Our second day was just as wonderful as the
first. Breakfast at 7:00 am and on the
road just before 8am. Our destination –
Mhate and 893 children awaiting their bedkits.
The excitement is palpable as we enter the village situated in a
beautiful valley south of Pune. A parade
that again includes a ride in an oxen cart, singing, dancing takes us to the
presentation tent. Looking across a sea
of exited little faces is worth the 3 hour drive. Our engagement begins here with the first
waves and smiles. This is a very big day
in their young lives.
Once the speeches and gifts are exchanged
we get down to work. The first step is
setting up the bedkit display behind which the children are photographed and
those photos are eventually sent to the donor as proof of the delivery made in
their name. After the photograph in
their new school uniforms the children receive their knapsack and shoes and
with their parent(s) receive the remainder of the bedkit items. It warms you to the core when they look up to
you and whisper “Thank you”. In your
heart you want to whisper back “No thank you for letting me share this moment
of your life”.
Our Rotary partners were a great help and we
ended the day sharing a meal together.
The day that began many miles away ended with a gorgeous sunset and full
moon. Happy Valentine’s
Day!
