Two weeks ago, Just One began distributing meals to children in a new slum neighborhood, the Kanshiram Awas Project. This is a government subsidized community for impoverished families. It is a huge area. We are now only 1 block away from the last feeding area, but the children and families from this project are all new to me. To qualify to live here, the family income must be below poverty level, which in India is a very low figure to begin with, the family is a one-parent household, or the family qualifies for one of many government assistance programs.
This week we are joined by 12 soon-to-be nuns, mostly from South India. They will take their vows on May 29th, but today they are here at the Just One feeding as part of their training. We are happy to have the assistance as it is close to 100 F. The children are eager for the feeding to begin and well over 300 are fed.
This week we are joined by 12 soon-to-be nuns, mostly from South India. They will take their vows on May 29th, but today they are here at the Just One feeding as part of their training. We are happy to have the assistance as it is close to 100 F. The children are eager for the feeding to begin and well over 300 are fed.
There is an air of calm and orderliness that is strikingly distinct from the chaos that occurred two weeks ago. Even so, the staff is more disciplined with the children and monitor their behavior. Nonetheless, the children are all smiles, posing excitedly for the camera and loudly asking for photos to be taken of them. When it is time to eat the children rush to find their spot and soon they are all seated. There is one child, without pants, that is oblivious to the eating customs and throughout the meal he parades himself up and down the middle of the feeding area.
It is another great day. The children are satisfied, the mothers are happy, and the community seems genuinely grateful. The clean up goes exceedingly quickly with the help of the youthful nuns-in-training. Today, the staff have the opportunity to share the day's vegetable curry and puris. There is the sense of togetherness, of family, and of bonding that happens when a group comes together to serve our neighbors in a good cause. I thank each of you in Sai Maa's community for providing this opportunity.
It is another great day. The children are satisfied, the mothers are happy, and the community seems genuinely grateful. The clean up goes exceedingly quickly with the help of the youthful nuns-in-training. Today, the staff have the opportunity to share the day's vegetable curry and puris. There is the sense of togetherness, of family, and of bonding that happens when a group comes together to serve our neighbors in a good cause. I thank each of you in Sai Maa's community for providing this opportunity.
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