This is my first ever blog, my first ever distribution and the first day of the distribution. I am totally overwhelmed.
What a day. It began with a chaotic and crazy drive lasting about an hour from the hotel to a small village (100,000 people!) called Kopre, We suddenly came to a stop to find three carts being pulled by beautifully painted and and decorated oxen and it seems like the whole village had turned out to greet us. A parade had been set up for us. We received ceremonial headwear called Pheta which looked a little like turbans and were led to the school by a children's band, followed by us sitting in carts pulled by the oxen. We felt like royalty.
We were led to a stage in front of hundreds of children, who had traveled from various schools in the region, and treated to a wonderful floor show by the children. After we set up the bedkits and were prepared for the children, the fun began. To see hundreds of smiling children waiting in line to have their photos taken, then go to pick up their bedkits, was a thrilling and moving experience to say the least. These children were selected from a set of criteria, primarily because of their exceeding poverty and conditions they live in, and by their beaming faces, one can only imagine how these 6 - 12 years felt. We know how we felt. Pictures tell a thousands words, and the pics I have attached to this blog will hopefully convey some of our feelings. We gave out 900 odd bedkits today, a day that has been a life changing experience for me.
Catherine Gayton for Team Pune 2016
