Photo circa 1992- Share by Nalini Rae, PRASAD Australia Director

On 4^th February this year we are celebrating 20 years since the inception of PRASAD Australia. I am Nalini Rae- one of the Board Directors of PRASAD Australia and as I sit quietly and reflect on all the great work that has been done, all the lives that have changed, all the doors that have been opened, and the pathways to a bright future that have been created, I feel so honoured and privileged to be part of this.

I recall back in 1992, I went to India and volunteered with PRASAD starting first on the milk project which would take milk to more than 8 schools in the district. We would rise early, and warm huge pots of milk flavoured with spices and a little sugar, transfer that to several huge milk urns, load them onto a four-wheel drive and off we would go, bumping miles along the dirt tracks to the schools. Some were just simple one or two huts with mud floors and others were larger, stronger constructions and had many more students. Regardless, the reception we received from these village children was the same – welcoming, joy filled smiling faces that lit up our hearts.

Most of the time it was just me and an Indian driver and throughout the morning we would serve more than 600 children. We would pour the milk from the urns into jugs, by which time teacher would have the pupils sitting in rows and singing with full voices.

Each one received a cup of the warmed milk which would ensure that they had protein nourishment for the day and were able to concentrate on learning.

To see the children sitting with big wide smiles and frothy milk moustaches is a scene which will stay with me forever. Even now more than 30 years later I feel my own heart full of joy from reflecting on that scene and how not only it changed their lives, but mine too.

PRASAD truly is a gift that carries blessings – for the giver as well as the receiver.