The first distribution was that afternoon after a much appreciated sleep. Our first challenge was dealing with the Mumbai traffic, noise, and crowds of people who merrily walk down the side of the road without any apparent care for traffic. With some challenges we made it to the distribution site where we gave out 170 bedkits.
The children were lined up in their crisp, clean new outfits and were amazingly well-behaved and polite. How touching it was to have a small boy reach out a hand to shake ours in thanks or to have a young girl bend down and touch our feet in deep gratitude. Suddenly the impact of this gift of a bedkit hit home. It is unbelievable generosity from strangers to these truly needy children.
The local Rotary Club is a young club with very dedicated members who packed the kits, entertained the children, and helped in every possible way to make the distribution go smoothly. At the end they treated us to some fruit and presented each of us with a kind of Basil plant. This plant represents purity and good health if you eat a leaf each day.
As we were still dealing with the time change and long flights, we were happy to reach our hotel, have a meal, and go to bed.
Current Weather:
Day 2: Believe it or not, today was Friday, a surprise to some of us who were still living Thursday in Ontario time.We had two distributions today and so started at 8:00 a.m. to head off to the first site at a school in Goregaon West. School was in session with 1000 of the children attending in the morning and 700 different children going in the afternoon. A few of these children were from the village and many were from farther away. The distribution of 227 bedkits was carried out in the school yard amidst this busy scene. The children were delightful and thrilled to be with us. Their need is apparent.
Once again, the Rotarians and the teachers were very helpful and fed us fresh oranges, bananas, sandwiches, and cookies for lunch. It is always interesting to talk to the local people. We were invited into a grade one classroom and were part of the opening prayers and national pledge. The children also were thrilled to recite some poetry for us. This particular classroom had over 50 children with one teacher and there were very few supplies. This teacher of 13 years demonstrated an amazing positive attitude with grace and dignity.
Meanwhile, in the school yard, we watched the older enrolled students come outside for a physical education class. To the regular beat of a drum, they demonstrated incredible co-ordination and synchronicity as they performed their exercise routine which included wooden dumb bells.
Then we were off to the next site at the local Mumbai YMCA with 248 bedkits to distribute. We learned that each distribution is a bit different and flexiblity and patience are the keys to success. Once again we were very impressed with the excellent behaviour of the children and the help of their teachers. These children make it all worthwhile and we enjoy ourselves as we work.
Signing off for tonight because we are still tired.
The SCAW 2008 Mumbai Team:
Doug, Dave, Ted, Marsha, Donna and Cathy
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P.S. Hope you are enjoying the snow. The people here say it is cold. It is approaching plus 30° Celsius.
