Dr. Marianne Furado de Nazareth
The first time I went to sponsor the feeding of the poor in Seva Nilaya, a convent in Bangalore’s Fraser town, when my first grandchild was born, nothing had prepared me to see such shocking levels of poverty and hunger. We tend to live in our ivory towers, cocooned in the comfort of our homes and jobs, little realising that there is a whole underbelly of the poor and marginalised in our city, whom we don’t even acknowledge.
The first thing that hit us was the smell of these 100, starving , unwashed people. We with our deodorants and room freshners and even car freshners were assailed with the sad odour of poverty. A hundred pairs of hungry eyes swivelled towards the sister incharge, waiting anxiously for the Grace to be finished and they could satiate their hunger with the hot and fresh food doled out. Fragrant smelling Chicken curry and steaming hot rice, with a dollop of raita finished off with a golden yellow banana. We had sponsored the meal and we had volunteered to serve the food out as well. There were tears in our eyes to see such hunger and ever since any celebration in the home brings us to volunteer and feed the poor.
“It is from contemplation, from a strong friendship with the Lord that the capacity is born in us to live and to bring the love of God, his mercy, his tenderness, to others. And also our work with brothers in need, our charitable works of mercy, lead us to the Lord, because it is in the needy brother and sister that we see the Lord himself.” said Pope Francis, July 21, 2013
So why do we need to volunteer? A few of the reasons given for volunteering are a call to help others, productively occupy time, part of a faith ministry, sense of purpose, and make a positive impact on social problems. Most volunteers would not say the reason they give of their time and talents, is to receive something in return. However, research shows that charitable service provides both physical and mental health benefits to the person volunteering.
At the Saturday weekly feeding, there is a young medical student who lives his profession by volunteering. He is there every single Saturday, serving and checking on ailments of many of the poor who come for the meal. Ask him why he volunteers and he says, “Come once and you will come back over and over again. One gets so much mental satisfaction and joy volunteering to serve these people. ”
According to scientific study, volunteers have decreased mortality rates, greater functional ability, increased independence and lower rates of depression. Volunteering provides physical and social activity and a sense of purpose, especially, for those whose social roles are changing. I always tell my students from college to come and use their skills of video making to spread the word and they have come.
Many people think of retiree volunteers, which is true, especially as many of the 60 plus age group, transition from the workforce. Yet, when the decision to serve is noncompulsory and provides a purposeful role in a community, volunteering is beneficial for all ages, especially the chronically ill, those with disabilities, empty nesters, and stay-at-home parents. Children who begin volunteering at a young age are instilled with the importance of volunteering; however, they may not experience the same health benefits because they may view their volunteering as obligatory.
Volunteer once at Seva Nilaya and see the hunger in a poor person’s eyes, mixed with deep gratitude for the food you are giving them and you will come back changed. You will marvel at the simplicity of the nuns who manually cook the meal week after week. The novices who help serve, with no recompense to them at all. The dekchis are cleaned to the last grain of rice and the last drop of curry. The sisters do it out of love for all who come, religion no bar.
Charitable works can fortify the social ties, that protect individuals from seclusion during difficult times, while the experience of helping others leads to a sense of greater dignity and trust. Positive social networks and connections, reduce stress and risk of disease, which in turn, lowers risks of poor physical health due to positive social psychological factors.
That is why one needs to volunteer. Even if it is to teach your house help to write her name, or go down the road to help clean the church you attend every week. Try it and the joy and fulfillment it will bring, will uplift and change your attitude towards life, a hundred fold.
Dr Marianne Furtado de Nazareth,
Former Asst. Editor, The Deccan Herald, &
Adjunct faculty St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, Bangalore.
Marianne your support of the Seva Nilaya Soup Kitchen is deeply appreciated. Thank you for spreading the word. Volunteers and sponsors are always welcome.