 Team Reports |
For the Love of CommunityDonna Chantler — Loretto, ON
In a country of profound contrasts I was moved by the consistent evidence of the deep connection both within and between the communities of India. Children from city, rural and tribal communities who often walk seventeen to twenty kilometers to a distribution site mingle, chatter and share the excitement of receiving SCAW bedkits. They sit in respectful anticipation knowing something profound is about to happen but they are not sure what. They have been told by local Rotarians that these strangers in their midst have brought a gift from caring communities in Canada and elsewhere. Sometimes the children wait for several hours to be photographed. The parents and grandparents sit huddled quietly in groups on the ground. They also wait. There appears to be a disbelief that their children have been chosen for this honour.
A community of Rotarians and Rotary Anns and/or The Inner Wheel have worked hard to bring the kits to the children. They purchased, organized, packed, and delivered the bedkits and then proceed to help the SCAW team on distribution day. Dedicated teachers often come with the children. They create safety, connectedness, and stability for children who appear to be overwhelmed by the confusion and the process they must experience before receiving their bedkit. 
Upon arrival they line up and are led into rooms where they are asked to change into new clothes. They line up once more and file into a sitting area. Then they must wait patiently, often for a few hours, before they are organized into photographic groups. After the photograph they once again line up and are recounted. Finally the children receive their bedkits. When they have their bedkit and reconnect with excited parents or other members of the community, there finally appears to be a freedom to express absolute joy. The gratitude of these small communities is overwhelming as adults try hard to communicate their appreciation to us. Their tears, smiles, holding of our hands, the gentle touching of our feet and quiet *"namaste" reflect the depth of their appreciation. The circle is complete. One individual cannot do all that needs to be done here. Because of the overseas donors, the Rotarians and Rotary Anns, the children’s teachers, parents, community members who assist, and the SCAW team both here and at home, the lives of children are touched and changed forever. My dream is that loving communities working together bring hope and a sense of caring to the lives that are touched. Namaste!
* NamasteNamaste, (pronounced “namastay”) is a greeting and a blessing spoken with palms pressed together near the heart while bowing to the person being addressed. One holds one’s head up during this greeting to make eye contact. This greeting often occurs when our team arrives at a distribution site and we are meeting the volunteers, the children, their parents, and others for the first time. The person greeted in this way responds with the same greeting. |
