Pune: 3,000 Sleeping Children

From Pune 2009 Photo Album

As mentioned in the previous blog, all 3,000 bedkits have been distributed to happy children in the rural area northwest of Pune. We were greeted at the final distribution by carts pulled by bullocks, ready to take us the final short distance to the site. We were also treated to "feta" - head-dresses made of brightly coloured cloth wrapped tight around our heads. Judy, the rookie photographer, took the photos with an assist from Dave. At the end of the day, a local teacher gave a sincere, poetic thanks on behalf of the children.

Today the team was able to visit two schools where the children received bedkits last year. The schools are located in a breathtakingly beautiful, but very rural area southwest of Pune. In one classroom, fourteen of the sixteen children are still using the backpacks that were part of the bedkit. The packs show signs of wear and repair, but since the children have to walk up to 10 km per day for school, these items are extremely valuable to them. The uniforms from last year are still in use. Other than some fading in the girls' blue uniforms, they all appear to be in good condition. The bedkit shoes are still being worn, and we noticed them on a number of children. The families continue to use the blankets, and expressed their pleasure in having them. The parents we spoke with talked about how the items in the bedkit have been important to the children, and school attendance has improved as a result. It was gratifying to see the positive feelings expressed by the children, parents and teachers.

Tomorrow we will make a visit to St. Crispin's Orphange to say goodbye, then will have a post-distribution meeting with the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment. Following that we will attend the Rotary Club meeting, then a social gathering.

By 11 am on Sunday the team will be leaving Pune, going in different directions, with wonderful memories of our time here.

The Pune Bedkit Distribution Team.

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