COVID-19 Pandemic: Community Relief Work

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in the UK, headquartered at the Neasden Temple in London, mobilised a holistic community care programme to support individuals and communities in response to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Inspired by a call to service by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, more than 1,100 volunteers are serving in 61 areas around the UK as well as in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

This multi-faceted initiative aims to ensure that the elderly and needy are informed, safe and supported.

Some of the key features of BAPS’s relief work in the UK and in Europe include:
 Public announcements and publications, including summaries of government guidance, to provide important advice on remaining stable and healthy, and support people in various other aspects of their lives that have been impacted by the pandemic
 A series of health awareness videos and presentations in English and Gujarati to educate the public on its collective responsibility to help stem the rapid spread of this deadly virus
 More than 20,000 phone calls to over 12,000 families providing support and solace
 Reaching out to over 4,000 elderly and vulnerable people in the community to collect shopping, drop off medication and run essential errands, where required
 More than 900 ‘tiffins’ (packed meals) prepared and home-delivered daily to the very vulnerable in London
 More than 29,000 meals prepared and home-delivered to the needy so far
 Supporting 118 hospitals and key work places, such as police stations, fire stations, local food banks, local councils, essential schools, care homes, etc., by providing food and supplies as well as letters of appreciation for their heroic staff

Kamlesh Patel, a volunteer at the Mandir, shared, “Our gurus Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj have taught us to find our own joy by bringing joy to others and seeing beyond distinctions of colour, class and creed. They inspire us to serve and support as many people as we can, in the spirit of global harmony, humanity, compassion and care.”

BAPS has set up a Coronavirus Relief Fund to allow others to support this timely cause, including a way to ‘Sponsor a Tiffin’. Those who wish to donate should visit neasdentemple.org or click here.

Disclaimer: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.