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Philippines: Day 9 — Could these mangos be any sweeter?

From Philippines Photo Album 9
My favourite foods are the mangos. I like the smooth texture of the mangos and how juicy they are. I also like the different rice cakes. One had a bread-like texture and the other had a black texture on top and it is chewy.

I also liked the lapu lapu, which is a local fish, and it had a bread-like coating on top and it was soft inside.

To top it off, I like the suckling pig and the skin is hard and inside it is juicy.

In conclusion, I like the duck eggs and it has a salty taste to it.

Submitted by:
Anthony Ng
Toronto Aktion Club President and Awesome Philippines SCAW Travelling Team Member

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Uganda: 1 — The team has arrived

The Sleeping Children Around the World team arrived safely at Entebbe on Sunday, May 20th.

On the flight from Dubai we met Pamela, a stewardess who orginated from Scarborough, Ontario. She was interested to learn of our distribution plans and assembled a gift of dried food that we received and have brought with us for the orphans that we visit in Kampala.

Our team met with Chairperson Gladys on Monday and visited the area where the bedkits are stored: an impressive sight!!

Later that evening we met with ten members of the Inner Wheel of Kampala and completed final plans for our distributions. We are excited about the days that are waiting for us.

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Philippines: Day 8 — The Coconut Tree

Everywhere we travel throughout the Philippines we see the majestic coconut tree – known as “The Tree of Life.” Not a single part goes to waste; every part of the tree/fruit is utilized.

From Philippines Photo Album 8
Here are just a few of the local uses:
  • The meat
    • An important source of food
    • Used to make coconut oil
  • The milk
    • A refreshing and hydrating drink
    • A source of nutrition
    • Used to make vinegar and wine
  • The fronds
    • Thatching
    • Woven for goods such as purses and bags
    • Used to make brooms
    • Wrapping for rice cakes
  • The trunk
    • Felled and milled into Coco wood
    • This lumber used for house and building construction
  • The tree
    • Provides shade
    • Produces oxygen
    • Prevents erosion
  • The husks
    • Used for scrubbing surfaces
    • Filling or padding material (e.g. pillows)
  • The nut/shell
    • Cut in half used to as a buffing tool (when cut in half with the shell on)
    • Used in native dance (dance that tells the story of working the coconut)
    • Made into ladles, soup bowls, belt buckles, center for ukuleles or dish

Distribution note: 2750 bedkits have been distributed — 2250 more to go! We can’t wait!!!!

Nancy Holt
for the 2007 Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: Day 7 — “Dr. Ito, I presume”


Finally I’ve met “Ito,” Dr. Juan Torres, the doctor from the Philippines that *Dad always raved about. Ito and Dad shared a mutual respect for each other and a passion for Kiwanis and Sleeping Children.

Over the past twenty years or so, close to 100,000 Filipino children have received bedkits under Dr. Torres’ leadership.

After meeting Ito this week, I now understand Dad’s feelings for him. He is a character!!! Charming, mischievously playful, and extremely intelligent.

Our whole team thinks he is great. We can’t seem to get enough of his stories and insight!

His volunteer team, that includes his family, friends, and fellow Kiwanians, has superbly organized this year’s distribution — as usual.

Two thousand children have received bedkits with three thousand more to go!

Thanks, Ito!!!!

Dave Dryden
for the 2007 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team
*SCAW co-founder, Murray Dryden

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Philippines: Day 6 — A glimpse into our homes

From Philippines Photo Album 6
Yesterday we were fortunate enough to distribute bedkits at two extra-special sites where we were able to visit the homes of the bedkit recipients.

During our travels through the city we have seen a number of “squatter” homes in public areas such as on riverbanks or under highway bridges. One of these under-bridge neighborhoods is in an area called Escopa. It is home to over 300 families. A year ago, their neighbourhood was completely destroyed by fire. Those that had little were left with nothing. The distribution site was a recreation centre that housed these displaced families for most of the last year. Your amazing gifts to these children have renewed their hope.

The second distribution was in Mandaluyong at a Children’s Home for orphan, abandoned, and exploited children. In the short time we had to visit with these children, they captured our hearts. They also allowed us to see where they were living.

We were inspired by the commitment and passion of the social workers and local volunteers to these children. We know their hard work provides these children with basic needs but also opportunities to excel through their access to school.

On a personal note, the travelling team wants to thank all those who have checked out our live reports and sent us comments. It has been great to read your messages. Keep them coming!

Nancy Holt
for the 2007 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: Day 5 — Going home with gifts

From Philippines Photo Album 5
The day is full of anticipation, for not only the children, but parents and guardians as well. Many of the recipients arrive three to four hours prior to the start of the distribution. Like any child on Christmas day, complete excitement wakes them unusually early.

These children come from near and far. Perhaps the journey is a short walk or an one-hour drive in a jeepney. They come by motorized tricycle, bus, or motorcycle. And some walk up to 3 kilometres to get to the site.

What a treat it is to see these same children at the end of the day, their faces beaming as they depart the site with their bedkit!

Nancy Holt
for the 2007 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Uganda: They're on their way


Most of the Uganda team left Toronto airport on their way to Kampala last night. More reports will be posted as they carry out the SCAW 2007 Uganda bedkit distribution. Sieg Will is joining them later in the week.

Pictured here: (Left to Right) Kathy Devine, Blair Lesage, Linda Lesage, Grant and Leslie Clark (Team Leaders), Debbie Will-Dryden.

