SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: September 1

Today’s school had a very confined centre court. The children were streaming in one closely guarded door as the street was full of excited parents, relatives and community members.

The school presented us with a very exuberant dance routine using vibrantly ribboned hoops and gymnastics.

The distribution of 486 bedkits flowed smoothly. As an added bonus for the children today they received medical attention from a team of health care providers.

Mawdy is an international organization in 23 countries and operates in Honduras to provide a suite of insurance services. They brought many staff and the health care organization they contract with (Integrasalud Hn) provided health care services to the children. Dental care staff applied fluoride treatment. Nurses and doctors gave out vitamins and deworming medication and did health checks as needed. Mawdy has been supporting SCAW with this one day of services for 3 years, and next year they want to extend it to two days.
This service is available for children, teaching and administrative staff of the schools, and parents, when the delivery of the bedkits allows it.

The family doctor who attended, identified the top three health challenges for Honduran children; access to care, tinea (fungal infections of the skin on the body and feet), and dengue (a mosquito-born viral infection). The mosquito netting included in the bedkits will be especially appreciated.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 29

So far, all the bedkits have been distributed on the grounds of schools.  Most of the schools have a central courtyard (play or assembly area) ringed by classrooms. 

Although gray cement abounds, great care has been taken to make these spaces bright and cheerful learning areas.  The walls are painted in bright colours, lessons are posted on the walls, interesting art hangs from the ceiling, and eye catching displays adorn the spaces.

Each day we look forward to seeing the creativity these educators bring to their students to enhance their learning experience.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 28

On distribution day 4, we left the city to travel 20 miles to the forest. With our trusty Rotarian driver, Casar,  we navigated hills, curves, bumps and dirt roads on our way to Los Limones in Central District, arriving at Sergio Palacios School. Upon arrival, our competent Rotarian and Rotaract teams initiated set-up of our shade canopy to provide a comfortable space for our distribution.

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Our distribution team reviewed the premises to plan how to use the space and set up our camera, bedkits and left space to manage the flow of the children.

Upon completion of set-up, a welcome and thankful exercise was presented by the school along with prayers and a musical performance by an aspiring young female vocalist. We then completed our distribution of 431 bedkits to very thankful, happy and smiling boys and girls. 

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Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 27

Beating the Rain

As all of our sights in Honduras are school locations, today is no different. This primary Catholic school, Escuel Monsenor Fallis, is much larger than previous schools with a huge courtyard. The Rotarians erected a large tent which provided ample protection from the elements for the kids. Rain threatened all day but it was the wind that caused more complications with the huge tent nearly achieving lift-off numerous times. With approximately 600 bedkits to distribute today’s distribution is larger than most.

When we finished, Rotarians and Rotaracts invited our team to lunch at Portobello, where we all enjoyed pizza. With impeccable timing the skies opened and it poured!

The day wrapped up with us attending the weekly Rotarian Social, which was held at our hotel. Another successful day!

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 26

We arrived at the school, Pedro Nufio, which we had visited yesterday post-distribution to scope out the best site for picture-taking and to develop flow logistics. The municipality had set up a large tent providing shade over the small centre court for the children to enter, be dressed in t-shirts and given backpacks, and be ready to move for picture-taking.

The team was given a warm welcome and treated to a lively Honduran dance performed by girls dressed in brightly-coloured  skirts.

The boys wore their straw wide-brimmed hats (chapellerie traclet).

Their  smiles and joy were shared with us!

Many municipal volunteers, as well as Rotarian and Rotaracts, helped the SCAW team with all the steps involved in distributing the bedkits.

Some of children travelled an hour from other schools to attend and receive their bedkit. They were so thankful and happy.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 25

Distribution #1 is in the Books!

Today was a very successful start for Team Honduras.  Five hundred and twenty-three bedkits were distributed today with relative ease.  With Danielle on the photos, Masud lining up the kids, Cathy staging, Sue pulling labels, Jan checking labels and Bill handing out bedkits we preformed like a well-oiled machine. 

This could not have been achieved without the unwavering support and hard work of the Tegucigalpa Rotary and Rotaracts, and of course our very generous donors.  We hope all those adorable children are enjoying a good night’s sleep tonight.

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2025: August 24

The Honduras 2025 team has arrived and is already hard at work. We had our first meeting with some of the Rotarian team this morning.  We examined all the items in the bedkit that the children will receive (spoiler alert: they are great!); were told of the locations; discussed the general site setup; and heard about all the hard work that has already been done by the Rotarians to make this distribution of 5000 bedkits run smoothly. 

Tomorrow we meet the children and we are so excited!

Team Honduras, 2025

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: September 5

An exciting day was had by all. Today we celebrated the giving of 7000 bedkits. The SCAW team is so grateful to have had the experience and opportunity to support the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa's project to help the children of Honduras. 

