For the People, By the People
We have always heard the words ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the entire world is my family. The rapid spread of coronavirus across the globe taught us that we are all humans and we all suffer together. We learnt to fight together, we understood the importance of unity and we are trying so hard to overcome this global pandemic by supporting one another either on a personal or a local level. Our doctors, law enforcers and the government are the true corona warriors that are fighting this pandemic in the face and stopping it from reaching our doorsteps. And it is very difficult for us to sit at home and watch from the side-lines as people suffer in pain and migrants go hungry trying to reach their homes. So what can we as members of this community do to help those suffering or in need?
Become a Corona Warrior Yourself!
That’s right! You don’t need to an official or a health worker to contribute to this global crisis. There are a lot of things that we as citizens can do on the ground level to support those who are fighting really hard to stop and contain this pandemic. Volunteering and helping others doesn’t just help the people or the cause that you’re giving your time and energy to; it can help you feel better, too. Sitting at home for more than two months without interacting with another human soul is bound to have an effect on your mental health. Volunteering in the corona pandemic can help reduce depression, make you feel like you too can make a difference in this world and give you confidence that there will be a bright future when all of this is over. Here are a few simple ideas that you can volunteer to help reduce the overall emotional impact of the pandemic on people around you.
1. Delivering Groceries or Meals (Neighbours & Senior Citizens)
Have chat with your neighbours, check on them (of course while following all the social distancing rules) and make sure that they are doing well both mentally and physically. There are a lot of elders living around us whose families are either in another state or country. We can make sure that they get all the necessary groceries and medicine regularly or make meals for them if they are unable to take care of themselves. These small acts of kindness go a long way in boosting the morale of people around you in these difficult times.
2. Supporting Healthcare and Essential Workers
Again there are very simple things you can do to support the essential workers such as provide food, volunteer to help maintain the curfew and quarantine rules in shops or on the roads, sew masks at home to distribute amongst the lesser privileged and hospitals, distribute sanitisers for free and such.
3. Donate Blood
Volunteering to donate blood should not be just a pandemic activity but a lifelong resolution because a single drop of blood can save a life. If you are healthy and are younger in age, you can donate your blood to help those suffering from the virus and give them a chance at surviving this pandemic.
4. Spread a Word About Safety Precautions
India is a country with a large population of uneducated people (especially the migrant workers) who do not understand the importance of safety measures such as hygiene, washing their hands regularly or wearing masks. We can make sure that the maids or the workers around us understand the grave importance of cleanliness and provide them with the necessary means as well.
We at Donate Your Sweat are encouraging virtual awareness campaigns across various digital platforms to encourage more and more people to volunteer during this global crisis and help those in need. We would love to hear your thoughts or any stories you may have about our corona warriors.
Help us spread the word and save as many people as we can. Let us come together to fight this pandemic and emerge victorious.