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Philippines: Day 4 — Antipolo’s rich history

Revised: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
From Philippines Photo Album 4
Our first distribution was in the Antipolo area, which is about a one-hour drive from our hotel in Manila.

Antipolo is named after a type of tree. It is home to a beautiful church which holds the The Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage.  However, it is known by WW2 survivors as a fierce battleground. One of the last battles towards the end the war in 1945 was fought in the hills of Antipolo where many men on both sides lost their lives.

There is still much poverty in the area but today 300 children have received a gift of bedkits, clothes, and school supplies which gives encouragement for today and hope for their future.

Revised by Nancy Holt,
as supervised by Dr. Juan Torres,
on behalf of the 2007 SCAW Philippines Team
(Yes, he is standing over my shoulder right now making sure this gets done while giggling the whole time.)

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Philippines: Day 3 — Our first Aktion Day

Today was a very special day for us … not only was it the first day of distribution but it was also a day which we distributed 350 bedkits were donated by Aktion Clubs across United States and Canada.

Stuart McCormick the President of the Kiwanis Club of Scarborough and Advisor to the Toronto Aktion Club. He has provided us some insight to this wonderful group and a special SCAW team member Anthony Ng:
From Philippines Photo Album 3
The $24,000 CAD funds provided to SCAW for the bedkits were donated from participating Aktion Clubs in North America and the Kiwanis International Foundation. Aktion Club is a service club for adults living with a disability.

The first Aktion Club began in 1987 in Florida and has grown to over 250 clubs with 5000+ members worldwide. Their motto is Service In Aktion. The Aktion Club Service Initiative for SCAW began as a single club BBQ fundraiser by the Aktion Club of Toronto. From there it was adopted as the first Service Initiative with every Aktion Club invited to participate. The goal was to raise $10,000 USD with the Kiwanis International Foundation to match dollar for dollar. The campaign kicked off October 1, 2006 and the funds were raised in just 4 months. Visit our website for more details.

We are very proud of Anthony and his commitment to travel with SCAW and personally deliver bedkits. Anthony joined the Aktion Club of Toronto in 2004. In 2005 he was elected Vice President and in 2006 was elected as President. Anthony is a doer who enjoys helping others. He cares about the members of the Aktion Club and wants to serve his community. Anthony is an excellent role model for Aktion Club, Kiwanis and SCAW. Anthony enjoys food, people and volunteering.

Stuart R. McCormack PLG
Aktion Club Administrator
Eastern Canada & Caribbean
Kiwanis International


Thanks to Stuart for this contribution!

2007 Philippines Traveling Team
Ken Graham (Team leader), Elaine McDougall, Anthony Ng, Sandra Dryden, Dave Dryden and Nancy Holt

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Philippines: Day 2 — Preparation Day

What a wonderful day the team enjoyed today! We were able to see a wonderful cross section of the Greater Manila area. Our new friends have started to give us a brief history of the city, culture, and people. It is very fortunate that we have such knowledgeable and forthcoming guides.

If we only had one word to share with you about our day it would be “organization” — perhaps “hot” would have come in second?!?

The SCAW team was able to meet with the Kiwanis Club to discuss the upcoming and highly anticipated distribution. The overseas organizing committee has, one could perhaps say, gone the extra kilometre or perhaps ten. Each day, activity, and logistic detail has been well-planned and carefully documented.
From Philippines Photo Album 2


Our hosts also provided a tour of the bedkit warehouse today (where all 5000 bedkits were assembled and stored) and also allowed us the opportunity to observe the last few bedkits being packed. What a great experience for us!!! We were able to see the thought and care that was put into the packing process and also view the items for the first time.

Every company’s supply chain should be so efficient as our host’s operation. The packed bedkit was weighed, measured, and its total dimensions calculated to ensure appropriately sized transports were ordered for each site. (The concern was that if the truck were too small, the bedkit would be compromised.) Each truck has been scheduled for pickup and a superior system of checks and balances have been put in place to ensure the right number of bedkits will arrive at each site in a timely manner.

The entire team is very much looking forward to our first distribution day tomorrow. We promise to send you lots of wonderful pictures of these sweet children!

Stay Tuned!

2007 Philippines Traveling Team
Ken Graham (Team leader), Elaine McDougall, Anthony Ng, Sandra Dryden, Dave Dryden and Nancy Holt

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Philippines: Day 1 — Welcome to Manila

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The traveling team has arrived safely in the Philippines. Members of the Kiwanis Club of Manila very warmly greeted the team at the airport and have escorted us to our accommodations. Dr. Torres and his team have really done an amazing job to ensure we are safe and comfortable.

The flights went very well and it took approximately 24 hours from takeoff in Toronto until arriving in Manila. The Philippines is exactly 12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings Time, so Ken is quite excited that he did not even have to change his watch!!!! The team is a little jetlagged, but after a good night's sleep will be ready for their upcoming adventures.

We will meet with our overseas volunteers tomorrow for a pre-distribution meeting as well as a tour of the warehouse where the bedkit items are packed and stored. After such a long trip preparation and such long travel times, it is an exciting thought to be able to see the bedkits for the first time in just a couple of hours. Dave and Ken will have visions of blankets, clothes, and mats dancing in their heads instead of sugarplums tonight.

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We look forward to keeping you updated with frequent live reports ... Stay tuned!

SCAW 2007 Philippines Travelling Team: (Left to Right): Nancy Holt, Dave Dryden, Anthony Ng, Sandra Dryden, Ken Graham (Team Leader), Elaine McDougall

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