SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 9
Today we ventured to the outskirts of Columbo to an inner city school in one of the poorest areas of Columbo. Next to the river there was heavy flooding in November with the streets 10 feet under water. Our final day’s 500 bedkits were really needed.
The majority of families here are single parent families as crime and addiction has had its effect on one or both parents. The principal of the school had previously been a teacher in central Columbo and, when offered the promotion to principal, chose this school over others to have the greatest impact possible. She cares deeply for the children and you can see it in the smiles she receives from the students. She impressed upon us that this gift, to a small child, is a life changing experience.
Thank you to the donors as your gift has changed their lives!
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 8
Today began with a truly unforgettable experience. Early this morning, elephants from the nearby elephant orphanage in Pinnawala walked right past our hotel on their way to the river for their daily bath. It was such a thrill to watch these magnificent animals stroll down the street before splashing and playing in the water.
Most of us even had the chance to touch the elephants and take photos with them.
Our fearless team leader, Sue, went one step further by climbing into the river to help bathe them!
It was a wonderful start to the day, and we are grateful to our Rotarian Overseas Partners for arranging this for us.
From Pinnawala, we travelled to Kadawatha for another bedkit distribution. We received a warm welcome with traditional drummers and dancers, as well as smiling children who greeted us with beautiful bouquets of lotus flowers. It was a lovely setting, and everything ran smoothly, making it another successful distribution.
Taking their bedits home by tuktuk
Leah and Warren hamming it up for the SCAW camera.
Today marked our 11th distribution out of 12, so we are almost at the finish line! This evening we arrived in Colombo, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Tomorrow brings our final distribution, followed by a meeting and dinner with our Sri Lankan Rotarian partners. It will be a fitting way to wrap up such a meaningful and memorable trip.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Sri Lanka, 2026: July 7
Tea Leaves, Bedkits, and Tomorrow’s Elephants
Our morning began at the beautiful Blue Field Tea Gardens, where we were welcomed by our guide and dressed for the occasion. We were fitted with colourful head scarves, wrap-around skirts, and traditional tea baskets strapped to our backs before heading into the rolling green hills to pick tea leaves ourselves.
It quickly became clear that harvesting tea is an art. We learned how to select only the tender new leaves and then followed the entire journey from the field through the drying and processing stages.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without enjoying a cup of fresh Orange Pekoe tea and spending a little time browsing the wonderful tea shop.
From there, it was time for the real purpose of our journey.
We travelled to Gampola, where 787 bedkits were distributed to children from 14 schools. Every one of those schools had been affected by the recent monsoon, making today’s distribution especially meaningful. Despite everything these families have endured, the resilience and spirit of the community shone through.
One thing our team couldn’t stop talking about was how incredibly well-behaved the children were. Their smiles said everything. The Canadian flag pins and little Canadian flags we brought along were treasured gifts, and two simple Frisbees quickly became the stars of the afternoon. It’s amazing how something so small can create so much joy.
Before heading to our hotel, we made one final stop at the Susana Spice and Herb Gardens. Our guide introduced us to an incredible variety of spices, herbs, and traditional remedies. Apparently, there was a natural cure for almost everything—from aches and pains to promises of a longer life and a healthier body. If all the claims are true, we should all be returning home in peak condition!
There’s plenty of excitement for tomorrow morning because around 8:30, we’re hoping to watch the elephants make their daily walk down to the river—a sight many people say is one of Sri Lanka’s most memorable experiences.
We’ll let you know tomorrow if it lives up to the anticipation. Somehow, I have a feeling it will.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 6
A Rewarding Day in Nuwara Eliya
Today was an unforgettable day in Nuwara Eliya as we distributed 1,320 bedkits to children from 17 different schools. Seeing so many smiling faces is a great reminder of the impact that generosity and community can have.
At lunchtime, we had the opportunity to visit a beautiful Hindu temple, where we participated in a traditional blessing ceremony.
Once the distribution was complete, we enjoyed a little free time exploring the local market. With the help of the Rotarians accompanying us, many of us managed to find some great bargains. We also discovered that many international brands have products manufactured in Sri Lanka, including Patagonia, Columbia, Lululemon, and Nike.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this day possible and look forward to the days still to come.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 5
Sunday morning brought bright sunshine, as the SCAW team left for our morning distribution in tea country in the mountains.
