Blanket BlowOut!

On Saturday, January 10, we took 200 blankets to the Outdoor Shelter in Jama Masjid, with hopes of calmly walking through the area, speaking to people, determining if they were in need of a blanket, and quietly distributing them.

This was the plan

This is not quite what happened!

We probably should have realized that this was impossible, especially having 2 foreigners in the crowd to draw attention. What actually happened was that as soon as we were noticed, a mob of about 70 people surrounded us and frantically scrambled for blankets! There was no way for us to determine who was in need or not, and for fear of being trampled (at least that was my fear!) we quickly let people take them and returned to the shelter to think of a new tactic.

People followed us back to the shelter and before we knew it the whole room and staircase up to the 2nd floor, plus (I imagine) the entire lane leading to the building, was FULL of people all wanting a free blanket. We tried to get everyone to sit, but with more and more people pressing up the stairs, the mood changed from organization to urgency and soon we had chaos inside.

Unfortunately we had to ask everyone to leave as shopkeepers in the lane were worried about business and the landlord was concerned about the building.

So attempt one was not too successful.

However, we have a new plan. After talking to some people we've decided that we will be invisible donors, walking through various parts of the city at night, seeing who is sleeping without a blanket and quietly laying it over them. A sort of Blanket Focused Nightwalk if you will.

When we decide the date, we will let you know and would be delighted if you'd like to help. It will take many arms to carry 160 blankets around the city!