Chennai: Nellore

From Chennai Photos 2010

Friday, February 5^{th
DK Government Degree College for Women}

Well, today had its good and bad times, mostly I would have to say good. We were able to distribute 652 bedkits to mostly younger children. They were brought in to us at the school mostly from the countryside by bus, rickshaw, and, I expect, by car. Some were in wheelchairs or carried by a parent or guardian, from what I expect to be the grim results of polio. Some were blind and some were deaf. Some cried from fright but mostly we could get a heart-warming smile of excitement and pleasure.

The day started for us when we left the hotel in Chennai at 6 AM. It was to be a 165-kilometer drive to reach Nellore, north of Chennai. Along the way we stopped for a coffee and some breakfast that was brought to us in a bag. We encountered the usual traffic problems. One case in particular was a long bus blocking our two lanes of a four-lane highway forcing us to travel the wrong way on the other side for a short distance. Scary!!! We finally arrived at our destination about 10 AM.

From Chennai Photos 2010

What a reception greeted us. Coming off the four-lane highway the first thing we spotted were three billboards that must have been at least 20 feet by 8 feet announcing for every person in town that the SCAW team was arriving. The next surprise, when we reached the college, was a welcoming committee consisting, amongst others, of six pretty teenage girls with beautiful garlands that were placed around our necks. That was just the start. As we proceeded into the school all around our path we had more pretty girls showering us with flower petals. You can tell that you are reading the musings of an old bachelor when he talks of being swarmed by pretty girls.

During the whole day these girls constantly assisted us. Every time you turned around there was one waiting to help. The result of this is that the distribution was the fastest, most-organized and pleasant we have had so far.

After the distribution was over we were pleasantly hosted to another surprise catered lunch at the home of the Rotarian in charge of the Nellore distribution, Mr. Prabakar Reddy. We arrived back at our hotel around 10:00 PM after negotiating another traffic jam.

From Chennai Photos 2010

What can I say? In spite of our early start, in spite of our traffic problems, which are more common than not, and in spite of witnessing the hardships of the handicapped children, it was a rewarding day.

I am going to climb into my bed tonight knowing 652 children have a decent place to lay their heads as well, thanks to many of you.

Doug Cunningham
for Team Chennai 2010

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