The ride was on narrow winding roads to Agarapathana where the school band patiently waited to serenade us upon our arrival. We were privileged to have a distinguished guest with us this morning. The Sri Lankan Minister of Education welcomed us very warmly and was grateful for SCAW coming to help the school children in level 3, the most needy children in this region. The impact of our distribution today helped 12 schools.
Since it was our fifth day, we had more experience and the distribution went swiftly with all the teachers' and parents' help. We had the opportunity to ride 3 wheeled tuktuks going into the back hills for a home visit to see how some of the recipients live. We met a father who graciously welcomed us into his 2 room home that housed 3 families, 11 people in total. In one room seven people sleep on the floor, while 4 people share a bed in the second room that also is used for food preparation. Meals are cooked outside on open fires.
We were taxied by tuktuk back to the school to depart for Nuwara Eliya. The route offered spectacular views of mountains and tea plantations.
Upon arrival we visited Sri Seethai Amman Temple, a Hindu temple of renown, and then walked through a tea plantation for some photos before arriving at our destination for the night.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 5
Sunday morning brought bright sunshine, as the SCAW team left for our morning distribution in tea country in the mountains.
The ride was on narrow winding roads to Agarapathana where the school band patiently waited to serenade us upon our arrival. We were privileged to have a distinguished guest with us this morning. The Sri Lankan Minister of Education welcomed us very warmly and was grateful for SCAW coming to help the school children in level 3, the most needy children in this region. The impact of our distribution today helped 12 schools.
Since it was our fifth day, we had more experience and the distribution went swiftly with all the teachers' and parents' help. We had the opportunity to ride 3 wheeled tuktuks going into the back hills for a home visit to see how some of the recipients live. We met a father who graciously welcomed us into his 2 room home that housed 3 families, 11 people in total. In one room seven people sleep on the floor, while 4 people share a bed in the second room that also is used for food preparation. Meals are cooked outside on open fires.
We were taxied by tuktuk back to the school to depart for Nuwara Eliya. The route offered spectacular views of mountains and tea plantations.
Upon arrival we visited Sri Seethai Amman Temple, a Hindu temple of renown, and then walked through a tea plantation for some photos before arriving at our destination for the night.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Sri Lanka, 2026: july 4
We are now in the hill country of Hatton. The landscape is so lush and green and layered with endless rows of tea trees.
We awoke this morning to strong winds and heavy rain. Our hotel lost power for an hour but eventually the generator turned on and our hosts prepared some delicious Sri Lankan omelettes and rich, dark coffee for us to start our day.
We had 2 big distributions today and we met children from 33 different schools!
It was impressive that so many teachers and principals volunteered their time on a Saturday to help us with our distribution. They also took the time to write us beautiful letters of gratitude. They wrote “These kits will provide meaningful assistance to our children and help ease the financial burden faced by many of their families in supporting their education.”
Although the rain continued throughout the day, the children’s smiles kept on shining and they were excited to see us and greeted us with lots of waving and laughter.
It was very moving to see the parents waiting so patiently in the rain for their children to receive their bedkits.
We know that during this rainy season the items in the bedkits such as the umbrella and waterproof sleeping mat will be very appreciated by the families.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Sri Lanka, 2026: july 4
We are now in the hill country of Hatton. The landscape is so lush and green and layered with endless rows of tea trees.
We awoke this morning to strong winds and heavy rain. Our hotel lost power for an hour but eventually the generator turned on and our hosts prepared some delicious Sri Lankan omelettes and rich, dark coffee for us to start our day.
We had 2 big distributions today and we met children from 33 different schools!
It was impressive that so many teachers and principals volunteered their time on a Saturday to help us with our distribution. They also took the time to write us beautiful letters of gratitude. They wrote “These kits will provide meaningful assistance to our children and help ease the financial burden faced by many of their families in supporting their education.”
Although the rain continued throughout the day, the children’s smiles kept on shining and they were excited to see us and greeted us with lots of waving and laughter.
It was very moving to see the parents waiting so patiently in the rain for their children to receive their bedkits.
