The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement
has been selected to receive the UN HABITAT Scroll of Honor “for the
way its well-established network was able to intervene effectively when
the country was hit by last year's devastating tsunami.”
As part of its “5R” approach—relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction,
reconciliation and reawakening—Sarvodaya continues to carry out
multi-ethnic, interfaith efforts in a country that is still suffering
from decades of civil conflict. American communities are welcomed to
partner with villages affected by the tsunami for mutual learning and
support.
“It shouldn’t surprise us that the translation of Sarvodaya is ‘everyone
wakes up,’ said Sarvodaya USA board chair Gordon McCormick recently.
“Whether we live in a remote village in South Asia, a town in Texas or a
New Orleans neighborhood, we’re learning to invest in people who have a
stake in the well-being of their neighbors.”
Although barely known in the United States compared to groups such as
the Red Cross, World Vision and disaster relief groups, Sarvodaya
garnered worldwide attention for its “ground-up” approach involving
people helping each other. United Airlines and its travelers contributed
more than 6 million Charity Miles. Major corporations and tens of
thousands of individual Americans donated.
The movement has already completed hundreds of new homes, pre-schools
and community centers. It expanded services to children affected by
trauma. S.E.E.D.S., its nationwide village banking system, made it
possible for thousands of villagers to borrow and provide loans without
collateral.
Sarvodaya also won recognition from Transparency International for its
management of funds, and was rated one of the most effective
non-government organizations delivering tsunami relief in a citizen
survey conducted in Sri Lanka in February.
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