The success of the distribution was largely due to the extraordinary effort of Rotarian Edgardo Yescas and the tireless Rotaractors led by Ciara and Andrea. In addition, a big thank you to everyone involved and to our donors who make this all possible.

Team Honduras, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: September 4

Our crack team of volunteers was on the road at 6:30 this morning, on our way to today's distribution at a school within the city. Our very capable driver, César, negotiated morning traffic on narrow streets to once again deliver us safely to our destination. 

When we arrived, many of today's 700 bedkit recipients and their teachers were already waiting for us in the covered courtyard. The sound of excitement and anticipation was wonderful for us to hear.

Our team got to work preparing for the flow of children through the various stations of the process. Team member Neil worked with some of the local volunteers to build a small set of steps to help the little ones get up to the area set up for photo taking. Another excellent example of team effort.

Once our process began, it moved smoothly and we completed the distribution of today's 700 bedkits. Very satisfying for us, and appreciated by the children. 

Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped in at the warehouse where the bedkit items are being stored and assembled into kits, just to do a final count before our last day of distributions tomorrow. All looks good!

Thanks to our generous donors, another 700 children will sleep a little better tonight.

Buenas noches!

Team Honduras, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: September 3

Fun fact: the Honduran flag 🇭🇳.

The two blue lines represent the two bodies of water (Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea). The white represents the land between the two bodies of water. The five stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 represent the 5 Central American countries: Guatemala,🇬🇹 Costa Rica 🇨🇷, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, El Salvador 🇸🇻 and Honduras🇭🇳 

A mosaic made of stones

When arriving at a distribution site, we have to assess the best way to move the children through the area to receive their bedkit. We try to keep the route easy, with no obstacles.

Figuring out the logistics

At today's location we had to find a way to move the bedkits, which were stored on an upper level, to an area accessible for the children so they didn't have to climb stairs. 

Today's creative, innovative and fun way of moving the bedkits involved a few people tossing them from the second floor to the first.

Many volunteers formed a "conga line" that help move them to the endpoint so the children could collect their bedkit safely.

Sometimes we have to take a pause due to a backlog of children waiting to receive their bedkit. We entertained them by doing the Macarena as pictured below.

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Another way our team kept the children entertained during a pause is pictured below.

One of the Rotarians used his time in the Military to get the children to repeat some cadence drills. It was another successful distribution.

Team Honduras, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: September 2

“Teamwork makes the dream work “ is definitely an appropriate saying when referring to the results of the successful completion of a bedkit  distribution.

Rotary club and Rotaract members assist the SCAW Canadian team by translating phrases into Spanish that will be useful in directing the children on their way to receiving their bedkit.

Rotary, Rotaract & SCAW working together.

Parents and children taking their bedkits home.

Teachers and parents choose various modes of transportation such as a tuk-tuk taxi to travel to and from the bedkit distribution site.

Teachers returning home via tuk-tuk taxi after assisting at a bedkit distribution.

Team Honduras, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 31

The team and driver arrived at the school site at approximately 7:30 am. We were greeted with a traditional Honduran dance presented by 8 students.

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Today we had two exceptional cases where the SCAW and Rotary registered students had been hospitalized, unable to be present for their bedkit. Each parent provided a picture of the child, their registration was verified and we were grateful to honour the two children and their families with their bedkit.

Our hot and humid day concluded near 2:30 pm, after seeing almost 700 happy and satisfied faces.

Team Honduras 2024,

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦 

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 30

Today's distribution was at a school on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa. We were welcomed with music by children's marching bands and a delightful performance of a traditional dance by some impressive young children. 

Niños durmiendo alrededor el mundo is Spanish for Sleeping Children Around the World. 

Rousing music by a marching band. They have been practicing for the Honduran Independence Day parades on September 15th.

Children in traditional dress danced in our honour while proud families and teachers looked on.

Like every distribution, children were brought in from a number of schools in the area.

Each distribution site is different, but the one thing that remains constant is the wonderful team effort involved. It is truly inspiring to see the dedication of everyone involved in bringing bedkits to deserving children each day. 

We are a team of six representing SCAW (with the support of a lot of people back in Canada), but a successful day like today requires dozens of people working together, both on site and behind the scenes. Fortunately, we have such a group.

Team members all pitch in to move bedkits to the area where they are handed out. 

On to Day 6 tomorrow! Sleep well.

Team Honduras, 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 29

**Fun fact: the school year in Honduras 🇭🇳 is February to November. 

Another early morning start for the SCAW Team and our overseas partners, which also includes numerous volunteers (municipal workers, adult children and spouses of Rotary members, university students, etc.)

Ever wonder what it's like at the distribution sites in Honduras?

Once the children arrive they are checked in and assigned a number. From there they are given a white T-shirt (to be worn for the photo) and navy shorts.

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Then they are lined up in groups to get their picture taken. Once the photo is snapped, there's another check point and off they go to collect their bedkit.

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It was another successful distribution day!

