SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 23
We completed our 5th distribution today and delivered 500 bedkits at Bandagiriya P.S, Hambantota. We could feel the community’s excitement as soon as we arrived.
Our OVPs did a great job organizing the site creating an efficient process for the children to receive the items in the bedkit. Members of the Rotary Club of Kolonnawa joined the distribution and their assistance was greatly appreciated.
After the distribution our OVPs organized lunch with a visit to a local juice company where we learned how the business began with an idea to process sour sops, a local organically grown fruit, and quickly grew. The company produces many varieties of fruit juices, carbonated beverages, dehydrated fruit and wine, all made with locally organically grown fruit purchased from local farmers. The company has been recognized for their commitment in uplifting rural farming communities.
The team then drove across to the island to the East coast and look forward to starting distributions there tomorrow.
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 25
This morning the air carried the sound of the school bell ringing - but it wasn’t a bell at all. It was a rusty tire rim hanging from a tree. Resourceful, and quite effective!
The teachers of Tanzania are true heroes. They manage large classes with limited resources, yet bring boundless energy and deep care to their students.
We heard many heartwarming stories: teachers giving from their own pockets - food, uniforms, supplies - for children whose families cannot afford them. Some even volunteer while waiting for paid positions, still showing up every day with dedication.
Teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a labor of love. And here in Tanzania, that’s more evident than ever. Asante sana, teachers. Thank you for being the hands that shape the future.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 2025
Today we were greeted by golden dancers and beautiful smiles.
We completed a morning distribution of 500 bedkits and an afternoon distribution of 500 bedkits as well.
Excited children were laughing and grinning while waiting patiently for their turn to have their picture taken and receive their bedkit. During the interview, which was my job today, parents were so very grateful for everything. When asked the question if there is anything we could add to help out a little more, they couldn't answer. It's more than we have ever had, so how do we ask for more, was the general answer. We managed to talk to the principals of one of the school whose only suggestion was, colored pencils are nice but regular pencils would be more practical. The best part of the day, for me, was the reaction of one of the older girls. As I handed her her bag she was surprised by its weight and she looked at me with a big smile and said ooooohhhhhhhh!
We finished the day hot and tired but ready and eager to do it all again tomorrow!
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 22
Day 7 – Mikwambe S/M
We started today at the leisurely hour of 8:00 a.m. and even had time for a second cup of coffee! We drove to the site where, as usual, the volunteers had everything done. There were another 700 bedkits ready to distribute.
The camera crew had to make a hasty retreat to a classroom when the rain came. This was no problem, because the volunteers had it covered asap. The classroom needed some cleaning before pictures and SCAW volunteer Nancy Loveless came to the rescue with a broom.
Thanks to our driver Abasi who volunteers his time, when not behind the wheel, helping to organize the children for the pictures.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 21
Today’s distribution took us to Chekeni Mwasonga, about an hour outside the city. We were struck by the school’s community - despite an average of 82 students per class, the connection between the parents and the school is carefully fostered by the headmaster.
Before the distribution began, the parents gathered and listened attentively as Benjamin and our team explained what their children would be receiving in the bedkits. As Benjamin translated into Swahili, the team displayed the items, Teegan modeled the kanga and backpack, and demonstrated the mattress carried on the head - a common practice here. The parents responded with joyful cheers and waves of gratitude.
This school also includes a thoughtful follow-up component; every Friday, teachers conduct home visits to check in on the families of children who received bedkits. After a previous distribution here in 2023, teachers confirmed that the bedkits were being used as intended, including proper use of the mosquito nets.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 20 and 21
July 20th
Today was our first day in beautiful Sri Lanka. It started with a team meeting with our wonderful in-country partners, the rotarians of Kelaniya.
What a wonderful adventure we will be on. The rest of the day we travelled south through lush countryside with a stop at the most southern tip of Sri Lanka.
We can’t wait to see the children tomorrow.
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 21
Beliatta, Sri Lanka
Our first distribution was today and we successfully delivered 1200 bedkits!
We were welcomed with a special ceremony last night at our hotel and we continued to feel the warm embrace of Sri Lanka as we began the day with our wonderful Rotary partners.
Floral tributes, marching bands and beautifully costumed dancers celebrated the arrival of the volunteers and made it a truly special day!
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 20
We have arrived!
