KATHMANDU:

For the street children gathered at the Child Protection Center and Services (CPCS) on the morning of January 14, it was a day that they’d remember as special.

Shoving their way between crowds of other children to blow soap bubbles in the air, and run around bellowing at each other to prove their point while playing various games, around 200 children had a great time before piping hot delicious food was served.

They had gathered for the ‘Soup Kitchen Project’ organised on the initiative of the United Nations Women Organisation, Ladies of the Malaysian Embassy and Soaltee Crowne Plaza. This fourth and the last edition of the soup kitchen was also supported by Gurudwara Nanak Satsang, which sponsored the food.

“The food is very tasty,” said 14-year-old Ramesh Khadka munching on the food while queuing for a second helping. Other children were also seen busy trying to chew as well as talk at the same time.

“Our priority is to run a free kitchen for other people. This soup kitchen effort is also in line with that,” said a happy Pritam Singh, president of the Satsang.

“This kind of programmes will help in socialising the street children, who often feel neglected,” said Himmat Maskey general secretary of CPCS, which works for the uplift of street children.

The Soup Kitchen Projects, which held its first kitchen on December 23, has been able to provide at least one hot meal on these cold winter days to many children.