Today broke damp and cloudy. As the day continued, the monsoon rains fell relentlessly, flooding the roads and properties in areas not affected by the river flooding. The water was at calf height driving to the areas where we are delivering the meals.
Turning off the main road, we take a narrow dirty alleyway that opens into a flat area below the railway tracks. Here a small, but impoverished community, is still living, even though more than half the community is submerged. The ground is swampy, and our shoes are sinking into the silt with each step, sticking in the mud as we lift our feet. It is slippery and trash floats on the water. The smell is strong and pungent. Pigs move through the sticky mud.
One of the villagers takes us to see her home. Even before moving through the single remaining row of houses, we can see how many homes are submerged in the water. Carefully walking through the slippery alleyways that are these people’s home, we see that the mud is everywhere – inside and outside of their shanties. We walk along the top of a brick fence and one of the villagers lifts the plastic that is now the roof to her home, revealing water three quarters of the way to the roof. Through a translator she asks: “Will I get a roof again when the waters go down?”.
One of the villagers takes us to see her home. Even before moving through the single remaining row of houses, we can see how many homes are submerged in the water. Carefully walking through the slippery alleyways that are these people’s home, we see that the mud is everywhere – inside and outside of their shanties. We walk along the top of a brick fence and one of the villagers lifts the plastic that is now the roof to her home, revealing water three quarters of the way to the roof. Through a translator she asks: “Will I get a roof again when the waters go down?”.
We are ready to distribute approximately 150 meals. There are numerous, very young children, so we feed the mothers, placing food for their families into their outstretched hands. Children run from the homes on the incline to the railway tracks to receive their meals. Mothers, fathers, grandparents and children wait patiently as others are served. I remember very clearly one small, very dirty boy, bright eyes looking out of a dirt smeared face and fingers in his mouth. He simply looked at me without blinking till it was his turn to receive his packet of food. Then he smiled broadly and turned to run back to his family and eat this eagerly anticipated meal.
Our next destination is just around the corner. We go to the grounds of a nearby government hospital. A temporary community has been created here by local villagers whose own homes are inhabitable, submerged in the floodwaters. The land is dry, open and relatively comfortable, but these villagers were able to bring little with them, so life is still harsh. The coverings for many of the shelters are just old saris, which cannot hold out the monsoon rains. Their goats seek shelter by standing on the same wooden beds the people will later sleep on. The food packets are a welcome opportunity for the parents to know their kids are not hungry. The meals are gratefully received, especially by the children and the elderly. As we leave, the children line the hospital road, eagerly waving, shaking hands, and calling out loudly “Thank you”.
Our next destination is just around the corner. We go to the grounds of a nearby government hospital. A temporary community has been created here by local villagers whose own homes are inhabitable, submerged in the floodwaters. The land is dry, open and relatively comfortable, but these villagers were able to bring little with them, so life is still harsh. The coverings for many of the shelters are just old saris, which cannot hold out the monsoon rains. Their goats seek shelter by standing on the same wooden beds the people will later sleep on. The food packets are a welcome opportunity for the parents to know their kids are not hungry. The meals are gratefully received, especially by the children and the elderly. As we leave, the children line the hospital road, eagerly waving, shaking hands, and calling out loudly “Thank you”.
RSS Feed