The Grahamstown Hindu Seva Samaj (GHSS) is a locally based organisation. It embraces all Hindus whether they are visitors from as far afield as India, or locals living down the road.
It has always welcomed into its ‘family’ the Hindu Students Society (HSS) at Rhodes where lifts have been made available to them in order to attend religious functions and celebrations at the Hindu Temple in Kettlewell Street. This has been an ongoing arrangement that goes back decades. We have often been second families as well as parents to many of the overseas and out-of-town Hindu students, who feel homesick.
The Grahamstown Hindu Seva Samaj (GHSS) is a locally based organisation. It embraces all Hindus whether they are visitors from as far afield as India, or locals living down the road.
It has always welcomed into its ‘family’ the Hindu Students Society (HSS) at Rhodes where lifts have been made available to them in order to attend religious functions and celebrations at the Hindu Temple in Kettlewell Street. This has been an ongoing arrangement that goes back decades. We have often been second families as well as parents to many of the overseas and out-of-town Hindu students, who feel homesick.
In the past year the GHSS has stretched its arms to provide assistance for those in the greater Grahamstown community who are suffering, funding those who need assistance to provide the services that they offer to the needy, and those who suffer from poverty. We have given them hope so they can continue to survive.
One of our recent projects has been to feed the residents of Sun City. This area is very poor and has very little access to facilities or the means to get to the facilities and amenities available. The children often go to school hungry. With this in mind the GHSS cooked and fed 200 people living in this area. The queues were never-ending and fortunately there was enough food for all. This was undertaken as part of the 67 minutes for past President Nelson Mandela who followed the non-violent teachings of Mahatma Gandhi while in prison.
Earlier this month we catered for the elderly residents of McKaiser Old Age Home. We spent a wonderful relaxed afternoon in the company of the elders of the community and provided a three course traditional Indian meal for them. They enjoyed our conversation and most importantly our time. It was a very humbling experience for us.
Our next project will be the 5km Gandhi Walk. Last year the proceeds from this event went to St John’s Eye Care Clinic. They provide such a vital service – especially for the under privileged. This year the proceeds from the Gandhi Walk will go towards the Shaw Hall Day Care centre. This serves to provide a safe environment for young children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The walk is due to take place on Saturday 8 October and will start and end at the Hindu Temple in Kettlewell Street. The entrance fee is R5 for scholars and R10 for adults. Registration starts at 2.30pm and the Walk will commence at 3pm. Everyone is encouraged to participate as this is truly a non-competitive event and everyone has an equal chance of winning the many sponsored spot prizes.
Contact Harry Rama on 083 442 0120 or Anita Sonne on 082 091 4045 for more details.
