SCAW Blog: Sierra Leone, 2025: October 29

Fun on the last day! 

125 mattresses greeted us as we drove into the school we have used for the last 4 days. 

While the children were being gathered, our fearless leader was entertaining the children in somewhat of an unorthodox way  by blowing bubbles and then eating them! Imagine the look on their faces! 😝

Some children laughed but, better yet, some wanted to try it themselves. 

Once the children had all arrived the distribution ran smoothly and we completed another successful distribution. Thanks SCAW donors for your commitment to the children. 

Team Sierra Leone, 2025

Eco-Soap Bank 🇸🇱 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sierra Leone, 2025: October 28

Freetown, Sierra Leone: Street Living

The streets of Sierra Leone are different than any other country I have visited. It is just a different look, feel, energy, sound and smell.

Sierra Leoneans use the streets of their cities as their living space which includes kitchen, living area and sometimes bedroom. It is their market, place of business, place to socialize and have fun. Please look at the 2-minute slow motion street scene video and the sights will fill in the absent sounds and smells.

Other visuals: ice cream vendor selling cones for 20 cents, wood fired clothing iron in a tailor shop, a furniture maker, barber shop, belching exhausts, amazing side streets, entertaining moto-taxi signs (called Ke Keh in Sierra Leone), and (perhaps tongue in cheek) Submissive Wife Restaurant and Husband is the Head Supermarket, football practice on the beach at sunset and so much more.

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This is a fascinating country!

Team Sierra Leone, 2025

Eco-Soap Bank 🇸🇱 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sierra Leone, 2025: October 27

Thank you

A simple "thank you" can change everything - it turns strangers into friends

and moments into memories.

English is spoken in Sierra Leone, and throughout the day, it rings out across our SCAW distribution.

Thank you from each of our 22 volunteers (many teachers), as we present them with a simple pin - a symbol of friendship between Canada and Sierra Leone.

Thank you from our overseas partners - this being our first SCAW distribution in Sierra Leone, they have worked tirelessly to make it the success it is.

Thank you from every child who receives a SCAW bedkit and all its treasures.

Many thank-yous from the parents and their communities. And thank you to the tailors who, in 6 weeks, made 500 sets of clothing, the backpacks, the fitted bedsheets and the pillow cases!

Thank you to our driver, who ensures we arrive safely at each distribution and back home again.

And finally, thank you to all our SCAW donors for creating so many thank-yous.

Team Sierra Leone, 2025

Eco-Soap Bank 🇸🇱 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sierra Leone, 2025: October 26

A New Adventure Begins

For the first time in SCAW history we have a team on the ground in Sierra Leone, Africa!

After an almost 2 hour drive along the beautiful countryside of Freetown we entered the small village of Waterloo. Eco-Soap Bank approached Sleeping Children about 7 years ago and with true diligence they responded to the requirements necessary to be accepted as a new Overseas Partner. 

This morning we met at the Eco-Soap storage facility. This husband and wife team employ 25 unskilled workers who re-cycle used bars of soaps shipped from all over the United States to a factory here in the small community of Waterloo. Scraps of unused soaps from hotels across the country go to schools with challenged students, orphanages, detention centres and other schools! They work with 4 major international organizations including World Vision. 

They connected with Sleeping Children Around the World all from a random Google search! On a trial basis the team is here to deliver 500 bedkits to children from 4 different schools who need them the most in the Waterloo community. They have worked with the teachers and the community leaders and, along with 20 volunteers, we were able to enrich the lives of 125 students today. We delivered the bedkits in a roped-off area identical to the daily flow chart that was presented to them as new OVPs (Overseas Volunteer Partners) . 

Since it was Sunday we were surprised to see the children in their uniforms to receive their gifts.

We head back to the same site tomorrow to welcome another school so stay tuned!

Team Sierra Leone, 2025

Eco-Soap Bank 🇸🇱 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sierra Leone, 2025: October 25

From Togo to Sierra Leone Travel Day

With lots of hugs for Messenh, Frida and Dosseh we left Togo for a relatively smooth flight to Siera Leone. The only serious delay was Sue Small had so charmed the people of Togo, they didn’t want her to leave and after an hour of delays and filling out extra forms her passport was finally stamped, and we made our flight!

