Over the centuries, The Banyan tree has taken on significance as a symbol of fertility, life and resurrection – a fitting symbol for ‘VoicesUnderTheBanyanTree’. This storytelling initiative reflects the heart of SEWA-AIFW’S mission: to serve, support and enhance South Asian family wellness. Voices Under the Banyan Tree shares the journeys of community members who have wandered far from their ancestral homes, traversing new frontiers and setting down roots and networks in the US. Through their stories of resilience, achievement and hope, we honor them, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of the South Asian diaspora.
Our story today features the inspiring individuals serving the South Asian community, through their work on SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Health and Resource Clinic’ Program. Motivated by a deep commitment to health care for their fellow community members, they have made a profound difference in the health and mental wellbeing of countless immigrants.
The Founder
Inspired by her volunteer work with several organizations at Alma Mater, Carleton: a domestic violence group and free health clinics serving the Latino farm community, an idealistic young graduate Anjuli Mishra, perceived parallel needs within the immigrant South Asian community. The need for supplemental health care for many of the dependents of H1B visas, newly arrived seniors whose only medical option was the ER, and even those carrying insurance but not making a connection with a health care system focused on ‘15’ minute ailment discussions vs a trusted medical relationship, was imperative. Also, a community and culture driven by achievement and success often overlooked the needs of this vulnerable population, leaving them to fall through the cracks of an otherwise prosperous society.
At her graduation party in 2007, Anjuli connected with family friend Raj Chaudhary, founder of the Minnesota non-profit SEWA-AIFW in 2004. That discussion led to the launch of a pilot program for mobile health clinics at Faith Centers, as a summer volunteer at SEWA-AIFW. Initially, there were lots of challenges. Primary among them: the concept of preventative medicine addressing diabetes, hypertension and heart disease; trust; and a belief that the health offering was ‘real’ and not a scam. Working closely with Anjuli and the Chaudhary’s, Dr. Krishna Saxena, now 98, founding member of the Hindu Temple, a University of Minnesota Pediatrician, member of the medical faculty and mentor to many leading lights of the medical community today, provided much needed credibility to the program.
The diligence of doing it month after month eventually built authenticity in the medical offering and overcame community skepticism. In the early days, few showed up. Eventually word of mouth, and consistency of offering created a foundation to what the health clinics have evolved to eighteen years later, serving 50 patients on average, vs 10 in the initial phases. Basic consultations and proactive medicine evolved to interventional diagnostics, highlighting issues that needed immediate attention, providing access to discounted pharmaceutical programs offered by manufacturers, and annual health fairs in partnership with Fairview, Allina and other health systems.
This flagship program also became the best advertisement for SEWA-AIFW, serving as an entry point to culturally taboo programs such as domestic violence. Anjuli has said that it made SEWA-AIFW “a household name in the community and bolstered all our other programs”.
“I turned my avocation into my vocation”! A lifetime highlight came when Anjuli was recognized at the SEWA-AIFW’s Senior and Volunteer Appreciation event in 2011, with an award for founding Minnesota’s first South Asian free health clinic, prior to leaving for graduate school in Chicago.
She Had Made A Difference!!!
Documents that are used today are based on documents created in the early years of the program: Dr. Chandan, a SEWA-AIFW board member and Dr. Chaudhary adapted USDA guidelines to culturally specific nutritional guidelines called my ‘My Desi Food Plate’ that are still relevant today.
Young teens became their next generation of dedicated volunteers in 2014-2015. Volunteering rooted them in their ancestral community, and provided a vantage point to vocations in medicine. SEWA-AIFW just hosted a rousing sendoff for an intern, who contributed 300 hours of service over 3 years.
Anjuli Mishra Cameron, is now the CEO of SEWA-AIFW, and her unwavering conviction of what the community needed, became the foundation of what the program is today. Her lifelong motto of ‘walk softly but carry a big stick’ continues to advance SEWA-AIFW’s mission of total family wellness.
Medical Director: “You Ask, and I will Help”
“There is no better feeling in life that I helped a fellow human being. Lifting somebody up and giving a helping hand is the best feeling a person can get”.
Dr. Mishra, the Medical Director of the ‘Health and Resource Clinics’ for many years, is inspired by this motto every day. He is a pediatrician specializing in Infectious and Rheumatic Heart Disease, with a passion for helping people in every area of their lives. His goal is to identify community members dealing with health problems related to stress, diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease among others.
