Kenya: Team in Amsterdam

We received the following email from Sleeping Children's 2008 team to Kenya. More messages will be posted as we receive them.

Team Kenya is safely on the ground in Amsterdam and getting ready for our flight to Nairobi.

Duncan Macgregor
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Leave your comments here

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Uganda: Distribution Complete

Thank you, donors, for allowing us to distribute successfully 6,000 bedkits to the children of Uganda.

It was bittersweet when we handed out your last bedkit. We knew that 6,000 children and their families were happy with their bedkit, yet it meant for our team that our journey had drawn to a close.

It feels so good to be here in Uganda and we hope that our blogs have been able to convey some of the joy of our experiences. Thank you for reading our updates and joining us on our journey.

The photos are from our last two distributions: One day we gave out 1,000 kits without a hitch. The last day we saw the smiles of 500 children. The last group of photos are of our trip to the Nile. The photo of the rippling water is actually the source of the Nile!

We are packing our bags and saying our goodbyes. We have all said it feels like leaving summer camp: sad to go, but full of good memories.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: In the foothills of Mount Elgin

We had a wonderful day today, working and playing and meeting children and adults.

We were about 1 1/2 hours outside of Mbale, in the foothills of Mount Elgin, high up above the plains of eastern Uganda. Many of the people in this community had been displaced because of tribal conflict on the plains and had settled in the hills for safety. We also were very upset and saddened to hear that this region practices female circumcision although there is an education program in place to help eradicate this ritual.

On our way home we stopped at Sipi falls and a hospital which treats children with hydrocephalis. We learned that Uganda has one of the highest rates of hydrocephalis and this hospital alone treats 2,000 cases a year. Although heartbreaking to see these sick children, it seemed like an excellent facility where they were being treated.

Tomorrow is our long day - 1,000 children will receive bedkits at two sites.

We are looking forward to it!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: 500 More Children

From Uganda 2008 Photo Album

We were greeted today with 500 children singing their thanks to us, complete with rhythmic clapping. One of the songs they sang had the refrain "We are the future of Uganda," which made us all reflect on the possibilities for this beautiful country.

One of the pictures today shows us in our banana leaf skirts and necklaces which were bestowed upon us as we arrived at the distribution site. The community members then had us up dancing in them in celebration of the day.

Click to enlarge and browse Uganda Photo Album

We took the photos of the children under some huge trees with the mountains in the background — as well as a few goats and cows — it was beautiful.

After the distribution was complete we convinced the Inner Wheel to join us for a hike up the mountain. Our guide led us through small paths to a stunning waterfall. All along the way the hillside was cultivated with corn, cabbage, avocados, tomatoes — all on tiny plots of land with the occasional mud hut.

Another great day!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: Travelling Upcountry

We had fun travelling upcountry.

There was lots of music — with thumb instruments, drums, and throat singing — and many, many happy smiles of children and caregivers.

We wish you all could join us in the celebrations of the children receiving their gift from you!

Hope you enjoy the photos of our days upcountry!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: 2008 Photo Album

To browse the photos in the Uganda 2008 Photo Album, click below.

Uganda 2008 Photo Album

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Uganda: Day Four

Today, we were greeted with beautiful sunshine for our 4^th day of SCAW distributions in Uganda.

The SCAW team travelled approximately 50 km outside of Kampala to conduct a distribution at a Catholic church yard.

The children were so happy to receive their bedkits from the donors in Canada and we were fortunate to complete the distribution before a shower arrived.

On behalf of the children of Uganda, "Webele" or "Thank You," for your wonderful donations; it is greatly appreciated.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Day Three

Flat Stanley in Uganda, from Uganda 2008 Photo Album

We awoke to the rumbling of thunder but had a day of sunshine!

After an 80 km ride to Kayunga we arrived at our site — a muslim school. Nobody was at school today as it was a Ugandan national holiday.

Our 500 bedkit children were so very happy with their gift from our donors.

Sue Small interviewed a number of the recipients to find out how we could improve the bedkit items and was touched at how grateful the recipients and their caregivers (most of the children had been orphaned by AIDS) were.

Flat Stanley from St. Theresa School in Sherwood Park, Alberta joined us today. He found out that the children here wish they could afford to continue going to school and that they love to eat matoke at each meal!

The children at our distribution had fun playing with Stanley!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: A Muddy Day

Click to see more photos in Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Today's distribution went great, despite rain all day.

We got off to a slow start as our van got stuck in the mud on our way to the distribution site. Luckily, we were only 2 km from the site, so the Canadian team and the Inner Wheel team hiked and slipped our way through the red Ugandan mud. What a great team!

The children were so happy to see us and we were so happy to see them!

Our hike back to the bus was a journey we took with children, bedkits, caregivers and heavy mucky shoes. All in all, certainly a day to remember!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Bedkits in Mpigi

Hello from the Uganda team!

The slideshow shows photos from our first distribution in Mpigi. Despite a deluge of rain, the children's smiles tell the story of our day!