We know that during this rainy season the items in the bedkits such as the umbrella and waterproof sleeping mat will be very appreciated by the families.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: SRI LANKA, 2026: July 3
After the last 3 days of fun, meeting the children and delivering much-needed bedkits, we had a day to slow down and take a breather and enjoy a day of rest. But even rest days are packed with things to see. After a quick breakfast we were off to see the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. As the majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhist this place is revered for its special significance. Once inside the temple you can feel the religious significance of the site and the beauty of the artifacts. We were fortunate to be able to view the relic as it is only open for viewing 2 or 3 times per day. We later took time to explore the World Buddhist Museum which was equally memorable.
Next we went to the Gemstone market. The hand mining of gemstones is still done by manual labour and has a very valuable part in the Sri Lankan economy. The Sri Lankans were proud to point out the significance of their place in supplying the world with precious and semi-precious stones.
After a quick lunch by the river we were informed that the recent cyclone dropped so much precipitation that the bridge we viewed from the restaurant window had been under 10 inches of water. The flood occurred without warning and entire villages were washed away, again showing us how important the gift of a bedkit truly is!
We visited a wood carving and batik shop to see the skilled artisans ply their craft and were astonished at the level of skill and time needed to produce their unique creations.
We then departed Kandy for a 3 hour drive through the winding hills to our next distribution town which will be our home for the next 2 nights.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Sri LANKA, 2026: July 2
Our morning started with a wonderful breakfast at the hotel which included fresh watermelons, papayas and a wide assortment of curry options for dahl and on eggs. We then travelled a short distance to a school to complete a wonderful distribution of 800 bedkits. It was all outside and well organized. The teachers had us back to the office for lunch. The hospitality here is incredible.
In the afternoon we distributed 400 bedkits and most of the children were affected by the monsoons. They are so happy and grateful to receive such a gift. The team is now working on doing the Hokey Pokey as it was a huge hit with the kids.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
Scaw blog: Sri Lanka, 2026: July 1
Our first stop was Pinawalla where we received a warm welcome complete with marching band. We were also presented with floral bouquets that had exotic flowers and were made by the children. We also enjoyed King Coconut juice.
In the hall we did the lighting of the candles and the children put on a beautiful dance for us. In an effort to show some of their heritage they performed a special show to teach us their lifestyle. We then had a distribution of 245 bedkits. After the distribution we were invited to a delicious meal.
Our second stop was Kegalle where we were given beautiful garlands that were made by the parents. Here too there was a powerful feeling of excitement which can be very emotional for the volunteers. 400 bedkits were given to kids affected by the monsoon. They were brought in by the rotary club on 7 different buses from a wide area. We sang “Oh Canada” followed by the Sri Lanka national anthem.
The distribution went well and when we finished we enjoyed different Sri Lankan delectable foods prepared by the locals.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Sri Lanka, 2026:June 30
What a jam-packed first day in Sri Lanka!
SCAW’s overseas partners, the Rotarians, have been working hard behind the scenes sourcing items that make up the more than 7,000 bedkits that will be distributed to needy children while we are here. It was a pleasure to finally meet them in person.
Today we toured three small family-run manufacturing facilities that supply the mosquito nets, pyjamas, T-shirts, and finally, bags to hold the bedkit.
It was inspiring to see that these businesses share SCAW's commitment to compassion and humanitarian service. As we toured it was very obvious they take great pride in employing and sourcing materials locally and that they too can be involved with the Rotary and SCAW in helping improve the lives of children and their families.
The children and families welcomed us with a beautiful cultural dance and music which we truly appreciated.
Our day ended with an awesome first day distribution of 316 bedkits. What a feeling!!! There were smiles all around as the children waved or high-fived us and headed for home.
Much like those children, we will all have a good night’s sleep after a busy and heartwarming first day.
Team Sri Lanka, 2026
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 21
Our last day of distributions (18 & 19) in the Philippines dawned with an early morning bus ride to the famous Talisay area. The Taal volcano sits in a lake in a very mountainous area. The backdrop was stunning as we prepared our site as a now experienced team. Excited smiles beamed at us despite the heat. The children were polite and treated us to a rousing chorus of the Philippine national anthem. We have all taken this tune into our hearts now.
