A half-day interaction program marking one year of Annadanam Seva by TSF volunteers, Bengaluru

The Satsang Foundation volunteers of Bengaluru marked the completion of 1 year of Annadanam Seva in October 2016, by organizing a half day interaction program with students of Shishukunj, Bengaluru. Shishukunj is a residential school run for orphans & children of single parents belonging to below poverty category. The school runs on donations and has 200 students from Class I to Class XII. Assembling at the school by 10.30 am, the volunteers split themselves into 3 groups for managing various tracks – Track 1 – Group Art work for boys above 4th standard and the theme was Sustainable Living. Students were enthusiastic to showcase their creative side and brought out relevant issues concerning the current environmental challenges. The highlight of the session was an impressive art work on rain water harvesting art by a student in Class VI. Track 2 - was Samvaad, with girl students above 10 years of age. A professional counsellor had an interactive session with the girls on various pertinent topics. Beginning with an animated story on the physical changes during adolescent age, various matters like personal hygiene and awareness about their surroundings and what constitutes ‘abuse’. There were instructions on simple steps that they could take for their self-defence. The session, though serious at the outset, soon became a lively interaction with the girls opening up and having a heart to heart conversation. Track 3 – One group of volunteers were in the kitchen, helping & assisting the cook prepare food for 200 students and staff members. Provisions & groceries were supplied a day before at the school, bought by the monthly contribution made by a few Bangalore Satsangis. The children enjoyed the Vegetable Pulao, Kurma, Pallada Payasam and bananas. Some of the women volunteers also made Pookalam (A rangoli with flowers) at the entrance of the dining hall to welcome the students. The children assembled in the hall at 12.30 p.m and watched the Walk of Hope video. A satsangi presented the overview of Walk of Hope in Kannada and a few short stories on inter-faith harmony were shared with them. The session concluded with answering questions from the children. The satsangis then came together to serve a hot meal to the children and it was a treat to see them enjoying the meal, especially the lip-smacking payasam. The fulfilling day ended with the 25 volunteers thanking the school administration for this opportunity to serve.