INDONESIA—Following a series of natural disasters, including several high-magnitude earthquakes, a tsunami, and volcanic eruption, UNITED SIKHS announced the launch of its “Feed-a-Family” campaign to help provide ongoing support for local residents in their time of need. Presently, the non-profit organization hosts daily langar (community kitchen) meal distribution twice a day at a base camp for displaced families whose whole villages and homes were swept into the sea during the tsunami.
“The country has been completely decimated – whole homes and schools are gone and many thousands of residents are now living in tents across several base camps stationed on the island,” said Harjiwan Singh, UNITED SIKHS Humanitarian Volunteer. “We are working with local authorities and our fellow NGOs to provide nourishment through twice daily langar meals, which is the only source of food many Indonesians have been able to receive since the series of disasters struck.
Through langar service, many Indonesian families at the Donggala base camp, who are predominately Muslim, are learning about the principles of Sikhism and selfless service (seva) for the first time. A partnership has been forged with the local community, which is working with UNITED SIKHS ground volunteers to prepare the fresh daily meals.
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“Residents have learned to greet us in Punjabi, pray and sing with us, and thank us constantly for coming from India to help them with humanitarian aid. Some have even traveled hundreds of miles to receive langar,” said Parminder Singh, UNITED SIKHS Humanitarian Volunteer. “This is what Sikhism is all about—helping people of all faiths whenever wherever needed.”
In addition to daily langar, UNITED SIKHS volunteers are distributing humanitarian aid packets containing dry food rations, including rice, noodles, and biscuits, as well as clothing, diapers and blankets. To continue supporting this work, the organization is asking for contributions that will help reach its goal of raising $5,000 for the relief project.
Funds collected from the “Feed-a-Family” campaign will allow UNITED SIKHS to adopt three Indonesian villages— Tanjung Batu, Gunung Bale, and Kabonga Besar—through the rebuilding phases of the disaster recovery. The campaign is encouraging supporters to pledge a daily donation of 50 cents for at least one month to support this effort.
“For less than a cup of tea a day—only 50 cents—we can help feed 800 families for one full month and build upon our current relief work,” said Jatinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS Sikh Aid Director. “Children and elders are especially susceptible to diseases as they are exposed to the harsh elements without the proper shelter of their homes. These families are counting on us to carry out God’s work and help see them through this devastating crisis.”
In the coming weeks, the organization will be hosting a book donation drive across its 10 global chapters to provide educational support as schools are being rebuilt. To date, UNITED SIKHS has provided $5,000 worth of food to base camp villagers. To donate to ongoing relief work, please visit https://unitedsikhs.org/donate.php.
