In February 2026, I spent one full week living in a remote village in rural Gujarat with 80 children. What I saw still stays with me.
Ninety-five percent of these children had never tasted milk in their lives.
On Maha Shivaratri, we made hot chocolate and served almond and jowar digestive cookies as a special treat. Some children drank the hot chocolate three times that day. Their faces lit up with pure joy.
For many, it was the first time they had ever held a cup of warm milk.
Simple Needs, Pure Hearts
These children wake up at 5:30 every morning to clean the premises and get ready for prayers at 7:00.
They are malnourished. Their daily diet is almost always the same — rice or chapati with lentils. No milk. Almost no greens. Almost no fruit. Vegetables appear only if someone donates them.
Yet they are eager to learn English.
I taught ESL every day during my stay. But technology is almost nonexistent — there is just one old television mounted on a wall.
Despite having so little, these children remain curious, eager to learn, and full of warmth.
A Simple Request
When it was time to leave, the boys called out:
“Come back and serve us milk and treats!”
The girls, more shy, spoke in soft voices:
“Do not forget us. Come back again.”
Such simple wants. Such pure hearts.
Their words stayed with me long after I left.
Why We Return
This is why International SEVA exists — to bring small moments of dignity and joy that children will remember for a lifetime.
A warm cup of milk may seem like a small thing to many of us. For a child who has never tasted milk before, it can become a moment of happiness they never forget.
A school kit can provide the practical tools a child needs to learn. A nutritious snack can bring comfort. A simple act of kindness can remind a child that someone cares.
These moments matter.
You Can Help
A $12 donation provides a school kit for a child, helping give them practical tools for learning.
Your support can also help us return to communities like this one with milk, nutritious snacks, school supplies, and care.
Every contribution helps us bring dignity, opportunity, and moments of joy to children in underserved communities.
Help Give a Child the Tools to Learn
Support International SEVA’s school-kit initiative and help us continue reaching children who need practical support and care.
Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-make-a-difference-16818
