Our day began at 7:30 am, and a 3.5 hour drive to
Athani. This drive had a whole new
appeal to it, with fields as far as the eye could see with sugarcane, and the
odd field of grapes and corn. We passed
bikes, motorbikes, tractors with trailers, and big trucks full of
sugarcane. In the fields we passed
little areas full of straw huts, which housed the farm workers and their
families. I would imagine they pack up
regularly and move from field to field.
It is obvious that they work long, hard days, from sun up to sun
down. You could see the work being done
by hand, pulling out sugarcane, clearing fields and tying the straw. I felt as though I was dropped into Little
House on the Prairie, only with vehicles.
Tractors are decorated, and people bussing all around. This made it impossible to rest, because you
don’t want to miss what is around the next corner.
Our distribution began at approximately noon, with 400 kits
to deliver. The Rotarians were there
ready to go, so we began right after the small ceremony. We were blessed with flowers and ritual dots
on our heads. All made us feel very
welcome. The children were excited and
full of smiles and hellos. Duncan had
the children giggling within minutes like usual. Our distribution lasted about 3.5 hours, and
was very well organized. We then joined the Rotarians for lunch next door, and headed off back to Belgaum. It didn’t take long for our hot, tired bodies to relax for the journey home. All in all, a wonderful day. It always warms the heart to see the children smile with their bag in hand, and know that 400 more will have a better sleep tonight.
To add to the great day, back at the hotel, outside the window is a party going on for a 12 day old baby. Babies are given naming ceremonies. This babies name is being revealed tonight. There are probably over a hundred people celebrating.
Kristein and Allison for Team Mumbai 2013
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