Uganda: 4 — Global Communities
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| From Uganda 2007 - Photo Album 4 |
I am certain that all of our donors share this interest.
We acknowledge and thank all of our generous patrons. Join hands with the students of Chisholm School in Oakville, St. Luke Separate School in Oakville, St. Gertrude Separate School in Mississauga, Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough, and North Toronto Collegiate Institute in Toronto in friendship with the beautiful children of Uganda.
Uganda: 3 — Mayuge
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| From Uganda 2007 Photo Album 3 |
The students must remain in this line for up to four hours. They will not enjoy the benefits of shade, food or water. They must remain in these lines without complaint! At the end of this lengthy wait they will be presented with the gift and can then be dismissed to go home.
This scenario is difficult to imagine, however the SCAW travelling team witnesses Ugandan children doing this at each of the twelve distribution centres as the children all wait patiently for their bedkit!
From the SCAW Uganda 2007 Travelling Team
Uganda: 2 — Smiles
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| From Uganda 2007 - Photo Album 2 |
The unique sounds of throat music, the excited expressions of gratitude, the expansive smiles, and the simple gesture of holding hands, all tell of their disbelief and amazement.
Your thirty dollar donation brings hope to a village that struggles with the challenges of poverty and disease.
Philippines: Day 11 — A bittersweet "Goodbye!"
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| From Philippines Photo Album 11 |
This effort could not have occurred without the tremendous contribution of the staff advolunteers at 28 Pinehurst, the very generous donors, and, of course, our fantastic overseas volunteer partners.
Most of all, it was our honour to have the opportunity to meet and spend time with these 5,000 children in the Philippines.
Many community and volunteer groups assisted in the activities here in the Philippines and to each and every one of them we thank you. The SCAW Philippines organizational team, as lead by Dr. Juan “Ito” Torres, seamlessly coordinated the entire effort and to this our gratitude cannot adequately be expressed. They are terrific partners and now good friends!
To our family, friends and coworkers: we have missed you and will see you soon!
SCAW 2007 Philippines Travelling Team
Ken Graham (team leader), Elaine McDougall, Anthony Ng, Sandra Dryden, Dave Dryden and Nancy Holt
Philippines: Day 10 — Our wonderful and diverse donors
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| From Philippines Photo Album 10 |
So, who are the donors I speak of? Well, to name a few … individuals, families, parents to children, great grandchildren to great grandparents … schools, individual classes, students to teachers, retired teachers groups … people marking births, christenings, birthdays, graduations, retirements and those giving “In memory” of loved ones … senior citizens groups, Sunday schools, auxiliary groups, businesses and organizations … people from Canada, USA and from around the world … people celebrating important milestones, special holidays and important events …
The list of generous donors goes on and one. How wonderful!
The most important thing that I hope all these various types of donors know is that their gift of a bedkit has made a dramatic difference in the lives of these children, their families, and, in this case, their community.
Thank you to every donor. You really have made a difference — one child at a time!
Submitted by: Elaine McDougall
SCAW 2007 Philippines Team Member
Uganda: 2 — The first 500 bedkits
Current Weather:
To leave a comment for the team, click on the word "comments" at left.
Our first distribution was completed at a school where 500 hundred children from the area received a mattress to use for the very first time. Our emotions overflowed.To leave a comment for the team, click on the word "comments" at left.
This school was not like St. Luke and Chisholm in Oakville, St. Gertrude in Mississauga, or North Toronto Collegiate Institute and Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.
None of the schools in Canada have cows eating grass in the playground.
Philippines: Day 9 — Could these mangos be any sweeter?
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| From Philippines Photo Album 9 |
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
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.
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.
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.
Here are just a few of the local uses:
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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| From Philippines Photo Album 8 |
- 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
Philippines: Photo Album 8
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| Philippine |
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| From Philippines Photo Album 8 |
 | As Murray Dryden used to say: “There is nothing more peaceful than a sleeping child.” |
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
Philippines: Day 6 — A glimpse into our homes
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| From Philippines Photo Album 6 |
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