Over three hundred families receive support in the form of up to 50 kilos of rice, soya sauce, fish sauce, garlic and a little cash on the 2nd Friday of the month. School closes as the premises are used for the distribution of the aid. We could feel the excitement among the volunteers as the day's plans were put in place.
An awning was erected to offer shade as we bagged 340 parcels and set up the reception area. The queue gathered well in advance of the opening time in the heat and humidity.
It was heartbreaking and humbling to see how needy and appreciative these lovely people are as they waited so patiently for their turn. Mostly women often with several children and some older men collected their rations and then went to incredible lengths to organise their transport home. Most had arranged for men with motor scooters but some resorted to regular pushbikes to deliver themselves and the bulky rice sacks home.
The physical effort put in by the younger volunteers was incredible. Mostly young Australian lads but some of the girls joined in too as we more mature souls kept to meeting, greeting and offering cold drinks.
The pre dinner dip in the Guesthouse pool followed by a movie and takeout dinner was a perfect end to a truly Great Day.
An awning was erected to offer shade as we bagged 340 parcels and set up the reception area. The queue gathered well in advance of the opening time in the heat and humidity.
It was heartbreaking and humbling to see how needy and appreciative these lovely people are as they waited so patiently for their turn. Mostly women often with several children and some older men collected their rations and then went to incredible lengths to organise their transport home. Most had arranged for men with motor scooters but some resorted to regular pushbikes to deliver themselves and the bulky rice sacks home.
The physical effort put in by the younger volunteers was incredible. Mostly young Australian lads but some of the girls joined in too as we more mature souls kept to meeting, greeting and offering cold drinks.
The pre dinner dip in the Guesthouse pool followed by a movie and takeout dinner was a perfect end to a truly Great Day.
The rice has been delivered.
Bet you can smell the garlic!
We just posed for this photo and moved away allowing the young 'uns do the lifting.
People queued patiently in the heat.
These families are all sponsored individually by donors to the charity. All must comply with conditions ..children must attend school and the aid given is checked to ensure it is used appropriately within each household.
Loading the rice.
Mission accomplished.
Waiting for transport.
"Will we manage this?"
"We did"! Homeward bound ...
It was a long walk to get here.
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