HOUSTON: Sewa International Houston celebrated the 10th anniversary of Sewa Dancing Stars (SDS), the flagship fundraising dance competition that has brought the community together through dance, service and philanthropy during the past decade. The event served as the official kickoff to a year-long recognition of SDS’s remarkable journey and honored the many individuals and organizations whose support has made the competition an indisputable success over the past ten years.
“This milestone belongs to every volunteer, donor, sponsor, dancer, teacher, judge, and supporter who has been part of our story,” said Kavita Tewary, Executive Director of Sewa International’s Houston Chapter. “For ten years, Sewa Dancing Stars has demonstrated how culture and service can come together to create meaningful impact. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us dance for a cause and make a difference in our community.”
SDS brings together dancers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters to celebrate culture while raising awareness and support for humanitarian and community service initiatives. At the heart of these efforts is the ASPIRE Program established by Sewa International to transform underserved communities by empowering their children. The ASPIRE Out of School Time Program provides academic support, mentoring, STEAM curriculum, Social Emotional Learning, and other enrichment activities for children grades K through 5, with a new mentorship program for children in middle school beginning this year. By establishing learning centers directly in the communities where students live, ASPIRE ensures that all challenges to service are mitigated.
“When I started at la escuelita, I was 8 and shy, and I was like an only child because my brother was 15 years older than me. I didn’t have a lot of friends and at school I got bullied. At ASPIRE I made friends, I got to learned so much, and Miss C and Miss L taught me to be brave and believe in myself, and to focus on school “ —Angie (Today she is a straight A student in 11th grade at Alief Early College High School with long-term plans for a PhD in Education.
“In my country, I couldn’t go to school. Here in Houston, I can go to two schools and my favorite is the ASPIRE Center. I can learn math and science and reading and I can attend workshops about mental health. At ASPIRE, I can learn, learn, learn.”-–Nazia (An active participant in all activities who aspires to become an US Air Force pilot or a police captain.
ASPIRE IMPACT
| Total Number of Children Served | 1750 Children Served |
| Increased Attendance | 75% |
| Enganced Engagement | 71% |
| Improved Academic Performance | 74% |
Over the last decade, SDS has become much more than a dance competition. A special highlight of the evening was the presence of Guest of Honor, Arpana Manjunath, whose inspiring remarks on the symbiotic relationship between dance and education reflected the values of service, compassion, and community that have guided SDS throughout its journey.
“Dance is the purest form of embodied cognition where knowledge resides not only in the mind but also in the body,” said Manjunath
Sewa International’s mission is to serve humanity in distress, aid local communities, run developmental projects for underserved populations, and empower transformational change through the collective efforts of volunteers, donors, and partners. Its vision is to create a world where all people live in harmony, free from suffering, while serving selflessly and with compassion.
The celebration recognized the invaluable contributions of past and present donors, sponsors, dance teachers, choreographers, volunteers, judges, emcees, photographers, media partners, and community supporters who have helped shape SDS into one of Houston’s most impactful cultural fundraising events.
As SDS enters its next decade, it remains committed to advancing Sewa’s guiding principle: “Serving Humanity is Serving Divinity.” Together, the SDS community looks forward to continuing its mission of service, compassion, and positive impact for many years to come.
