London is considered by many to be the epicenter of Christmas celebration, but it is also a hub for large amounts of homeless people, many marginalized by the Christmas season. However, there is one group whose priority is to shed a little Christmas spirit upon London’s less fortunate. SWAT, the Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team, organises a Christmas street party for the city’s homeless every year, in addition to providing around 1,200 free meals a week for London’s needy.
Despite being a Sikh organisation, SWAT volunteers can be of any background or faith. The only aspect of this function that seems reminiscent of the Sikh faith is Seva, or ‘selfless service’. Many Sikhs’ regard ‘selfless service’ as an integral part of their religious duty, which is really what Christmas is supposed to be all about, right? For BBC reporter, Ishleen Kaur, a Sikh himself, this act of kindness makes him recall a childhood hymn, “De Shiva var mohe eh-hey shubh karman te kabhun na taro”, which means, “O power of Akaal (God), grant me this blessing that I may never shirk from doing good deeds.”
It appears this group’s only prerogative is to try and supply items, like, “Santa hats, crackers, chocolates, blankets, scarves, socks, gloves and other such essentials,” to warm the hearts and bodies of London’s less fortunate. Kaur, of the BBC, interviewed a 55 year old John Davidson, who has attended the Christmas party twice before as a guest searching for a little uplifting on Christmas Day. He explains that despite the food and clothing the most important thing SWAT offers him is love.
Nearby The Strand is where SWAT has set up for the past seven years, reportedly churning out hot meals for the needy, three days a week. And SWAT doesn’t skimp on Christmas, serving up a spread of, “hot curry, vegetable cutlets, spring rolls, mince pies, cakes and fruity punch.”
It’s easy to get caught up buying gifts and literally drinking up the Christmas spirit, which is all good fun. Nevertheless, passing along a little bit of Christmas cheer SWAT style will definitely put a smile on Santa’s chubby cheeks. You can check out SWAT’s projects at: http://www.swatlondon.com/ and read more about SWAT’s Christmas street party at the quint.