 Team Reports |
The reality of a distributionPeter Adams — Peterborough, ON Like other readers of the SCAW Donor Newsletters, we had an idea about what was involved in being a travelling volunteer. Our experience in Bangladesh showed us that we were indeed well briefed before we went, but some things can only be learned in the field.
First, our experience confirmed our belief in the approach which Murray and Margaret Dryden had developed. A bedkit is a gift for children made up of a variety of useful articles, all purchased locally and wrapped in a bed mat -- a wonderful way of helping poor children and the economy within which they survive. The guidelines SCAW uses to select its children -- one child per family, living in a family setting, and going to school -- are also sensible and humane. After our experience in Bangladesh, we believe more strongly than ever, that every $30 donation to SCAW truly helps a family which needs help badly and all the money goes directly to the child.
Before going to Bangladesh we knew that distributions involve a good deal of real work. In our case, with an objective of delivering no less than 8,000 bedkits, we often left at 6 or 7 am, drove to villages up to four hours away, distributed around 800 bedkits, took photos of the kids and then drove home for 7 or 8 pm. This was not like driving in Canada, but a strenuous experience through which even tired people could rarely sleep. We did this for two and a half weeks and would gladly continued but, in our case, serious political unrest made it impossible for us to travel or for the children to be brought to the distribution sites.
As for our team, we were very fortunate. We had common ground and acquaintance with Ron and Mary Ann King, experienced SCAW volunteers. We live quite close to each other although we had not met before. Norma Fenner and Linda Webb were particularly well versed in SCAW philosophy and procedures since they both have been SCAW volunteers at 28 Pinehurst for many years. [See top of sidebar on next page.] Linda, our team leader, was on her fourth trip to Bangladesh. We felt ourselves fortunate to share the benefits of her great experience. We have described some of the difficult aspects of our experience. However, even in tough times during a difficult SCAW mission, the smiles of recipient children and families, the courtesy and interest of spectators who were not on our lists, and the unfailing hospitality of the people of Bangladesh kept our spirits up and remain as our memories of an experience of a lifetime. |
What we had not fully realized was how tough it is to stick to the tried and true Dryden formula in the face of so much need. Faced by hundreds of children and families who have nothing by our standards, your instinct is just to give everything away, including the clothes you brought with you. In a country where even a gift to a beggar can attract a crowd of needy people, you can imagine what might happen if the distribution of bedkits was not highly organized. You can also imagine that such an approach would not result in the weak and most needy getting help. You have to believe in the SCAW system and be tough with yourself and tough, though fair with local partners.
We strongly recommend the SCAW volunteer experience to all but do not take it on casually. Fortunately, we had gone to some trouble to get fit before we left.