As you can see from the map, Freetown Airport is a ferry ride to the city of Freetown and we enjoyed a beautiful 40-minute trip with a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

We also made new friends (with the beautiful earrings) as you can see in the photo below.

We are excited to meet the new group in Sierra Leone for our very first distribution in this country!

Team Sierra Leone, 2025

Eco-Soap Bank 🇸🇱 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blogs: Guatemala, 2025: October 16-18

October 16 Blog

The Terrain & Travel in Guatemala 

Guatemala is known for its mountains and volcanoes. There is still one active volcano “Fuego” which emits smoke every 15-20 minutes.

To avoid a 6 hour drive we chartered two small planes and flew to Cobán which is a city of approximately 2 million people. The small plane allows you to see the mountainous terrain with steep windy roads. We drove for another 2 hours to reach our destination, Las Arrugas Verapaz.

During our drive we encountered many potholes and partially blocked roads due to fallen rocks and mud slides. It rained at times which created pooling water and further delay.

There is no municipal transportation in towns so residents rely primarily on motorcycles and tuktuks to navigate the hilly streets. Many bedkit recipients used tuktuks. In more remote areas the roads are not paved and are very slippery after a rainfall.

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

October 17 Blog

Home Visits

In the area of Guatemala we visited, there is a prominent Mayan culture and the people in the homes we visited spoke one of the 20 dialects. A local teacher accompanied us to the homes and translated for us.

We walked a steep, narrow and muddy path to a house make of wood with a corrugated metal roof. It had a busy courtyard with free range chickens and turkeys. There is a small cooking area where meals are prepared over an open wood fire. The family had 4 children and one bed with a mattress and a second bed with a wood base but no mattress until the bedkit arrived. There is one very small electric light and no indoor plumbing but the family has a water collection system. The earth floor was carefully swept. The family’s  belongings were organized on two small shelves. The mother had constructed a loom using a discarded bicycle wheel and wove traditional scarves, which she sold to help her 15 year old daughter continue with high school.

The second home had one small room with a bed and a tiny lean-to on the side for cooking. The walls were make of old corrugated steel full of holes. This family has one son about 8. The mother was most appreciative of the mosquito net and blanket.

Thank you to the wonderful donors who make this all possible.

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

October 18 Blog

As we complete our distribution of 4000 bedkits to the children of Guatemala, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our hosts and partner coordinators Noe Caal (Alta Verapez) and Isabel Zacarias (Quiche) with Students Offering Support and Guatemala Ground Swell. Their work in assembling a small army of volunteers in their community made for a wonderfully successful experience.

SOS Volunteers

From our initial welcome in the community centre to our final distribution in small village school, we were surrounded by a supportive community. Thank you to the mayors, teachers, parents, and youthful volunteers who made everything work. On every distribution day, our team and volunteers were given a nutritious lunch. Each day we had the pleasure of working with volunteers that treated the children with gentleness and could reassure the young ones in their native Mayan. Children were excited but often very reserved at the camera.

Welcome ceremony

Mothers waited patiently to carry home the bedkit. Many women shifted it to their head to balance it for the trip home.

Some were able to take a tuktuk to carry the load, while others fit tightly into a community bus.

Little girls returned with hand made gifts for the team

The turkey in the family courtyard often finds its way to a traditional soup with special guests being given the wing!

Pamac home

Hill top village

Life at the top of the mountain. Wood is used for cooking

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Togo, 2025: October 24

Fun on our final day!

Imagine our delight when we drove up to the cheers of the children on the final day in Togo. When they saw the truck carrying the mattresses and bedkits they could not contain their cheers and excitement!

The mattresses were quickly unloaded while the 2 principals called the names of the children who then assembled in a classroom, waiting anxiously for us to set up the photo site.

In the meantime, 2 of the SCAW team members showed the waiting 125 children what exactly they would be receiving. Their cheers could be heard in the next village! 👏

500 children will rest peacefully tonight and all thanks to the wonderful SCAW donors!

