Hi All,
On Wednesday the 23rd of January we had a distribution closer to Kolkata. It was only 6 km away and it was a holiday for the "freedom fighters" so the traffic was lighter. It still took us a half hour to drive to the Sudhir Memorial Institute, a school with 1200 children in Grades 1 to 12.
The day was warm with partial sun. Many of the children could speak a little English while others seemed quite overwhelmed by all that was going on. We finished our distribution of 992 bedkits and were invited to the principal's office to freshen up and receive lunch: traditional Indian food of rice, dahl, fish, and fresh fruit.
On the way back to the hotel, since we had finished earlier than expected and the traffic was light we went to visit a Jaine Temple. It had very beautiful grounds and the temple itself had tall spires, columns, and figures. Inside it was all done in mosiac, with coloured glass and mirror on the walls and ceiling, marble floors, and inset shrines backed with mirrors representing infinity. The temple had taken twenty-five years to complete. The Jaine belief is a break away from Hinduism and more towards Buddhism. It is a belief in all life and minimal possessions. The believers sweep with a broom in front of themselves before walking so as not to step on anything and will wear a mask so they don't inhale an insect!
The children at the temple were very attracted to us, greeting us in English and shaking hands. They all had to touch us and learn where we lived. We all felt very famous!
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
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