SCAW blog: Philippines, 2026: May 5
Our hosts for the afternoon distribution did not have indoor space for 300 children to wait. So the creative Kiwanis team put chairs on the street after blocking all traffic. The overhead streamers and whirligigs, gave wonderful colour to the scene.
The truck carrying all of the 300 bedkits was a safe distance away so we could easily give a bedkit to each child after the photos were taken.
A beautiful young girl dressed in her gift pajamas, sang to the crowd.
Photos were taken inside with many volunteers helping the children to stay in line to receive their bedkits outside.
Our SCAW team is delighted to be working with the World of Sweet Dreams Inc. charity here to continue the promise of a good night’s sleep for future health and success.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Philippines, 2026: May 3
The very first day, of my very first SCAW distribution could not have been more special. After fortifying myself with a hearty breakfast I nervously boarded our bus at 7:30 am and we departed en route to Barangay Fortune, Marikina City. When we arrived we were greeted by a sea of 300 children, proudly dressed in their new colourful pyjamas. Shy smiles and waves communicated their excitement!
We were so grateful that our hosts had arranged a covered venue in the local elementary school as the temperature quickly climbed to 36 C.
After a crash course in how to organize a distribution I was given the task of “marking” the children. This important task helps to identify those that have been photographed and move them forward to receive their bedkits.
Little did I know how profound the connection would be to hold the hand of each child and draw a happy face on their tiny finger. As I held their hand and said the word “happy” it seemed like the nerves and tension melted away. I was often treated to a big smile! The small connection across language and worlds will stay with me forever. I heard “thank-you, Po” so many times yet it was me that was truly grateful. I released them to receive their bedkits, finally seeing first-hand the profound impact that each donor’s gift would have on a deserving child.
I thank SCAW for the opportunity to share in this incredible experience and our Kiwanis hosts in the Philippines for welcoming our team so graciously!
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 2
We arrived safely on May 1, 2026 around 6:00 am after a 16-hour non-stop, full and pleasant flight. The four of us travelling from Toronto Pearson Airport had a new experience when we were asked to put our carry-on luggage on the scale, before we weighed the checked luggage. Two of the carry-ons were over the seven pound limit so we all spent several minutes transferring items to checked bags. Thankfully, we were successful.
The three other team members who were travelling from Vancouver were very excited to meet us in Manila. It was a happy time for us to be finally together, after so many months of planning.
The manager of the Overseas Volunteer Partners was waiting patiently for us. We were delighted to meet him.
On the way from the airport, we stopped to tour the famous Museo De Intramuros and see the beautiful and historical San Agustin Church in Manila.
We are excited to get to work delivering bedkits and seeing smiling children.
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: December 5
Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), an organization based in Canada, partnered with World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. (WOSDI) for the distribution of bedkits to 5,000 children in the Philippines. SCAW donates funds to WOSDI and the latter organizes the purchase and distribution of bedkits.
The distribution was done over a period of two weeks in the month of November in 16 sites located in the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and NCR. Earlier this year, bedkits were given to 1,500 children in NCR. It was a heartwarming experience for the Kiwanis Clubs of Cainta Vista Verde, Angeles City, Cainta Hope, and Pasay City, who organized WOSDI, to see the happy faces of children and their parents receive a one of a kind gift that was meant to improve the sleeping conditions of children as envisioned by SCAW founders Murray and Margaret Dryden. SCAW believes that every child deserves a good night’s sleep and that a day of hope begins with a good night’s sleep. This purpose blends well with, and finds true meaning in, the Kiwanis motto of Serving the Children of the World.
It was timely that the distribution of bedkits was done in the month of November which has been declared as National Children’s Month. A solid partnership between institutions that care for children. SCAW. WOSDI. KIWANIS. CHEERS!
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 30
This is a remote distribution. DAY 8 Talisay, Batangas. Today’s post was written by Melvin from WOSDI.
Today, 600 children in Talisay, Batangas were recipients of bedkits donated by Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). The bedkits were distributed by World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. ( WOSDI) which was formed by the Kiwanis Clubs of Cainta Vista Verde, Cainta Hope, Pasay City, and Angeles City. This is the 2nd time that bedkits sourced from funds donated by SCAW were distributed in Talisay. It was another heartwarming experience for the members of WOSDI to see the happy faces of children, aged 6 to 12, receiving their bedkits as an early Christmas gift from SCAW.
The distribution which took place in the Marquesses Memorial Gymnasium and the air-conditioned St. William Hall of the San Guillermo Parish was very orderly because the local volunteers had previous experience in the distribution of bedkits from SCAW. The children entertained themselves with songs rendered by 3 of them who were given cash prizes for their efforts.
Happy children, happy faces, grateful parents, and very helpful local volunteers made our day.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 28
This is a remote distribution. Today’s post was written by Melvin from WOSDI.
Another very busy day. 300 bedkits were distributed in Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo and 300 bedkits in Ususan, Taguig. Both sites are in Metro Manila but travel time between the sites was more than an hour. The sites were in spacious covered courts. There was a little delay in Ususan as the delivery truck got caught up in traffic.
