Yesterday, 8th August 2023 was a very auspicious day. Many years ago, this date became one of the turning points of our freedom struggle….as they said “Quit India”. We also began our very own Quit India Campaign, with “Nourishing Hope”. We want malnutrition to Quit India. We want illiteracy to Quit India. We want child labor to Quit India.
We are proud that we got this opportunity to make a small change, to bring about a small glimmer of hope to those who definitely need it. There are several open schools running in and around Panvel. We have identified one such school under the Kalamboli Bridge managed by Swami Vivekanand Manav Sewa Bahu Sanstha dedicatedly run by Dr. Yogesh & Mrs. Anita Kolte. With an average attendance of 50 students, we are going to provide 3 nutritious meals per week to these children which includes poha, upma, sheera, boiled eggs, mixed pulses and bananas. Students attending this open school are children of construction workers and street performers having their residences near by the Kalamboli bridge.
Yesterday, we kick started the project by giving their first mid day meal. When we reached the venue at around 11.30 am, Dr. Kolte and his staff were busy with their activities with around 50 to 60 children. The children welcomed us with a broad smile and “Ek Saath Namaste”!. The staff was ready with proper arrangements for our first meal of Poha and banana. After a brief introduction of our project by Dr.Kolte and our member Rtn. Shubhad Kane, the children were asked to sit in circle. So much excitement was seen on the faces of these children! When we distributed the dishes, some children started eating immediately but some of them took the plates to their mothers sitting nearby and started feeding them too! That was a really touching gesture.
There are several individuals and Rotary Clubs which have partnered with us for this project viz., Rotary Club of Kharghar Midtown, Rotary Club of Panvel, Rotary Club of Panvel Central, Rotary Club of Panvel Mahanagar and Rotary Club of Panvel Sunrise. This is our first synergy project for the Rotary Year 2023-2024.
A big thank you to each and every individual and Rotary Clubs who have generously donated for this noble cause. Looking forward to getting more and more contributions for this project from all of you.
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