We had a 3 hour drive from Chennai to Nellore today for our bed kit
distribution. It was an interesting drive, although it required an
early start. We saw lots of different scenery on the drive from heavy
urban development in Chennai, rice paddies and sugar cane fields on
route to dry, almost desert like conditions at Nellore. 
We received a traditional welcome at the Zilla
Parishad High School in the rural area of Nellore. The welcome included
traditional drums, flower lais and flower petals. It was a great
welcome and we had lots of helpers from the high school. With all the
help the distribution of 450 bed kits went quite quickly with only a few
minor halts to check on issues. Our recipients included a small group
of children with special needs. During our interviews, the parents
indicated that they were thrilled with the bed kits and looked forward
to using the items for their children and families. We had 3 monkeys
playing in the trees just beside the bed kit distribution area that
offered some extra entertainment; sorry still no photos of the monkeys,
camera shy I guess. Kim entertained her helpers by attempting some
phrases in the local language, to many giggles from the girls.
Following the distribution, all the helpers were fed
a meal through a generous donation to the school. We then visited a
local Marriage Hall that was under construction. It was a massive
structure and very well built. We found out that it is common in India
for marriages and receptions to include well over 1,000 people. One of
our local Rotary volunteers described a wedding where the whole village
was invited, some 30,000 people.
Long drive home afterwards through rush hour traffic
as we came into Chennai, which was an experience all by itself, with
several abrupt stops and near misses. Good thing we had an experienced
driver to get us safely home.
All in all it was another great day with our team.
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