SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: SEPTEMBER 5
Today was our last distribution in Rwanda. There was no long drive through the countryside today as the site was close by in Kigali. As always, there were many happy children giving lots and lots of hugs. You never tire of the hugs. It always amazes me how well-behaved and patient the children are, especially as they often have a long wait in the hot sun.
Today I am reminded that kids are kids no matter where they are in the world. I saw girls walking hand in hand and giggling as they shared a secret. Boys gathered under a tree perhaps talking football. A little one was drawing in the dirt with a stick not far from a watchful mama. A scared little one was being comforted by another child in line. An older boy was helping a little guy get ready for the photo. There was the usual jostling to be at the front of the line. I saw desk graffiti.
Some in the world have so much and some so very little but all children are the same and deserve a good night's sleep so they can wake to the challenges of a new day.
5000 bedkits delivered. Mission accomplished. Thank you to all who have helped and a special thank you to our donors.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: September 4
Today we had an early start. The alarm was set for 0515 hrs in order to breakfast at 0600 hrs. This allowed us to get on the road by 0700 hrs. We headed out to an industrial economic zone in the city of Kigali where we visited a major factory that employs 180 persons in the manufacture of mattresses. We were given a tour by the Chief Operating Officer of the company. This factory is the manufacturer of the mattresses that are being given out during this bedkit distribution.
The process was explained and we were able to follow the entire production line. The process is highly automated but there is still a significant role played by skilled workers to complete the mattresses.
The foam interiors are produced by the mixing of various components that are sourced from China and South Korea.
The colourful fabrics that cover the mattresses are also sourced from China.
The company has operations in three countries in Africa and has a wide range of products.
While we were at the factory we witnessed the mattresses destined for distribution today being loaded onto transport vehicles. These mattresses were delivered just prior to our scheduled start time.
When we arrived at the distribution site, the only entrance to the school complex was blocked by the delivery van!
The factory was a model enterprise and has manufactured mattresses for SCAW distributions for a number of years.
The mattresses are a key element in the bedkit and many children prior to receiving a bedkit sleep on the ground or on the floor. This mattress with the mosquito net which is also a key component of the bedkit are instrumental in helping children achieve a good night’s sleep.
Once the distribution got underway there were almost five hundred children who received a bedkit thanks to the generosity of the donors.
To end the day, we visited another manufacturing business. This time it was a much smaller operation that featured skilled workers who sewed together the back packs that form part of the bedkit.
A donation made to SCAW, goes 100 % to paying for bedkits for the children but also provides employment for local individuals in the country of distribution. The gift of the donation of a bedkit has a ripple effect within the community. Every donation makes a difference and a significant contribution to the well-being of the children of Rwanda.
Thank you for your compassion and generosity.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
scaw BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: SEPTEMBER 3
Our group of six set out this morning for the 8th day of our distributions and our second day in the Ngoma district.
We drove through such a beautiful part of Rwanda. At one point there was a lake on either side of us. We passed rice fields and saw men in small dugout kayak-like boats navigating through the water. Then we were driving through an area of banana trees, and saw countless bicycles carrying what looked like 200-300 lbs. of bananas on the back!
When we arrived a large happy group was waiting for us, with the children already lined up and ready to receive their bedkits. We took a few minutes to scout out the area and were so pleased with the thoughtful setup the Rotarians had planned .The flow was smooth and the children had minimal exposure to the sun while they waited.
A local dignitary welcomed the crowd, followed by an introduction from the Rotary Club. The bedkit was held high for an enthusiastic crowd to see. The shorts and T-shirt received the biggest applause!
We got things started and the day went smoothly.There are always a few small glitches, but even those became opportunities to spend more time with the children - so really, it was a win-win.
Our final bedkit was handed out after an interview with a very appreciative mother who spoke to us proudly in her best English. Her gratitude touched all of us.
As we loaded back into our van our hearts were filled with happiness. We are so thankful to have the opportunity to deliver SCAW bedkits to the beautiful, deserving children of Rwanda.❤️🇷🇼
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: SEPTEMBER 2
You may get asked why you do what you. In the case of Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), it is a very good question. Most members of society fully realize that the need to help those that have little to nothing around the globe is immense as the need for food, shelter, education, infrastructure, etc. remains, unfortunately, very high for many and those numbers are growing.