In Ususan, the children sang Christmas carols when they saw their early Christmas gifts! The school principal together with volunteer teachers were very thankful that SCAW, through WOSDI, was able to reach their area. The school principal apparently did some research on SCAW and was very happy to know that bedkits have been distributed in the Philippines since the mid 80s.
It was hot and humid in the afternoon and electric fans had to be brought out. Actual distribution in both sites took a little more than an hour from the time that the children were dressed up in their pajamas.
School teachers and members of Kiwanis did a splendid job in organizing the event.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 27
This is a remote distribution. Today’s post was written by Melvin from WOSDI.
The 7th day of distribution was another eventful day. The recipients in Talang were dressed in their new clothes when we arrived at 8 am. Because the distribution was scheduled to start at 9 am, there was ample time for a special presentation by the children. They started off with their morning exercise ritual, singing their school hymn, and singing the national anthems of the Philippines and Canada. There were special dance numbers from the students and the officers of the PTA. The teachers did a splendid job in taking care of the children. Talang is one of the best organized distribution sites as one of the members of WOSDI was a graduate of that school.
In Panclara, a remote village, there was a 40 minute delay because of a heavy downpour. Portions of the gymnasium were wet and children and parents had to huddle under umbrellas.
There was another surprise dance number from Canadian flag-bearing students. When we arrived, we were greeted by children waving red and white banners. There was a small glitch when one of the labels did not have the name of a sponsor. We checked our files and email, but with the same result. We decided to continue and take a picture of the blank label. Both sites in Candaba were in covered courts. We were treated by local Panclara leaders to delicacies well known in the area. One child was all smiles when he received his gift and requested one more bedkit for his brother!
It was the 8th day the WOSDI group was out of town. Tired and weary, the thought of seeing children happy with their gifts was more than enough reason for us to continue distribution in 5 more sites.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 25
This is a remote distribution. Today’s post was written by Melvin from WOSDI.
Today’s distribution in Tarlac City and Angeles City went well. It was only marred by 10 latecomers who came from distant places. We were about to get substitutes when the 10 recipients arrived, 35 minutes late.
We had a special guest in the Tarlac City site in the person of Mr. Avelino Tanjuakio, Jr (pictured below) who lives 2 blocks away. He is the son of Avelino Tanjuakio Sr. who, together with Dr. Ito Torres, happens to be one of the original partners of SCAW, in the Philippines. Both of them are members of Kiwanis. I recall that the two of them went to Canada to talk to Murray Dryden in the mid-1980s and that is when the partnership of SCAW with Kiwanis started.
We had another special guest in Angeles City in the person of Michelle Garcia (pictured below) who is a teacher in EPZA Resettlement Elementary School where the Angeles City distribution took place. She is 29 years old. When she was 9 years old she received a SCAW bedkit in Magalang, Pampanga, our next distribution site. She no longer has any of the contents of the bedkit in her possession which either got worn out or got lost when they transferred to another house. She said that there are more contents in today’s bedkits and that they appear to be more durable.
There were a couple of children with disabilities who were given priority. One was in a wheelchair. A parent of one autistic child failed to notify us because she was not aware of the preference given to children who are in similar situations. One child vomitted on the premises but appeared to be okay after a few minutes.
In Tarlac City, we noticed that there were still small children who did not appear to be at least six years old. We talked to the guardians and local volunteers and found out that those aged 7 years and above were in school and were not allowed to go to the distribution site which was far from their school. As a result, they could only gather children who were below 6 years of age. These below-aged children were not on the list of recipients.
Distribution in Angeles and Tarlac took place in spacious covered courts, which were well lit and ventilated. The recipients in both sites gave thunderous applause when they were shown the contents of the bedkits. At both sites, there were dance performances from students, some of whom were also recipients.
Our local partners are members of Kiwanis from Tarlac and Pampanga.
Based on the interviews, a mosquito net is in demand, especially in areas where there is still no electricity. Many parents instructed their children not to remove their face masks for health reasons. We were able to convince some to remove their masks during picture-taking although some others did not want to do so.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 24
This is a remote distribution. This post was written by a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ilocos Sur
Dream of Every Child Turned Into a Reality : The Distribution of Bedkits
There are moments in a community’s story when compassion becomes more than a virtue - it becomes a movement. In Ilocos Sur, such a moment unfolded as organizations, local leaders, and volunteers came together with a shared purpose, to bring comfort, dignity, and hope to 600 children from the towns of Santa and Salcedo, Ilocos Sur. What began as a simple act of giving sleeping kits grew into a shining example of how unity and service can change young lives. When hearts beat for the same cause, ordinary days turn into extraordinary stories of love for children.
Behind this mission were two organizations fuelled by a deep belief that every child deserves comfort and care. Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) in Canada has long carried this compassion across borders, offering bedkits that bring not only warmth and rest, but also a sense of being seen and valued. In the Philippines, the World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. (WOSDI), led by PLD Gov. Melvin Mendoza, embraced this same calling with heart and purpose. Bound together by a shared understanding, the two organizations forged a partnership that opened the door for hundreds of young Ilocanos to experience a simple yet powerful gift, a peaceful night’s sleep. Their united mission became the spark that ignited an unforgettable act of community love in Ilocos Sur.
