Just One supporting Mela Pilgrims

In August and September the Just One Hunger Initiative had the opportunity to offer food to spiritual seekers at the 2015 Kumbh Mela, one of the biggest spiritual gatherings on the planet.  This year’s Kumbh Mela was at Nasik, near Mumbai, and each day hundreds of thousands of people took part in this special occasion. The common focus was their spiritual practice and immersion in God. Just One was honored to provide nourishment for their bodies during their spiritual journey.

The Slums of Varanasi

Jayendra Das Brahmachari

On September 26th I took part in the Just One Hunger Initiative’s program in Shivapuruva, run with its partner organisation, ASMITA. My experience of this program was very different from the others I have already attended in Varanasi with ASMITA. Firstly there was the location itself.  We went into the “village” through the entrance of a public school.   I would never have known the village existed if we were not taken there.
 
At first I wondered where the food would be served as it seemed there was no clear space in the village. There seemed to only be one yard where everything was sitting and everything was happening, and this clearly seemed to be an inappropriate place.  But in India everything is possible. On asking I was shown to the small space that would be used to serve the children. Looking around I also saw how very tiny the nearby kitchen space was, but in this tiny space there were more than 10 people, including children, who were preparing the food. Most were making chapattis.

Featured projects

Sathya Sai Maa Shakti Dayini & Shanti Darshini

Shakti Dayini & Shanti Darshini are the cornerstones of the Sai Maa Women's Empowerment Project in Varanasi. Catering for women facing violence, Shakti Dayini empowers women through counseling & education. Shanti Darshini provides a safe shelter.

Just One hunger initiative

Since 2011 Just One has been committed to feeding underprivileged children in Uttar Pradesh, India through meal distribution programs. At present two regular feeding programs are offered each month, reaching over 500 children.