First Distribution
To paraphrase an old adage, 'alls well that starts well.' The sun was shining and 400 smiling children greeted us as we entered the school where the Athani distribution was to take place. Although the children spoke little or no English they readily joined in with rhythmic clapping when we sang some songs for them or Duncan entertained them with his kazoo.The local volunteers and the OVO volunteers, led by Niranjan Sant, laid out the distribution site in a logical manner that allowed them to hand out the proper size sweaters, footwear, shirts/shorts or dresses/chudidars to each child after they had their picture taken.
As with many of the SCAW distributions, the children are so over-awed by the process and the number of adults, that they rarely smile until they are walking away with their bedkit. We took the opportunity to go outside to see them once they and their parent or guardian had a chance to open the bedkit and see the treasures that they had received. The children came running up to us with the biggest smiles to shake our hands in thanks; with some saying "namastay" or "blessings to you." It was heartwarming to witness this.
It was a long day by the time we made the three-hour journey back to our hotel in Belgaum. Thanks to the OVOs and local volunteers -- the huge efforts that they made to obtain the bedkits and have everything ready for us -- it made for an excellent start to what we hope will be another successful SCAW distribution.
The 2012 Belgaum Team
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