Pandemic exposes fragility
Are we doing enough to help our fellow beings
THE COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of human existence, especially the most vulnerable in our society.
Learning of the daily struggles faced by the underprivileged in our communities is a poignant reminder of how this catastrophe has affected us disproportionately.
While the COVID-19 virus has upended our lives and livelihoods, but like “every cloud has a silver lining”, in the same way, the pandemic has provided humanity with the opportunity to rise to one’s feet for human values by showing compassion and care towards the fellow human being.
Similarly, numerous charitable organisations and individuals in our country have been pulling out all the stops to support those Fijians who have been finding difficulty in making ends meet.
They do the auxiliary work, which otherwise would have overburdened our authorities and placed huge strain on the resources.
Likewise, the Strivers Club, a Nadibased charitable organisation has been working tirelessly to support the most disadvantaged in myriad ways.
The origins
From its humble beginnings in a small rural community with rudimentary setup in Namoli, Nadi, the Strivers Club has transformed itself and grown high in stature.
The roots of this club are underpinned in the Hindu place of worship known as, Namoli Mariamma Temple operated by the founder, Amith Kumar.
The Strivers Club was his late mother’s dream to assist people who are poor and needy.
What great foresight and vision this woman had?
In essence, this organisation is an embodiment of how religion and charity work can be inextricably linked. Although the club is only two and half years old, it has grown in leaps and bounds and never shirked the responsibilities in terms of carrying out charity work.
The club consists of 13 permanent members from diverse backgrounds comprising of lecturers, teachers, accountants and managers. The founder, Mr Kumar, is a man of many hats and engages as an advisory councilor, priest, counselor and health worker.
The organisation has also volunteer members who help in community work. Gender equality and multi-ethnicity are the core values advocated by the organisation which deeply believes in serving all.
Nature of work
The club carries out charity works such as feeding the poor (includes basic food items worth $50), back to school support, hospital visits (on hold due to COVID-19), Golden Age Home visits (on hold), build a home, medical and blood drive, woman empowerment and festival hampers.
Strivers Club has been punching well above its weight. Consequently, pushing new boundaries to help as many people they can.
Charity organisations mitigate effects of inequality on social safety net to at least some extent.
I really marveled at their bravery and an uncomplaining attitude of members of this club. Despite the overwhelming challenges, they still believe they can carry out their work diligently. Such is the optimism shared by this organisation. Certainly this pandemic has taught us lessons of resilience.
Source of funds and challenges
The main sources of funds are donations from families and friends both locally and internationally.
Undesirably, the second wave of COVID-19 crisis has presented the Strivers Club with enormous challenges and unprecedented scenarios.
Incomes have dissipated and so has the donor’s ability to contribute.
However, there are some generous benefactors who have continued to fund this organisation to provide assistance for the worthy cause. The club carries out one of the most unenviable task of coming in direct contact with the people, despite the clear and present danger this virus poses.
Subsequently, not only risking their life, but the lives of their loved ones as well.
Striking the right balance through good time management between work, life and charity are some of the ways the club overcomes obstacles.
There are other emotional and mental health challenges the members have to go through which includes the trauma seeing people who have no food, adults in beds with no proper hygiene and widows struggling with daily hardships.
Unfortunately, as much as they would have liked to, they are not able to physically sit down and offer a human touch because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Additionally, the groups who need help are identified through various community workers, advisory councilors and district officers with priority given to the elderly, single mothers, handicapped members in the family, widows and children with large family size.
The future
Importantly, something that keeps the members of the club united in common cause during this pandemic is their deep and enduring desire to serve the public regardless of gender, race, religion, and the inner peace they get by their selfless service to the people.
The club is planning to expand their membership to other areas of Fiji, extend services to funerals of the needy and poor and reach out to other areas of Fiji.
Fitting the narrative
Imagine a world without charitable organisations? What it would be like?
The pandemic has given us the moment to do some honest self-reflection. What is our purpose as human beings? What future would we like for our youths? We are going to reap what we sow.
Let’s sow the seeds of love, compassion, empathy and cultivate a culture of giving.
Essentially, let’s harness the power of human compassion that will lead to crystallisation of wisdom, and set us on the higher path of a moral plateau from where we could exercise good judgment, which would benefit all human beings.
It could take one person’s idea of uniting like-minded people and interconnecting, and there you go, enlarging your social circles and strengthening your network to bring about changes to promote social equity. If one can afford to do so and has not yet started, then it’s an impassioned plea, let’s not procrastinate, but think and rethink, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to give back to our communities in the hour of need.
This crisis has provided us with the challenge of our generation and if we cannot help our fellow human beings then we may let this golden opportunity slip away from our hands.
The most vulnerable in our society need you the most and if you can provide support in whatever form, this will be of great help.