Over a lunch that included refreshing whole coconuts we learned that Talisay had been the victim of devastating land slides just two years ago. Many of the children from today’s distributions were living in government-sponsored resettlement camps. These families that had lost everything were truly grateful to receive a bedkit. We saw many bedkit bundles being transported home up the steep road.
Talisay skies treated us to a spectacular sunset display which felt like a celebration of our long weeks of work. A quiet and contemplative team rode back to Manila, having been strangers just a few weeks ago. I’m grateful to now consider them a special kind of family and can vouch that the SCAW volunteer experience is a life-changing one.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 17
This is the best job for me: passing the bedkit from my hands to the hands of a child who needs it. When I say, "This is for you" ("Ito ay para sa ayo") our eyes connect and smiles widen as fingers eagerly stretch out to find the most comfortable area to grab and hold on to the bedkit.
The jobs were the same at each site. Our team leader would assign our responsibilities for the day, usually the night before or in the morning on the way to the site. The jobs were: tracker, line up duty, seating person, marker, floater and bedkit deliverer. Since there were seven persons in our team, the floater was created to oversee the whole process. If everything ran smoothly, the floater would have interviews with parents and children and then write the blog for that day.
We gave bedkits to children ages 6 to 12. Many 6-year-olds have small hands and so our kind Philippine volunteers were eager to assist in holding the bedkits as the children reconnected with their families.
The bedkits were also quite heavy for many younger children to carry. This year, they contained a long mat, a mosquito net, school supplies, pajamas, a matching top and short pants, a blanket, a small face towel, flip flops, a pillow, and a long hug pillow. We know some items are more useful than others, depending on the areas where the families live and also on the recipient's age and size. The families were extremely happy for the generosity of our donors and they share items among themselves, neighbours, and friends.
At times we met children with special physical needs which tugged at our hearts. A parent would accompany each one and say with deep gratitude: "Thank you so much", in perfect English.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Uganda (Group 2), 2026: May 17
We safely arrived back in Kampala on Saturday night, thanks to Michael, our wonderful driver. Our day started with a sleep in before Petra guided us through a local market. She has been a wonderful SCAW Chairperson for the Inner Wheel this year. What a pleasure it has been to get to know her better.
Full team photo. SCAW and inner Wheel of Kampala.
At our closing meeting we reviewed the distributions, celebrated all the successes and put our heads together to look for recommendations for any areas where we think we could improve our efficiency. The children are always top of mind. How can we make this the most positive experience for them?
We then headed to our closing party. A great time to socialize and thank our Overseas Partners - The Inner Wheel of Kampala. This year was extra special as we also got to celebrate Leslie’s birthday.
Petra, Kerry and Gertrude cutting the cake.
SCAW cake is now Leslie’s birthday cake.
We would like to thank all of our donors. Your generous support has changed the lives of 7,000 children.
Team Uganda, 2026
Inner Wheel of Kampala 🇺🇬 +SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Uganda (Group 2), 2026, May 16
Final Distribution
These distributions would have been much more challenging without Michael, our driver extraordinaire, who has navigated a bus load of ladies though challenging roads and rain as well as spending long hours loading our bus for the trip to our last distribution and the trip back to Kampala. Thanks Michael.
We were welcomed again with music, dancing and songs by excited parents and children. They helped unload the truck and set up the site while the children changed into new clothes.
After the last children received their bedkits we were treated to a lovely meal organized by the head teacher of the school and entertained by mothers singing and dancing.
We leave Uganda with wonderful memories of warm hospitable people who truly appreciate the generous gifts of bedkits for their children. Our home visits to recipients made us realize how helpful the kits are for the whole family. Thank you donors!
Team Uganda, 2026
Inner Wheel of Kampala 🇺🇬 +SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Philippines, 2026: May 10
We gathered in the hotel lobby and took photos within the decorative frame the hotel staff had set up. They repeatedly wished us "Happy Mothers' Day" as we boarded the van and left the hotel around 6 a.m. for our distribution at Magaland 1.
It was a beautiful and sunny day.
For the first time, we traveled on a new toll road with solar powered light poles, and through various villages with changing landscapes. There were many garden centres with attractive displays of potted flowering plants along the sidewalks.
The children, moms and dads greeted us with wide smiles, shouts and screams as we entered the covered basketball court where the distribution would take place. Everyone was very excited.
