one would not be prepared to move pre-written advertising copy into the encyclopaedia, because it might be against the laws of the United States to do so, and those are the laws that govern this project (please note, however, that there is as yet no definitive editor consensus on this problem). If there is some significant error or omission of fact in the page, do please briefly mention it here (with properly-formatted independent reliable sources in support, of course). Thanks, Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 10:02, 12 December 2018 (UTC)