Uncertainties & AdventuresGrant Clark — Mississauga, ON When you first see Togo, West Africa, you are impressed by its natural beauty and its beautiful ocean beaches while you are challenged by its overwhelming heat and humidity. You also learn that in Togo you are surrounded by uncertainty. The weather can fool you. We were at a bedkit distribution for Sleeping Children Around the World [SCAW]. On our very first day, we were enjoying a smoothly functioning event when suddenly the sky became dark. Several large drops of rain began to fall but our Canadian team paid little heed thinking this light rain would quickly pass. Without further warning we were in the midst of a torrential downpour. For twenty minutes the rains flooded our distribution site and created small lakes in the roads nearby. As suddenly as the rains began, they stopped. Throughout the remainder of our distributions we watched the weather intently. Travelling to each distribution site was an adventure. Our rented van made many different sounds suggesting it was not mechanically fit and our driver demonstrated his diverse skills by changing two flat tires.
Our most unexpected adventure occurred on a trip to a distant distribution site. We were stopped by police at a check point and detained until they were assured that the 500 bedkits on the truck that preceded us were gifts for needy children and not items for sale. We were held until our Overseas Volunteer partner provided the necessary information to answer all questions asked by the armed authorities. Our team’s anxiety quickly passed once we approached our distribution site at Togoville where we were greeted by the cheers of both the children and the caregivers. Each of us knew one thing for certain: the generosity of our donors made a powerful impact on the lives of 3,000 of the world’s neediest children. |
