We all were very excited for this ride, for few reasons – couple of new members were joining, it was going to rain (which didn’t happen much) and kids at ASTITVA were eager to meet us! 12-13th July 2014 , we cycled close to 120kms (to and fro) to help ASTITVA.
Cloudy morning, we hoped for some nice rain but weren’t lucky. Riding through Dive Ghat was fun, crossed Saswad and then we were pedaling off to Veer.
We reached ASTITVA and all the kids were very excited to check out our cycles. Some wanted to ride.
A superb lunch, followed by rest, we were out with kids, on their playground. This was the best time for bonding with kids. Here is where we forgot everything and enjoyed our time to the max! The pictures are worth 1000 words – Hence Proved!
After tiresome evening (for us, not for the kids), we had some PHOTOGENIC Moments! All were in a clickonic mood! Thanks Neha For the Pics…
Cool breeze and Garma Garam chai was like a climax in a neatly scripted film! Darkness made us think…almost similar to what these kids face. We gathered for daily prayers, and then had a very informal session with kids. Getting to know better, to know what their dreams are , and how can we help them in any possible manner…
This session was amazing, Akshay Gadre, taught us songs, and kids enjoyed singing along. Sukha mhanje Nakki kay asta to Sasa to kasa, we all were happy happy (and hungry too!) AWESOME food by Wagh sir – we all ATE a lot! Kids dozed off quickly. Earnblessings team members, Geetanjali Tai, Santosh Wagh and few members of ASTITVA, we had a discussion on how this NGO was started, what is their vision, heartbreaking background of the kids and how WE COULD BE A TEAM and kick this darkness out.
As a part of ride donations, we collected a handsome sum which will be used by ASTITVA for tree plantation (this will help them to attain self sustenance) . Along with money, we arranged for 2 Malkhambs for kids, A kinetic scooter for NGO members (donated by one of our team member).
Ride back to Pune was easy and all were pumped up to work for ASTITVA. What was difficult was to say goodbye to kids, who insisted to stay back . We will be back with more experiences, more and more work, to put a smile in their life!
Akshay Apte and Neha Agashe – First timers in the ride, were inspired to write their FIRST blogpost ever! And how wonderfully they have written it . Of all the positives of the ride, this is the most significant one, where emotions and words mingle to create a heartwarming jingle.
Read More –
Astitva: Experience of true Existence – By Akshay Apte
“Astitva”, “Existence”, “Being” …. – By Neha Agashe
Stay tuned for more…
