Team Reports |
Where Did the Time Go?Don Macgregor — Toronto, ON
With over thirty-five hours of flying to the other side of the world and back, one would think it would be easy to put your thoughts and experiences into writing. Frankly it is not! With the number of times my Dad, Duncan, has gone on distributions with Sleeping Children, my experience up until now has really been to see it through his eyes.This emergency distribution to Manila was a wonderful opportunity, not only to travel with my Dad, but also to experience the vision started by Murray and Margaret Dryden. I now understand, or at least have a better understanding, of just how world-wide SCAW has become. There is not enough space to tell you how special the Core team in Manila led by Dr. Ito really is. They are the unsung heroes who put it all together in order for the Canadian group to complete the bedkit distribution. If you think Toronto is busy then you have never been to Manila! If you think Toronto traffic is terrible then you have never been to Manila! Keep your head up and your eyes open — that's my main advice when in busy Metro Manila.
Our distributions took place throughout the Manila area but before our first distribution the Canadian team saw the last fifty bedkits being assembled. What a smooth operation. We were also able to witness first-hand just how many rooms in Dr. Ito's home that 4,000 bedkits take up. All of them! Yes, the bedkits were stored in his house. Throughout our daily excursion to each distribution site, we were shown a few of the terrible effects still remaining as a result of the massive floods caused by the typhoons in Metro Manila. Water lines were still visible on building walls left as a reminder of just how high the water had risen. One can only imagine so many people scrambling for safety. As a first timer, I cannot tell you one defining moment during the distribution — there are just too many. Arriving at each site and being greeted by so many patiently smiling children and receiving the many Thank You's has provided a lifetime of memories. I met 4,000 children! Their faces are so fresh in my mind, "Thank You Po"still rings in my ear. I tried to slow those moments down.
Whether pulling labels, leading the children to get their picture taken, participating in a quick song, watching a quick magic trick performed by Dad, or handing the bedkit to a young child (OK. That really is special.), it is clear what SCAW is all about. A bedkit really is a "Gift of Love." To Dr. Ito and his wonderful Core Committee and to all the dozens of volunteers who helped with the distributions – "Thanks" for all your efforts and for your hospitality. I hope to see you again in the future! To Sue and Linda: Thanks for putting up with the rookie. To our leader and my Dad: I now understand! To SCAW donors: Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the Philippines. Murray and Margaret Dryden's dream lives on — one bedkit and one child at a time. |