There are different charities and non-governmental organizations that try and address the various shortcomings that exist around the world and SCAW is one of them. When we go on distributions and meet the people that benefit from receiving a bedkit, visit their homes and meet the families, we see their very positive reactions to receiving such an amazing gift.
Prior to the actual start of a distribution on site, we speak to the assembled families who are waiting to receive their bedkit and show them each item that the bedkit contains. This is our seventh day and it is very interesting to see which items receive the biggest reaction from the families. In some districts it is the mosquito net and mattress, in others it is the school supplies and yet in others it is the clothing. The reaction reflects the local need. In all sites, the whole bedkit is fully appreciated.
At a site where only some families get a bedkit and others do not who have just as big a need, you wonder, what difference does this make? It’s kind of like this little story that I heard once which explains it well.
There was a person observed running on the beach who, now and then, would stoop down, pick up something and throw it in the water. As he came closer, the observer noted that the man was picking up a starfish and throwing it back in the water. As he came near, the observer asked why he was picking up a starfish and throwing it in the water when there were so many lying on the beach all around them. He asked, “What difference does it make?” The man picked up another starfish and threw it in the water and said, “It makes a difference to this one!” and kept on running. Much like the starfish thrower, that is what we at SCAW do.
We can’t help everyone, as much as we would like to. However, we do provide opportunities around the world for children and their families to experience the many benefits from a good night’s sleep. On our distribution in Rwanda, we have distributed 3,500 bedkits to date. As an organization and since its inception, SCAW is approaching the 2,000,000th bedkit given to a child over the last 56 years. It has made a difference to these children and their families over the years.
For the Children,
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: SEPTEMBER 1
The traffic in Rwanda is really just a dance with cars, bikes and people twirling in different directions. Most horns are friendly warnings, “ I am close by. Make room”. The pace of the dance is fast and the moves smooth, only leaving a very small space in between. It is totally amazing how the dance goes on day and night with it’s never-ending rhythm.
It tugged at our hearts during a family interview when a beautiful mother nursing a small baby with two older children explained they only have one meal a day. Some evenings the kids are up late because the mother is searching for food. Yet, she was so thankful for their new bedkit. Hopefully the children can have a better sleep now with their new mattress and mosquito net and have a better start in the new school year with their new supplies.
Participating in a distribution is a wonderful opportunity to meet some local people and to see parts of the country that are difficult to reach. We have met lots of different Rotarians and Rotaracts (which are the young adults before they become Rotarians) with very good English language skills that help us have a deeper understanding of the people, their customs and the country in general. It is wonderful how hard our OVPs, the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, work. They start months before the distribution purchasing the bedkit items, organizing the sites and many other duties that are involved such as dealing with government and children selection. The distribution of 5000 bedkits would be impossible without their many hours of hard work.
Tomorrow is Day 7 of our distributions so we are more than halfway. We have delivered 3000 bedkits with 2,000 bedkits to go. The above are a few of my thoughts and impressions of this wonderful opportunity to help in a small way to improve the lives of these beautiful people who have so little and deserve so much more. Thanks donors, you are big partners in making the delivery of 5,000 bedkits possible.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: SEPTEMBER 1
The traffic in Rwanda is really just a dance with cars, bikes and people twirling in different directions. Most horns are friendly warnings “ I am close by, make room”. The pace of the dance is fast and the moves smooth, only leaving a very small space in between. It is totally amazing how the dance goes on day and night with it’s never ending rhythm.
It tugs at your heart during a family interview when a beautiful mother nursing a small baby with two older children only have one meal a day. Some evenings the kids are up late because the mother is searching for food. Yet, she was so thankful for their new bedkit. Hopefully the children can have a better sleep now with their new mattress and mosquito net and have a better start in the new school year with their new supplies.
Participating in a Distribution is a wonderful opportunity to meet some local people and to see parts of the country that are difficult to reach. We have met lots of different Rotarians and Rotaracts (which are the young adults before they become Rotarians) with very good English language skills that help you have a deeper understanding of the people, their customs and the country in general. It is wonderful how hard the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga work, our Oversea Volunteer Partners. They start months before the Distribution purchasing the bedkit items, organizing the sites and many other duties that are involved such as dealing with government and children selection. The distribution of 5000 Bedkits would be impossible without their many hours of hard work.