Our assistant team leader, Sally Jo, reconnected with an old friend and his wife. They first met 20 years ago at a bedkit distribution in the Philippines.
We distributed 300 bedkits there, had a small lunch and then traveled about 20 minutes to Imus Cavite to distribute another 300 bedkits.
I interviewed a mom with her son in the afternoon at this site. They were excited to receive the bedkit items, especially the school supplies. The son was not wearing the pajamas because they were too small for him. He's taller and bigger than many of his classmates and enjoys going to school. He likes writing, drawing cartoon characters and creating stories with intense action!
It was a Happy Mothers' Day.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 14
Today is our last distribution day in Nepal. After 6 days and 16 distributions I was truly overwhelmed by the expression of love from the people of Nepal.
Today, the proud hilltop people of the Gorkha region gathered en masse for our first distribution and effectively "piped" us in using their traditional instruments. Everyone was ready and smiling - Namaste greetings were in abundance. I had to fight back the tears realizing the importance of this gift provided by SCAW. After the ceremony we distributed 243 bed kits in 38 minutes. All hands were helping from the SCAW team, Rotary Members, to the teachers, to the senior students, and even the mayor of the municipality.
Distribution 2 was full of fanfare and dance performances by the children before we distributed to two schools including the second group of school children who had walked a few kilometers to be there. This was followed by more dancers and presentations by local dignitaries who play a critical role in making this happen.
We, the SCAW team, can't thank our Rotary partners and municipal officials enough, and together with caring principals and teachers, the Nepal 2026 distribution has been a success and thousands of children are now sleeping better in Nepal.
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 14
After a quick rooftop breakfast at our hotel in Angeles City, we set off for the first of two distributions in the city of Magalang - 350 bedkits to be given out at each one.
One of the highlights of the morning session was the opportunity to meet and interview a woman, Marieta, whose son had received a bedkit from SCAW 20 years ago or so. Her son is now married and working as a motorcycle repair man. He has children of his own - one of whom lives with Marieta and who received a bedkit today (see photo below). Marieta noted that the contents of the bedkit were used for seven years and were very helpful - especially the mosquito net. She asked me to pass on her gratitude to our Canadian donors.
Between the morning and afternoon distributions, our team had the opportunity to visit the homes of a couple of our bedkit recipients. It was a sobering experience coming face to face with the poverty and unbelievably difficult living conditions of so many people here.
In the afternoon’s distribution, I met a 55-year old woman named Gina. She has 11 children living in a small two-room dwelling. Her youngest child was receiving a bedkit. Gina is a single mom whose sole means of support is the income of her two older children. She found the school supplies to be the most helpful items in the bedkit - it’s difficult for her to buy supplies for the nine children who still live with her.
After all the bedkits were distributed and all the final group photos were taken with our hosts and site volunteers, we boarded the van and set out for the two-hour drive to Candaba. As the sun was setting, we arrived at the Lola Corazon Leisure Farm which had the feel of a typical Canadian summer camp with modest but comfortable accommodations and a large swimming pool. The water was as warm as a bath, but nonetheless a welcome relief from the relentless heat and humidity. After a swim and a cool drink together, it was off to bed to rest up for a big distribution day tomorrow and the trip back to Manila.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 13
This morning our team found itself in Bacolor. Upon arrival we were greeted by a sea of excited faces. The Kiwanis club had set up the outdoor gym beautifully for the distribution, with lots of help from teachers who came in, despite it being summer vacation.
Very close to the Bacolor Integrated School is the famous San Guillermo Parish Church. This church was built in 1576 and rebuilt in 1886, following a devastating earthquake. On Sept, 3 1995 an enormous lahar flow of ash from the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption, buried much of Bacolor under 6 to 20 feet of volcanic debris. Only 12 metres of the church remained uncovered. Parishioners now enter the church through the window that was over the main entrance. It was a wonderful detour suggested by our Kiwanis hosts, Lanie and Melvin.
During the bedkit family interview, I found out that this was the family church that they attend every Sunday.
This afternoon our Mabalacat distribution was also a success despite the 36 plus degree temperatures.
Looking forward to another busy but rewarding distribution day tomorrow in Magalang.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