Team Honduras 2024

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa  🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦 

SCAW Blog: Honduras 2024: August 28

The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa contracted with their supplier to provide mattresses, pillows, bed sheets and pillowcases in various Disney & cartoon prints which the children really love.

We were treated to a performance by a musical instrumental band.

The teachers from the five schools included in today’s distribution were very helpful in ensuring that children were reunited with their parents or put on the correct bus for the return trip to their neighbourhood with their bedkits to take to their homes.

Team Honduras 2024

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 26

After many months of planning and countless hours of preparation, today we were able to meet and hand bedkits to the first 700 beautiful Honduran children who are beneficiaries of the generous donations of our donors. Our reward of a smile and a timid "gracias" is instant and lasting.

A lovely welcome to the location of our first distribution.

Our thoughtful Rotarian partners had tents set up to protect us and the children from the hot sun.

The children had also been preparing for this day. They treated us to a performance of a traditional dance and song, as well as a lovely speech of appreciation delivered by a nervous but determined young boy while his "abuela" proudly looked on. It was a moving moment.

Getting the children to smile for the camera.

Hmmm - she has a choice between a green backpack or a black one (she chose the black)

After a joyous day with the children, we were able to visit two of the warehouses where the bedkit items were stored and assembled into kits. It was impressive to see the vast piles of mattresses alone.

A mountain of mattresses, but by the end of next week, these will all be delivered!

We were informed that the assembly of the bedkits is done by local volunteers, including some parents and teachers of children who will be receiving a bedkit. Also of note is that one of the warehouse spaces is provided for free by a local church, and the other by the municipal government. It truly is a community effort.

Happy children leaving the schoolyard with their precious new belongings.

Much respect and thanks go to our Overseas Volunteer Partner in Honduras, the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Their hard work and dedication to the children makes all of this possible.

Wishing a good night's sleep to all children, everywhere."

Team Honduras, 2024-

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 27

Today I met with the Principal designate at the day 2 distribution site. This school site has a student population of 535. The Principal designate recognized how happy and grateful the children were to receive the bedkit gift.

The teachers understand the positive impact the bedkit will have on the students and their families. 

The Rotary Club of Welland provided toothbrushes, toothpaste and bandaids to the Principal for this school site. 

Traditional dance greeting

The Rotaractors are a tremendous help with the distribution. They are assisting at stations and with translation.

Full group photo

Looking forward to more smiling faces tomorrow. 

Team Honduras 2024

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2024: August 26

Hola from Honduras.

The SCAW team arrived on Saturday, August 24, 2024.  The Rotary Club from Tejucigalpa met us at the airport and managed to give us a tour of the site of our first distribution.

Our overseas partners have been very busy this past year getting ready for the distribution.  

When we leave in two weeks, 7,000 children will be getting a better night's sleep.

Team Honduras 2024

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2023: August 22

The last day of distribution always brings a moment of sadness that we have to depart for our home and we know we will miss our partners - the Rotarians and Rotaractors, who we now call our new friends.  We will miss seeing the smiling faces of the children. All of us worked for the last 12 days as one team, to see the smiles of the children. 

It is moments like this that give us happiness that we were able to come here to distribute 4000 bedkits.  

Sleeping Children always believes that children who have a good night’s sleep will wake up with a more positive outlook about life, and opportunities. 

Our last day here was also the biggest bedkit distribution with 701 bedkits being handed out.  Everyone was excited to hit that milestone, and clapped and hugged when the last child's picture for the donor had been taken.

Masud

Team Honduras

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Honduras, 2023: August 21

Today was a day filled with special moments.

First, we were all serenaded by a school band. September 15th is when Honduras celebrates their independence from Spain, so in preparation for this upcoming event, a school band was practicing their marching and performance.  It was wonderful to watch the young ones really get into it ... even dancing as they played. There were xylophones, percussion, horns, drums/drums/and drums.

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Second, we had several special needs children at today's distribution.  Each one came with at least one guardian, some with two.  Everyone jumped in to help get the children ready and into the photos.  I am sure that the donors who get these photos will feel truly blessed.

I was fortunate enough to be on the camera today, so got to capture the faces and characters of each of the 506 kids.  

While we have responsibility for things that happen at each distribution (and before and after), we do find humour and have some fun.  For example - so far this week we had a bunch of strangers jump into the back of one of our pickup trucks when we were stopped on a steep hill (they thought we were a community pickup); Neil got asked for his passport when he tried to buy a coffee at the local coffee shop (apparently they offer a senior's discount with ID); one of the floor signs at a distribution kept falling over in the wind so we left it lying down and a stray dog walked up to it and peed on it; and we convinced a new local volunteer that the first day you have to wear a bucket on your head.

Well, that's all for now.  Our last day is tomorrow and we have to be up and out of the hotel by 5 am for the last 701 bedkits.

Danielle

Team Honduras

Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa 🇭🇳 + SCAW 🇨🇦