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Revision of: Thu, December 6, 2007 |
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Become a Volunteer Volunteer is a word that always draws my attention. It tells me there are still people in this world willing and able to offer their time and resources to help the not-so-lucky in this vast world that we inhabit. As I travel home I think of the six volunteers, from Canada, and the several hundred volunteers from the Philippines, along with you — the thousands of donors from around the world — who have just given 5,000 bed kits to surprised, happy, and needy children in the Philippines.
If someone had told me even five years ago that I would be going to the Philippines on my fourth trip representing Sleeping Children around the World [SCAW] I would have looked at them as though they needed to see a doctor — and you know which kind I mean. Each distribution has had its own adventures. During this trip, my family at home read that a man from our town had been murdered in the Philippines while I was still there. What are the chances of this happening? They were much relieved when they heard my voice assuring them that I was indeed still with them. Some of my fellow volunteers had the experience — for the first time that they could remember — of sharing a room with some surprising and unwanted guests. And it will be some thirty hours from the time we leave our hotel in Quezon City until I lay my head on my pillow at home — with line-ups in Manila, and Hong Kong, a one-hour stopover in Alaska, and the recovery of our luggage in Toronto.
In spite of all these many strange and exciting adventures, we are headed home a happy lot. Because we have been the lucky people who experienced seeing the happy faces of the 5,000 children who received the gifts that SCAW's thoughtful donors have so graciously given them. In spite of — or perhaps because of — our adventures, I encourage anyone who has ever thought of becoming a volunteer to take that next step to the rewarding feeling of giving of your time and resources to make those less fortunate in the world aware that there are people out there thinking of them. What a high you will have. 
BA Country of Contrasts
We distributed 5,000 bedkits to some of the country's neediest children in thirteen different areas. We saw children whose main source of income was from a dump. Others had been taken under wing by the Salvation Army. And we met some children with special needs like the little girl I had to carry to the photo site because she had a hole in her heart. Others had large stomachs which had been infected by a parasite which unfortunately is incurable. We met a boy with a club foot, one with fused fingers, another with a blind eye, and still another with an enlarged head. But interestingly enough, some of the biggest smiles for the camera were from these kids. It was a comfort to know that we were in a position to pinpoint those children and refer them to the Kiwanis who are a great supporter of Sleeping Children in the Philippines. They, in turn, identify these children and refer them to Dr. Torres, Chairman of SCAW Philippines, who is also with Medical Missions. This organization works to give these children the help they so desperately need. Upon reflection, my amazing trip to the Philippines with Sleeping Children was a study in contrasts. I was struck by the overwhelming poverty — miles and miles of shacks and slums with beautiful multicolored bougainvillea cascading over dilapidated fences. Roads were crammed with a multitude of vehicles competing for an opening in the traffic. There were new SUVs and sedans alongside old beat-up Jeepneys with no windows and rusted tricycles — basically motorcycles with an attached cart. But, what struck me most were the Filipino people. In a country in which the average income is under $2,000 per year, per capita; struggling with all the stress that poverty and in an incredibly hot and humid climate; we were greeted by smiling faces and welcoming waves. The hospitality we received was beyond compare. The Filipinos have an indomitable spirit which helps them to rise above their troubles. This is evident in the numerous karaoke bars where they love to laugh and sing and enjoy each other's company. It is evident in their willingness to share whatever they have with guests and most of all it is evident in the smiling faces of the children.