Dr. Mishra talks poignantly about the ‘human factor’: physical and mental health care for immigrants within the US, and travelers to the US, who experience drastic lifestyle changes. These cause loneliness and isolation as a result of: the move from generational to nuclear families; young students in a foreign country; exposure to drugs and alcohol; sexual orientation; incidence of suicide amongst teenagers and seniors.
Dr. Mishra insightfully contends that “Enough stress will lead to mental issues”. SEWA-AIFW works to counter it by addressing four primary stress factors: How do you feel being an immigrant; How do you feel if the family women work and make more than male members; How are you adjusting to changes in family relationships and the younger generation; How can you keep family together in this culture.
He spends a considerable part of his time talking to people: “When I talk to somebody you are not just helping someone else, but you are helping yourself”. He encourages those who come to him to live life to the fullest in Minnesota. Outings and picnics, organized by SEWA-AIFW to Taylor Falls and other scenic spots play an important role in improving mental outlook by combatting isolation. He truly believes that watching and talking to people is one of the best remedies for “Get healthy, Be happy, enjoy life, help and give”!
Dr. Mishra has identified the harmful effects of ‘Lead’ to the South Asian community, in commonly used spices and in homes, and has participated in the Consortium of ‘Lead’ Coalition organized by the US Department of Health and Hennepin County to identify ways to mitigate the risks.
SEWA-AIFW has also been the lead amongst South Asian organizations in COVID and Influenza vaccination programs. Approximately $60,000 in cash incentives provided by the Dept. Of Health to encourage immunization awareness and safety, have been distributed through their immunization drives at over 80 vaccine clinics, serving around 20,000 people, distributing 25,000 masks and sanitizers.
Driven by his lifelong commitment to make a meaningful difference in the health and quality of life for his fellow South Asians, Dr. Mishra is available by appointment at SEWA-AIFW on Mondays, also attending many of the Health Clinics at Faith Centers.
Executive Co-Director
Dr. Dasharath Yata, comes from a non profit, political and academic background, and after a 15 year career teaching at Osmania University, gave up pension and tenure to move to Minnesota in 2016. He finally joined his wife and two children who had been studying and working in the US since 2010.
With three Masters degrees in Law, Public Administration, and Library Information Sciences, and a PhD in Law, he found himself starting all over again! A situation that still provides him compassionate insight into the lives of many immigrants and refugees today.
He registered with MN Local Files, an Asian volunteer organization, providing information on myriad topics, among them employment and health resources. From a personal need, he attended the SEWA-AIFW free health clinics, and connected with Raj Chaudhary, which led to a part time job in 2016 with SEWA-AIFW working 20 hours a week. Eventually, his dedication and diligence led to full time employment in 2017, leading the administration of the ‘Health Clinic and Resource’ program.
Dr. Dasharath Yata draws parallels to SEWA-AIFW’s mission of family wellness, by paraphrasing quotes by eminent organizations and individuals: “Health is wealth and healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have”.
As Dr. Dasharath says: SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Good Health Initiative’s’ critical point of difference is that it goes out to the community vs having the community come to them. In addition to the 36 clinics held at Faith Centers, an additional 14 clinics annually, are also conducted by invitation of South Asian regional organizations i.e the Malayali and Kannada councils, Highland Lake for the Telegu organization, and in Plymouth at a church overseen by an Indian pastor. A walk in clinic was also held at India Fest on August 16th of this year, exposing the program to a potential 25,000 attendees.
The annual health fair held at SEWA-AIFW’s HQ on May 17, 2025, drew a record 400 people taking advantage of 17 types of health screenings that included diabetes, vision, heart and cholesterol screenings. Twenty doctors in almost every specialty volunteered their services. A partnership with medical organizations such as Fairview, Odam Health, University of Minnesota and Homeland Health Specialists, also provided access to screening equipment and devices for patients.
Overall, the ‘health and resource’ clinics serve 2000-3000 annually. In addition, SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Senior Program’ members, who meet weekly Monday’s and Thursday’s, are exposed to information on yoga, meditation and health lectures from experts: on topics such as dental hygiene, dermatology for elder skin care, and adverse effects of alcohol and tobacco. This is especially critical since there is a propensity for South Asians to use home remedies, rely on neighborhood social coalitions, and be affected by cultural, religious and immigration issues.
As SEWA-AIFW has continued to grow, 5 full time staff in 2017 have evolved to 27 today. The staff offers interpreter services in 10+ regional languages. Also, volunteer physicians are aligned to clinics based on language preferences: Punjabi at the Gurdwara, Telugu orientation at the S.V Temple. A diverse pool of 30+ volunteer physicians in every field, is allocated by poll based on availability and health specialty needs at the clinics, with an annual schedule tailored monthly.
