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Every Saturday, accompanied by her grandmother, Shristika Bajracharya from Nepal goes to the temple to pray. Along the streets of the temple, she always notices old and crippled men and women who are destitute and begging for help.
Thinking about the poor people on the temple streets, Shristika could not find peace during her temple visits.
“I thought of how I might serve and assist those folks who were begging for food and clothing to survive,” she said.
One day after her trip to the temple, Shristika decided to give food and clothing to the beggars. She shared the idea with the rest of her family and her Sunshine Family Volunteer (SFV) club.
“Every person has the right to survive and become hunger-free,” she added.
Inspired by this, Shristika, her family and SFV Club members organized a project to provide the beggars with basic necessities. On October 1st, 2022, the team went out and served more than 35 homeless persons with food and clothing.
“While feeding them, I saw their delight at receiving meals, and their bright eyes made me feel amazing. The day I served with my volunteers, I resolved to find inner peace inside myself. At the end of the day, we learned that we didn't need to go anywhere to find serenity; we just needed to lift our hands and aid people in need. We only have one life, so why not live it virtuously for the sake of humanity's interest and benefit?” she reflected.
Her family and members of her SFV club were also inspired. “We are incredibly appreciative for the opportunity to work for the betterment of humanity. We are pleased that Shristika has included and encouraged us to participate in this program together with her grandmother, father, and mothers,” shared Anjali Bajracharya.
“I am delighted to join the Sunshine Family Volunteers Club and participate in such wonderful activities. When I served those homeless people, I felt really peaceful. I'd want to thank Ms. Shristika on behalf of myself and my family,” said Melina Shakya.
Indeed, service to humanity offers one a sense of inner peace and joy and as Winston Churchill once said, “We make a livelihood by what we get, but we build an existence by what we serve.” Serving is a powerful way to affirm that we are all one family under God.
If you have a Sunshine Family Volunteer story to share or your family wants to start a project, email younshim.park@globalpeacewomen.org.