Team Togo, 2025

Association Developpement Enfance et Social Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Togo, 2025: October, 23

   Kindness

                          The light of kindness

                           is always in you.

                           It's like a superpower

                           that gives you the ability

                           to find your purpose,

                           to change life,

                           and to make the world a better place. 

Kindness was found everywhere today:

- in our awesome volunteers

- in our new SCAW children

- in their parents and grandparents

- in their teachers and principal

- in our bus driver, and

- in our SCAW team.

Thank you to our donors for enabling us to spread kindness.

Team Togo, 2025

Association Developpement Enfance et Social Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Togo, 2025: October 22

Time, Talent and Treasure

Sleeping Children is back in Togo after several years absence, thanks to ADES – Togo*, a new charitable organization specifically set up to partner with SCAW and resume helping Togo children living in poverty – and all of it because of the leadership of brothers, Messenh and Dosseh.

Followers of SCAW in Togo might remember these two from the ‘three musketeers’, who, as young men with their cousin, helped every SCAW team, every day. Well, they are now in their 30s, have families and wish to give back this time with their time, talent and treasure. They formed ADES – Togo with about 25 young women and men (21 volunteers were at the first distribution!) and it is a joy to see them bring joy to the distributions as they help organize, play and interact with the children, families and us, the SCAW volunteers.

Three of the four on our team have been to previous Togo distributions and see the ‘three musketeers’ in all the ADES – Togo members. High praise!

Their logo represents it all - for the children they (and we) are helping be happy, joyful, playful, safe and cared for.

Team Togo, 2025

Association Developpement Enfance et Social Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦

*Association Developpement Enfance et Social

SCAW Blog: Togo, 2025: October 21, 2025

“ I am good, I am great” 🎼 🎼 🎼

That was the song that the children sang to us in English at the completion of a successful first day distribution in Togo! We are thrilled to be back in Togo with the ADES - Togo (Association Developpement Enfance et Social) group after a gap of a few years. And they didn’t disappoint - 125 children experiencing poverty received the gift of a bedkit to ensure a good night’s sleep!

We also were able to visit 2 homes of children in the village of Bolougan who received a bedkit today. Here we witnessed a co-op where they made clay pots and bricks. They had a 300 meter deep well which supplied the village with water, saving them having to walk several miles to get water from the river!

The first house was made of clay and housed a family of 8 which included a young girl. The second house was of a single mother and her 12 year old boy and what we noticed right away were sayings on the wall in chalk. The young boy was a big fan of soccer and we knew that because of what was written.

We are off to a great start and thankful for the donors and the smiles that we received today!

Team Togo, 2025

Association Developpement Enfance et Social Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Guatemala, 2025: October 14

Today was our first day of three days of distributions in San Juan Cotzal.  At 8:30 AM we arrived at the local recreation centre which was filled with children, parents teachers and volunteers, all anxious for the opening ceremonies and the distribution.

The ceremonies began with the procession of the flags of Canada and Guatemala followed by the SCAW team with an honour guard of 6-7 year old smiling children dressed in their new fleece outfits waving balloons and Canadian flags.

This was followed by the singing of the national anthems of Guatemala and Canada and then addresses by the local SOS coordinator Isabela, the local coordinator of Education, and the Mayor. Then we were entertained with traditional dancing and singing by a group of young girls and one boy in traditional attire. This boy stole the show with his talent and stage presence. We can only imagine the performer he will be in ten years.

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We then set up for the distribution of 250 bedsits in the morning. We had been concerned about the weather because it was raining when we awoke in the AM but it did settle in the morning. During the early afternoon there was hard rain shower for a short period which did not affect the distribution of 350 bedsits. 

By the time we finished for the afternoon it had cleared and we walked about 1.5 km, almost all uphill, back to our hotel. This gave us a chance to see everyday life in this community and to get some fresh air. It was time for a short rest, then supper and early to bed as we will be busy tomorrow.

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Guatemala, 2025: October 13

Today, we left San Cristobal to travel by small coach to San Juan Cotzal for the second half of our distributions. Before departing we were treated to a lovely breakfast at our hotel by the very supportive mayor of San Cristobal, Mr Celso Gue Gua. He shared his passion for education and his enthusiasm for SCAW’s work.