This has to be one of the best on-arrival greetings we have ever had. This trio met us right at the exit ramp from the plane, guided us through immigration, and on to baggage claim, making sure we had all our luggage. Zero problems with the arrival card. Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Kelaniya for easing our entry into Sri Lanka.
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 20
Today the team was able to enjoy a day off. We took in a little Tanzanian culture and history with a quick plane ride to Zanzibar. How lucky were we to enjoy this incredible sunrise as we stepped off the plane.
We were met at the airport by our guide for the day - Mady. He took us to our first stop which was the Jambo Spice Farm where we were greeted by Doula. Doula informed us that there are over 30 spice farms in Zanzibar.
He then took us through the farm when we encountered over 20 different spices including lemongrass, vanilla, coffee, cacao and of course cinnamon - known as the Queen of Spices and cloves known as the King of Spices! Doula even made us some new jewelry.
And who knew that empty coconuts are used to fertilize new growth?!
We then had an amazing lunch of the local fare before we departed to ”Stonetown” where the slaves were encased. It is a town built all of stone with no cars and of course it is the birthplace of Freddy Mercury!
We are back at it tomorrow with another 700 bedkits to distribute as we complete the last half of the total of 7000 bedkits in Tanzania!
Lala Salama!! 🛌
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2025: July 18
Pre-Arrival
Team Sri Lanka is ready for take-off and eager for the busy distribution ahead. We are looking forward to working with our partners, the Rotary Club of Kelaniya. Stay tuned.
Team Sri Lanka, 2025
Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 18
We had a wonderful day at Vikindu Technical College. It was a lovely site with plenty of shady tress and very pleasant weather.
It was a busy site with lots of activity and even a few monkeys. We used the mattresses today to build a backdrop for our 132 pictures.
Unfortunately, we ran into some terrible weekend traffic so it took 4 hours to get back to the hotel, a trip that would normally take 1.5 hours. Just another day in Tanzania . . . .
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 17
Today we travelled to Mgagala Annex school to begin Day Four of our distributions. As we arrived we saw all the volunteers from Upendo working hard to unload the 700 backpacks and mattresses from trucks and vehicles.
In the middle of the unloading was Mama Wandoa carefully watching every detail and counting. She started counting at around 5 a.m. at her home making sure every backpack was accounted for and placed in the right vehicle. She has a system. It is marking everything in groups of fives. Every time a helper walks by her and has five articles they say tano (5) and she tracks it on her clipboard. Her careful attention to detail makes for a very successful distribution.
During our day SCAW and all the volunteers count children, pictures, labels, mattresses, backpacks and at the end of the day we celebrate that 700 children are going home to have a better sleep.
It all begins with tano, a small number that grows to amazing joy for the children.
Tonight we count our blessings. What a wonderful day.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 16
Today we visited the school Chanzige and we were greeted by signs all along the school road that were all positive affirmations like “never stop learning as life never stops teaching” and “you are the hero of your own story.” Someone has put a lot of love into this school and it shows. The children were so friendly and loved practicing their English with us.
While handing out the 700 bedkits we noticed that the children were kicking around plastic bottles to play football with. Our generous partners from Super Banco gifted some “footballs” to us so we were happy to gift two of them to this school. After the headmaster showed us his football skills the kids were happily playing with them before we left for the day.
This is my first distribution with SCAW and it has been such a rewarding, enlightening and heartfelt experience, especially because I am able to share it with my mother.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 15
Day 2 of distributions was busy with lots of smiling faces eagerly awaiting us. We were set up under a beautiful ancient mango tree. The children waited patiently and sang some songs while we set up.
We began with tying a kanga around each child, took their photos and ushered them to collect their backpacks stuffed with goodies and their mattresses.
There were a lot of high fives and thank yous. Not even some brief rain dampened their smiles.
The volunteers were amazing. It was a busy and gratifying day.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 14
Team Tanzania has arrived and are ready to work!
After a gruelling two days of travel, the team of 8 has arrived in Dar es Salaam to begin the journey of enriching the lives of 7000 children in Tanzania with a bedkit from our generous donors.
We’ve had a lot of time to bond and get to know each other as team members travelled from British Columbia to Toronto to Addis Ababa to Dar.
