Non-profit service group donates essential items for GRIC elders

Christopher Lomahquahu

Gila River Indian News

SEWA International, a Hindu based non-profit organization, made a donation of essential items at the Gila River Health Care Viola L. Johnson building on Sept. 17.

The items, ranging from personal protective equipment, cleaning products to hygienic supplies will be distributed to GRIC elders. The donation by SEWA, is one of many projects by the humanitarian organization to assist underserved populations across the U.S. and across the globe.  

“This just shows the generosity that is out there, especially during COVID, but it also shows how much you can do with a positive mindset and motivated individuals, like SEWA,” said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. 

He said the items are important for the upcoming flu season to prevent the spread of germs. 

Gov. Lewis provided an overview of the Community to the group of SEWA volunteers, who were interested in the culture, land and history of the Akimel O’otham. 

“It is great to be here to get to learn about [your] community, there is much we can learn about the people and how we can help,” said Prasad Koranne, SEWA Phoenix Chapter Coordinator. 

“We have 50 chapters across the U.S.A., we work with underserved populations and local organizations, especially in Native American populations, this is just a small part of the on-going activities that [we] do,” said Koranne. 

“In a short period of time, that I have been connected with SEWA, no matter who, where and when the help is needed, [they] are there to help,” said Dr. Sirisha Puppala, MD GRHC Primary Care Department.

She said SEWA had extended their assistance, which she had connected with the appropriate channels to make the donation possible. 

“I have seen them in action, providing masks, hand sanitizers, food and water to tribes they have helped, even with other reservations around water quality issues, such as on the Navajo Nation,” said Puppala. 

“With these donated items, we can move forward and get these important items out to the elder populations. We will identify how they will be disseminated out to the districts, those who are in need,” said Laurie Thomas, Director of Community Services Department.  

She said the donation of essential items and PPE will be combined with items from a previous donation drive organized by GRHC and will be distributed by CSD to the elders.