The last two photos show one of the places where the bedkit clothing is sewn and Daisy, a member of the Inner Wheel, in front of the storage room for part of the bedkit.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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You can also browse the Uganda Photo Album if you would like to see larger versions of the photos.

Uganda: The team has arrived.

Click photo to see larger version.

Hello there!

As you can see, the Uganda team has arrived safely in Kampala.

Today we toured the manufacturing facilities for the bedkit mattresses and the children's clothing. The children's clothing manufacturer was a true example of a cottage industry, employing many local women.

We explored downtown Kampala and had a pre-distribution meeting with the Inner Wheel women.

We are all excited about beginning our distribution tomorrow!

Thank you donors, for enabling us to distribute 6,000 bedkits to children in this country!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Leave your comments here

You may have to scroll down to find the link to "Post a comment."

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.

1. Type your comments in the box.
2. Type the characters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
3. Choose an identity.
   1. Your Name,
   2. Your Google/Blogger account (if you have one),
   3. Your OpenID (if you have one), or
   4. Anonymous. In this case, be sure to include your name in your comment.
4. Click on the blue button to preview or click on the orange button to publish your comment.

Note: You cannot post comments on the Picasa pages.

Togo: Mission Accomplished

The children cheered	Waiting for next year.
Click on any photo to see a larger version and to browse the Togo 2008 Photo Album

The Togo 2008 distribution is now complete. This brings to 935,350 the total number of bedkits distributed since Murray and Margaret Dryden began Sleeping Children Around the World in 1970.

Mission accomplished. From the Togo 2008 Photo Album

Pictured with the 3000^th bedkit recipient are: (Left to right) Grant Clark, Helene Compeau, Sarah Compeau, Leslie Banner, Loreen Cumming, Doug Cumming.

The Canadian SCAW team looks forward to returning home. We leave tonight.

Helene and Sarah will return via Egypt. Grant and Leslie will spend several days in Paris on the way home. Doug and Loreen are going right back to Owen Sound.

Sarah Compeau,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Photo Album Slide Show

Eagerness, anticipation, and happiness:
twenty-three images of the Sleeping Children Around the World
bedkit distribution (2008) in Togo, West Africa.

Browse the Togo 2008 Picasa Photo Album

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: A day of rest

Click on photo to see a larger version From Togo 2008 Photo Album

On Friday, May 23^rd, our team enjoyed a day of rest. We took this opportunity to visit hospitals and orphanages in Lome.

Our team had brought toys and children’s clothes that we distributed to mothers in maternity wards and to children whose parents have died of AIDS.

At one orphanage, we met a gospel singer who, through her own efforts, rescues street children from certain death. She is responsible for the survival and strength of 34 children.

Our hearts were filled with amazement. She funds her work through sales of her very popular CDs.

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Click on a photo to see a larger version and to browse Togo 2008 Photo Album

Brianna’s bracelets were a hit! A beautiful grade two student from Caledonia had carefully braided 40 friendship bracelets. Children in this orphanage were overjoyed to accept this very special gift from Canada.

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Three distributions completed

From Togo 2008 Photo Album

Our Togo team sends greetings to all our donors, family, and friends.

Our team has completed three distributions, experienced a torrential downpour that turned roads into small lakes, and experienced temperatures that make the hottest days in Ontario, Canada seem cool.

We send special greetings to all those school children that have made donations to Sleeping Children Around the World.

We wish that each of you could be with us to touch the hands of the children receiving your bedkit.

Whether it is a needy child in Togo, or a child from other countries our charity serves, their joy is overwhelming. Their eyes burst with happiness when they see all the items they will receive in their bedkit.

I am especially proud of the children from the Norfolk, Brant, Haldimand Catholic Elementary Schools, whose generosity has made a difference to children in need.

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the SCAW 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Photo Album

Photos above from Togo 2008 Photo Album Click on photo to see a larger image and to browse the photo album.

Uganda: The team is ready

Our Uganda team was at Sleeping Children headquarters a few weeks ago, preparing for their trip at the end of May.

Here's the team that will be representing SCAW during this year's distribution:
(Left to right, Back row) Jean-Pierre Hamelin, Debbie Will-Dryden & Sieg Will (Team Leaders), (Front row) Valerie Greenfield, Sue Small, Jeffrey Bamford.

Togo: First distribution completed

Our first distribution (today) ran smoothly and we distributed 500 bedkits to very happy children.


This post includes pictures promised yesterday.

The top picture shows our team and the Overseas Volunteer Organization (OVO), who are members of a not-for-profit organization called Action Enfance et Développement Togo (AED-Togo), whose primary goal is the care of women and children affected with AIDS.

The bottom picture shows our Canadian volunteers: (Left to right) Sarah Compeau, Helene Compeau, Grant Clark & Leslie Banner (Team Leaders), Loreen Cumming, and Doug Cumming.


Sarah Compeau
for the SCAW 2008 Togo travelling team.

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