Food relief programme – Radha Kund
A program that inspires one to share more than food. An experience that will change their and your life.
In 2009 a group of friends decided to go out and distribute nutritious khichri (simple meal from rice and peas) in Radhakund to the widows - and this is where it all started for Braj Care.
The local sadhus appreciated our small effort so much that they requested us to continue this service the following year but this time by adopting traditional methods: by inviting the widows to an ashram, sitting them comfortably and serving them several items of nutritious meal until they are content and to also give them a donation.
Additionally, we arranged for a small cultural program, which was well received and have since been doing this annually.
The local sadhus appreciated our small effort so much that they requested us to continue this service the following year but this time by adopting traditional methods: by inviting the widows to an ashram, sitting them comfortably and serving them several items of nutritious meal until they are content and to also give them a donation.
Additionally, we arranged for a small cultural program, which was well received and have since been doing this annually.
Every year this one-day festival increases in appreciation by the local residents as well as foreign donors. Having received more donations than required to hold such a festival, we have not only been able to provide a full meal to 150 widows and 150 sadhus on this one day festival but we were also able to start the medical care project.
Why do we support widows?
The plight of Vrindavan widows has become known all around the world. Considered inauspicious, many widows soon face their brutal destiny: left without money, sent away by their husbands' families, ostracized from their home villages they make themselves on the way to Vrindavan. Some are even being brought to Vrindavan with the idea of undergoing sacred pilgrimage – when only after a short time they have to meet with the fact that they have been "left alone and forgotten" - on purpose by their family members.
Old, illiterate and without any other shelter but the prayers and faith within their hearts, they turn for help in one of the over-filled shelter houses for widows. Trusting like little children in the protection of Lord Krishna, they find hope to survive.
We consider it a great honour to support these destitute ladies. What was started as a small humanitarian action, turned out to be the festival of joy and culture, while celebrating the lives of these ladies.
One of the many offshoots of the "Widow project" is that the locals have come to respect these ladies as dignified community members and don't see them any longer as "lost cases". This raising of awareness is very healthy and one of the special features of Braj Care.
The plight of Vrindavan widows has become known all around the world. Considered inauspicious, many widows soon face their brutal destiny: left without money, sent away by their husbands' families, ostracized from their home villages they make themselves on the way to Vrindavan. Some are even being brought to Vrindavan with the idea of undergoing sacred pilgrimage – when only after a short time they have to meet with the fact that they have been "left alone and forgotten" - on purpose by their family members.
Old, illiterate and without any other shelter but the prayers and faith within their hearts, they turn for help in one of the over-filled shelter houses for widows. Trusting like little children in the protection of Lord Krishna, they find hope to survive.
We consider it a great honour to support these destitute ladies. What was started as a small humanitarian action, turned out to be the festival of joy and culture, while celebrating the lives of these ladies.
One of the many offshoots of the "Widow project" is that the locals have come to respect these ladies as dignified community members and don't see them any longer as "lost cases". This raising of awareness is very healthy and one of the special features of Braj Care.
How you can help
If would like to sponsor a feast for the sadhus and the widows of Radhakund, please contact us and we would be delighted to arrange this.
If you are planning a trip to Vrindavan and would like to volunteer by serving out meals to the widows and sadhus, please visit this page again for updates on upcoming seva days.
We currently facilitate such volunteer services in the months of October, November and December.
If would like to sponsor a feast for the sadhus and the widows of Radhakund, please contact us and we would be delighted to arrange this.
If you are planning a trip to Vrindavan and would like to volunteer by serving out meals to the widows and sadhus, please visit this page again for updates on upcoming seva days.
We currently facilitate such volunteer services in the months of October, November and December.
Please help us also to create awareness by advertising this seva on social media.