We hit the ground running after a good night’s sleep with a pre-distribution meeting Monday morning at Mama Wandoa’s house. Here we were able to see where all of the bedkit items are made and stored. The mattresses come from the factory every morning. Mama’s team have been hard at work over the past 4 months. This is our 25th year of partnership with Mama Wandoa, her children, her grandchildren and now her great grandchildren along with the exceptional volunteers from Upendo!
Immediately following the pre-distribution meeting we travelled to a school near Mama’s house where we were met by 700 smiling faces of children and their parents.
Stay tuned as we work through the next 10 days handing out 7000 bedkits and proceed with the new sleep project supported by Mama and her team.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 13
It’s late Sunday and we’ve just arrived after quite a gruelling couple of days. Lots of waiting and a loooooong flight, but we are all in good spirits and will sleep well tonight. Wendy and Benjamin met us at the airport.
We are meeting at Mama Wandoa’s house at 9:00 Monday morning for a pre-distribution meeting followed by the first distribution.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2025: July 12
Pre-distribution preparations:
The 3 photos below show the Upendo volunteers who did the packing of the 7000 bedkits. They are all stored safely. The black coloured bedkits are for small children and the blue coloured bedkits are for older children, all carefully labelled for boys and girls.
All 7000 children are waiting eagerly for their new uniforms and a mattress to enable them to have a peaceful night’s sleep. From Monday the 14th to 25th July we will happily tell the children "LALA SALAMA".
At this time, the SCAW Canadian volunteers are on their way to Tanzania. They should be almost half-way through their journey so stay tuned as there will be lots of excitement to write about. Both teams are eager to work together to ensure more children will have a good night’s sleep.
Team Tanzania, 2025
Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2025: May 29
Sadly, today was the last day of distribution . . . but with sadness comes happiness as we knew we would be providing 400 children with the gift of a bedkit.
We started our day at with a class of 6 years old. Their excitement was infectious. They were smiling and jumping up and down. We then had the opportunity to meet with some of the older students of the grade 6 class. When we told them what their present entailed they couldn’t help but have massive smiles.
We took some time for interviews with 2 parents along with 2 teachers. They all agreed that the mattress was the number one item and really appreciated all the items. They couldn’t be more thankful for the gifts of hope.
The end of the day was capped off by a lovely grade 1 class who were a joy to be around. It’s sad to say farewell as we truly enjoyed our experience in South Africa. We are thrilled to know that our combined efforts have ensured that 2000 bedkits were distributed and now a number of children will have a good night’s sleep.
Team South Africa, 2025
Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2025: May 28
Today’s distribution started with the older grade 4 children whose command of English is very good.
After we introduced ourselves they shared with us a rendition of their national anthem, after which we sang our national anthem. Their voices were superior to ours.
We received many thank yous with smiling faces and pure joy.
Afterwards we had the opportunity to see a house nearby. There were 11 people living in approximately 250 square ft. including a new mother and a 2 week old baby. There was no bathroom nearby but there was well water.
We had a quick tour of the settlement and saw the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well. It was interesting to see where the children live. We also met an after-school tutor who helped the kids after school.
Team South Africa, 2025
Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2025: May 27
The day began on a very positive note as the children were dressed in their new outfits and ready for us! We had delivered over 300 bedkits to a school that was about 1/2 hr from our hotel. The contrast of where we stay and the conditions of the settlements are quite startling. The need is great. There were over 1600 children attending the school with the average class having 52 students.
We have been blessed to have some older children assist the young students with their bedkits as the only logical place to take photos is in the parking lot. While we took a break it was interesting to hear about what the kids were doing and how far they travelled to school. They seemed quite educated on how local politics work and knew the roles of a Mayor and Council.
Team South Africa, 2025
Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2025: May 26
Good morning Ma’am , , , Is this gift for me? Absolutely yes!
Thank you so much! Thank you so much! Thank you!!
Our third day of distribution was a huge success! The principal and vice principal met us, and everything went smoothly. I want to give a special shoutout to Sanette for all the hard work.
We learned that most of the kids come from single-family homes where the mom is the main caregiver. Out of the 200 graduates, we think about 18 might find jobs. Most of the parents are unemployed, unfortunately.
Our driver, Theo, has been a lifesaver in helping us bridge the language barrier. We really appreciate his thoughtful gifts to the team.
Team South Africa, 2025
Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