The outcomes we desire directly correlate to the ownership we take of an issue. If we don’t feel responsible then, do not expect others to feel responsible.
Many people are not aware that in the winters of 2011/12 and 2012/13, a few of us from the sangat (congregation) of Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East (Seven Kings) were blessed with running a shelter for the homeless in the Gurdwara. Up to 30 rough sleepers in Ilford would find overnight shelter at the Gurdwara gym.
A very small group of us sacrificed 3 consecutive months (91 days each year) of our lives, staying up all night at the Gurdwara shelter and going to work the next day. We sacrificed family, personal and work commitments. Some of us missed family functions, work promotions and even failed exams, but we believed in the seva and carried on. We indirectly asked for support from organisations, the council and other charities. However, above all we directly asked for support from the general sangat around us. Some offered us monetary support, some offered us clothing but more than anything we needed volunteers time which was extremely scarce and very few people were willing to offer. We received many pats on the back, praises and lots of “advise”, but unfortunately it never manifested into commitment from others to help in this project.
In the end, we decided that this winter it was no longer appropriate to use the Gurdwara space for the homeless shelter as believed we could not offer a safe environment for both the sleepers and the regular sangat. Moreover, we did not have the pool of committed volunteers to carry this seva and took a realistic look at our own commitments this winter. There were also isolated issues of alcohol and drug abuse which we could not tolerate in the Gurdwara.
I write this article not to whinge, moan or to gloat. I write article to highlight the issue I believe we have as a community around collective responsibility and commitment. What is ironic is that individuals who provided no support to us over the last 2 years feel that they can pass on the guilt to those few volunteers for not operating the homeless shelter this year. The obvious question is where were all these “concerned” people were when the support was so desperately needed?
I have seen many Seva’s (voluntary projects) which start with good intentions and lots of early excitement which eventually fizzle out. Then it is left to an unrealistic small number of people to carry the Seva. Eventually after all the pitfalls of being a volunteer, difficulties with work, putting strain on relationships (family and friends), capacity constraints and unsociable hours the sevadar can no longer sustain the seva and it sadly comes to an end.
Some of you may be able to relate to the above, but it does not have to be like this. A collective responsible approach to sevas will ensure they are sustainable. How long can we keep blaming the committees or others?
The Guru created the sevadar first not the committee. There are no excuses or barriers stopping sevas from being done, if the desire to do them is truly there. It all depends on our passion, our intentions and above all our commitment
Blaming the committees, Gurdwaras, jathebhandis and others only end up becoming counterproductive. The biggest strength we can have as a sangat is a committed, collective, responsible and supportive approach to all noble projects. Without these we risk continuing to watch things start and then eventually fail around us.
There is an old saying that “Many hands make light work”. As Sikh, many of us have a busy life, but we cannot forget that a portion of our time is meant to be contributed as daswand (donation) to noble causes.
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhalla.
Nanak says, With Naam comes high spirits and with Your blessings, may all benefit.
