Where: Nagwa, Varanasi, India
Children Fed: 200
Today is the eve of Children’s Day, so the program today includes not just meals for the children of Nagwa, but also games, prizes and gifts. The volunteers arrive early on this special day and begin cutting and cleaning the vegetables, cooking the spices and preparing the dough for the puri. They laugh and enjoy themselves as they prepare the meal, creating a convivial atmosphere for the children’s food.
The program is held in the forecourt of a mosque in Nagwa, and as we prepare the meals, devout pilgrims come to offer worship at the mosque. Their interest in the activities adds to the atmosphere and by the time the children begin to arrive, the energy is ready for games. They are excited, playing with each other noisily and inquiring curiously into all that is going on. The games are organized and the volunteers join the children playing group activities that are also educational, incorporating counting, teamwork and words.
Children Fed: 200
Today is the eve of Children’s Day, so the program today includes not just meals for the children of Nagwa, but also games, prizes and gifts. The volunteers arrive early on this special day and begin cutting and cleaning the vegetables, cooking the spices and preparing the dough for the puri. They laugh and enjoy themselves as they prepare the meal, creating a convivial atmosphere for the children’s food.
The program is held in the forecourt of a mosque in Nagwa, and as we prepare the meals, devout pilgrims come to offer worship at the mosque. Their interest in the activities adds to the atmosphere and by the time the children begin to arrive, the energy is ready for games. They are excited, playing with each other noisily and inquiring curiously into all that is going on. The games are organized and the volunteers join the children playing group activities that are also educational, incorporating counting, teamwork and words.
As the games come to an end the children begin to prepare for the meals, laying out the cloth they will sit on and then seating themselves. There is much chattering and laughter, but eventually they are all seated and the volunteers begin to serve the vegetables, puri and bananas. The children devour the food and continue to be served until they are no longer hungry. The bananas are a favorite with the children, as many do not regularly eat either fruit or vegetables. But they are children, so fruit is the draw card!
After the second round of feeding is complete, prizes and gifts for all the children are distributed. Coloring books or pencils for those who won prizes in the games, and small toothpaste tubes, soap and other personal items are distributed to all the children. They leave happy and satisfied, their stomachs full and their Children’s Day desires met with their gifts.
After the second round of feeding is complete, prizes and gifts for all the children are distributed. Coloring books or pencils for those who won prizes in the games, and small toothpaste tubes, soap and other personal items are distributed to all the children. They leave happy and satisfied, their stomachs full and their Children’s Day desires met with their gifts.
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