Sikh in Houston: Katrina Volunteer Relief Efforts

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Friends in Texas have been sending e-mails to each other - sharing what's happening with the relief efforts in Houston and how the Sikhs are getting involved. Here's some excerpts from some of the emails that have been sent.... Blessings...

- Ek Ong Kaar Kaur


Wednesday, September 7, 2005
As you know, thousands of evacuees from the hurricane have come on their own or have been brought to Houston for shelter. The whole city of Houston has come together so far with an enormous response of volunteers and supplies. The Astrodome and George R. Brown Convention Center have been turned into well organized shelters and are covering many, many needs including providing medical care, meals, clothing and supplies, telephone banks, etc.

The Houston 3HO Sikh Sangat is very small but at least five of us have spent time volunteering at the Astrodome working in whatever capacity was our expertise or where we were needed. We have been well received and they are grateful for the help. There are two categories of volunteers: medical and non-medical. In the medical area a volunteer is utilized according to how they are licensed. In the non-medical area a call for a job to be filled is made and volunteers who can fill those jobs are sent there.
The Sikh Center in Houston is also sending volunteers to the Astrodome. In my humble assessment, it is not really an issue here in Houston that the city has a lack of hands to do the work. Houston is a very large city and has the man-power. What is important though, is that there be a strong Sikh presence. The Siri Singh Sahib said we must be known for our service so anyone who wishes to come and serve is welcome.

There is another need for service. United Sikhs has organized a lungar kitchen in Baton Rouge and they are in desperate need of volunteers. That city, from what I understand, has nearly doubled their population with hurricane evacuees. You should call Kuldip Singh with United Sikhs who is coordinating volunteers at 404-550-8356. Also, this is the email address of Mejindarpal Kaur who is the point person for that lungar seva in Baton Rouge mejindarpal@yahoo.com. They will be most grateful for any extra hands. You can see what they are doing on their website http://www.unitedsikhs.org.

Keep us informed of any plans that may be made within the Espanola sangat.

Love and blessings,

Guru Gian Kaur

Wednesday, September 7, 2005
I wanted to write you and say that Houston has been a proud place to be this past week. Myself, Hari Kirn Kaur, Guru Gian Kaur and Sat Kartar Singh from the ashram have been going to the Astrodome and volunteering when ever we possibly can.

I'm asking you to pass this on to everyone, so we can get some energy going towards this cause. There are two stories here, one I witnessed on a Tuesday 9/6/05 newscast, and one I was involved with personally.

We need people to email, fax, telephone, etc., our federal government officials to ask them to allow Animal Rescue groups into New Orleans to save people's pets.

Thinking of you guys!
Gurukarta


On Tuesday news 9/6/05, a fifteen year old boy was interviewed at his new school here in Houston. He said, "I've lost everything, my home, my dogs..." and he cried.

On last Friday night, 9/2/05, S.S. Hari Kirn Kaur and I were at the Astrodome. We'd been there for hours and were on our way home at about 5:30am. I saw a young woman, nineteen, standing in the parking lot with a small yorkshire terrier on a thin lead, and she looked "frozen". We went to her and asked if we could help her. She said, "They won't let me bring my dog inside. I've lost everything, I'm not leaving him. We survived together. I don't know where to go."

We helped her to understand that the Houston SPCA would take her dog, but then she could get him back later. She did not know that. She was still hesitant, but seemed more hopeful.

Tuesday, September 6th
We were down at the convention center today for a few hours. There is a great lack of bras for girls and women. Everything else they seem to be getting by the bushel...but no bras...they say they need at least 1,000 donated. Between all of us, I'm sure we don't have anything like that but keep it in mind if you are cleaning out closets for donations.

Earlier on the weekend...

My hearing support group (Self Help For The Hard Of Hearing People) has found 15 deaf people at the dome separated from their families. They have gathered them to live in the same area and are working to help them with their special needs and most especially trying to unite them with their families We'll send food directly to them

There are tons of need for food that we will personally oversee.

Sat Kartar Singh spent from 1am to 6:30 at the dome helping to set up a children's huge play area

Some of you have asked if I know another way to help

Here's an idea

9 men from the Sikh community in New Mexico are coming today to Houston to work at the dome; we will be putting them up at the ashram and in our home.

These men and all my other friends who are working at the dome (lots) will need to be fed.

I am also helping a friend and former client of mine who escaped after the storm and before the levee totally drowned the city; she, of course lost everything.

This will be a long rescue effort here so we can plan on continuing to lend our support for months and months.

God bless us all

Sat nam.

Guru Atma Kaur