Tanzania: Day 10 — Kibaga
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| From Tanzania Album 10 |
Dedicated to our donors, who make it possible.
We arrived at rural Kibaga School on a beautiful Tanzanian morning. The temperature was perfect with blue skies all around, a wonderful change from yesterday’s humidity of 94%. Stately coconut trees formed the back drop for the photos. Following roll call, we were touched to hear a group of children orphaned by AIDS sing the following song they had composed for the occasion:
Welcome to our school.
We never thought it would happen.
We are so happy you came here, please feel at home.
We are orphans with lots of problems ... No food, no one
To take care of us.
We beg people to let us live with them.
CHORUS
Twawashukuru wafadhili wetu mungu awazidishie
Thank you very much. May God bless you.
Today you have brought us a great gift.
We are begging you to keep up your support.
We pray that God will bless you more and more
So you can help more children.
CHORUS
Our teachers give us a good education
They treat us with respect and do not discriminate.
They teach us wisdom.
CHORUS
We are begging you that this will not be
The last time you visit our school.
We did not expect it and we appreciate it.
CHORUS
So many people have lots of money and big companies
But they do not come to help us.
They are not even empathetic
But you have sent help to us.
CHORUS
Now this is the last verse.
The pen has run out of ink.
We are so happy.
May God bless you more and more
So you can give happiness to more children.
CHORUS
We never thought it would happen.
We are so happy you came here, please feel at home.
We are orphans with lots of problems ... No food, no one
To take care of us.
We beg people to let us live with them.
CHORUS
Twawashukuru wafadhili wetu mungu awazidishie
Thank you very much. May God bless you.
Today you have brought us a great gift.
We are begging you to keep up your support.
We pray that God will bless you more and more
So you can help more children.
CHORUS
Our teachers give us a good education
They treat us with respect and do not discriminate.
They teach us wisdom.
CHORUS
We are begging you that this will not be
The last time you visit our school.
We did not expect it and we appreciate it.
CHORUS
So many people have lots of money and big companies
But they do not come to help us.
They are not even empathetic
But you have sent help to us.
CHORUS
Now this is the last verse.
The pen has run out of ink.
We are so happy.
May God bless you more and more
So you can give happiness to more children.
CHORUS
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| From Tanzania Album 10 |
Twawashukuru wafadhili wetu mungu awazidishie.
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Leave your comments here
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Tanzania: Day 9 — Tungini
HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa
- There are nearly 25 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa – 59% of them are women.
- Two million children are living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Only 13% of HIV-positive children have access to antiretroviral treatment.
- Without treatment, one-third of infants infected with HIV die before reaching age one. Half die before age two.
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| Jacqueline From Tanzania Album 9 |
We are surrounded by the ravages of AIDS: grandmothers parenting orphans, single parents, children raising children, children who are HIV positive.
A few months ago, Jacqueline was dying from AIDS. Even though she herself was hospitalized and facing death, she found the strength to reach out to the other patients and comfort them whenever possible. Then Mama Wandoa came into her life and took her to her home. She was able to obtain the antiretroviral drugs Jacqueline needed and today — there was Jacqueline handing out clothing to 550 children. She never once wavered from her post in spite of the heat and humidity. She was kind and gentle as she gave directions to the children. She asked for only one thing: a second Canada pin so she could use them as a pair of earrings. She also wanted her story told. So many lives could be saved if only they had access to the drugs.
On the way to Tungini this morning we reminisced about past few days and could hardly believe there were only two distributions left to do. Even though we are emotionally and physically tired, you could hear the tinge of sadness as we realized our Tanzania adventure was drawing to a close.
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| From Tanzania Album 9 |
It’s at times like this you seek consolation in the 550 children who did receive bedkits and the miracle of Jacqueline.
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 8 - Kitunda
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| From Tanzania Album 8 |
When we arrived, the students were gathered in an open area, ready to perform their opening exercises. They sang the national anthem, accompanied by four girls on drums. What an uplifting way to start your morning! Mama Wandoa then introduced us all, making us feel like celebrities. However, that feeling didn’t last long once we were covered in dust and sweat!
