Benevolent Response to COVID-19 in India - Making the Burden Light

On March 24th, with the announcement of India’s coronavirus lockdown, the streets and businesses of Delhi came abruptly to a halt. Roads and stores shut down, along with most grocery shops and access points to clean water. In the past week, some areas of the city became known as ‘hotspots’, or areas of higher virus cases, where residents are not allowed to leave their homes at all.

The contrasting pictures above show how Delhi’s once bustling streets have been emptied as a result of this lockdown. Barricaded and police-enforced, not only have residents in the city been prevented from moving about to obtain the resources they need, but so too has the transportation of goods such as food, gas, and water been prevented. Such limited availability naturally results in the price-inflation of what remains available. **Source of bottom photo cited below.

Activity at our non-profit office also came to a halt, but this does not mean our cooperatives have not been busy. Manohar and Sneha Paul have shifted their energy to not only meeting their own daily needs, but caring for the needs of our staff. (Read more from Manohar here) Several of our staff live in hotspots in the Delhi area; access to food is incredibly challenging, and prices have risen for all supplies. Manohar reports that one of our staff, “is also struggling with water just like us, and can’t get vegetables, because her area is a hotspot. Means complete lockdown.” Another sent all his salary home to his family because they needed it this month. Manohar has been helping him with food supplies.

Ram Rahki pictured here with her family, has been a friend of our team for years. We’ve been welcomed into her home and relished many opportunities to hear her story and benefit from her eagerness to share her life and work of midwifery with others. During this time of great need, we desire nothing more than to help ensure that she and her family are healthy and have what they need.

This past Saturday Manohar reached out to members of the India regional team, after being approached by several families in Delhi who are struggling to secure food. These are people who we know and love. They are the Paul's friends; we have visited many of their homes, and partnered with them in maternal health and educational efforts. After Manohar and Sneha had already given generously as they were able, they shared this need with us in Nashville. Manohar acknowledged, “I know we cannot help everyone with the limited resources that we have, these are only a few families out of many who are suffering in times like this. Let me know if you guys can help.”

Having received phone calls constantly from friends and families impacted by the virus in India, Manohar and Sneha knew that their generosity to share from their own limited resources would be an act of faith. It has required creativity on their part to get them what they needed amidst the current lockdown restrictions in Delhi. We are thankful that the Lord comes alongside us during times such as these to mobilize and compel others towards helping.

It was beautiful to see brothers and sisters in Christ enthusiastically respond. Members of the India regional team immediately began offering contributions, and spread the word among friends and family members who also gave generously when they heard. In less than 24 hours we had raised over $1,000 for a benevolence fund, to be able to further help these contacts in Delhi.

The truth of Jesus’ words rang true, as the burden was made light when it was shared among many. (Matt. 11:30) We are grateful for the guidance of Scripture, and for the generosity of so many who opened their hearts and hands to support our brothers and sisters in India. If you would like to help further with ongoing need in this area, SEE HERE and designate donations towards ‘benevolence fund’.

** Gettleman, Jeffrey, and Suhasini Raj. “Powered by Fear, Indians Embrace Coronavirus Lockdown.” The New York Times. The New York Times, April 19, 2020. Last modified April 19, 2020. Accessed April 19, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/world/asia/india-coronavirus-lockdown.html?searchResultPosition=14.