
The school is packed with children and also mothers, brothers and sisters – many, many more people than usual. A stage has been set up in the school’s playground and everyone is crowded around it, and even overflowing into the open backed classrooms. The program is simple but entertaining, with the students presenting a range of traditional and Bollywood dance, as well as drama pieces.
Today’s Just one program offers ladoo – a traditional Indian sweet. The sweets are freshly hand-made, being smaller and healthier than those usually available from stores. Having more of these smaller ladoos means that even though we catered for only 300 students, we are able to ‘stretch’ them to cater for all the approximately 400 children present. Each student receives a carefully made newspaper packet containing a few of the tiny sweets.
During the performances the Just One team are honoured guests, seated with a photograph of Sai Maa standing on the presentation table in recognition of the support offered by Sai Maa to this school. At the end of the program the team offers each performer a writing book, pencil and pen courtesy of Sai Maa and Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust. The funds for these items were donated by individuals in the Sai Maa global community for specific use at the Shiva Ji Mission School. Supplies were purchased for all students, with the remainder being held by the school until needed by the students. This additional bonus is gratefully received, and ensures that students have basic school supplies for the next few months.