The above video has been widely distributed on social media. It shows the queues for the Food Market held in the grounds of Alperton Baptist Church in Ealing Road on a cold Saturday morning. The volunteers are organised by the Sewa Day North London Charity.
In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means Service – a unique concept of Service – Selfless Efforts for Welfare of All. Sewa UK is a humanitarian non-profit service organization.
The Sewa Day describes the origins of 'Sewa':
Sewa is a universal concept, which involves performing an act of kindness without expectation of reward. It is performed selflessly and without ulterior motive. As a concept, Sewa in embedded in Indian traditions, and is actively promoted by different cultures and faiths – as the core belief is the same – to sacrifice your time and resources for the benefit of others without expectation of anything in return.
The queues along Ealing Road speak for themselves about the cruel impact of Covid19 and the resulting loss of jobs and closures of businesses The many volunteers from different backgrounds shows the Brent community at its best.
It is criminal that years of cuts in the welfare state have made such projects necessary.
If you would like to support Sewa North London's work donations cane be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sewaday-northlondon
