The Just One program started feeding children in the slum area of Awastham over a year ago. The area consists of government subsidized flats for low income and special needs families and the feedings here have tended to be a little more difficult. At first, the feedings were held more frequently in this area because of this. Many of the children were used to getting attention from their unruly behavior, and there was a period of testing and observing from the local community.
Today, April 18th, it was my great joy to see the difference since this time. The work of the program, coupled with more acceptance of the program in the community may have contributed to the improvement in behavior including everyone being more respectful and listening to directions.
Today, April 18th, it was my great joy to see the difference since this time. The work of the program, coupled with more acceptance of the program in the community may have contributed to the improvement in behavior including everyone being more respectful and listening to directions.
The feeding happened effortlessly and joyously for the staff and the children.
The summer is actually late arriving this year. Although the temperatures are in the 39 C / 102 F range, the intense summer heat has not fully arrived. However in this community, there are no large shade trees to cook under or lay out the mats for feeding. It has to be done in the sparseness of whatever shade comes from the buildings during the noon time sun. As you can imagine, it gets blistering hot very quickly. It is so hot that I cannot take off my sandals to walk on the stone walkways.
There are 300 children in attendance. The menu of puris and vegetable curry served as an appetizer for their favorite part of the meal, the banana. The children are much friendlier this time as well, wanting to shake and hold hands. As always, they want to be in the middle of everything that is going on and this Just One feeding serves as their 'festival' of the week.
The summer is actually late arriving this year. Although the temperatures are in the 39 C / 102 F range, the intense summer heat has not fully arrived. However in this community, there are no large shade trees to cook under or lay out the mats for feeding. It has to be done in the sparseness of whatever shade comes from the buildings during the noon time sun. As you can imagine, it gets blistering hot very quickly. It is so hot that I cannot take off my sandals to walk on the stone walkways.
There are 300 children in attendance. The menu of puris and vegetable curry served as an appetizer for their favorite part of the meal, the banana. The children are much friendlier this time as well, wanting to shake and hold hands. As always, they want to be in the middle of everything that is going on and this Just One feeding serves as their 'festival' of the week.
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