Warm spring days and pleasant nights have once again returned to Delhi. But just a few short months ago morning fires burned brightly to ward off the winter chill and warm cold hands and feet. It was then that young volunteers and members of The Indian Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints braved cold early morning temperatures to distribute one thousand hygiene kits and warm blankets to residents of several Delhi slum areas. With arms loaded high they greeted smiling faces and tearful eyes as they walked the narrow streets to distribute these articles to each and every home. Some recipients ventured out into the cold to express their thanks and gratitude for such timely gifts and offered blessings on those that brought them. Quite often handshakes or hugs of appreciation were given and one thankful mother said, “You are an answer to my prayers for my children.”
The one thousand hygiene kits were assembled by local Church members and included soap, dental items, shampoo, hand sanitizer, towels, nail clippers and many other items that were put into custom made bags in assembly line fashion. The ten foot high pile of hygiene kits and blankets were then transported by cargo van, in multiple trips, to the slums. There the teams presented them to the wonderful poor people of Delhi. Elder Michael, a church volunteer from Bangalore remarked, “This service project has brought the true spirit of selfless giving to me. This kind of service to our fellow man is what our Savior would have us do."
While the blankets brought warmth in these cold winter months to the poor, it is service that warmed the hearts of those that participated. The local members of the Church in Delhi look forward to repeating this project next year.