It was obvious right from the start that the number of children here exceeded our previous distributions, yet we weren’t concerned about crowd control, feeling assured by what appeared to be the head mistress explaining earlier who we were and what we were doing there.
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| From Tanzania Album 8 |
But this is the reality so we do what we can and console ourselves that at least a few more children will sleep well tonight.
Maureen Maus for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 7 - Bunju B and Boko
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| From Tanzania Album 7 |
We visited two school sites: Bunju B in the morning and then on to Boko where over a hundred of the children were brought in by truck to have their photos taken and receive their bedkits. What a truckload went home this afternoon, loaded up with smiling children, their bedkit bags, and brightly coloured mattresses!
We also gained a new volunteer today. Avod is our new driver and upon arrival at the first site, immediately pitched in to help line up the children and help us out with our limited Swahili. What a treasure he is!
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| From Tanzania Album 7 |
It is hard to believe there are only three more days of distribution to go. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Sally Sandiford for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Sunday ... a day of rest.
"The vibrant spirituality that pervades much of the African continent fills Tanzania as well"
As I type this blog I am listening to the 5 a.m. call to prayer from the mosque a stone's throw from our hotel.
Yesterday we worshipped with Mama Wandoa at her church. We were welcomed warmly by the pastor and the congregation. Even though we could not understand a word, we felt blessed to listen to the soul-stiring music accompanied by guitars, keyboard, and brass band.
Following the service, we visited with the children in the Sunday School class. Again, the fervour of their responses to their teachers and their musical performance was inspiring.
According to the Lonely Planet, "about 40% to 50% of Tanzanians are Christian. The remainder of the population follows traditional religions centering on ancestor worship, the land, and various ritual objects. There are also small but active communities of Hindus, Sikhs and Ismailis."
After church, we travelled north of Dar es Salaam along the coast to Bagamoyo, where we were taken back to the mid-19th century. "Slaves. ivory, salt and copra were unloaded here before being shipped to Zanzibar and beyond." We stepped back further in time with our visit to the Kaole Ruins, where we picked our way over the remains of a 13th - century mosque and burial ground.
Following lunch and a stroll along the coast of the Indian Ocean, a tired team drove back to Dar es Salaam to get ready for Monday's distribution.
Kwa heri. Kesho. (Goodbye. Until tomorow.)
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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— The Lonely Planet - Tanzania
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| Ready for church with Mama Wandoa From Tanzania Album 6 |
As I type this blog I am listening to the 5 a.m. call to prayer from the mosque a stone's throw from our hotel.
Yesterday we worshipped with Mama Wandoa at her church. We were welcomed warmly by the pastor and the congregation. Even though we could not understand a word, we felt blessed to listen to the soul-stiring music accompanied by guitars, keyboard, and brass band.
Following the service, we visited with the children in the Sunday School class. Again, the fervour of their responses to their teachers and their musical performance was inspiring.
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| The Choir |
After church, we travelled north of Dar es Salaam along the coast to Bagamoyo, where we were taken back to the mid-19th century. "Slaves. ivory, salt and copra were unloaded here before being shipped to Zanzibar and beyond." We stepped back further in time with our visit to the Kaole Ruins, where we picked our way over the remains of a 13th - century mosque and burial ground.
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| At the Indian Ocean From Tanzania Album 6 |
Kwa heri. Kesho. (Goodbye. Until tomorow.)
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Don't miss the next blog post
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| From Tanzania 2007 |
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Tanzania: Day 5 — Mbezi Ndumbwi
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| From Tanzania Album 5 |
Mbezi Ndumbwi school was a beautiful spot for a distribution: hibiscus bushes for the background, shaded areas for respite from the sun, good flow from station to station of the distribution site. Unfortunately the weather had other plans. What we initially thought was a passing sun shower, within seconds turned into a torrential downpour, the likes of which I had not seen in my lifetime. Thank goodness we had a rain-out plan. Six unflinching volunteers scrambled to protect the labels, the cameras, and the bedkit on display.