Tomorrow is our Day 7 of our Distributions so we are more than halfway. We have delivered 3000 Bedkits with 2,000 Bedkits to go. These are a few of my thoughts and impressions of this wonderful opportunity to help in a small way to improve the lives of these beautiful people who have so little and deserve so much more. Thanks donors, you are big partners in making the delivery of 5,000 Bedkits possible.
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: AUGUST 30
The last Sunday of the month is Exercise Day, so once again the streets of Kigali were a little quieter, as residents are encouraged to devote the day to physical fitness. The citizens of Rwanda must be the fittest people on the planet, for they are constantly walking and biking up and down the hills - and they often do so with heavy loads on their heads and backs! No wonder it is called the country of 1000 hills (le pays de milles collines)! On this early morning we even observed an enthusiastic fellow navigating these hills (more like mountains) on rollerblades!
Sunday morning we were headed to Munyaga, with a slight detour to Nzige. This landscape was very different from the mega hills we had travelled earlier in the week. We were in the valleys with farm fields and rice paddies on either side of the road. Once off the main road, we once again experienced a Rwandan massage (an extremely bumpy road). Along the road community residents were chopping rock to lay on the side of the deep ditches which will catch the rains during rainy season.
When we finally reached our destination, the children and parents were still calmly waiting for us. They cheered loudly when they heard about our ‘detour’ (we went to the wrong location).
As the items of the bedkit were shown to the crowd, everyone erupted in cheers. The children especially liked the shirt and shorts!
The picture-taking and bedkit distribution went smoothly and relatively quickly. The little ones were a bit overwhelmed by the process but the laughs of our rotary volunteer alleviated their hesitancy and resulted in big smiles!
As the distribution continued, more families from neighbouring communities arrived, but unfortunately they were not registered. All 500 bedkits were distributed to registered children.
Hopefully we can return to the community in another year so that other children may benefit from a good night’s sleep!
Today was a beautiful day in a beautiful country, with beautiful children!
Thank you donors for helping to make a difference in the life of a child!
For the children,
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: August 28
2,000 bedkits as of Day 4
After a hearty breakfast, our team travelled 2.5 hours north to our distribution site in Burera Province. It was not our usual arrival with many children and parents waiting as today is Umuganda, the monthly cleaning day which takes place on the last Saturday of the month from 8 to 11 am. Rwanda is a very clean place. Roadsides and sidewalks are swept each morning even in the countryside but this is a more serious cleanup.
With the help of the kind, hard-working and dedicated Rotarians, Rotoracts and community volunteers the site was set up. People started to arrive, the children registered and we were underway.
After registration, the children line up and await photo time. Each donator is sent a photograph of their sponsored child. Some children are excited but some are a little scared. It is our job to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Sometimes we have a sing along and best of all, sometimes they sing to us. That is when you see them light up. No shyness when they sing. It is a beautiful thing.
Then comes the photo taken by our team leader. He almost always is able to make them smile or giggle. Finally it is bedkit time and off they go to collect their things. The bedkits include shoes, blanket, sheet, backpack, t-shirt and shorts, mosquito net, notebooks, pens, basin and a beautiful, colourful mattress.
What we do may seem such a small thing to us but imagine sleeping on a bare floor and being bitten by mosquitos all night long. Then suddenly you have a comfy mattress and a net for protection. The hope is that their world might be a bit brighter and their sleep a bit better. There is a look of love on the faces of the parents and often grandparents. One Grandma in particular will be in my thoughts for life. She arrived with her grandbaby on her back. The child was seven years old and severely disabled. Her daughter died in childbirth and Grandma is the sole caregiver. Her face is weathered and worn, her back is painful. I hope they are both able to sleep a bit easier tonight.
When the last bedkit is given, the crowd disperses and we pack up and head out on the long drive home. We saw families carrying bedkits home many kilometers from the distribution site. People are working in the fields.
Children are collecting firewood and filling jugs with water. Every day they work just to survive. Walking, always walking.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: August 27-28
We have covered many kilometres driving through the Rwandan countryside on our way to where each distribution of bedkits takes place. What stands out is the civility of the drivers of vehicles and motorcycles who need to share the winding roads that dot the countryside. The region is known for the hills and valleys that make up the area around the capital Kigali.
