Dry- food donation to Buddhist Monk: Ramita from Nepal’s SFV story

Every year, between the months of August and September, Buddhist monks fast. During their fast, the monks intermittently do not or severely restrict their food intake. According to the Buddhist monk they believe that fasting is an important part of their spiritual journey. After the monks break their fast, it is customary to offer them food.

On September 1, 2022 Shristika Bajracharya’s family and other local volunteers organized a Sunshine Family Volunteer project. For four weeks, they visited the Buddhist Monks in Kritipur, Chabahil Kathmandu, Godawari lalitpur in Nepal everyday. The volunteers donated dry foods and joined the monks’ meditation sessions.

They donated to nine monks during the time, donating items like rice, noodles, biscuits, dry nuts, assorted breads, and beans. The team also occasionally cooked the food for the monestary.

“Buddhist Monk Samit first thanked us for giving him an opportunity to share his monk journey with us. He was also grateful for our presence. He gave his testimony by giving us a quote, ‘Money is not only the means of donation but giving or spending valuable time for something or giving labour is also a means of donation’,” shared Shristika.

Safin’s family who were part of the volunteers’ team were happy to have taken part in the project. “As we are the followers of the Buddhist monks we are grateful to offer and distribute foods,” they said.

Ramita’s family were also thrilled by the engagement they had had with the monks and the whole volunteer team. “As peace begins from us in our homes, we are happy to be part of this journey. I find inner peace in myself and want to thank Ms. Shristika for engaging us in this wonderful project,” said Ramita.

Teamwork is an important component for any successful project. At GPW, we applaud Shristika for embracing the team spirit bringing together her community members to work together towards such a great service. If you have a Sunshine Family Volunteer story to share or your family wants to start a project, email younshim.park@globalpeacewomen.org.

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