Although the nationwide lockdown measures have been slackened considerably, the sudden surge in cases in parts of the country in the past weeks compelled the government to resort to harsh lockdowns frequently thus causing inadvertent inconveniences to many inhabitants. However, non-profit organizations such as Sikh Volunteers Australia, Australian Sikh Support and Khalsa Foundation Australia have been working incessantly to provide them all the essentials in these tough times.
Indian Community group raises the bar for philanthropic work
Devon Meadows, Melbourne-based Australian-Indian community group Sikh Volunteers Australia, has definitely been doing laudable work in serving the community members who are bearing the brunt of the hardships brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and economic fallouts. Since March when both Australia and India imposed harsh lockdowns to check the spread of Covid-19 cases, Sikh Volunteers Australia was one of the community groups that extended helping hand to international students, temporary visa holders and other community members. Due to the sincere, tireless work of the volunteers and generous donations of the Australian community members, Sikh Volunteers Australia set the record of successfully delivering 100,000 cooked meals till mid-September.
In fact, with a rise in the number of community members joining as volunteers, Sikh Volunteers have been able to extend their area of service to include more suburbs from the City of Kingston as well. Another recent and immensely significant feather to the community’s cap has been the Victorian government’s approval of $400,000 grant to build a community centre at Devond Meadows. The announcement was made during an online session by Ros Spence MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Julian Hill MP, Pauline Richards MP and Lee Tarlamis MP.
Meals for homeless and needy in Adelaide
Another Melbourne-based Indian non-profit organization, Australian Sikh Support has come to the rescue of the homeless and needy people in Hurtle Square, Adelaide. With the help of donations from magnanimous community members, the volunteers of the South Australia team of Australian Sikh Support have been serving the homeless people in Adelaide. Not only this, they have also been providing cooked meals, grocery items, fruits and vegetables to the international students and the people who are quarantined. The organization which also has chapters in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Punjab, has been working tirelessly since March and epitomizes the Sikh principles of seva (selfless social work and community service). This community group also played a key role in the relief and rescue efforts during the Australian bush fires crisis and in 2018 when certain regions in Australia such as New South Wales were reeling under a severe drought, they started a campaign by the name of “Hay for Help” to help Australian farmers. Now during the Covid crisis like the many other resilient and dedicated community groups they are at the forefront providing all basic amenities to those in dire straits.