Pune 2019: The embrace of a community

Today we traveled to a small school in Mahude, on a rough country road 70km from Pune. This is a farming population that is scattered throughout picturesque rolling mountains; a checkerboard of various crops colour the countryside, with small temples dotted along the road.

Upon arrival we were introduced to all the people involved in making this distribution possible. In Mahude this endeavour was a challenge because of the sparseness of the population; children had to be brought from outlying schools, which in this area is arduous, to say the least. We were so warmly greeted by our hosts, and were each given a wonderful headdress. To my wonderment, we were seated on carts, and ushered in by oxen who were colourfully adorn for the occasion.

The celebration that followed brought tears to my eyes, as I felt as though I was coming home from a long journey. These wonderful people offered us all they had with smiles and warmth.

Distributing the kits and ushering children to the photo area today firmly instilled a great feeling of gratitude that these people allow us into their lives to share what we have for them. The lines of giving and receiving blur in situations like these. Thank you so much Mahude!

Archie Degaust
Team Pune 2019

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