 Team Reports |
The bedkit festivalK.B. Ghosh — Rotary Club of Dum Dum, India
The 2010 bedkit distribution programme of Rotary Club Of Dum Dum, in partnership with Sleeping Children Around the World, was an exhilarating and satisfying experience for the entire group of men, women, and children who participated as community service volunteers, vendors, or beneficiaries. The programme brought out the best from all the sections of the community in terms of human endeavour wherever it was conducted. The programme was initiated in October, 2010 with the process of identification of beneficiaries, procurement of various items for the bedkits, scouting for and finalization of distribution centres, quality inspection and packing, and the actual distribution spread over a period between 21st January to 1st February, 2010.
For about ten years now the partnership between SCAW Canada and the Rotary Club Of Dum Dum has been operating in the eastern part of India centered around Kolkata. This year 6,500 bedkits were distributed to needy and underprivileged children in the age group of 6 to 12 years from ten centres spread over a radius of 125 kilometres covering the city of Kolkata and five neighbouring districts of West Bengal. One centre was about 185 kilometres away at Kharagpur, requiring an overnight stay. Eight hundred children were from Cyclone Aila-affected areas of Sunderbans. The volunteers at each location were drawn from the local youth. Forty-nine organizations, including five NGOs and forty-four Rotary Clubs and their associates actively collaborated and shared the happiness of 2010 distribution. The program included provision of food for the beneficiary children. At one centre, food for parents of children was also provided. There were also entertainment programs for the children waiting to receive bedkits.
Each bedkit included a nylon mat, mattress, pillow, bedsheet, pillow cover, repellant treated mosquito net, blanket, cotton towel, two sets of dresses, vest, jacket, footwear, tiffin box, water bottle, plate, umbrella, school bag, school stationery, and a dictionary. Over the period of the last ten years, the bedkit distribution program has generated such an enthusiasm that now everybody looks forward to it as a festival to be celebrated most religiously. Even the vendors contribute by way of supplying the various items at cost prices. The participants of the SCAW team, led by Ms. Irene Harrison and consisting of members – Ms. Jill Adams, Mr. Peter Adams, Mr. Bill Weldon, Mr. Warren Wagstaff and Ms. Shell Dugan, were exemplary and down to earth religiously demonstrating that the urge for humanitarian service transcends race, colour, religion, culture and nationality.
Travelling all the way from Canada, they reached Kolkata on the 19th January, held joint pre-distribution meeting on the next day, and moved on to the tasks of distributing 6,500 bedkits, interviewing the beneficiaries and their parents, and visiting the production units of the vendors, travelling by road everyday, and sharing the work, joy and the food with all the participants. It was a tearful farewell when they took leave to depart on the 3rd of February, 2010. While Rotary Club Of Dum Dum is cherishing the experience with nostalgia, doubly energized and invigorated through the decade-long association as an Overseas Voluntary Organization for the bedkit distribution to Sleeping Children Around the World, they look forward to the coming years of bedkit distribution with anticipation, devotion, and commitment. |
