Introduction & History of Grama Seva Japan Establishment
On 28th March 2020, during my usual run around Yoyogi park, Shibuya-ku Tokyo Japan (aka Yoyogi Koen), I was stopped by a homeless asking for food. The person mentioned that she had not eaten for days and requested, if I can provide her some money for food. As I do not carry, money during my runs, except mobile phone, it was indeed a difficult situation, whereby, I could not lend a helping hand. This incident kept disturbing me for weeks.
The situation further disturbed me as due COVID19 pandemic, Tokyo announced State of Emergency on 8th of April 2020, which eventually ended on 25th May 2020. This left many homeless in Japan into despair, as most of NPO (Non-Profit Organizations) and volunteers stopped serving food and providing necessary needs to homeless in Tokyo area due to risk of infection.
Providing food, shelter for the needy was carried out before in Tokyo with a group volunteers and it wasn’t new to me. However, Japanese regulations requires series of procedures to comply and follow for any sort of activities including volunteering activities such as providing required necessity for homeless.
With much despair, through known volunteer friend, Ms Shiima Kajiyama, I was introduced to Ms. Harumi Koyama. Ms Harumi, a UK citizen, Japanese descent and I managed to meet at Shibuya-ku, City Hall Office, on Friday, 29th May 2020, Friday. After a short introduction, we had a meeting with Mr. Izumi, Health Supervisor at Health Centre, Shibuya-ku City Hall office. After around 4-5 hours, explaining the process and intention of serving the homeless, we got approval and understanding of the “Do`s” and “Don`ts”. Right after meeting, the next visit was to Yoyogi park, where, we met homeless representative and interviewed their needs. So, happen one of them (Mr. Mura) did mentioned about not receiving food or any support due to COVID19 and mentioned if we would supply food on every Sunday. Rest is history – as of time of writing, till-to-date, we have provided approximately 420 meals to the needy continuously for 5 Sundays. Following the feedback, both from Health department of Shibuya-ku, City Hall and homeless representative, Ms. Harumi and I, visited Barathi Indian restaurant to discuss the possibility to do the feeding program on Sunday 7th June 2020, which then became our first Sunday feeding program. Our sincere appreciation to owners (Mr. Pradeep Sharan and Mrs. Vartika Pradeep) of Barathi restaurant located at Motoyoyogi for kind consideration to utilize their manpower and kitchen and eventually providing meals for homeless at reasonable cost.
Following the discussion on, 29th May 2020, Friday, ground work and preparation was done, leading to birth of Grama Seva Japan. “Grama Seva” is sanskit based word which literally means “Village Service”. Grama Seva Asia Pacific, which is an established organization based in Malaysia, provide various humanitarian aid to needy people in Asia Pacific. Following similar steps, I wanted to create similar approach in Japan hence Grama Seva Japan.
Grama Seva (Village Service) Japan, officially initiated by a small group of volunteers, and continuously growing with love and support from all over the world, in a feeding program for homeless, currently centered in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku.
The Grama Seva complies with all regulations and frequently reports to Shibuya-ku ward office, and Health Department. Every individual (homeless), irrespective of caste, colour and creed, is a recipient of Grama Seva's volunteers care and love. All are welcome to join our efforts towards unity, harmony, and service to mankind.
For further information please contact, Mr. Pradip at +81-80-3396-7562 or Mrs Lonsdale Veronica @ vlonsdale2012@gmail.com or +81-90-4171-4543 for Japanese inquiry and Mr. Siva Kannan @ sivapoli@rocketmail.com or +971-0567-265-294 for English inquiry.
Ir. Siva Kannan CEng, FIChemE, FEI, UK
Volunteer & Founder of Grama Seva, Japan
5th July 2020