On September 7th 2014, the Just One Hunger Initiative was invited to be part of a special event in Paramandapur, Shivpur, on the outskirts of Varanasi. Paramandapur is the central location for 3 local villages to come together to celebrate girls. As such, there are close to 500 children at this event and Just One has the opportunity to serve 3 communities I have never met before.
Just watching all the children interact with each other makes this program so satisfying. The celebration, combined with many children who do not always see each other, created a dynamic that I have not seen in other events. The children would play with each other, hold each other, feed each other and care deeply for one another one second and then hit, kick, smack, pull, and bully each other the next. This was a constant source of entertainment for me. One moment they could be loving with each other and the next moment crying and fighting with each other. The rough treatment between them was commonplace, as if it was normal and expected. I even speculated whether this roughness was somehow desired. Either way, no one ran to their parents or looked for protection.
Just watching all the children interact with each other makes this program so satisfying. The celebration, combined with many children who do not always see each other, created a dynamic that I have not seen in other events. The children would play with each other, hold each other, feed each other and care deeply for one another one second and then hit, kick, smack, pull, and bully each other the next. This was a constant source of entertainment for me. One moment they could be loving with each other and the next moment crying and fighting with each other. The rough treatment between them was commonplace, as if it was normal and expected. I even speculated whether this roughness was somehow desired. Either way, no one ran to their parents or looked for protection.
This day held announcements, awards, and plays. The children watched ASMITA's teachers perform a local childhood fable. The production was delivered with great enthusiasm but no one could actually hear what they were saying because there was no electricity to get the sound system working. It didn’t seem to bother anyone, although the attention of the children wavered between the fable and the ongoing skirmishes in the gathered crowd. Nonetheless, the children sat respectfully around the performers. Many of the children’s faces and clothes were thickly caked in dust and dirt and looked as though it was a long time since they had been washed.
Then it was time for the bandhara, or free feeding program. In Indian culture, bandharas are viewed as opportunities to serve each other's soul. Each person recognizes the blessing that they are receiving with this food. For this event, the children’s parents and older teenagers joined the village children in sharing food in celebration of the girls of India. Even for such a large program, there was ample support for cooking and serving all. The day started at 7:30 am and it took many hours to cook the food and then serve all those present, but everyone left satisfied and fed. The real gift for me was in the villager's allowing me to be a part of their lives for these few short hours. And from that, I have a memory that I will treasure always.
Then it was time for the bandhara, or free feeding program. In Indian culture, bandharas are viewed as opportunities to serve each other's soul. Each person recognizes the blessing that they are receiving with this food. For this event, the children’s parents and older teenagers joined the village children in sharing food in celebration of the girls of India. Even for such a large program, there was ample support for cooking and serving all. The day started at 7:30 am and it took many hours to cook the food and then serve all those present, but everyone left satisfied and fed. The real gift for me was in the villager's allowing me to be a part of their lives for these few short hours. And from that, I have a memory that I will treasure always.
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