There are several large monkeys paying very close attention to the activities at the Shiva Ji Mission School on this 29th July morning. They are remaining very close, uncomfortably close, to the student areas and are extremely attentive to every move in the school yard. The reason? Several large crates of very large, very yellow, perfectly ripe bananas have been delivered to the school for today’s Just One program. It seems these monkeys feel that maybe they should be included in this morning’s Just One fruit distribution as well. And if they are not going to be included, then perhaps there might be a chance to take matters into their own hands and grab some delicious and tempting bananas while no-one is looking..
The students, staff and the Just One team are all very wary of these attentive monkeys. Everyone knows that any one of the monkeys could decide to swoop down with lightning speed, grab some fruit and be gone again before any of us had a chance to react to the conquest. Equipped with this knowledge, a group of the oldest boys were given long bamboo poles and assigned to stand guard over the boxes while the Just One team and some students distribute the fruit. This is a most unusual sight for anyone watching - even in the vibrant and varied city of Varanasi!!
There are approximately 260 children in attendance today. Each of the classrooms is again nearing full capacity and again some students are now studying in an open area near the office with just some iron sheets to keep the rain off.
The Just One team is met with the usual cheers and standing choris of "Good morning" as we enter each room and give out the bananas. The discipline nurtured in the students is also demonstrated as the students all remain standing until either the teacher or one of the Just One team tell them to sit down. Today there is still the contrast between the new students and those who are familiar with the Just One team and the weekly ritual. The very young, new students accept the bananas with timid and innocent smiles and in contrast the older boys cheer and are generally noisy, though still looking rather innocent.
It is always breath of fresh air to come to Shiva Ji Mission School and experience a life so simple with so little yet wanting for nothing.
There are approximately 260 children in attendance today. Each of the classrooms is again nearing full capacity and again some students are now studying in an open area near the office with just some iron sheets to keep the rain off.
The Just One team is met with the usual cheers and standing choris of "Good morning" as we enter each room and give out the bananas. The discipline nurtured in the students is also demonstrated as the students all remain standing until either the teacher or one of the Just One team tell them to sit down. Today there is still the contrast between the new students and those who are familiar with the Just One team and the weekly ritual. The very young, new students accept the bananas with timid and innocent smiles and in contrast the older boys cheer and are generally noisy, though still looking rather innocent.
It is always breath of fresh air to come to Shiva Ji Mission School and experience a life so simple with so little yet wanting for nothing.
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