Fabulosity isMy Lifestyle by Nana: August 2012

Hare Krishna Temple Food For Life Program.

When I first went to the temple to make the inquiry, the Asian lady in charge was very suspicious. She said they have never received a donation from an African!

On the day I was to join them for the food distribution, she took me round their temple introducing me to different people and explaining their god shrines. She eventually took me to their President who apparently had heard of my contribution and coming. He too, curiously, wanted to know which company I represented, who had sent me; I had neither. He invited me to return for one of their celebrations. Gave me a book on the Hindu principals. Called in a lady who would be my mentor/friend. I was like loyalty! I kept telling them please make sure the food distribution van going to the slums does not leave me. I was told; they all know you are with the president so they cant leave. I eventually said my good byes with Hare Krishna (which is the custom greeting).

Down stairs we met Vishaka who was to accompany me, just before we left her sister happen to be coming to the temple, and she decided to join us.

Their father started the Food for Life project cycling fund raiser, which she has participated in many times. It takes them across the country, to TZ and UG. Participants come all the way from the UK. The money they raised 6yrs ago is in an account and Food for life is supported by the interest. However, they have now invested in bonds to boost the interest income. Vishaka is now the manager of the restaurant at the HKT. She wants to expand the FFLP but first needs to expand the kitchen, install solar, improve food quality. Currently the basic food is rice and beans which is approx. 20ksh. per child. She wants to include a vege, fruit and milk.

Finally, the canter carrying buckets of rice and beans took off and we followed in a van with Philip the driver. On radio I heard Philip tell someone “tuna wageni weka watoto vizuri”!! I asked Philip where we were going, he explained two stops, first a school then deeper in a location.

The first stop ‘Love School Centre’. 2yrs to 16yrs, 250 children. Here the older ones help organize and serve the younger ones. We met the principal. We are not staying here, we move to the next stop. But I notice the big street boys calling for food through the school shack window (really intimidating).

Along the way I notice children running along the van. They know the van and canter, so there is a mass exodus towards the meeting/ serving point. We find small nursery school children already in a line chanting 'Hare Krishna'. It reminded me of “baba, karibu… in the Moi days”. The children call the 2 Asian girls ‘muzungu’.

I serve the beans. Every conceivable item that can hold food is presented, buckets, Nakumat plastic bags, etc. For most this is the only meal of the day. Survival dictates. It was common for the children to keep returning in line with a fresh tin (I guess for the rest of the family members). Some even go and pour the food somewhere and return in line to refill. And its impossible to send them away coz you are aware how import that this child gets another portion of food.

God bless the people behind this dedicated service.

Soon the food is almost over, but the line, of now mainly mothers are still there. I hear one of the workers say, its ok they can be served too, coz all the children have eaten. Here, 350 people have been fed. We get back into the comfort of the van and ride back through the leafy suburbs of Lavington and Riverside Drive. Worlds apart! Today 600 people have had a meal.