The capital as well as the surrounding countryside are conspicuously clean. There is virtually no litter to be seen! Today as it is the last Saturday of the month was national clean-up day and participation is mandatory. There is a collective sense of pride and participation that reflects in the communities.
The area we visited yesterday and today was very close to the Ugandan border in the north of the country. We set up a distribution in a school that was in the shadow of one of the five volcanoes that mark the landscape of that part of Rwanda.
At the start of every distribution the SCAW travelling team are presented to the assembled bed-kit recipients and their parents. The members of the SCAW team hold up the various items which make up the bedkit. With each item there is a round of applause.
On two days the loudest applause was offered up to acknowledge the mosquito net. Another favourite item was the combination of books and pens. All items are warmly received but the addition of the mosquito net is life-changing. In a number of interviews we have heard repeatedly that mosquitos are a serious problem, that can cause serious health issues such as malaria. The problem is especially severe around the rainy season and in the countryside where there are pools of standing water.
The children who are the intended recipients of the bedkits require a good night’s sleep in order to maximize their ability to concentrate during the day at school. Many children underperform in school and the cause is directly related to their not getting the rest that is necessary for children. This situation can be alleviated by providing a mosquito net.
Parents of children who receive the mosquito nets are thrilled to be able to report that this change has been instrumental in the improved learning results of their children.
Each donation is significant and each recipient receives a hand up, not a hand out in life’s journey.
Thank you to each and every donor.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: AUGUST 27
Day 9 — A Letter That Touched Our Hearts ❤️
254 Bedkits. 5 Schools. Countless smiles. One unforgettable letter. ❤️
After the distribution, a young boy walked up to me and handed me a letter. It was written in Spanish. I could read the words, but I couldn't fully understand what he wanted to say. I handed the letter to one of the Rotaractors, who kindly read it and explained its meaning to me.
The boy was expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the SCAW team for the gift he and his friends had received that day. That simple letter touched all of us deeply. ❤️
Sometimes, a small gift can make a huge difference in a child's life - and sometimes, a child's few words can become a priceless gift to those who came to serve and to our donors.
Today, 254 bed kits were distributed, with children from five local schools coming together to receive bedkits, clothing, and school supplies.
We came to Honduras hoping to bring smiles to children.
Today, one young boy reminded us that those smiles, those thank-yous, and those little moments of gratitude are gifts we carry home in our hearts.
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS 2026: August 27
Day 8 was more than a record-breaking distribution. It was a day of humanity, team work and unforgettable smiles - a day that reminded all of us that a small act of kindness can create a very big dream.
Day 8 became a truly historic day for Sleeping Children Around the World in Honduras - the biggest bedkit distribution of our Honduras journey so far.
We reached the school premises around 7:15 am. More than 20 schools had brought their children to receive the bedkits, and the school grounds were already filled with excited children and patiently waiting parents. Their anticipation was clearly visible on their faces.
After a brief orientation, we got ready for the distribution. As always, the children first received their new clothes and backpacks and then came forward for their photographs. After the photo session, they moved to receive their bedkits.
It was a truly heart-touching experience.
The smiles on the children's faces were impossible to describe. Their happiness was simple, genuine and contagious. For us, every smile was a reminder of why we were there. These were not just bedkits being handed out - they were gifts of comfort, dignity and the promise of a better night's sleep.
The day began hot, as usual. About an hour into the program, the sky suddenly became cloudy, and we started worrying that rain might interrupt the distribution. A few drops fell, but fortunately the clouds soon cleared, allowing us to continue the distribution and photography smoothly.
The school itself has a huge and impressive campus. One particularly interesting part was its practical training facilities, including a woodworking department and a mechanical laboratory. These programs give students valuable hands-on skills and prepare them for the future, helping them become capable and productive members of society.
Throughout the day, the Rotarians, Rotaractors, teachers, volunteers and SCAW team worked together with tremendous energy and dedication. Despite the heat, the long hours and the occasional rain, everyone remained focused on one goal - to bring a little more comfort and happiness into the lives of these children.
By the end of the day, 900 children had received their bedkits. And that night, 900 children would go to sleep a little more comfortably, surrounded by the simple things every child deserves - a clean bed, warmth, comfort and the feeling that some one cares.
