We started the morning by visiting 2 houses of recipients of bedkits last year. Both families graciously invited us in to see there homes and expressed gratitude for the kits. When asked what was the best item in last years kit they were hesitant to distinguish one item over another as all items were important but the backpack seemed to get some special recognition perhaps for the additional school supplies it contained. The first homes were extremely dark - the only light entering through the front and back doors. The home contained four families housed in a row of four rooms. We were visiting the front unit which also contained the communal kitchen. The recipient from last year saw our need for light and went to a back room and brought a bright LED flashlight which then gave us a much better view of his home. The kitchen seemed to have good collection of stainless steel eating and cooking utensils and a 2 burner gas burner. The floor is compacted dirt. Life was sparse but they seemed very happy with their situation and very proud of their children.
Moving to the next house I was struck by the contrast created by the microwave cell tower just beyond the home we were visiting. Still very dark but electricity was available as was cable TV. We saw no evidence of either in the home.
From these houses we drove back into Belgaum to visit a knitting works which produces School Uniforms for the bed kits. We were greeted as VIP’s and presented with roses upon arrival. It was very interesting seeing the mechanized looms compared to the hand loom. Bill was telling us that they have modernized much of there production during the last few years and now only have one hand loom working where a couple of years ago they had 6. Workers also seem to have a much better working period from 9:30 to 6 with an hour for lunch.
Then we were off to the tailor shop where much of the other clothing for the children was produced by six sewing machine operators. Again the VIP treatment roses and drinks during our stay and a good showing of the materials being presented to the children.
We arrived back at the Hotel had a late lunch and prepared for the pre distribution meeting.
The predistribution meeting went very well. We met the Rotarians of the SCAW trust and went over the distribution procedures, locations and material. we followed this with great food and conversation. They are truly a wonderful group who work extremely hard to see that all goes smoothly. It now approaching midnight and we have to be ready for a distribution tomorrow at 7:30 so I will sign off
Team Belgaum 2015
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