Memories of Murray Dryden
This is SCAW's 24th distribution in the Philippines. Over the years a very successful partnership and bonding developed between the late Murray Dryden and a group of Kiwanis and other volunteers from various service organizations in the Philippines. During this year's distribution the SCAW team realized the depth of the respect and love they have for The Man — Murray Dryden. Linda Taiabjee talked to Dr. Juan F. Torres, Jr., Chairman of SCAW Philippines, (Pictured at right with Murray about ten years ago) the lead group that organizes and overseas all Philippine distributions. Dr. Torres, how did you meet Murray Dryden and how did the Philippines become a bedkit recipient? — I was District Governor in 1982-83 holding office at the Manila Peninsula Hotel when a tall lanky man appeared one day and asked me what I'd do if I received bedkits for children. I immediately replied, "Of course, I'd give them to the children." Shortly thereafter, he simply left. About a month or two later, I received a letter stating that SCAW Canada was considering the Philippines as a recipient of bedkits. I did not give it much thought so I gave the letter to a club president for acknowledgment. Shortly thereafter, he received a cheque from SCAW for 500 bedkits. The Kiwanian did not know what to do and asked me for advice. I realized that Mr. Dryden really meant business. This was the start of the SCAW relationship.
After the kits were made, Murray came to the Philippines and asked me why my own club was not included in the distribution. From the start, we developed a close relationship and he wanted to know why I was not more actively involved. After a few years, he informed me that he would discontinue SCAW in the Philippines on account of certain discrepancies that were not in keeping with SCAW procedures. Somehow, I was in Toronto area and I appealed for reconsideration. I emphasized that the children in the Philippines needed SCAW and I couldn't understand why a worthy project would be scrapped simply because some adults were remiss in their job. Subsequently, I was informed that because of my argument, SCAW would be resumed — under my guidance and leadership. Being a busy practitioner and professor of medicine, I told him that I might not be able to do a good job. Murray countered with: "Why should a worthy project be stopped just because some adults were unwilling." After he agreed to include two other people in the committee, we took on the project year after year. What fond memories do you treasure of Mr. Dryden? — I have countless memories of Mr. Dryden that I treasure. All of them underscore his intense passion for what he was doing. What excited me was his unending commitment to his vision of seeing that children receive a good night's rest. As a matter of fact, he always told me, "There is nothing more peaceful than a sleeping child." Are there other stories and anecdotes that are fresh in your memory that you would like to share with us?
— He was a Kiwanian and every Kiwanis convention I attended that he also attended he would always surprise me with a phone call saying, "Why haven't you come for breakfast?" Then, during breakfast, he would keep me updated about SCAW matters and sometimes he would take me along with him to different possible sources of funding. He sent me many letters which were never dated but the one from April, 2001 was headed "Dear April Fools Day!":
He would always kid me about the colour of my suits calling them funeral grey, trying to tell me that I should wear bright coloured suits like he did. When he received the World Service Medal of Kiwanis in Seattle in 1988, I was with him. He was on stage and I was at the foot of the stage. He was speechless and in tears and so was I. I kept yelling at him words that I thought he should say. Of course, he never heard me. Another incident that shows the character of The Man I so admired and respected was when his worn out leather shoulder bag fell apart. He wanted me to have it repaired. I told him the repairman would refuse to fix such an old bag. He insisted. I bought him a similar bag and gave it to him. He said, "This isn't my bag!" So I opened it and showed him his repaired bag inside. He laughed and took his old bag. Then he handed the new bag back to me and said, "Here, give it to somebody else." I never won an argument with him.