Nine hundred children.
Nine hundred smiles.
Nine hundred dreams.
What a great day!
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: August 26
Our day began early as we were up by 5:30 am, had breakfast at 6:30 am and departed Kigali for a trip to the northern part of Rwanda, the Rulindo District, at 7:30 am for the 2 ½ hour drive to get to our distribution site. Moms, dads and guardians were eagerly waiting with their children when we arrived.
After some short words by the local government official and the SCAW champion of our overseas partner (OVP), the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga (RCKV), we were given the opportunity to thank our OVP for all the hard work they do in support of this distribution. More importantly, we also showed the happy crowd what was in the bedkit, and it was very gratifying to hear the joy as each item was shown! These bedkits mean a lot to these families and they very much appreciate receiving one! They make a real difference.
On completion of the distribution, we travelled back to Kigali and were invited to our OVP weekly Fellowship meeting. The theme of the evening touched on various projects that the RCKV has undertaken and how to raise funds for various projects for the maximum benefit of the recipients. The SCAW Rwanda team was asked to explain how SCAW raises money to support the bedkit programme. This was explained in some detail to the delight of the Rotary Club members and they were inspired when they heard that SCAW is a 100% charity, getting support of like-minded folks who are happy to donate and volunteer their skills, resources and time to carry out the SCAW mission.
We returned back to our accommodation around 9:30 pm, tired after this 16-hour day and we will definitely sleep well, knowing that those children receiving bedkits today will also have a better sleep.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: RWANDA, 2026: august 23-25
After much coordination, months of planning, double checking, and living-in-the-moment type changes that are all part of the distribution cycle, our six-person Canadian SCAW Team Rwanda, 2026 all met at Lester Pearson International Airport at 3:30 pm on Sunday, 23 August. By 7:20 pm we were airborne on our first leg from Toronto to Brussels for our 7 ½ hour flight and we landed in Brussels at 7:05 am local time. About three hours later, we departed Brussels for Kigali and arrived 7:07 pm local time on Monday, 24 August, after being airborne for another 8 ½ hours.
We were met by our overseas volunteer partner (OVP) committee chair, Rotarian James Butare, who has been the chair of this very important Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga project for the past three years and continues to do an amazing job. The OVP does the vast majority of the work when it comes to distributing bedkits and this work is done by Rotarians who have full-time jobs. We will explain the detail of the OVP support to SCAW in another blog. It’s important to acknowledge that we could not do distributions without an OVP as they are key to the success of the SCAW bedkit distributions.
On Tuesday, 25 August, after finally getting to bed the night before, we needed to do some logistical activities such as picking up local currency (Rwandan franc - Rwf), activate a local number on cell phones, buy bottled water and chaired a pre-distribution meeting with our OVP. We found accommodation that was affordable with a very functional kitchen and had a hearty breakfast before starting out.
Tomorrow morning, 26 August, the team will be spending 2 ½ hours in the van driven by the same outstanding driver that we had last year. Luckily he will be driving us for the next two weeks.
What makes participating in a SCAW bedkit distribution such a fulfilling activity are the like-minded people that you meet, who are willing to do what it takes to get a bedkit in the hands of a child who really needs it. This, in turn, helps that child and family face various challenges a little more easily due to a good night’s sleep.
For the Children.
Team Rwanda, 2026
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: August 25
Today was our 7th distribution day in Aldea Las Casitas. We were greeted by 300 very excited children, parents and teachers anxiously awaiting our arrival.
One of the many things I’ve observed while working with the children is the happiness and surprise on their faces once they arrive to have their photograph taken. At this point, the children are seated just behind the bedkit that has been neatly arranged and displayed in front of them. They are able to look down and see all the bedkit’s contents and it occurred to me that the bedkit may contain one item that appeals to them most.
What is Your Favourite Item in the Bedkit?
Today, most children pointed to the mattress and bedding. Having an adequate and comfortable surface to sleep on is very important in so many ways - and the fact that it’s cover is brightly coloured and cartoon-themed surely caught their eye!
The backpack and school supplies were a second favourite. The children were excited about having a backpack not only to carry school supplies, but water bottles and other personal items. The older kids really appreciated the notebook and supplies!
