Team Reports |
Your $35 DonationDoris Alexander — Toronto, ON
Before I went to India, a fellow SCAW office volunteer introduced me to some former travelling volunteers. I was introduced as a newbie, looking forward to her first distribution. The expression on each of their faces immediately changed. A joy bubbled up from their hearts to their eyes. A knowing look said, "You have no idea what am amazing experience you will have." For weeks I tried to curb my excitement, to concentrate while registering each $35 bedkit donation. Many donors designated that they wanted their bedkits to go to needy children in the Belgaum area. Each time I saw the name Belgaum, it became more real, and each time I felt a closer connection to the purpose of SCAW. I have seen many pictures of bedkits and I have seen the real thing but until you see that bedkit set on the the gravel of a distribution site with hundreds of seated, quiet children looking on — only then do you start to really feel the impact that $35 can have. That $35 went such a long way. Each bedkit had more than twenty-five items for each child. The wool blanket was so large that not only could one child keep warm, but it was easy to visualize siblings and parents snuggled under its warmth as well.
That $35 gave the child not only the necessities of a good night's sleep but there were also two full changes of clothing. Imagine that. For the photograph the children changed into one of these. In particular the girls were prancing in their new finery. The dresses were varied, had many details, small three dimensional flowers, and cheerful colours. Those dresses will bring happiness for a long time being designed to allow room for growth. Those same dresses will undoubtedly be passed on to another needy girl. India is country where nothing is wasted. That $35 gave the child several school items too: a backpack, pencils, and several books. Included for the girls was a skipping rope. For the boys there was a ball. There were many instances that magnified the value of $35, but one in particular stands out. A mentally-challenged boy spied the ball among all the items spread out on the sleeping mat. In a flash he grabbed it, not only once, but twice he jumped off his stool to retrieve that precious item. We were all close to tears when we saw how simple it was to bring happiness to these desperately needy children — and, yes, he got to hold the ball while he had his picture taken.
That $35 also impacted industries here in India. According to SCAW guidelines, all of your donation is spent in the country of distribution. Many months before the team arrives, the Rotarians searched for the best manufacturers for each individual item. In clothing alone materials had to be sourced and 28,000 items had to be sewn. As much as possible your $35 gift was spent in the central north-western part of India. That $35 was more than just a practicality. It showed these impoverished people that there are people in this world who think they are important. Each child's family will be reminded and given a little hope. Hope breeds new energy, hope breeds happiness, hope breeds success, hope breeds a better future for 4,000 children in the Belgaum district.
And on a personal note, that $35, and multiples of it, had a profound impact on me. As a team member, I experienced many emotions throughout each distribution. I learned how simple it was to make children smile, to touch them gently, and to arouse laughter with the simplest of antics. I will return to Canada with greater purpose and energy. Each $35 donation I enter into the computer from now on will take on new meaning and remind me of its far reaching impact. How privileged I feel to have observed the complete picture. |