We set up shop in an empty classroom. However, we were unable to complete our quota for the day: one hundred and fourteen children never made it to the site, perhaps because of the weather.
Have a look at the photos ... Maureen was able to capture the force of the rain and the rivers that immediately flowed down the gentle slopes of the school grounds.
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| From Tanzania Album 5 |
Oh yes ... if you are wondering how to pronounce Mbezi Ndumbwi ... start off with a hum followed by “beezee," then a nasal hum for the N , followed by “dum wee.” Got it?
And if you are worried about the 114 children, we will stop at their village on Monday to give them their bedkits.
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 4 — Kwembe
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| From Tanzania Album 4 |
Today we traveled further into the countryside, to an elementary school in Kwembe, negotiating roads that would barely qualify as walking trails back home.
When we finally arrived at the top of the hill where the small school perched we were greeted by hundreds of children waiting patiently. Off to the sides sat the groups of mothers with their babies, clear evidence that for them the distribution is quite a social event. I spent some time “talking” to these mothers, using my camera as a way to break the ice. They, like the children, were curious to see their picture in the digital camera, giggling and teasing each other, proof positive that human nature transcends race.
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| From Tanzania Album 4 |
After we finished the distribution we followed Mama Wendoa to her home back in the city where she operates the Upendo Aids Center. She proudly showed us around, and it was wonderful to see what the amazing woman has accomplished. Her smile, like the smiles of the children, will stay in my heart for many years to come.
Maureen Maus for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 3 — Ukombozi
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| From Tanzania Album 3 |
When we arrived at Ukombozi we set up in the courtyard of a primary school. A beautiful cashew tree stood in the centre and most of the children were already in classes. We heard their voices reciting their lessons with their teachers.
Before beginning our distribution the students had a special gift for us. They sang three songs accompanied by an outstanding children's drum section. Their teacher who was leading them was all smiles and very proud of his students. I once heard that "music is where we hang our memories." The melodic and joyous voices of these Tanzanian children will be a memory I will carry with me forever.
Distribution four is in Kwembi tomorrow with more memories to come ...
Nancy Loveless for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 2 — Nzasa
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| From Tanzania Album 2 |
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| From Tanzania Album 2 |
News of our arrival travels very quickly in the area we are visiting. By mid-afternoon there are many, many children that have come to the school to see if they will receive a bedkit today. Many do, but sadly many go home without a bedkit. This reaffirms that although we are doing a great thing for these children there is still such a high need for the items we are distributing.
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| From Tanzania Album 2 |
The hard work of the first two days of distribution has left me longing for sleep, but at the same time looking forward to distributions in the next few days. The children are still beautiful, have the most brilliant smiles, and are appreciative of our donors’ gifts.
Katie Sandiford for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: Day 1 — Maweni
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| From Tanzania Album 1 |
It was a bleary-eyed but nevertheless exhilarated team that set off on the ferry across the Dar es Salaam harbour to Maweni. We were somewhat concerned to discover that not only did our driver not speak English, but he also had no idea where we were going once we disembarked the ferry.
He did have one redeeming feature: he did not hesitate to stop and ask for directions.
We arrived at Maweni and were greeted by Mama Wandoa, Director of the Upendo AIDS Centre and the voices of hundreds of curious children in the school yard.
It was immediately apparent that the children were needy. Mama Wandoa pointed out a few children wearing a red stripe on the sleeve of their school uniform. This marked them as special needs children with AIDS or epilepsy.
Tonight, six hundred children are sleeping with the comfort of a mattress and protected from mosquito-borne diseases by an LLIN (Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Net).
Following the distribution, we visited the home of a past bedkit recipient. The mother of this family was recently widowed. Mama Wandoa explained they were living in dire poverty in a small shelter. Because of the generosity of a school teacher who had built a small row of rooms, this mother and her three children had a roof over their heads. The poverty was palpable. It was an emotional time and six subdued volunteers left that little home to return to the comfort and -- in contrast -- the luxury of our hotel.
