SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 17
THAT’S A WRAP!!
Once again our Sleeping Children donors have made 2500 children in Togo, Africa extremely happy and comfortable with their new bedkits!
But we couldn’t have done it without the AMAZING volunteers of ADES Togo. The volunteers aged 20-40 with 2 seniors were so well organized and thorough. Under the guidance of brothers Messenh and Dosseh, these volunteers exemplified what it means to give back to their country!
Over the last 5 days 30-35 excited men and women were there to help not only the SCAW team but also the children and their parents! They were kind, sympathetic and funny leading the children over to get their bedkits, playing kazoos, blowing bubbles and singing songs!
It is bittersweet to leave them and their devotion to the SCAW project. BRAVO.
Thanks to all the SCAW donors for their support and the invaluable support from ADES Togo!
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 17
Today was our last distribution in Togo. Our site was at the school that stored the bedkits at no cost to ADES (our overseas partners).
This school had quite a few trees that provide shade for the children. Along with the shade they provide mangoes.
Getting to each site can be a challenge at the best of times .
Our driver - Edem has been our driver, our friend and our protector. He gets us to our destination and back every day with such grace. He is a gentleman with a quiet disposition and a father of three - ages twelve, ten and three.
Driving here is an experience. Motorcycles are a major mode of transportation, but they do not use lanes. That in itself can be challenging.
We have a special thank you to our driver who has made this a safe and amazing experience.
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 16
Today's Team Togo blog is a special reflection on one family's journey within our broader Sleeping Children Around the World history. SCAW distributions happen through the combined efforts of our global community of volunteers, local partners and donors. Some of our supporters have been involved for generations - both as donors and as volunteers. Their stories are part of the larger story of people all coming together, across countries and across generations, to help children get a better night's sleep.
Today was a four generation Sleeping Children around the World celebration. My parents, Walter & Marian MacDougald, started bedkit donations when my kids were small and forty-five years later my grandchildren are distributing bedkits. And even more special, Jaime, my granddaughter is on our team in Togo and Sierra Leone.
My dad flew during WW2 on a RAF crew in South Asia and kept a picture of some children as a reminder of the need to support those less fortunate globally as well as locally – thus the longtime connection to SCAW.
Photo my dad kept as a reminder
When I became a traveling volunteer 20 years ago, my parents were thrilled and started an annual donation of enough bedkits to match the number of children in our family. At the time of our last group photo in 2016 that number was over sixty!
This year to celebrate their family legacy we donated 72 bedkits and had such fun with the group photo and with Jaime and me handing out bedkits to all the children.
Walter and Marian would be so proud of Jaime!
Doug MacDougald for Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 14
After a scenic drive through the countryside, Team Togo was met at the village of Hahotoe by a cheering crowd of children, parents and school staff. A band led the full gathering with rousing music, dance and song.
Five hundred bedkits were successfully distributed to three schools of appreciative students. Two parents and their children individually discussed their thoughts and opinions of what it meant to receive the bedkits. Both were filled with gratitude and awe at the generosity of the Canadian donors.
The day finished with a meaningful visit to a last year's bedkit recipient's family home. The school principal led our team through the village on his motorcycle to the village that he serves.
There are 1000 people in this village where we met a family with numerous generations and extended family. The mothers, grandmother and children showed us their beds and materials such as notebooks from last year's kits. Everything was well loved and stood up to regular use.
Kind words and thanks were shared by all of the family members, OVP representatives and the SCAW team.
It was a superlative day!
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 13
500 children, 500 bedkits and one incredible day in Togo.🇹🇬
Today we had the privilege of giving 500 children their very own bedkit on behalf of Sleeping Children Around the World.
Seeing their faces light up as they received the items many of us take for granted was a powerful reminder of how much the simplest essentials can mean — a place to sleep, protection, clothing, and the tools to learn.
Each child received:
🛏️ Mattress with thick protective plastic
🛌 Bedding sheet
🦟 Mosquito net
🎒 School backpack
📓 School notebooks
📐 Geometry set
✍️ Writing board
👕 Girls: skirt + T-shirt
👕 Boys: shorts + T-shirt
🧵 Fabric for a school uniform
Day 1 complete. 500 children today and 2,000 more smiles to go🇹🇬. Behind every number is a child, a family, and a story. ❤️
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER, 12
The SCAW team wrapped up our first day with distribution prep. This included a visit with the OVP team showing us the items in the bedkit and what was different from last year and what was new this year!
It also included the changing of money with Kokou who has helped the SCAW team 15 years ago and is still present. He exchanged our team’s money during the pre-distribution meeting.
Next, the money for this week’s expenses was handed off to the team “banker.'“ Jaime, being a recent grad going into accounting chose to be the banker. And to finish up the day we ended at the beach!
But the bonus of the day was when we spotted a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey on a passerby. Of course we had to stop and get a photo with him! We finished our visit with him by giving him a Canada pin!
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: TOGO, 2026: OCTOBER 12
So after a LONG journey the Canadian team of 6 has arrived in Togo, Africa and boy was it worth it!
Yes - even one of the Team Leaders had to take advantage of catching up on his sleep in the Brussels airport! Too bad he didn't have a bedkit!
The greetings we received from members of ADES Togo were unsurpassed and it was as thrilling to see our OVPs as it was for them to see us!
Pictured here is a weary SCAW team as well as the driver - Edem and members of our OVPs including Doseeh, his brother Messenh - his Wife Frida, their shy 2 year old, their mother Afi along with Victoire and Denis.
Once we were settled with our cases of water we were able to get some well deserved sleep.
Stay tuned for our preview of this year’s bedkit which will be given to 2500 children in Togo over the next 5 days!
Team Togo, 2026
ADES Togo 🇹🇬 + SCAW 🇨🇦