April 24, 2014 was not any other day. A team of 15 ‘Khushi’ volunteers was heading towards a small village in Zawar, from as far as 300 km, to meet the children of “Khushi” Centre. The children were excited too as the volunteers had planned a number of activities for them.

We reached the Centre at 7.30 AM and with us we also had team of 4 doctors who had volunteered to do regular health check-up and also eye-check-up.

Good morning sir and good morning madam greeted us when we reached the Centre. These little angels of less than 6 years of age were all excited. The Joy of “Khushi” children was to be seen.

Each one of them carrying a smile on his/her face. Hindustan Zinc’s CSR coordinator at Zawar, Ashok Soni with his team introduced us to the teacher, Yashodha, who was quite busy arranging the children for the morning prayer. With a small prayer and a little exercise, children were ready for some delicious breakfast, the groundnut-pooha.

It was prepared in a quite neat kitchen and was to be served hot and fresh. You can ask mothers of each of these children, who must be struggling to make their children eat, but here, in discipline, these children were eating their bit without any of the hassles. It is true, children learn when they are with their siblings.

Once their breakfast done, it was time for activities. Our “Khushi” volunteers divided themselves in 4 teams. One team for each activity. The activities included – paper cutting lead by Maitreyee, play with clay lead by Anu Sharma, scare crow mask on mud-pot lead by Pranav and Pranjal, and paint the hands on the wall lead by Pradhuman and Prayag .

The children were divided into groups and up they went with their hands in colours and clays and activities. Well my job was to ensure each child participates in the activities.

Meanwhile, our doctors couple, Dr. Prakash Bhandari & Dr. Karuna Bhandari and Dr. Upvan Pandya & Dr. Sharva Pandya started the health and eye check-up of these children, respectively. The children were fit and healthy.

Their nutrition level has been good. Except for one child, Yamini, whose mother Manju Sharma had also come, complained for regular water in the eyes of her daughter Yamini. Dr. Sharva examined her and gave her eye-drops and few medicines. She would be fine. Dr. Prakash Bhandari also carried out throat check-ups as the weather was changing.

After play, it was time for the lunch and this time it was regular lunch – Chapattis, Dal, Vegetable and rice. After lunch they sleep for some time and take rest.

The “Khushi” team spent about 5 hours with these children, who cannot be more happy than we were.

We were happy with their “Khushi” and they were happy with our “Khushi”…… no wonder “Khushi” spreads.. widely….