On the 30th November Just One returned to the Sathya Sai Maa Moksha Dham at Harishchandra Ghat to continue its monthly food distribution. Although scheduled for an 11.30am start, the children from the nearby school are already sitting patiently and quietly by 11.00am. This changes quickly when the local street children join the gathering. In contrast to the friendly but quiet and disciplined students with their teachers, these children bring a riot of noise, laughter, activity and general boisterousness to the wait.
At 11.30am the Just One team quickly distributes the plates, clay dishes and cups. Today we are joined by two bicycle rickshaw drivers and Danielle, a Sai Maa student from Canada. We work efficiently together, quickly serving the hot vegetable stew, hot fried bread, water and warm rice pudding. Many of the children seem particularly eager to start today, and some even ask for the chant to begin before the serving is complete! However all respectfully wait to eat until after the chanting concludes with a resounding ‘Om Jai Jai Sai Maa’ in gratitude for the meal.
Today the initial sitting consists of approximately 85 children of all ages, many under 8 years of age. There are also about 7 or 8 mothers who have brought their young children and sit with them as they slowly and carefully feed these young children their food. This care is often left to the older children but today it seems many of the mothers have come themselves. It is now much colder in Varanasi, and as the weather cools receiving a hot nutritious meal is a valuable addition to the day.
In total we feed approximately 165 meals this morning, taking a little over an hour. Everyone leaves with their hunger satisfied, and feeling gratitude. These Ashram activities are now firmly associated with Sai Maa in the local community, and eagerly anticipated each month by all.
Today the initial sitting consists of approximately 85 children of all ages, many under 8 years of age. There are also about 7 or 8 mothers who have brought their young children and sit with them as they slowly and carefully feed these young children their food. This care is often left to the older children but today it seems many of the mothers have come themselves. It is now much colder in Varanasi, and as the weather cools receiving a hot nutritious meal is a valuable addition to the day.
In total we feed approximately 165 meals this morning, taking a little over an hour. Everyone leaves with their hunger satisfied, and feeling gratitude. These Ashram activities are now firmly associated with Sai Maa in the local community, and eagerly anticipated each month by all.
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