The trip was 121 km through the mountains - over a mix of paved, gravel and washed-out roads. The elevation changes and hairpin turns made for both spectacular views and nail-biting moments. A short stop for lunch in Nebaj allowed us to stretch our legs and see the central square complete with an underground parking garage. It was a long trip made enjoyable through our good spirited team.

Upon arrival we said “adios” to Noe, our San Cristobal host and “mucho gusto” to Isabelle who will host us in Cotzal. Together with their teams, they have done an extraordinary job preparing for the distribution of 4,000 bedkits to be evenly split between the two regions.

We can’t thank them enough!

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Guatemala, 2025: October 12

Today we began with breakfast and then a short ride to the San Cristobal Municipal Center where children and their parents were assembled to receive the 1000 plus bedkits we were distributing. Our young volunteers and their supervisors from SOS were there earlier and already had many children registered and about 50 changed into their new clothes and ready for the distribution when we arrived.

Our SCAW team of six is supported in San Cristobal by about 20 youth and their supervisors. These amazing young people are mentors and mentees with with the Canadian supported SOS program here, in which high school students support elementary students in their studies and encourage them to continue their education beyond the grade 6 level. The youth ranged in age from 11 to 18 years. They performed various tasks including lifting the heavy bedkits and carrying them to the waiting parents, comforting and supporting children, registering the children and, most importantly, translating for us from English to Spanish and Mayan dialects.

One young man who we both worked with for translation told us he improved his English by watching TV in English and listening to music. He delighted in conversation about his future and his desire to study Tourism next year as he just finished High School. The smooth running of our distribution was made possible because of the bright, smiling cheerful youth and their supervisors who were always supportive to us and respectful of the children.

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Guatemala, 2025: October 11

First Day of Bedkit Distributions in San Cristóbal, Guatemala:

Today in San Cristóbal, Guatemala, I witnessed something extraordinary. My first day distributing bedkits with Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) unfolded like a well-executed plan amidst smiles, enthusiastic hugs and genuine warmth.

As we arrived, the air buzzed with anticipation. Children lined up with radiant smiles, their eyes wide with curiosity and gratitude. Their manners were impeccable - each “gracias” delivered with sincerity that moved us all. Mothers stood nearby, wrapped in vibrant shawls woven with intricate patterns, layered over blouses and flowing skirts that told stories of heritage and resilience. Their pride of family was unmistakable.

Under the expert guidance of our seasoned trip leader, what began as a bustling scene quickly transformed into a finely tuned operation. Over 1,000 bedkits - each containing a mattress, blanket, mosquito net, school supplies and clothing - were distributed with care and efficiency. Student volunteers, brimming with energy and ingenuity, adapted swiftly to every challenge. The girls reorganized queues, held the hands of little ones and ensured that bubbling energy was managed between kit handoffs. Meanwhile the boys demonstrated strength and compassion lifting the large kits onto the waiting heads of proud mothers - or carrying them out for those parents who needed a little help.

What struck me most was the harmony. In a place where resources are limited, generosity flowed freely. Every smile exchanged, every kit handed over, every photo captured was coming together as one appreciative community.

This wasn’t just aid - it was connection. A reminder that dignity and joy can thrive in the simplest acts of giving. I felt humbled and inspired. Tomorrow brings more kits, more faces, more stories - but today will stay with me forever.

Team Guatemala, 2025

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2025: September

Cameroon 2025: The final countdown

The SCAW team and the United Action for Children of Cameroon finished up the distribution of 1500 bedkits when 350 children at Dibombari received their gifts for a better night’s sleep.

We were met by the two principals of the school who welcomed and thanked us for coming to their school and helping 350 students.

This was one very well-organized school, where part of the children’s education was spent on keeping the school and surrounding areas clean and tidy. We were impressed to watch as children carrying hoes, rakes, shovels, and machetes tidied the school grounds. It was fascinating to watch a young student expertly sharpening a machete! It’s a different world without a doubt!

