Our neighbors
Many kind friends have sent money to help us distribute food to poor local villagers affected by corona. Thank you. Our Rato administrators and I visited our neighboring villages to see where the need was most pressing. Here are some of the people we met…
Everyone needed help. We are organizing a distribution of rice, flour, dal, oil and soap. Again, our thanks.
Corona Karuna
Kind friends have provided funds to support villagers in need
We lease two trucks
load up
and find lines awaiting us
Mr. Thomas has made a list of the poorest
Some are not on it
Others don’t wish to be
India remains locked down
schools are closed
people stay indoors
venturing out to get their bag of rice, dal, wheat, salt, cooking oil and soap
Distancing is relative
A thumb print
watched over by an elder
and one by one
each gets a bag
each family, that is
We visit a few villages
and find true need
relief
and gratitude
A colorful day
the day begins
some sweeping
the abbot’s chambers
bed, desk
and view
shower
sink
and toiletries
a new flower
then down to meet administrators
we stay apart
and then a walk
around the temple
where more sweeping takes place
teak trees are growing
and kitchen stores are low
fresh pasta!
then all is put away
Late afternoon
Soon dark
tomorrow is another day