African Refugees Delivery: The joy of giving love and hope.
JOY! This is the word that came after the African Refugee delivery on Saturday 7.13.24.
Our three day process allowed several people the opportunity to shop, pack, organize, weigh, clean, schedule, take photos …. we gave in so many ways to our lovely partners, the African immigrants and refugees.
Mariama Sy (Community outreach volunteer -organizing the refugees) wanted to join Anne Kanengeiser, a Buddhist relief Volunteer to shop for the refugees. When Mariama saw what goes into the process she was amazed at the detail and even more grateful for all that Buddhist Relief does.
Friday afternoon Buddhist Relief volunteers packed 30 dry goods bags; prepped, weighed produce and packed 30 produce bags. Early Saturday KPC Buddhist Relief crew loaded our beautifully donated new refrigerated van.
Mariama arranged the delivery with Imam Papa Mboup, the Africans Muslim leader, allowing the event to be more organized. We talked with Imam about his role in this community of Africans as their leader and one who serves his people, providing comfort and help. We too were so touched by what Imam had to say.
Imam Papa their Muslim Leader said, “I want to thank KPC for making it possible for people to understand how important it is to share and lend a helping hand to anybody who’s in need…. therefore your efforts are quite precious for all of us. Thank you for that.”
Mariama and Imam had seven produce/dry goods bags sent to several of the elder refugees in their community. Often the ‘elders’ provide housing for many women who’ve come over from Africa. These women do housework and help out in the house in lieu of pay. The remaining bags went to the most recent refugees having just arrived in the last month, as well as Mariama’s three refugee volunteers: Momo (Mohammed); Cidi and Ibrahim. These three men are learning to help guide the newer refugees with Mariams’s help. They’ve been there for all our deliveries and are so happy to be a part of our team!
As people arrived, there were hugs and reaching out to to our new friends. Everyone was excited about the food; to connect with their community; play some basketball in the park, to be with each other. Each person thanked us and said how grateful they were for all we’re giving them.
At the end, our Buddhist Relief volunteers all said they felt such JOY… from the act of giving and from the refugee's joy and hope knowing someone is there to help them as they create their new lives.
As Jetsunma is always quick to remind us, these food distribution are so much more than bags food. We are saying we care about you. We love you. We are providing nourishment for their hearts.
We welcome volunteers to Buddhist Relief and we’d love to share the wealth of generosity....of giving and receiving.
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