Belgaum: All’s Well In Hubli

Another big day for Team Belgaum.

We boarded the bus at 8:30 a.m. and headed to our next distribution – 900 bedkits to the children in need in and around Hubli. The distribution was only 10 minutes away from our hotel so we spent very little time on the bus today.

We arrived to a sea of welcoming parents, children and Hubli Rotarians and members of the Inner Wheel as shown in the video at right.

This welcome never gets old – it is always such a wonderful feeling to be able to walk out of the bus and greet as many people as you can before it is time to get to work.

The distribution began roughly at 9:30 a.m., following a ceremony headed by the local Rotarians. The distribution itself took place at a very large school – The N.L.E. Society’s Rotary English Medium Primary School. The stations were spread out, yet organized. The kids change-rooms were inside the classrooms on the main floor. The children were led up the stairs with a snack in hand to one of many classrooms where they waited for their turn to “come on down” and receive their bedkit. Because the school was so large, we worked with the Rotarians to set up a parent gallery so they could watch their kids get their picture taken and receive their bedkit, and then off they would go for the rest of the day.

From Belgaum 2011

Although this day was just like any other distribution day –- warm sunny weather, smiling children, grateful parents, and a strong group of volunteers working together for a wonderful cause –- there were always those little moments in between all the hard work that made each day special and unique. Such as today: an eight year old daughter of a Rotarian (pictured at left) was my little helper -- helping me organize the lines, ensuring the children’s ID cards were hidden away in their pockets just before picture time, and helping me entertain the kids while they waited. She was the perfect little helper, a very special person, and a great addition to the SCAW team today.

We wrapped up at around 3:00 p.m. and headed back to our hotel for our first real chance to relax since arriving in the Karnataka area. Tonight, we will spend with our hosts from the Rotary Club of Hubli.

Yes, all is well in Hubli

Tamara Kaftalovich
for Team Belgaum, 2011

More blogging at Chic Savvy Travels, A Backpacker's Guide for Grown-ups

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