Today is Saturday, 6th August. I am driving through the usual crazy, unexpected chaos of traffic in Varanasi on my way to Shiva Ji Mission School for Just One's weekly food distribution program. I do notice it is busier than usual on this Saturday morning, but this has little impact on my journey to Lakshmanpur where the school is located.
Every time I walk into this school the joy and love of the students at being part of the Just One program is palpable.
Every time I walk into this school the joy and love of the students at being part of the Just One program is palpable.
Today Just One is distributing bananas again, and each of the 240 students present at the school today receives two bananas. There are usually around 6 teachers at the school supporting, loving, disciplining and educating these students. This is all done on a minimal budget under the loving, watchful eye of the founder, a delightful retired teacher in his seventies. He is always effusive in his gratitude to Sai Maa and when he joins us for the Just One program there's always lots of smiles and handshakes with 'Om Jai Jai Sai Maa'.
The school includes basic English in its curriculum and some of the older students speak good English. Conversing with us is an opportunity for them to practice their English with native speakers and they take advantage of this. They also allow us practice Hindi creating a joyous rapport. As usual ,today some of the older students help distribute the fruits, and this leads to lots of impromptu and entertaining interactions
The school includes basic English in its curriculum and some of the older students speak good English. Conversing with us is an opportunity for them to practice their English with native speakers and they take advantage of this. They also allow us practice Hindi creating a joyous rapport. As usual ,today some of the older students help distribute the fruits, and this leads to lots of impromptu and entertaining interactions
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