The children also chose the treated mosquito net and clothing. Both are vital for providing warmth and protection from disease. It was very interesting to see which items appealed to the different age groups - but all could agree that they were very happy to be taking a bedkit home!!
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: august 21
I am a newbie at SCAW on my maiden trip and what has made the most impression on me during the first week would be the people.
First there are the children, the reason we are here. While handing out the bedkits I could see in their innocent eyes their appreciation of this gift of kindness. They were not only thrilled to receive the physical bedkit, but also were happy for the physical presence of the SCAW volunteers and the Rotary and Rotaract members who provided this to them and who interacted with them. It was obvious to the children that people care about them and this provides them with hope and inspiration for their future.
Next, a big shout-out to my team members who provide great camaraderie and support. Even though we are all from different backgrounds we are of like minds, in addition to being a well-travelled group with adventurous spirits. Most importantly, we all have a shared passion for helping others. Equally deserving of a shout-out are our OVPs, the Honduras Rotarians. They are fantastic in a number of ways. They are well-organized and professional which made the distributions go smoothly. It was a pleasure interacting with them and gaining more insight about the benefits SCAW provides to the children in the community. They are great hosts and have shared meals and welcomed us into their homes. Also on the support team are the Rotaracts (young Rotarians under the age of 35). We thoroughly enjoyed hearing their different stories and their dedicated community service is to be admired. These are the people who provide the foundation of the future.
I am looking forward to week number two of people helping people and seeing the happiness and appreciation on the faces of the children.
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: AUGUST 20
Last night we attended a Rotary club meeting and dinner. The highlight of the meeting was the enthusiastic singing of both national anthems. Danielle made a great speech outlining SCAW procedures such as country selection and the number of countries volunteers will visit or remotely support. She also talked about how 100% of your donation pays for the bedkit items, while of course thanking the Rotary club for their amazing support.
All our distributions start early with a quick breakfast at 6:00 and then we are on the road. However, we are not the only early risers. The children’s parents accompany the children and wait patiently outside the secure area to greet them and carry home the much-welcomed bedkit. An added bonus for the children is a treat donated by a Rotarian for the journey home. Today was a fairly large distribution of 700+ bedkits so there were lots of happy families.
Goodnight as we will be up early for the 5th distribution.
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: August 19
The third day of distributions in Honduras has successfully been completed. 1656 happy children have walked away with a bedkit. A $40 donation is all it takes to make a difference in the life of a child. The bedkits we give them provide the children with a good night’s sleep giving them a better chance to be successful in life.
It is such a pleasure for SCAW volunteers to be able to hand out the donated bedkits. Everywhere we go, we are greeted by people who thank us for coming.
So far we have not had interactions with the children’s parents; however, the teachers from the various schools accompanying the children to the distributions express over and over the gratitude felt by their school districts.
Many of the schools had made signs thanking both SCAW as well as the Rotarians, who help us make the distributions successful.
Waiting to have their picture taken, the children sit with broad smiles on their faces, holding up the signs
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: HONDURAS, 2026: August 18
Today was our second distribution day in Aldea Monte Redondo. We happily greeted 324 children and with the help of numerous volunteers, we finished our distribution before noon!
We then made our way to visit the mattress factory that made the mattresses and pillows for the bedkits. We were pleased to see all is well as it’s our first year partnering with them. All foam is made and measured for bedkits on site.
Mattress and pillow covers are made and packaged for bedkit distribution.
What resonated with me today while touring this facility was how important these mattresses are for the children who will be receiving them. SCAW’s whole philosophy is grounded in the importance of every child having a good night’s sleep for their overall heath and well-being.
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG:TEAM HONDURAS, 2026: AUGUST 17
Monday, August 17th marked our first - and biggest - bedkit distribution for the SCAW 2026 Honduras Team and my first-ever distribution. We distributed 771 bedkits to children in need. It was truly such an impactful day and one I will never forget. We gathered at one of the oldest and largest schools in Tegucigalpa, a school with approximately 3,000 students that is celebrating its 148th year.
When we pulled up to the school, I instantly felt overwhelmed with emotion - not only because of the sheer magnitude of the school itself, but also because of the impact of what we were about to do. Immediately, I was blown away by how kind, thoughtful, organized and committed everyone was. The Rotarians, the school staff, the student volunteers- everyone played such an important role. The Mayor’s wife honoured us with a visit. She appreciated all of our hard work and was happy to see the distribution process in real time.
