
However, before getting half way to Ghasiyra Ghat, one of the motorbikes stalls in the deep waters now covering all access roads to this Ghat. It cannot be restarted. Father Sunil and Mohan Das try to find a rickshaw that can carry the stranded bag of food parcels. All the auto-rickshaw drivers are unwilling to enter the flooded areas choked by water until eventually, they find a bicycle rickshaw willing to attempt the journey. We transfer the food and continue on through even deeper waters.
The rain drenching the city has turned the access to their community area into thick mud. As we make our way through the mud, we sink into it with each step, our shoes then held by the consistency of the mud. The black mud splatters on our clothes, up our legs and on all we are carrying. We support each other in the darkness and think about the community living in this unhealthy situation. However, as is the repeated experience, there is only gratitude and humility from these people as they crowd around us in the darkness, each person receiving enough meals for their families.
Although late, we move to the next community in this area and the rickshaw meets us at this location. When the people hear us coming, many women, children and a few men move towards the distribution point. Local volunteers have notified the community leaders that the food will be delivered late. Although crowded and chaotic, there is order and gratitude here too, with each receiving their food packets and returning to their family to eat the meal on this monsoon night in Varanasi.