Feeding the homeless

Om Sharavanabhava 

Homelessness is a large concern in London, with the number of people sleeping on the streets rising exponentially every year. With this in mind, to honour Swami’s birthday the youth wing wanted to aid those who are homeless, as they are often some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society. 

Swami often says, Annadhanam (distributing food) is one of the most highest forms of seva hence we decided to participate in a feeding programme for the homeless. We chose to volunteer with a charity called, AMURT UK, a grassroots community development and disaster relief organisation, who work with local communities to help alleviate their immediate suffering and relieve poverty.

From the beginning of November for four consecutive Thursday’s, members of the youth volunteered with this charity to both help cook and distribute food for the homeless. A team of youth members would arrive in the afternoon at AMURT’s base to help assist members of the AMURT organisation to prepare and cook a delicious meal of vegetable curry and rice accompanied with a fresh salad. 

                                         

Youth members helping to prepare food

Later in the evening, another cohort of volunteers would arrive at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, in Central London to assist the charity to serve the food. A queue of homeless people often will be waiting for the food to arrive, with some people having walked long distances to have a hot meal. When serving the food, we were able to witness and appreciate by listening to these people how this one meal makes a world of difference to their lives and without it they would have slept hungry in the cold. 

Youth members serving food

Participating in the programme was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience, allowing us to acknowledge the difference one meal can make and recognise how many of us often take food for granted in today’s day and age. We would like to show our gratitude to AMURT UK for welcoming us with open arms to participate in their incredible, charitable homeless feeding programme. We are eager to work with them again in the future. 

Om Sharavanabhava 

Toys and Books collection

Om Sharavanabhava 

In honour of our beloved Swami’s birthday, in the month of October, the youth wing wished to celebrate his birthday by conducting seva activities in the UK. The first seva project we organised was to collect toys and books for children who are currently in a hospice due to a debilitating or terminal illness. 

During Swami’s visit to the UK, in the months of September and October, we kindly asked for donations of gifts for this worthy cause and devotees generously donated a wide range of gifts for ill children between the ages of 0 to 16. The gifts included: arts and craft sets, board games, musical boxes and fiction books. 

Collection of gifts for the children

These gifts were donated to Richard House Hospice, the capital’s first children hospice based in East London, which currently supports over 300 families by providing direct care to seriously ill children. 

Once all the donations had been gathered, a few youth members went to Richard House Hospice to deliver the donations, where the gifts were received with a warm welcome and much appreciation. 

Youth members handing over gifts to staff members at Richard House Hospice 

We would like to heartfully thank each and every person who helped us bring a smile to these children’s faces during their time of hardship, by donating gifts.

Om Sharavanabhava 

October Meeting 2017

With Swami’s birthday being on the 11th of October, we dedicated our October meeting to celebrate our beloved Satguru’s birthday. At the beginning of the meeting, we were given a presentation by some of the youth members on Swami’s life story, and the mission which he has devoted his life to. We learnt about the progression of Swami’s global mission, which is established on the four pillars of providing: food for the needy, medicine for the poor, clothes for the destitute and books for the under privileged children. 

Youth members delivering their presentation

We also explored and analysed a number of Swami’s quotes, which are included below. In various groups we then portrayed the main concepts of these quotes through the means of role play.  The role plays highlighted the various perceptions of one quote by youth members and sparked many original ideas. 

Quotes by Swami

Respecting others is true devotion.

You are related to all souls in this world.

Only when you delve within will you find purity. 

Do not become a prisoner to experiences. 

Accept everything equally and perceive the world through your inner eye. 

Dharma is God's temple. 

The true essence of life is service. 

Where there is satsang, there is peace. 

A Guru is the director, producer and actor. 

Even something sweet when consumed in excess becomes bitter. 

God knows a flower needs both darkness and light, likewise God knows what we need. 

Amid the meeting, we also cut a splendid, hand crafted cake, made by one of the youth members,in honour to celebrate Swami’s birthday.

Youth members cutting Swami's cake