When WOSDI turned to a local partner to carry the mission forward, the Kiwanis Club of Ilocos Sur (KCIS) stepped up without hesitation. True to their mission of serving children everywhere, the club took the lead in identifying 600 indigent children across Santa and Salcedo. Officers and members coordinated closely with school principals, local mayors, and Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers to ensure that every child in need would be included. They organized logistics, secured distribution venues, and even partnered with the local police for safety transforming a challenging task into a well-planned, seamless operation. Through their collaboration, KC Ilocos Sur under the able leadership of President Leopoldo Gironella Jr. and with the guidance of Charter President Edgar Tejada and all other officers and members demonstrated unwavering support and mutual understanding that when commitment meets careful planning, acts of service can reach far and touch many lives.
The mission’s success was a true testament to the power of community. In Santa and Salcedo, Ilocos Sur local government leaders opened their hearts and resources, allowing the Santa Farmers Multi-Purpose Building and the Salcedo Covered Court to become spaces of joy and hope. School principals, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers, and the local police worked side by side with Kiwanis volunteers, ensuring that each child was recognized, welcomed, and cared for. The day was filled not only with the distribution of sleeping kits but also with laughter, shared meals, and the simple warmth of human connection. In every detail from the safe and orderly process to the delicious snacks provided, the collaborative effort radiated a message that when a community joins hands, children truly feel seen, valued, and loved.
The officers and members of KC Ilocos Sur were more than organizers, they were living examples of kindness in action. From carefully distributing each sleeping kit to sharing smiles, snacks, and bottled water, they poured their hearts into every interaction. Laughter echoed through the venues as children received their gifts, and the volunteers’ genuine care created moments that went far beyond the material, the simple act of being seen, valued, and loved. In every helping hand, in every warm greeting, the spirit of Kiwanis came alive, a reminder that service is not just about giving, but about touching lives and inspiring hope. The joy and gratitude of the children became the heartbeat of the day, proving that when love and action meet, communities flourish and dreams take flight.
The distribution of sleeping kits to 600 children in Santa and Salcedo was far more than an act of charity. It was a living testament to the power of unity, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves comfort, dignity, and care. Through the heartfelt collaboration of SCAW, WOSDI, KC Ilocos Sur, and the local government units, this mission became a celebration of community spirit, love in action, and dreams uplifted. Laughter, gratitude, and joy filled the air as children received their kits, but the true gift was the sense of being seen, valued, and cherished. Tonight, as the children rested peacefully in their new sleeping kits, the ripple of human kindness lingered, a reminder that when hearts join together for a common purpose, ordinary moments transform into extraordinary legacies of hope.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 21
This is a remote distribution.
Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), in partnership with World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. (WOSDI) went back to Burgos, Ilocos Norte for the second time after about 7 years. 350 joyful and grateful children were selected from various localities with the help of local leaders and teachers from Burgos Central Elementary School. Mayor Crescente N. Garcia allowed the venue to be transfered to the town gymnasium so as not to disrupt classes in the nearby school.
We were treated by the Mayor to lunch with lechon (charcoal roasted pig), grilled fish freshly caught from the nearby sea, and a hard to find seaweed known as “gamet” which can only be found in Burgos.
Parents were very happy to see their children receiving an early Christmas gift. When the contents of the bedkits were displayed, even the teachers and other volunteers wanted to have their own bedkits! Teachers, students, a policeman, the Mayor and some local leaders had fun when our group allowed them to have their pictures taken while handing over the bedkits to the children. It was an unforgettable experience for them.
The distribution took only a little more than an hour because the recipients were well-organized and well-behaved. Special mention goes to spouses Ruben and Nona Rivera who graciously lent their air-conditioned tourist bus to transport the bedkits from Manila and provided snacks for the children. The bus will also be used for other distribution sites in the Ilocos region.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)
SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2025: November 19
Usually, a team of SCAW volunteers from Canada take the lead in the distribution process but they had to cancel their trip this time due to some unforseen events. We have teamed up remotely.
The Kiwanis Clubs of Cainta Vista Verde, Cainta Hope, Angeles City and Pasay City formed a non-stock and non-profit corporation known as World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. (WOSDI) which partnered with Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). This is the second time this year that SCAW donated funds to WOSDI.
The funds donated by SCAW are used exclusively for the cost of bedkit items. SCAW believes that every child deserves a good night’s sleep and that a day of hope begins with a good night’s sleep. This blends perfectly well with the motto of Kiwanis which is “Serving The Children of the World”. With the guidance of SCAW, WOSDI takes care of overall planning, supervision and organization of the distribution process, including the purchase of bedkit items and selection of local coordinators for each distribution site who, in turn, identify recipients who are between 6 to 12 years old.
The first distribution site for November 2025 is in Marikina Elementary School with The Bread of Life Disciples Inc. as local coordinator. The teachers of Marikina Elementary School and members of the Philippine Coast Guard assisted WOSDI in the distribution process.
Thank you to our donors and our hard-working partners for making this remote distribution possible.
Team Philippines, 2025
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦 (remote)