Kolkata: Going to the Country
Good morning,
We are heading out to the countryside for a couple of days, 200 kms from Kolkata, to do two distributions.
It rained yesterday and photos were done in a sparse, crowded classroom. It was pouring rain this morning again and we may not be able to capture the scenery of the outlying districts in our pictures.
Our hotel is a popular venue for wedding and anniversary celebrations and we have had the honour of being invited to participate simply by walking down the hall. It's been a wonderful opportunity to sample the culture and customs of Indian society.
West Bengal is plagued with the avian bird flu and we are all on a diet of fish and vegeterian dishes. The food is wonderfully prepared and we are not missing the chicken.
Thanks for all the comments.
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
We are heading out to the countryside for a couple of days, 200 kms from Kolkata, to do two distributions.
It rained yesterday and photos were done in a sparse, crowded classroom. It was pouring rain this morning again and we may not be able to capture the scenery of the outlying districts in our pictures.
Our hotel is a popular venue for wedding and anniversary celebrations and we have had the honour of being invited to participate simply by walking down the hall. It's been a wonderful opportunity to sample the culture and customs of Indian society.
West Bengal is plagued with the avian bird flu and we are all on a diet of fish and vegeterian dishes. The food is wonderfully prepared and we are not missing the chicken.
Thanks for all the comments.
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
Mumbai: Two Days of Distributions Completed
Day 1: We were greeted at 1:00 a.m. at the Mumbai airport by warm, summer evening temperatures. There is no indoor greeting area but instead we spilled outside right away. We all just stopped and appreciated the balmy weather. Raj, the local Rotarian who has arranged much of our distribution details, found us easily and we all piled into his car with all our gear and precious labels.
The first distribution was that afternoon after a much appreciated sleep. Our first challenge was dealing with the Mumbai traffic, noise, and crowds of people who merrily walk down the side of the road without any apparent care for traffic. With some challenges we made it to the distribution site where we gave out 170 bedkits.
The children were lined up in their crisp, clean new outfits and were amazingly well-behaved and polite. How touching it was to have a small boy reach out a hand to shake ours in thanks or to have a young girl bend down and touch our feet in deep gratitude. Suddenly the impact of this gift of a bedkit hit home. It is unbelievable generosity from strangers to these truly needy children.
The local Rotary Club is a young club with very dedicated members who packed the kits, entertained the children, and helped in every possible way to make the distribution go smoothly. At the end they treated us to some fruit and presented each of us with a kind of Basil plant. This plant represents purity and good health if you eat a leaf each day.
As we were still dealing with the time change and long flights, we were happy to reach our hotel, have a meal, and go to bed.
We had two distributions today and so started at 8:00 a.m. to head off to the first site at a school in Goregaon West. School was in session with 1000 of the children attending in the morning and 700 different children going in the afternoon. A few of these children were from the village and many were from farther away. The distribution of 227 bedkits was carried out in the school yard amidst this busy scene. The children were delightful and thrilled to be with us. Their need is apparent.
Once again, the Rotarians and the teachers were very helpful and fed us fresh oranges, bananas, sandwiches, and cookies for lunch. It is always interesting to talk to the local people. We were invited into a grade one classroom and were part of the opening prayers and national pledge. The children also were thrilled to recite some poetry for us. This particular classroom had over 50 children with one teacher and there were very few supplies. This teacher of 13 years demonstrated an amazing positive attitude with grace and dignity.
Meanwhile, in the school yard, we watched the older enrolled students come outside for a physical education class. To the regular beat of a drum, they demonstrated incredible co-ordination and synchronicity as they performed their exercise routine which included wooden dumb bells.
Then we were off to the next site at the local Mumbai YMCA with 248 bedkits to distribute. We learned that each distribution is a bit different and flexiblity and patience are the keys to success. Once again we were very impressed with the excellent behaviour of the children and the help of their teachers. These children make it all worthwhile and we enjoy ourselves as we work.
Signing off for tonight because we are still tired.
The SCAW 2008 Mumbai Team:
Doug, Dave, Ted, Marsha, Donna and Cathy
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P.S. Hope you are enjoying the snow. The people here say it is cold. It is approaching plus 30° Celsius.
The first distribution was that afternoon after a much appreciated sleep. Our first challenge was dealing with the Mumbai traffic, noise, and crowds of people who merrily walk down the side of the road without any apparent care for traffic. With some challenges we made it to the distribution site where we gave out 170 bedkits.
The children were lined up in their crisp, clean new outfits and were amazingly well-behaved and polite. How touching it was to have a small boy reach out a hand to shake ours in thanks or to have a young girl bend down and touch our feet in deep gratitude. Suddenly the impact of this gift of a bedkit hit home. It is unbelievable generosity from strangers to these truly needy children.
The local Rotary Club is a young club with very dedicated members who packed the kits, entertained the children, and helped in every possible way to make the distribution go smoothly. At the end they treated us to some fruit and presented each of us with a kind of Basil plant. This plant represents purity and good health if you eat a leaf each day.
As we were still dealing with the time change and long flights, we were happy to reach our hotel, have a meal, and go to bed.
Current Weather:
Day 2: Believe it or not, today was Friday, a surprise to some of us who were still living Thursday in Ontario time.We had two distributions today and so started at 8:00 a.m. to head off to the first site at a school in Goregaon West. School was in session with 1000 of the children attending in the morning and 700 different children going in the afternoon. A few of these children were from the village and many were from farther away. The distribution of 227 bedkits was carried out in the school yard amidst this busy scene. The children were delightful and thrilled to be with us. Their need is apparent.
Once again, the Rotarians and the teachers were very helpful and fed us fresh oranges, bananas, sandwiches, and cookies for lunch. It is always interesting to talk to the local people. We were invited into a grade one classroom and were part of the opening prayers and national pledge. The children also were thrilled to recite some poetry for us. This particular classroom had over 50 children with one teacher and there were very few supplies. This teacher of 13 years demonstrated an amazing positive attitude with grace and dignity.
Meanwhile, in the school yard, we watched the older enrolled students come outside for a physical education class. To the regular beat of a drum, they demonstrated incredible co-ordination and synchronicity as they performed their exercise routine which included wooden dumb bells.
Then we were off to the next site at the local Mumbai YMCA with 248 bedkits to distribute. We learned that each distribution is a bit different and flexiblity and patience are the keys to success. Once again we were very impressed with the excellent behaviour of the children and the help of their teachers. These children make it all worthwhile and we enjoy ourselves as we work.
Signing off for tonight because we are still tired.
The SCAW 2008 Mumbai Team:
Doug, Dave, Ted, Marsha, Donna and Cathy
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P.S. Hope you are enjoying the snow. The people here say it is cold. It is approaching plus 30° Celsius.
Kolkata: 992 Bedkits on Wednesday
Hi All,
On Wednesday the 23rd of January we had a distribution closer to Kolkata. It was only 6 km away and it was a holiday for the "freedom fighters" so the traffic was lighter. It still took us a half hour to drive to the Sudhir Memorial Institute, a school with 1200 children in Grades 1 to 12.
The day was warm with partial sun. Many of the children could speak a little English while others seemed quite overwhelmed by all that was going on. We finished our distribution of 992 bedkits and were invited to the principal's office to freshen up and receive lunch: traditional Indian food of rice, dahl, fish, and fresh fruit.
On the way back to the hotel, since we had finished earlier than expected and the traffic was light we went to visit a Jaine Temple. It had very beautiful grounds and the temple itself had tall spires, columns, and figures. Inside it was all done in mosiac, with coloured glass and mirror on the walls and ceiling, marble floors, and inset shrines backed with mirrors representing infinity. The temple had taken twenty-five years to complete. The Jaine belief is a break away from Hinduism and more towards Buddhism. It is a belief in all life and minimal possessions. The believers sweep with a broom in front of themselves before walking so as not to step on anything and will wear a mask so they don't inhale an insect!
The children at the temple were very attracted to us, greeting us in English and shaking hands. They all had to touch us and learn where we lived. We all felt very famous!
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
On Wednesday the 23rd of January we had a distribution closer to Kolkata. It was only 6 km away and it was a holiday for the "freedom fighters" so the traffic was lighter. It still took us a half hour to drive to the Sudhir Memorial Institute, a school with 1200 children in Grades 1 to 12.
The day was warm with partial sun. Many of the children could speak a little English while others seemed quite overwhelmed by all that was going on. We finished our distribution of 992 bedkits and were invited to the principal's office to freshen up and receive lunch: traditional Indian food of rice, dahl, fish, and fresh fruit.
On the way back to the hotel, since we had finished earlier than expected and the traffic was light we went to visit a Jaine Temple. It had very beautiful grounds and the temple itself had tall spires, columns, and figures. Inside it was all done in mosiac, with coloured glass and mirror on the walls and ceiling, marble floors, and inset shrines backed with mirrors representing infinity. The temple had taken twenty-five years to complete. The Jaine belief is a break away from Hinduism and more towards Buddhism. It is a belief in all life and minimal possessions. The believers sweep with a broom in front of themselves before walking so as not to step on anything and will wear a mask so they don't inhale an insect!
The children at the temple were very attracted to us, greeting us in English and shaking hands. They all had to touch us and learn where we lived. We all felt very famous!
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
Kolkata: Celebrations
Everybody loves a parade and this was quite evident on our first weekend in India. January 20 was the Festival of Muharram, a Muslim holiday. On our return to Kolkata from Kharagpur, traffic frequently had to detour, which simply means that a four-lane highway suddenly became a two-lane highway to accomodate parades. We would see colourful lines of people streaming across fields and along laneways to join the throngs of people lining the highway to watch the passing procession. In the parade were large brightly-coloured, sparkling-tinselled replicas of shrines carried by groups of people. Music, singing, and laughter added to the happy festivities.
January 23 was another special day which warranted a day off for schools: students and teachers. This day was a celebration of the Indian Freedom Movement. Open truckloads of people sped up and down the streets shouting and waving flags, in plus 28° C. This was quite a contrast to what we heard from Ontario where the temperature was minus 17° C -- and where schools were closed in some areas due to a snowstorm.
The people of Kolkata certainly show a deep commitment in honouring their traditions and customs.
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
January 23 was another special day which warranted a day off for schools: students and teachers. This day was a celebration of the Indian Freedom Movement. Open truckloads of people sped up and down the streets shouting and waving flags, in plus 28° C. This was quite a contrast to what we heard from Ontario where the temperature was minus 17° C -- and where schools were closed in some areas due to a snowstorm.
The people of Kolkata certainly show a deep commitment in honouring their traditions and customs.
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
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Mumbai: The Team is in Transit
On Tuesday afternoon, our second team to India left from Pearson Airport. They'll be distributing 8,500 bedkits in the next few weeks.Sleeping Children's Mumbai travelling team consists of (left to right) Donna Chantler, Marsha Hardy, Ted Swanston, Doug Cunningham, Cathy Gregory, and Dave Dryden.
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Kolkata: Four Distributions Completed
It is difficult to access to internet, so expect infrequent contact, but here's a message we were able to send today.
We have successfully completed four distributions and all is going well. The Rotarians are ensuring our comfort and pleasant stay in Kolkata/Calcutta and the surrounding area. We have done distributions in new sites as well as the locations of previous years.
Yesterday's distribution in Barasat was located in the shady comfort of the gardens of a Rotarian's country home. Setting and circumstances allowed us considerable time to spend with the children prior to the distribution. I think we managed to get some great smiles from them in the photos as a result and the occasional North American tradition of a thankful handshake.
As always, we leave each distribution with the imprint of hundreds of joyful smiles of the children. Memories which will stay with us forever.
Regards from all of us,
Irene Harrison, for the SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
P.S.: We braved crossing four lanes of chaotic traffic to get to this cybercafé. We are tired enough after a long time to brave the return journey in order to get some rest.
We have successfully completed four distributions and all is going well. The Rotarians are ensuring our comfort and pleasant stay in Kolkata/Calcutta and the surrounding area. We have done distributions in new sites as well as the locations of previous years.
Yesterday's distribution in Barasat was located in the shady comfort of the gardens of a Rotarian's country home. Setting and circumstances allowed us considerable time to spend with the children prior to the distribution. I think we managed to get some great smiles from them in the photos as a result and the occasional North American tradition of a thankful handshake.
As always, we leave each distribution with the imprint of hundreds of joyful smiles of the children. Memories which will stay with us forever.
Regards from all of us,
Irene Harrison, for the SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
P.S.: We braved crossing four lanes of chaotic traffic to get to this cybercafé. We are tired enough after a long time to brave the return journey in order to get some rest.
The current date/time in Kolkata, India:
Leave a comment here.Mumbai: Leave your comments here
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Kolkata: A Brief Message
Hello from Kolkata,
We are having trouble sending blogs as the power keeps going off, but right now we have power!!!!
We're enjoying the distributions.
On the second day we saw over 100 blind and deaf children which really tugged at the heart strings. The children are so quiet and respectful, it is a joy to see them. The Rotary Club of Dum Dum is very welcoming and are entertaining us royally.
Hi, to Tom. We all miss him. Tapan, the driver, misses him too.
Jane Mathieu, for the SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
We are having trouble sending blogs as the power keeps going off, but right now we have power!!!!
We're enjoying the distributions.
On the second day we saw over 100 blind and deaf children which really tugged at the heart strings. The children are so quiet and respectful, it is a joy to see them. The Rotary Club of Dum Dum is very welcoming and are entertaining us royally.
Hi, to Tom. We all miss him. Tapan, the driver, misses him too.
Jane Mathieu, for the SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
Leave a comment here.
Kolkata: The 2008 Distribution is Underway
Current Weather:
Although they haven't had time to contact us via email, the 2008 Kolkata travelling team has phoned to say all is well. They arrived on Wednesday and had completed one distribution when they phoned on Friday.The photo shows Margaret Crossling (left) and Team Leader Irene Harrison at Toronto airport just before takeoff on Tuesday.
Other team members are Katherine Watt, Mary Jo Lang, and Jane Mathieu.
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Kolkata: Leave your comments here
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the link.After you click on the word "comments" or the link "Post a comment" you will be sent to a page that includes a graphic like the one at right.
- Type your comments in the box.
- Type the blue letters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
- Choose an identity.
- Your Google/Blogger account, your AOL account name, or any Open ID (if you have one),
- Your real name or nickname, or
- Anonymous. In this case, please be sure to include your name at the bottom of your comment.
- Click on the blue button to preview or click on the orange button to publish your comment.
Bangladesh: Icing on the Cake
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| Arrius greets a new bedkit owner From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
We have finished our Bangladesh 2007 SCAW trip! It is over already and things have sure gone by fast. I hope you all enjoyed reading my blog posts. I am sure the SCAW team will gladly share our stories with all of you when we return to Canada. The trip has been wonderful and I have seen, experienced, and learned many things.
It has been fun writing the blog and keeping all of you up-to-date. I am now finishing my part and turning over this last post to Dave who will conclude it.
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| Click for larger view. Bangladesh 2007 Album |
This morning, November the 7th, we completed the distribution of 7,500 bedkits to the children of Bangladesh. [Editor's Note: Bringing our total to 905,350 bedkits since Murray Dryden's first distribution in 1970.]
In order to accomplish this successfully we needed to be well organized and efficient. The SCAW team of Don, Roberta, Judy, Clive, and Arrius was more than equal to this challenge. I am so proud of them. They were very competent, demonstrated their caring for the children, and worked very well with the Rotary and Lion's Club members and their volunteers.
One of the sacrifices the team had to make was the curtailling of some of the social interactions with the local people at each distribution site. They also were limited in opportunities to really see the children acting as children. It was as if they saw the children in a classroom setting rather than on the playground and at recess.
This afternoon we had a chance to see our bedkit recipients as playful children. We visited the village of Shambhupura. Last week fifty children from this village had travelled by bus for two and a half hours to a distribution site in Dhaka. There they received their bedkits and today Rotarians Abideen and Maswoodul took us back to Shambhupura to see the homes of these children.
All together we visited about fifteen homes and were invited in to meet the parents and the children. As we moved from house to house we were followed by the children, laughing and crowding around, just as children do throughout the world. It was a wonderful conclusion to our distribution trip.
Last night we attended a wrap-up dinner with the Lion's Club group, Mr. and Mrs. Hadi, and a number of their volunteers. Then tomorrow it will be a day of shopping and sightseeing followed by a dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Dhaka.
This weekend the SCAW team heads in different directions. Clive, Judy, and Dave head back to Canada, while Don, Roberta, and Arrius begin another adventure by going to Dheli (and staying in a $12 a night hotel!). They will be meeting up with some of their family and travelling around India.
I want to thank Arrius for his great work in posting our blogs and pictures. He is a wonderful young man who has added much to the team. I call him "Stretch" because he spends all of his waking hours working hard at the distribution site, eating, or stretching his muscles. He is very accomplished at all of these tasks.
My thanks to the SCAW team and our overseas volunteers
Dave Dryden, team leader
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Bangladesh: SCAW on TV
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| Bangladesh 2007 Album |
Our faces have been shown nationwide on at least two different TV stations in Bengali and English language channels. We have been aired at three different times for the 6, 8, and 10 o'clock news for the past three days.
Unfortunately, none of the SCAW team has been able to watch TV because we are either on the road or in bed at the time, but our hotel receptionist at the desk has kept us informed.
Today has been another great day and in fact it has been the second time so far that we have distributed exactly the right number of bedkits that we were supposed to, with a distribution of 700 bedkits.
We are becoming quite familiar with a few Bengali words that we find useful in our distributions such as:
- Hasho*, which means smile, or laugh. We use this for when the children stand in front of the camera.
- Asho, which means to come, used in guiding the children from station to station.
- Jow, which means to go.
- Meira pronounced may-ra, which means girls.
- Chilera, pronounced chile-ra (like the country), which means boys.
*The words were spelled to the best of our knowledge.
Our Bangladesh adventure is almost coming to an end as we have two more distributions left!
Arrius Racioppo, SCAW team member
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Bangaldesh: Half way through
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| A colourful display as we gathered the last hundred children for a group picture ... can you spot the SCAW team? From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
We have finished working with the Rotarians and now are working with the Lion's Club. We've had our first two days with them doing distributions in the Feni area. The team had a five-hour drive through scattered showers on the first distribution day.
Since Friday is the weekly Holy Day and children don't attend school, we were greeted by a crowd of villagers as well as the children who were all outfitted in their new, varied, and colourful outfits. The Lion's Club volunteers fit smoothly into their roles, the rain held off, and the children left with smiles and their new bedkits.
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| From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
The team finished the day with a shopping expedition at the Hadi's store in Dhaka. Arrius is proving himself to be a very efficient shopper.
Judy Dryden and Arrius Racioppo, SCAW team members
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Bangladesh: Thank you Rotarians and Rotaract members
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| From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
It was great to have worked with the Rotarians. They have been a big help to us and i would also like to make mention of the volunteers who were from the Rotaract Club. They were also a great help in maintaining order and a good flow during the distributions.
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| From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
An experience it was!
After watching rickshaw after rickshaw bike by our cars and travel on the sides of roads wherever we went, we can say that we have ridden in one as well.
That night we were invited by Mr. Hussain for dinner at the Dhaka Club Limited where he is a member. It was fine dining and a splendid time to spend the evening with him.
Arrius Racioppo, SCAW team member
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Bangladesh: Three days on the road
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| Dressed up, lined up, and waiting for pictures and bedkits. From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
However, it was all worth it because we made a difference to every kid who received a bedkit.
Our first day in Barisal was chaotic. It was the first time that a distribution had been held there and the villagers were unfamiliar with how SCAW distributions worked. They didn't understand all the details and consequently there was much organization that had to be done before we could begin.
The second distribution that day was much better. When we arrived all the children were already dressed and lined up. They were divided into boys on the left and girls on the right, and as the Sleeping Children team drove up and got out of our cars all the kids started to clap and smile as they saw us. It was very exciting for them.
Many of these children had travelled quite a distance and had dressed themselves up to look their best for this event. Some of the girls wore lipstick and eyeliner and even high-heels while the boys had their hair combed to one side and their shirts buttoned up and tucked in. Many of them were washing their feet and brushing their teeth with their fingers to look their best. How humbling it was to see this. It gave our team a look at how much it meant to them to receive their gift.
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| Loading bedkits and kids on the bus for home. From Bangladesh 2007 Album |
At the end of yesterday's distribution Clive got one of the girls to sing the Bangladesh national anthem which she did a very good job at. We all clapped when she had finished and Clive rewarded her with a bouquet of flowers.
So far we have distributed 2,400 bedkits and have given 2,400 children their sleep back.
Arrius Racioppo, SCAW team member
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Honduras: Thank You Laurie-Beth
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| Harry and Laurie-Beth set up for the bedkit photos. From Honduras 2007 Album 2 |
Throughout the distribution, I was impressed with Laurie-Beth's attention to detail; she coordinated the efforts of the SCAW team and the Honduran volunteers and ensured that each distribution went as smoothly as possible.
Laurie-Beth maintains the highest standards of accountability to our donors for which SCAW has become known and she is held in the highest regard by SCAW'S Rotary partners here in Honduras. She has worked hard to ensure that the guidelines for the manufacture and distibution of the bedkits are met. Our Rotary partners often referred to Laurie-Beth as part of their extended family. Their fondness and repect for her were always apparent.
This is most likely Laurie-Beth's last distribution as team leader - she has done an amazing job. It has been pleasure doing Honduras with you Laurie-Beth.
Judy Skelton, on behalf of the Honduras Team
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Honduras: Photo Albums 2007
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| Honduras 2007 Album 1 |
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| Honduras 2007 Album 2 |
Photos are added to the Honduras 2007 Photo Albums as each report comes in.
You can see a slideshow of all the photos in each album if you follow the links.
Honduras: The hand that gives, gathers
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| Laurie-Beth and the 4,500th bedkit recipient. From Honduras 2007 Album 2 |
Over the past nine days we have been overwhelmed by the hospitality, generosity and gratitude of the Hondurans.
We have been welcomed into the homes of the very rich and the very poor. Honduras has embraced us and we have had the privilege of being closer to the heartbeat of the country than might otherwise have been possible.
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| The SCAW team & Rotary partners. From Honduras 2007 Album 2 |
Our lives have been enriched by the smiles and the "gracias" of 4,500 beautiful children.
It has been a time of giving on behalf of our donors and of gathering indelible memories of the warmth we have felt here.
Judy Skelton, for the Honduras Distribution Team
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Honduras: Our biggest distribution
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| From Honduras 2007 Album 2 |
It was built with much help from various churches after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. In 2001 the community was ready for new residents. These people had been living on the river banks and their homes were swept away. They were welcomed to their new homes with the intention of creating a close-knit community which seems to be what was established.
Here we gave out 741 bedkits today -- the biggest single distribution in a day for this year.
The sun was hot but we had keen Rotary Club helpers and of course all the team members wanted to continue until every child left with new clothes, a bedkit on their back, and a smiling face.
Suzanne Dobinson, for the SCAW 2007 Honduras Travelling Team
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Bangladesh: First distribution complete
The current date/time in Dhaka, Bangladesh:
Our first day of distributions has ended.We distributed 600 bedkits at two different locations in Sirajganj. It took about three hours to arrive there. On the way we crossed a bridge of 8 km, the largest bridge in Bangladesh.
Our first site was a college. When we arrived, the children were already dressed up in their new clothes and lined up, ready to get their picture taken and receive their bedkits. We finished fairly quickly and then walked to the other side of the field where we met with the kids and took pictures of them.
We then were driven to another site only fifteen minutes away where we distributed the last of the bedkits. About half of the group of kids there had travelled approximately 150 km to get there. They had taken a bus with some of their teachers all that way just to receive their special gift.
It is such an amazing thing to hear about people going that far for something that means a lot to them.
After finishing, we had successfully given out all 600 bedkits. We hopped back in the car and were treated to lunch by the Rotarians. It was a long drive back because of the dense traffic but we made it back to our hotel feeling quite tired.
Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be up at 4 in the morning and ready to leave around 5 for a 4-hour long drive down south.
Arrius Racioppo, SCAW team member
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