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The Bedkit SurveyLinda Lesage — Wasaga Beach, ON
The setting for my interview was amid the bustle of the distribution, under a tree for shade with the contents of the bedkit spread out in front of us. This was my first experience relying on a translator to put my questions into Spanish. Parents were asked to comment on the bedkit items and offer suggestions. I sensed that the mothers being interviewed felt the responsibility of acting as a spokesperson for their community. They didn't want to downplay the importance of any item in the bedkit or insult the gift given to their child. Lacking a clipboard and with sweaty palms due to the heat and humidity, my penmanship was horrid. Here are some results from my five surveys.
The mattress and mosquito net were considered the most important items in the bedkit. The brightly coloured fabric of the sheets, pillow cases, towel, and mattress was always considered a positive feature. It was suggested that to clean the mattress it could be opened at the seam, the contents removed, washed, and then placed in the sun to dry. The mosquito net was an item they knew about but most did not have one. They thought it would have the greatest impact on their children's health and wondered if we might also give toothpaste, a toothbrush, and soap. One mother was concerned that the teachers and other children discriminated against those not dressed to school code. She told us that the very poor were permitted to attend school without a uniform if finances were an issue.
The navy shorts and white t-shirt were considered appropriate for school, though some suggested a white, buttoned, short-sleeved shirt instead, plus black leather laced shoes‚ also school uniform requirements. Coloured pencils, pencil sharpener, and an eraser were suggested as additions to the school supplies. Many tears were shed in gratitude for the bedkit gift. In Nicaragua and at home, as parents we all strive to make the world a better place for our children. |
Purpose of the Bedkit Survey:
