One of the most nourishing parts of participating in the feedings of the Just One program is the special moments we share with the children. Moments such as the smile a boy gives after serving him an extra cup of sweetened milk or kids laughing together as they look at their photo on the camera.

On August 20th, the Just One program continued its monthly feeding for children at the  Sathya Sai Maa Moksha Dham in Kashi, India. This month we fed approximately 200 children from the local schools and community.  Seeing the same children each month, the special moments between us seem to be increasing. 

Just One Feeding Initiative began distributing meals to children in this slum neighborhood, the Kanshiram Awastham, Shivpur, six months ago in March 2014.  This must be our 6th feeding in this area during that period.  Awastham means 'residences' or the Western version of our governmental subsidized housing for low income and impoverished families.  It is the toughest area for us to feed because this area has a lot of teenage and troubled young adults.  They are always on the periphery of the feeding area causing mischief and lacking respect for discipline, the coordinators, and the local staff.

This area is chosen for many reasons.  One, the animators, or the local coordinators, are new to this area, but very energetic.  The animators act as teachers that provide education and discipline so severely missing in most slum areas.  We can see, feel, and experience the difference in these communities when Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust and ASMITA feed the children here.  

On August 14th Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust and ASMITA went to Baghawanpur, a small settlement located next to the university grounds.  We have been to this small area many times over many years and so we are recognized immediately. The children here are mostly quiet and well behaved, but they are still intrigued by our presence and eager to interact.

The distribution is being held on a small block of vacant land between closely packed housing, mostly in a dilapidated state.   Even before the food arrives children gather and watch the food preparation and eagerly introduce their younger brothers and sisters, and friends. Later children from a nearby school also join us, so approximately 200 children are being cared for and fed nutritious food today.

Arriving at the Sathya Sai Maa Moksha Dham just before noon on Sunday August 3rd, we are welcomed into the enthusiasm, the boisterousness and the excitement of these children joining us at the Ashram for a special Just One food distribution.    Yesterday was Sai Maa’s birthday, and in celebration today we are holding a feast for the children and other residents around the Ashram.

There is a short delay before we can begin serving and the seating area to receive food is soon full as more and more children arrive.  An inviting and nutritious meal has been prepared – a vegetable stew, paneer (cheese cubes) stew, chutney, puri (fried bread) and kheer – a sweet rice and milk dessert with nuts and raisins.   Teachers from nearby slum areas also arrive with children under their care and soon the whole Ashram is filled with the excited chatter of children waiting for their turn to receive.