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| From Tanzania Album 1 |
The photos show some of our adventures today including photos of some some of the
beautiful Tanzanian children. It is always about the children and for the children.
Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.
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Tanzania: The team has arrived
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| From Tanzania 2007 Photo Album |
Just a quick note to let you know that Sleeping Children's travelling team to Tanzania has arrived safely. Today they completed their first distribution.
When the first photos arrive you'll see them here.
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Sri Lanka: Visiting a bedkit recipient
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| From Sri Lanka Album 1 |
Our team spent an emotional few minutes with the mother, bedkit recipient, and her older sister and grandmother.
They all knelt at our feet, and thanked us in the traditional Sri Lankan way for the bedkit their daughter received.
It was humbling for all of us to receive their thanks in this fashion.
You can see three photos from our visit in Sri Lanka Photo Album 1. One shows the outside, one the kitchen, and the family with team members Chris and Lynette.
Report submitted by Ted Swanston
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team
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Sri Lanka: Photo Album 1
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| From Sri Lanka Album 1 |
"Wally who," you say?
Well let me tell you we have a very important member of our team that few people know about. Yes, it's Wally.
Now Wally has a major role on our team - particularly making the children smile and helping them relax. Wally belongs to Lynette, our team leader, and Lynette always brings Wally to each distribution. At the opening ceremonies, Lynette will spend a few minutes (before the speeches start) introducing the children to Wally. The reaction is incredible.
Smiles all round.
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| From Sri Lanka Album 1 |
Wally does have his moments though. Someitmes he tries to "bite" a child - gently you understand - and this escalates the smiles into laughs and shrieks - all good fun.
What this accomplishes of course is lots and lots of smiles in the photos - and happy children heading off to collect thier bedkits.
I have had the joy of being able to spend some time taking photos of the most beautiful children, and lots of things happening at the distributions. For more photos of the children, (and Wally too) take a look in Sri Lanka Photo Album 1.
Report submitted by Ted Swanston
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team
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Sri Lanka: Distribution four
Current Weather:
It is now about 7 pm Sri Lankan time, and we are resting after our latest bedkit distribution. As of today we have distributed bedkits to 3,200 children over four distributions. Each day has been a wonderful success — the Rotarians, community volunteers, and members of the Sri Lankan military have been assisting each day. Many hands make lighter work. Each distribution has been attended by about five schools who have all gathered at one central location. The welcomes we have received from each community have been amazing. We have had marching bands, fresh flowers, flower necklaces, holy water, incense, and the presentation of stacked leaves. Most distributions have included a diverse mix of children and parents speaking Sinhalese, Tamil, and some English.
The children and parents have been especially relaxed, warm, and welcoming. We have had fun playing with the children, and they are delighted to mingle with Canadians. It has been wonderful that the children have not been fearful of us and there have been lots of smiles all around.
It is clear that we are working in an area with a lot of poverty. The Rotary Club has selected very appropriate centres for our bedkit distributions: where there is a clear and strong need for our assistance. We have been interviewing parents at each site to get feedback about the items chosen for the bedkits. They are clearly delighted with all of the items, and have stated that all the items are needed and important to receive. The quality of the items is also very good. This year's bedkit includes
- a plasticized woven mat,
- two t-shirts,
- a skirt for the girls or a sarong for the boys,
- two pair of shorts,
- a mosquito net,
- a strong backpack,
- 5 exercise books,
- a box of pencils,
- a pillow,
- a second pillowcase,
- two towels and
- two bedcovers.
Yesterday we were able to visit the homes of two children who received bedkits. Both homes were very simple and constructed of woven roofs, dirt floors, and concrete or mud walls. The cooking areas were very basic and poor. The living conditions of these families was heartbreaking. An average day's pay is about $2, and this makes it very hard to live.
Today we had a slight delay in the distribution and used the time to play with the children to keep them amused. Hokey Pokey, playing with a ball, using a puppet, and just hamming it up was a lot of fun for all.
There are only two distribution days left. We want to assure all of you that we have been keeping well and safe, and are thoroughly enjoying this special experience with the children.
