Team Reports
• Lynette Jenkins
• Ted Swanston
• Laura Wey
• Lois Wey
• Chris Pratt
• Genille Gimbel

You can also download a PDF version of this report from our Distributions page.

Praise and gratitude

Laura Wey — London, ON

From Sri Lanka Album 2

Each day a member of our team, along with a translator, would interview small groups of parents to ensure that the bedkit contents met the needs of the recipients. The opportunity to speak with mothers and grandmothers was my favourite and most memorable experience as a first time SCAW traveller.

To me this feedback is vital for understanding what is most useful and how bedkits may improve in the future. The mothers and grandmothers were very open and helpful and felt privileged to give us feedback. Immersing myself in their culture and learning about their family life and living conditions was a very humbling experience and it made me appreciate my life in Canada to a greater extent.

The most beneficial item of the bedkit was the mosquito net. Most of the mothers said they currently did not own a mosquito net, while some mothers explained that only one was used by the entire family and therefore not very effective. During the wet season from May to October mosquitoes are especially bad and sleeping without a net can be dangerous. Along with the nuisance of sleeping with mosquitoes is the added fear of acquiring Dengue fever or malaria. It is comforting to know that 4,000 children and their families are now able to sleep peacefully under their new mosquito nets.

Welcoming Ceremony

The other much appreciated items were the backpack and notebooks. In Sri Lanka the government provides children six- to eighteen-years-old with an education, along with textbooks and school uniforms. However, the mothers explained, notebooks and backpacks are not provided. These bedkit items will allow the children to practice at home and improve skills they have learned in school. It was refreshing to see children and parents alike understanding the importance of education and it was evident that all the school supplies will go to great use.

The women interviewed were very genuine and kind and I saw the appreciation they felt towards the donors for providing their children with these quality items. They wanted to express to us that every item in the bedkit is much needed and that these everyday items will make their lives less stressful. It was interesting to realize that SCAW is a unique charitable organization for Sri Lanka. It is the only one that provides bedding items. These were particularly valued by the mothers because otherwise the children would go without.

The mothers praise and gratitude will always be imprinted in my mind when I think of this loving and beautiful country.