SCAW distributions are always an adventure, providing continuous learning opportunities, usually giving one hours of travel experience using various modes of transportation in interesting countries, while being exposed to different cultures all in support of getting to the country where the distribution will take place!
As no distribution is the same, our travel experience was unique . . . a 7 ½ hour flight from Toronto to Brussels and an 8 ½ hour flight from Brussels to Kigali, Rwanda . . . just as scheduled. It was a totally different experience from last year’s trip to Rwanda, which took much longer.
After the standard customs clearance and arrival procedures, we were met by our very enthusiastic and hard-working Overseas Volunteer Partner, (OVP) the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga (RCKV) who immediately made us feel at home.
Our SCAW team of five have come from various parts of Ontario. After some well-earned sleep following our 24 hour continuous travel experience, we spent our ‘rest’ day having our first full Canadian team meeting, followed by our Pre-Distribution meeting with our OVP, obtaining local e-sim cards for our phones, picking up some local currency and making a quick visit to a local market.
We also got to experience a Celebration of Life event in the evening in honour of the Mother-in-Law of our RCKV SCAW Chair volunteer member who passed away just before we came to Rwanda. We wanted to support him during this difficult time for the family and the family much appreciated it. On distributions you often feel part of the family of the OVP as we have become very close over the past year with the various activities involved with the distributions. And the main reason for this is our shared steadfast belief that children need a good night’s sleep to be more healthy and better able to handle the many challenges that they face.
Tomorrow is Day 1 of distributing a total of 5,000 bedkits over the next 10 days. We do all of this as volunteers . . . for the children!
Team Rwanda, 2025
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 and SCAW 🇨🇦