30/01/2018
Well, the actual excitement was on D-day 27th January 2018. The STEP team was gung ho and so was the rest of 83 – all expectant. The Toyota Liva (JS & MC) led the way and the BMW followed (Sashi, Jo and Cheeni). The village wore a festive look what with the huge kolams at the entrance, pandals and mic sets, not to speak of the vibrant smiles and joyous moods that had set in the faces of the children and women. For all their simplicity, the villagers pulled a surprise in the manner they received the team and managing the event with great aplomb. The dias was set and so was the audience, seated in an orderly manner. First to speak was the Village Head who welcomed the RSK STEP FOUNDATION and was at his thankful best. On behalf of STEP and 83, MC ventured to speak in Tamil and surprised himself and the team, eventually succeeding in getting the crowd to acknowledge his classmates who actually made this day possible. Sashi, in his customary measured and metred talk, impressed upon them, the importance of hard work and unity, of good habits and good company, of education and values. Thus spoke His Honour !! The rest of the team spoke to their hearts fill as the videos stand testimony to.
The moment that the villagers and 83 alike had waited for had come – the actual handing over of the Cycles, Ice Boxes and Fishing Nets to the beneficiaries. It did come and as the names were announced, the husbands came along with the wives to collect their ‘bread winning tools’. The expression on their faces spoke of so many emotions – happiness, gratitude, relief, hope, excitement and even disbelief. The entire team was in altogether different zone coming to terms with what was happening - it was at once elevating and humbling to be witnessing an 'act of God'. The job well done as planned, the team prepared to leave, and the entire village escorted them to their cars to bid good-bye and to put their hands together in gratitude. As the team prepared to leave, the entire village escorted them to their cars to bid good-bye and to put their hands together in gratitude. All in all a memorable day both for the giver and the receiver alike.
Without an iota of doubt, the Trustees deserve special mention for their commitment to the chosen cause. Jessy for one, being thousands of miles away, did what she does best – influence and invoke the good Samaritan in others. But for her, the collections would not have got turbo charged. Sashi was the tail twister – ensuring that the support kept coming from quarters where it mattered. He ensured that the energy levels of the STEP team remained high, day in and day out. And coming to Siva – man, he’s something else. One word – STEP is blessed to have him on board. There is not a single activity of this project that Siva is not a part of. Sarvam Siva mayam !! Can’t say more than this. And our friend Arunachalam stayed connected with the goings on ,though he was busy with his pilgrimage.
As for next steps, there is a plan to follow up after 3-4 months on how the villagers have fared in utilizing their livelihood enhancing gifts that they have received. That will be the key in deciding on the request that they have placed with the STEP FOUNDATION for a fishing boat.
Yours in Service
RSK STEP FOUNDATION