Report submitted by Lois Wey
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team
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Sri Lanka: Three distributions completed
There are six of us in Sri Lanka with the delightful task of personally delivering bedkits to 4,500 needy children in the Puttalam area north of the capital city of Colombo. We arrived in Colombo on July 5th after a long series of flights (Toronto to Alaska to Hong Kong to Singapore to Colombo) and were very thankful that we had a day to adjust our body clocks to Sri Lanka time.
The Rotary Club of Kelaniya has done a wonderful job of organizing this distribution. We left on July 7th by 6 am and headed three hours north to our first distribution site where we were met by some lovely young girls who ceremoniously presented each of us with a handful of leaves. The distribution of the first 650 bedkits went extremely smoothly, and we knew that our "team" was going to do well. Since then we have completed two more very successful distributions each of 650 bedkits. At the second site we were greeted by an eastern girls' band, who played their instruments so well. The third day we were also greeted by a wonderful girls' band. Each day has been a thrilling experience.
The success of each of these three distributions has been supported by the members of the Rotary Club who have attended to all the details: the prior registration of the neediest children; the purchasing, packing and delivery of the bedkits to each distribution site; and the preparation of volunteers to assist with every step. The Sri Lankan military has been extremely helpful at each site, providing security and also a team of friendly soldiers to provide more helpful hands. This has made each distribution extremely smooth, with lots of fun for the children and their parents.
Each distribution site has included a diverse group of children speaking Sinhalese, Tamil, and English and practicing the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu and Muslim. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. What has been most delightful is the warmth and ease of the children, who have been smiling from the beginning of each distribution day.
We have four more days of distribution in the area, and anticipate that everything will continue to go smoothly.
The bedkits are lovely, and have been most appreciated by all the families who have received them.
We are unable to send pictures from this rural site, as there is not high speed internet, but hope that they can follow later.
Report submitted by Lois Wey
for the 2007 SCAW Sri Lanka travelling team
Leave a comment here.
The Rotary Club of Kelaniya has done a wonderful job of organizing this distribution. We left on July 7th by 6 am and headed three hours north to our first distribution site where we were met by some lovely young girls who ceremoniously presented each of us with a handful of leaves. The distribution of the first 650 bedkits went extremely smoothly, and we knew that our "team" was going to do well. Since then we have completed two more very successful distributions each of 650 bedkits. At the second site we were greeted by an eastern girls' band, who played their instruments so well. The third day we were also greeted by a wonderful girls' band. Each day has been a thrilling experience.
The success of each of these three distributions has been supported by the members of the Rotary Club who have attended to all the details: the prior registration of the neediest children; the purchasing, packing and delivery of the bedkits to each distribution site; and the preparation of volunteers to assist with every step. The Sri Lankan military has been extremely helpful at each site, providing security and also a team of friendly soldiers to provide more helpful hands. This has made each distribution extremely smooth, with lots of fun for the children and their parents.
Each distribution site has included a diverse group of children speaking Sinhalese, Tamil, and English and practicing the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu and Muslim. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. What has been most delightful is the warmth and ease of the children, who have been smiling from the beginning of each distribution day.
We have four more days of distribution in the area, and anticipate that everything will continue to go smoothly.
The bedkits are lovely, and have been most appreciated by all the families who have received them.
We are unable to send pictures from this rural site, as there is not high speed internet, but hope that they can follow later.
Report submitted by Lois Wey
for the 2007 SCAW Sri Lanka travelling team
Leave a comment here.
Sri Lanka: Leave your comments here
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- Type your comments in the box.
- Type the blue letters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
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Togo: 7 — Distribution is complete
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- No more sores on their tiny bodies from sleeping on the ground.
- They won’t wake up in the middle of the night because they are cold.
- They now have a few more clothes to wear.
- They also have some school supplies which their parents really appreciated.
- We brought trust and hope back into their lives. We actually delivered. Promises were made and kept.
- A parent commented that bedkits helped unite the whole family.
The team is now playing tourist for the last few days while we wait for the Air France to come and get us.
SCAW Togo travelling team
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