There are often instances that established the quality of this Man one of which is, he would send me clippings of cartoons made about him. Another incident was lunch at a Country Club in Toronto. This time I was the only one in the group wearing a Barong Tagalog, the Filipino national shirt, while the others wore suits. They would not let me in. Mr. Dryden was so embarrassed and flabbergasted so I asked the hostess for a tie and a jacket. I wore the tie over my Barong Tagalog and the oversized red jacket on top of it. I looked really funny! At dinner, we went over the draft of one of his books. On his last trip to the Philippines, he said to me, "I don't think I will be able to come here again." He refused to use a wheelchair. I think of him as a very close friend: our relationship would be that of a father to son, or brother to brother, and his passing away is a great loss to me. The last time I came to Toronto was in 1998 with Rolly Esguerra, who is in charge of procurement and the warehouse manager for SCAW, Philippines. We met him dressed in suits but Murray was dressed in a Barong Tagalog. I thought maybe he was trying to tell me something. I am glad that after so many years this is finally in print as my tribute to The Man. "Bless, Bless" All the interaction with the children during a SCAW distribution is rewarding and special: greeting them in their groups before the distribution begins; interacting with them in line while they're waiting to be photographed; physically, gently placing their hands and feet, arranging their hair or urging good posture and a smile; telling them the picture taking is finished and the long awaited (usually about a month) bedkit is finally a reality; and meeting with some grateful parents. But the most special duty of a SCAW travelling volunteer is the actual giving of the bedkit to the child. At many of the locations, the helpful local Kiwanians or volunteers, will urge the child to say "Bless, Bless." This is a Philippine custom in which the child takes your right hand with his right hand and brings your hand to his forehead in a sign of respect. Then the volunteer would urge the child, "Thank you, po." While I personally was the undeserving recipient of this respect and gratitude, I was always enormously aware that I was only the messenger, the bearer of a gift from you, the donor, and the bearer of the message of thanks back from the children. I immediately found myself thinking or saying, "No, God Bless You." That's the joy of the distribution. The heartache of the distribution is the children — the street urchins you see everywhere — who are not the recipients of a SCAW bedkit:
The child in a park in downtown Manila, lying on the ground beside its mother nursing. They have not come to the park to play and enjoy a picnic, but because they have nowhere else to go. The little boy asleep on a piece of cardboard on the sidewalk. The two children asleep on a busy street corner — one on a light standard, the other on the supports for a billboard — whose mother is tending to them as if she were in her own kitchen instead of on the street.
The little boy of about three playing around the local shops near our hotel, filthy, dirty, and totally naked. While it's heartbreaking to know you can't reach all the children, I've seen the needy children SCAW does reach. I know Sleeping Children Around the World, with the help of the SCAW committee in the Philippines, does make a difference in their lives. "Bless" to you, the donor, who makes it all possible. Reflections in Manila My first trip to the Philippines for SCAW was in 1987. The years between have seen some significant change in the city of Manila and surrounding urban area. I was told the population of Manila was thirteen million. This results in massive traffic problems and areas of crowded housing occupied by some of the poorer citizens. The Filipinos are courteous and gentle. There is no aggressive driving and very little horn blowing — even in crowded traffic. In all this hustle and bustle one pleasant memory was hearing a rooster crow at sunrise — something you might expect in a rural area — but in a crowded city it brought the sound of nature back into daily life.
At each distribution site Doug Cunningham carefully chose a location for the photo shoot which is an important part of any distribution. When the photo taking started, four gracious ladies from the Toronto area — Kay, Brenda, Veri, and Linda — gently persuaded small frightened children into position and got them to look at the camera and give a small smile. Not an easy job in 90 plus heat. It was a smooth-running operation that was only possible because of their efforts. The local Kiwanis as usual were well-prepared and everything went as planned. The children were ready on time and so were the bedkits. We had distributions on the island of Luzon in Manila and areas outside Manila, and also on the island of Mindoro. All the children who received bedkits came from under-privileged families in the poorer areas of both urban and rural locations. In a small way this may be a vital step in making their lives and future more secure. Thanks to SCAW for giving me the opportunity to be of some help in these efforts. Salamat Po!
The absolute supreme delight of serving as a SCAW travelling volunteer is watching the smiling eyes, cheerful faces and the sheer joy of the children receiving their bedkits.
Salamat Po is a Filipino expression meaning, "Thank you, with much respect." When you donated a bedkit for a needy child, you may not have realized the impact you have really made in the lives of others. In Meycauayan, just north of Manila, a young man named Noel approached us. He was 28 years old. He was so very proud to announce that he had been a SCAW bedkit recipient 20 years ago. Today, his son, Patrick, would receive his. Here's to SCAW for a continued long life. Salamat Po. In Calapan, the parish priest, in his invocation speech, highlighted that SCAW served as an inspiration to the local community to renew and serve those greatest in need. Wow! Salamat Po. And finally to you, the donor, for caring enough to take action. Salamat Po.
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