Team Cameroon, 2025

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2025: September 18

Today we went to a school in Bomongo Gare and distributed 350 bedkits to students from the school as well as children from the local village.  It was another very hot and humid day but “everyday is like this” said our driver, Roger.  Cameroon is a bilingual country just like Canada but the area where we are staying is primarily French-speaking.  My high school French teacher would be pleased to hear me speaking French each day (although I am far from fluent).  The children and staff seem to appreciate that I am trying my best to communicate. As always, a handshake, high five, thumbs up and big smile are the universal language of communication and friendship. I will always treasure those interactions with the children.

Tomorrow is our last day and we will be off to one more school to distribute another 350 bedkits before we fly home tomorrow night.

Team Cameroon, 2025

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2025: September 17

Today we had the pleasure of meeting the chief of Bomono ba Mbenquè.  Monsieur Dibanda welcomed us into his home and was grateful that the children of l’École Publique de Bomono ba Mbenquès and surrounding areas were going to receive their bedkits.

Our group was very impressed with the patience, enthusiasm, joy and the warm welcome we received from the children.  We were able to make 425 children super happy today. 

Team Cameroon, 2025

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: September 4

Our ninth day of distribution was held at Ibrahim Gamero school. Our first challenge was for our driver to negotiate access roads to the school which were very narrow and cluttered with vehicles. After drop-off we all descended steep narrow stone steps without hand rails and already congested with children, parents and numerous dogs, to enter the school. This slowed our progress.

The school had been built on the side of a cliff with small classrooms and two sets of access stairs. Our leader tĥen had to develop a plan for the steps of the distribution: registration, tee-shirts, backpacks, staging, pictures, bedkits and exit. All stages were set up quickly with the help of our Rotarians, Rotoractors and municipal supporters who had been working with us and knew our set-up plan. 

We were then ready to initiate our distribution and the waìting and excited children were processed into our stages initially in groups of 10.  This allowed our process to move quickly.

Some of the younger children at times seemed nervous and afraid of us as they did not fully understand who we were and what was happenin̈g, but we had individuals with us speaking Spanish and providing support to address any concerns. Several delays in our process occurred due to children being delayed by traffic or scheduling but eventually we completed our distribution of 501 bedkits.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: September 3

We are in Honduras, a country that makes your mind contort as you look around.  There is a large influence from the other “America” here - everything from KFC, to McDonalds, to Walmart, Costco, Dunkin Donuts - and coffee shops on every corner. When you look at the other side of the road you will see shanties (chabolas) that are merely stone walls with metal roofs with logs on the roof to hold them down in the wind. But what is also here is crime, although you might not see it as obviously. Here the gangs run the rural parts of the country, just outside the city, where the poorest of the poor are.

It is risky for us “gringos” to venture into those areas and also risky for the children who come to collect their bedkits, as we are traversing on their territory.  So we teeter on the edge . . . going to schools near - or between - gang run areas (with police or municipal escorts, of course - just in case).  That's about as close as we can get that will allow us to help the children, but not endanger anyone, and that keeps our Rotarian and Rotaractor colleagues safe and at peace with their community.  

So why do we come here if it's somewhat dangerous?  Well we don't really go into danger zones, but mostly because the children need us! So far we have been to 3 schools in borderline areas and each school has thanked us immensely for “not forgetting them,” and for including their children in our program.  The smiles, the comments such as “God bless you,” of “I love you” that we hear from the children  along with the high-fives and the hugs help us all know how gratifying this work can be. 

Maybe WE are the hope that these children need to feel pulling them towards a different way of life as they get older?

That’s why we come here.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: September 2

As a fellow Rotarian and a past Rotaractor (young/future Rotarians) it warms my heart to know how Rotarians are very dedicated in their service to mankind all over the world. Here in Honduras, members of the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa have many projects but Sleeping Children is one of their top initiatives. This also applies to the Rotaractors who this year invited other Rotaractor clubs in the city to join the distribution to both see what it is and to engage in cross-club initiatives and networking.  It is the strength and dedication of these two organizations that pull this all together and deliver it alongside our SCAW travelling volunteers.

In cooperation with SCAW over the past approx. 20 years, these organizations have improved the lives and given hope for the future of over 100,000 Honduran children. 

We are very excited and humbled to be crossing this milestone with them on this distribution.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