However, the children made the most impact. Their long bus rides and early arrival times didn’t dampen their joy or beautiful smiles. My favourite moments of the day were: talking to the children in a mix of Spanish and English, receiving high-fives, props and hugs from them as they walked to go get their bedkit, and experiencing their excitement and happiness as they received their bed kits. These are all memories I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
As my first-ever distribution day comes to a close, my heart is filled with gratitude that I am able to have this experience alongside my mum. I came here hoping to make a difference in the lives of these children, but, after only Day 1, I am realizing how deeply they will have made a difference in mine.
Team Honduras, 2026
Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW Canada 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TANZANIA, 2026: August 14
Team Tanzania 2026: Family, Friendship and Community
For two unforgettable weeks in Dar es Salaam, Team Tanzania 2026 experienced far more than a 10-day distribution. We became part of a community, built friendships, shared countless smiles and witnessed the extraordinary power of family working together to give back.
Over 10 days, we visited 10 schools and provided 700 children each day with a bedkit—7,000 children in total. Every child received a knapsack, school uniform (blue skirt or pants and white t-shirt), T-shirt, flip-flops, mattress, sheet, mosquito net, notebooks, pens and pencils, and a colourful kanga, a traditional piece of Tanzanian cloth that can be used in so many ways: as a towel, a baby carrier, a decorative wrap and much more.
Each morning, before the distribution began, we spoke with mothers and fathers about the importance of a good night's sleep and showed them what their children would be receiving. For many of the children, the flip-flops were especially meaningful; some arrived at school barefoot.
Although our days started early, the energy and enthusiasm of the children inspired us every step of the way. And each school brought us into a different local community, giving us a glimpse into everyday life in Tanzania that few visitors ever experience.
Our time in Tanzania was also about family.
We were privileged to visit Mama Wandoa and her family on their farm outside Dar es Salaam and attend her church, where we were treated to an incredible choir. We met her three children, Benjamin, Wendy and Eunice, who help lead the work as Sleeping Children Around the World's overseas partners in Tanzania, as well as some of her grandchildren, who are also involved on the ground.
The Wandoa family is incredibly close, generous and selfless. For more than two decades, they have given their time and energy to serving their community through Sleeping Children Around the World. At the heart of it all is the formidable matriarch, Mama Wandoa, a woman who is deeply respected throughout Tanzania. We were honoured to work alongside her family and to see firsthand how their commitment to others has become a family tradition passed from one generation to the next.
We also discovered that a distribution is built on friendship and partnership.
Our volunteers worked side by side with Mama Wandoa's family, local volunteers, charity UPENDO and our long-standing mattress partner, Unoplast. Not everyone spoke English, and the few Swahili words we knew were certainly not enough to carry a conversation. But somehow, communication happened. A smile, a gesture, a shared laugh or simply working together was enough.
We were one team.
The Dream Team, Tanzania 2026
Everyone understood why we were there: to give 7,000 children something as simple - and as important - as a safe, comfortable place to sleep. Better sleep can help prepare a child for another day of learning, playing and growing. We may never know what impact these mattresses and bedkits will have years from now. But perhaps that's the point. Big change often begins with small individual acts.
The experience also reminded us why travel with purpose can be so powerful. We didn't just see Tanzania through the eyes of a visitor. We met its people, visited homes and communities, shared meals and music, stood in schools and churches, and experienced the warmth, generosity and resilience of Tanzanian families.
We came to Tanzania to help children. We left feeling that Tanzania had given something to us, too.
The 2026 Team Tanzania experience was ultimately about family, friendship and community - the belief that we are all connected and that each of us can make a difference.
These small acts of kindness won't solve all of the world's problems. But they are an important reminder that kindness and goodness still exist in the world, and that there are people everywhere who believe in giving back.
If you want to travel with purpose, experience a country and its people beyond the sanitized tourist version, and make a meaningful contribution to children and communities around the world, consider travelling with Sleeping Children Around the World.
You may arrive thinking you're going to change a child's life.
You may leave realizing that the experience changed yours, too.
Team Tanzania, 2026
Upendo AIDS Information and Counseling Centre 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