At village #2 we were greeted with many warm, wide toothless grins. Dental care is obviously non-existent as this was a common sight.
Nothing formal here as we just spread a tarp on top of the dirt path upon which to sort out the food allocations.
Most of them bring these traditional baskets. They pile them high with the bags and boxes and then hoist them upon their back for the walk back to their hut. Many of the people are so thin that I would swear that the baskets weigh more than they do but they are very determined to carry it independently.
This is the most common attire we saw the nuns wearing. They were all very gracious and loving to these village people who obviously love to see them come visit.
The children were very dirty but typically happy and polite. We had one large bag of clothing that they eagerly picked through for something to wear.
One man was so badly crippled that they had hoisted him onto the back of a motorbike to travel just a block to this gathering site. He sat on the ground and drooled out one side of his mouth while he smiled out the other side.
As I stroked his back, he mumbled to me. It was obvious he was grateful for our attention and the receipt of much needed food.
Loading him back onto the motorbike, we could see that all his toes are gone and his feet and hands are curled up as though he has had a stroke. He was so thin than a second adult was able to fit on the motorbike seat behind him...to hold him secure for the ride.
I happened to walk in and take pictures inside one shack. Note the dirt floors. I cannot imagine what it is like for them when the rainy season arrives. The furnishings were almost non-existent with the exception of pictures of a family elder hung on the wall. A small fire simmered in doors to heat water.
It was obvious that, prior to our arrival, this family had very little rice and only a small bag of dried fish hanging from the ceiling. What a bleak existence to not know where your next nourishment is coming from.
The children are always more eager than the adults to pose with us before we leave. This day was no exception as most of the adults in this picture are volunteers who traveled with our group.
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