The youth generation is invariably a promising group of individuals. We students endowed with fertile imagination and steadfast dedication - along with the help of our elders - can work together assiduously to improve the conditions of the world. There are many complex issues confronting us today from diseases to poverty to animal rights.  On October 18th, a few high school students including me hosted some of the most rewarding events of our lives: Run for SEWA. This 5k run marathon successfully raised awareness for animal rights and money for the Sacred Cows Sanctuary.

We have been sedulously involved with SEWA (Selfless Efforts for Welfare of All) for the past few years. The most admirable quality of this organization is the opportunities it provides for the youth generation. From volunteering at SEWA’s Swami Vivekananda Laser Show to being an intern at SEWA’s Get Inspired Program, we have always been granted great trust and grave responsibility. We have been treated justly and like an equal volunteer regardless of the fact we are working with many adults. In addition, SEWA truly foster leadership skills in every project without exception. When we approached SEWA to host a youth-organized 5k run project, it was surprising to get a spontaneous approval from SEWA.
We began planning Run for SEWA as early as April of 2014. We gathered a group of student volunteers and through the next few months meticulously worked on the venue, the cause, and promotion. Originally we had decided to raise funds for the under-privileged children’s healthcare and education, but the SEWA team asked me to come up with a local cause. Thus, we opted for Sacred Cows Sanctuary. This safe haven for cows located in Georgia was very dear to our hearts as many of us practice vegetarianism and/or are animal lovers.

As time progressed, things became nebulous and many students dropped out of the planning committee and many others joined. This project was tedious and time-consuming, but we can confidently say that we learned something new every minute. Only through organizing Run for SEWA could we gain so many valuable traits and skills. We learnt to communicate with each other; every member had to be informed about our decisions from ticket pricing to sponsorships to state décor. We held conference calls and in-person meetings frequently. But it was not just speaking to our team. We had to travel the extra mile to go out and talk to business owners and corporate CEO’s for sponsoring our event. We learned time management; with several AP courses, standardized testing, a part-time job, and other clubs, planning this event was admittedly frustrating at times. This frustration, however, spurred us to become more efficient and better organized. The most coveted skill we acquired was team spirit. We made sure to help others with every task and learned to delegate because every effort to be optimal must be a collective effort.

The planning took about a whopping seven months. Every step of the way, we had wholehearted support from friends, family, and the SEWA team. We had together signed up around 200 people for the run and raised $7,000 before expenses. We were delighted to see so many dedicated volunteers show up at 5:30 am on event day to help set up. It was a clear, sunny day: the perfect weather for a run. The event ran unhindered and every volunteer and guest thoroughly enjoyed it. We had various breakfast items, a yoga/stretch session, a DJ, music, speeches, diya painting, sponsor booths, and of course the 5k run. We had also invited the Sacred Cows Sanctuary owners. It was so heart-warming to see the joy on their faces. This amazing organization has over the years saved and protected many cows from slaughter, and we were truly honored to help them.
Reflecting back on the event, we feel so grateful to have been blessed with this God-sent opportunity. The skills we have learned are so priceless. The people we worked with are so sincere and have become true friends with one another. Our efforts have helped save lives of innocent cows. The most remarkable aspect of Run for SEWA, however, was that the whole event was organized by students. We hope our success instills faith in the future generations and paves the way for similar selfless projects.
 

List of Student Core Team Members:
Shivika Bhayana
Devneet Singh
Fatima Webhe
Vidushi Gupta
MadhavGhatpande
PragyaBhayana
Avanti Joshi
Janani Rammohan