Another important partnership is with Century College’s nursing program enabling students to earn college credits through volunteering hours. SEWA-AIFW also receives grants from among others, Medica, Braemer Bank and MN Dept of Health and this has contributed to the continuity of the ‘Health Clinic and Resource’ program.
Dr. Dasharath Yata has been the Executive Co-Director of SEWA-AIFW since 2022, after serving as Assistant Director from 2019. A fast and well deserved track since his part time beginnings in 2016. He works 7 days a week, propagating programs offered by SEWA-AIFW. He is also heavily involved in civic engagement: non-partisan voter registration, disseminating polling locations and community outreach. He is also one of three senior SEWA-AIFW members taking calls from the 24/7 crisis hotline, which receives over 500 calls on domestic abuse. Recently he has fielded calls from Texas and Illinois working with organizations across the country to help those in need.
Dr. Yata was recently appointed a council member of the Minnesota Governor’s Inclusion and Equity Council for a term of 3 years ending 2027. The council addresses the needs of all Minnesotans. dealing with issues on equity, hate crimes and racism.
Dr. Dasharath Yata was recognized for his profound work on helping to safeguard the South Asian community during the COVID pandemic, with IAM’s (India Association of Minnesota) highest award. He was the 2022/2023 ‘Person of The Year’ for his front line work educating and organizing vaccinations: earning him the moniker ‘The Vaccine Guy’. In addition, The Telegu Association and The Hindu Temple also gave him much deserved recognition during the same period for his dedication to ensuring the health of the community.
Keep Climbing Dr. Dasharath Yata!!!
The Researcher: Project SAHAT – A Decade Later
For over 15 years, Sayali Amarapurkar has advanced community-engaged research in the non-profit sector, partnering with the University of Minnesota (The U) and other organizations on projects addressing community needs. She mentors undergraduate and graduate students, and serves as community Co-Lead on ‘The U’s’ CEARCH Engaged Grantmaking committee, as part of their Management Council.
Sayali’s connection to the South Asian Health Assessment Tool (SAHAT) began in 2013-2014, when she helped design the survey, collect data and write reports. She is now leading the next phase as SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Community Connection, Education & Research Director’, working closely with Anjuli Cameron, Dasharath Yata and Allison Precht.
The 2014 survey garnered 1150 responses, and the hope is that the response number will be far exceeded: through broad distribution at trusted community networks, availability in multiple South Asian languages and the enthusiastic efforts of HS and College volunteers.
Why SAHAT Matters
SAHAT examines health outcomes, behaviors, and access to care among South Asians. By tracking changes over a decade, it aims to break cultural barriers and shape inclusive public health strategies. Disaggregating South Asian data – often hidden under the broad ‘Asian’ category – offers deeper insight into unique challenges and paves the way for fairer, culturally responsive healthcare.
By the time results are anticipated to be published in August 2026, over 30 staff and volunteers will have been involved in the program. The hope is that these results will also contribute to SEWA-AIFW’s targeted programming, events, publications and influence funding requests from State and other agencies.
SAHAT 2014 Study Report link: https://media.wix.com/ugd/6605a6_47267adf45c244fe8579f3c9c0de76f1.pdf
The 2025 survey is only available online, and can be accessed using the QR code or at the link below:
Sayali holds a Ph.D. in Family Social Science from ‘The U, 2004’, and earned the ‘John Jack Award for Best Research Paper (2009)’ for her work on family business resilience after natural disasters.
Her research expertise and leadership continue to shape culturally responsive initiatives and health equity efforts, and advance SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Health and Resource’ Clinic program.
What began in 2007 as a spark in the mind of a young undergraduate, has grown into a powerful force of good. Over the past 18 years, SEWA-AIFW’s ‘Health and Resource Clinic’ program has been shaped by the passion, dedication and efforts of countless individuals. It has touched lives, uplifted communities and provided a safety net for those in need. It is a testament to what’s possible when vision meets purpose.
Discussion: Please send us your thoughts, by posting a comment at the end of the blog, and/or sending an email to ‘ruby@sewa-aifw.org’.
Our Mission
Sewa-Aifw is a nonprofit organization committed to serving, supporting, and enhancing family wellness for many communities, especially the vulnerable and underserved communities, in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota. We provide health care access, wellness information and resources, access to family violence resources and supports, and elder socialization activities
We envision a community that is healthy and violence-free, with self-determined women and engaged and supported elders and families
VoicesUnderTheBanyanTree.com 
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