June 27th 2015 marks the recommencement of the Just One Hunger Initiative program in Varanasi. The peak of the hot season has now passed with temperatures falling significantly to only 102F/39C, allowing the program to safely continue. We are at Jaiprakash Nagar, Sigra and although the food will not be ready for another 2 hours, already a large number of children are gathering for the meal.
Jaiprakash Nagar is an area of garbage collectors, adjacent to a stagnant canal overflow. It is also one of the areas of Varanasi where pigs roam the streets. And today, these pigs are hungry. Attracted by the crowd of people and smell of food, these large animals covered in black sticky mud are soon attempting to eat the discarded leaf plates and banana skins. They are fearlessly chased away by the children, until 2 large pigs begin fighting and squealing, causing the children to scatter.
Jaiprakash Nagar is an area of garbage collectors, adjacent to a stagnant canal overflow. It is also one of the areas of Varanasi where pigs roam the streets. And today, these pigs are hungry. Attracted by the crowd of people and smell of food, these large animals covered in black sticky mud are soon attempting to eat the discarded leaf plates and banana skins. They are fearlessly chased away by the children, until 2 large pigs begin fighting and squealing, causing the children to scatter.
This is one of many small incidents that enliven this afternoon's program. There is the camaraderie of the women making the roti (bread), an entertaining drunkard whom the children gleefully but gently redirect, and the generosity of the woman who allows the children to be fed across her entrance so they can be in the shade. One of the biggest problems in the still intense heat is finding some shade for the children to sit in. However, we receive permission for the children to sit under the roof of a small temple, a generous gift as traditionally this is a sacred area only for offerings. The area is small though, so 5 rounds of feeding are required to serve the 230 children.
Each child receives as much vegetable curry and roti as they wish, plus a banana. The children are hungry with most eating 2-3 servings. There are also a large number of children bringing younger siblings to eat. I watch how they care for them, feeding them and ensuring they are in the shade, even if it means that they are in the intense mid-day sun themselves. My attention is drawn to the number of children with angry looking rashes on their skin. I am told that it is a heat rash that usually clears by itself. However, I am still taken aback by the appearance, even though the children themselves do not seem affected. But, when I consider the lives and probable future of these children, the rashes no longer seem so important.
Each child receives as much vegetable curry and roti as they wish, plus a banana. The children are hungry with most eating 2-3 servings. There are also a large number of children bringing younger siblings to eat. I watch how they care for them, feeding them and ensuring they are in the shade, even if it means that they are in the intense mid-day sun themselves. My attention is drawn to the number of children with angry looking rashes on their skin. I am told that it is a heat rash that usually clears by itself. However, I am still taken aback by the appearance, even though the children themselves do not seem affected. But, when I consider the lives and probable future of these children, the rashes no longer seem so important.
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