Bangladesh: Sree Nagar Distribution

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 12: Dhaka

A second day of rain and cool temperatures!

The team had an early start this morning at 7:00 AM for the distribution of 500 Bedkits in Sree Nagar. The journey took us along some extremely narrow roads with steep slopes and water on both sides. There were some challenging times when our minivan had to share the single-lane road with big buses. The temperature was 22 degrees Celsius and we were not prepared to have a morning swim. Thankfully, we arrived safely in Sree Nagar at 8:30 AM.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

It was raining heavily, but the team-spirit was high. The distribution had to be done indoors, and the designated room was quite dark. However, the team attended to the tasks at hand and, before long, the room was set up to photograph the children and the camera was poised, ready to go!

The rain was not a show-stopper for the children. They all looked very spiffy in their new outfit, (part of the content of their bedkit), as they waited patiently to have their pictures taken and to receive their bedkit. Their smiles were like rainbows. Thanks to the donors.

Lots of puddles on our way home, but we made it safely back to the hotel, after a lengthy detour for a bit of shopping. Kudos to the guys for their patience, and valuable comments.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

We had much laughter and fun today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Maxene Henry & Marg Garrett
for Team Bangladesh
Pictures from Douglas MacDougald

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Bangladesh: Southwest distribution

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 11: Noria on Noapara Island

We travelled on a rainy day southwest to the Padma River and then by ferry to Noapara Island to distribute 800 bedkits to families that inhabit this island that has no electricity. They also have contaminated and silty river water for their drinking water. It was a very interesting day starting with a three-and-a-half-hour trip travelling through mostly a rural area with little villages along narrow roads. We were delayed with a truck snarling traffic as it had almost slipped off the road onto a sharp slippery embankment leading to a water channel.

There were many areas where there was water on one side and sometime two. On the approach to the ferry we travelled for perhaps a kilometer through a village that had only huts perched over the embankment and literally living on the road and over water. These villages continue to be fairly self-contained with services including barber shops, material stores, and a forge.

Docking the ferry dock simple: ram the boat into the muddy bank and let passengers like us slip down the slope with our equipment to clamber aboard — but not before singing "O Canada" to what seemed like the entire village. The ferry was a small beat-up, roughly-built tin can with a tin roof and we sat in the one and only compartment with a very loud engine until escaping to the top of the tin roof for the trip over.

The distribution was great, although we set up under a canopy — remember, it was raining a little — and got half-done before the real rain and wind came and blew the canopy away. We thought afterwards that we had perhaps waited a little too long before moving into a storage room. ;) This is a very optimistic team!

For those donors that get pictures from the storage room the backdrop looks like a low four poster bed with handles but is actually the village equivalent to a hearse. Did I mention earlier an interesting day?

Eight hundred kids didn't care about the rain, or what the backdrop was — they just went home happy.

Through a taste of monsoon season we made it back across the Padma river in our leaky boat and made it home by 7:30 PM.

A good day.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: A hot day in Dhaka

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 10: Dhaka

This was a sleep-in day since we weren't meeting the Rotary Club for our final review until 11 AM; however, the phone rang at 6 AM with Asad from our hotel wanting to know if he should bring tea. Hmmmmm. Asad is looking after us very well but there is a point of being too keen!! Oh well, I had planned to go for a run this morning but not quite this early. At 6:20 AM I stepped out of the hotel and it was 26ºC and 90% humidity.

Welcome to Dhaka on their second day of winter!!

This is the time of the day when people exercise and the walking path along the water, just down the street from where we are staying, and a park close by with another path has lots of people walking with a few jogging. This tall (for here) white guy with running shorts (everybody has track pants but, come on, it is already a humidex approaching 40 and I am sweating buckets) loping around the path weaving around the walkers brought lots of stares but you know what? A smile and "as-sa-lam wa-lai-kum" ("Hello.") or "shavo shakell" ("Good morning.") changes everything with big smiles and hellos and good mornings back. Very friendly people.

Everything was quite smooth with our discussion with Rotary and M & M (Maxene & Marg) went off shopping with Capt. Hossain. They came back later in the afternoon excited about their purchase of modern Bengali attire consisting of a Kamiz (a long tunic top), a Salwar (pants that come in various styles), and a Dopatta (a sash). They chose 'loose fit.' Don't worry, folks, I haven't gone fashion-forward but I am going somewhere with this.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

After the meeting with Mr. Hadi and his wife, Marzan, from the Lion's Club to organize for the second half of our bedkit distribution in Bangladesh which starts tomorrow, the M & M's were showing the rest of us their purchases.

Well the Salwar apparently comes in one-size-fits-all which led to howls of laughter as it was apparent that Richard (see picture) and the M's could all fit into this together.

Sorry folks, you sort of had to be there, but you get the jist. We are getting ready to rock 'n' roll tomorrow for 800 more kids.

Yippee!!

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Team Review

All photos are from the Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 9: Dhaka

We arrived back in Dhaka at 5AM to a beehive of activity with dinghy's (small boats with a single-oarsman that ferry people and supplies) on the move as several steamers docked.

We had a great night back including a "serious" game of euchre that was loud enough with laughter that the rest of the ship must have heard it. For the record the M & M's will gloat over the Doug's until the re-match. Perhaps we should make it really serious this time and have a bet on the match? Bedkit donations from the losing team would be appropriate with the only question being how many. Perhaps our blog readers could weigh in on this dilemma?

The rest of the day was a needed day of rest, touring some of the city, a team review of the rest of the week, and another delightful evening and dinner with the Rotary Club group.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bandladesh: Barisal Distribution

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 8: Barisal

We woke at 5 AM as the steamer docked in Barisal and we proceeded immediately through a rural, almost jungle area with many small villages that are rough, basic places connected by, at times, not much more than a cart path.

These villages, however, often have strong family connections and community spirit and are somewhat self-contained.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Captain Hossain who is heading up the Rotary 4,000 distribution comes from the Barisal area and the hub for today's 1300 bedkits was at his family home. His family settled at this site in the 1600s.

Today's distribution was, as mentioned in the previous blog, originally planned for two days; however, communication issues led to this being the best option. It was quite successful thanks the efforts of the village, family, Rotarians, and our team.

We ended the day with a walking tour with Captain Hossain through his village as he recounted some of his family and village history.

We are finally back on the steamer at 8:30 PM tired and ready to sleep on the overnight trip back to Dhaka.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Thanks again to wireless technology it is easy to stay in touch. (This report was sent from my Blackberry and the photos were sent from Doug Jamieson's iPhone.)

Doug MacDougald and Doug Jamieson
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Heading to Barisal

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 7: From a steamer to Barisal

This is a day of several parts starting with a very hot 400 bedkit distribution in Dhaka at a wonderful club that some members of Rotary belong to. Lots of happy kids heading off on bicycle rickshaws and pictures to follow in a couple of days and you will see why shortly. Lunch at the same club was a delight, with chili fish, chicken beryani, beef curry, and ice cream. We are well-fed and looked-after by the Rotary Club of Dhaka.

Then it was back to the hotel to pack up to leave most of our stuff at a Rotarian's home, take our overnight bag, head to the Rotary club for a brief meeting, and then to the Old Port of Dhaka to catch a steamer for an overnight boat ride down the
Buriganga river to our next distribution in Barisal.

We had a fascinating walk through the streets and shops of the Old Port as we waited for departure. This is the poorest area of Dhaka and also the busiest.

We stood on the top deck and watched Dhaka disappear and then feasted again, this time on Hilsha, the national fish of Bangladesh, pomphret fish, and eggplant. We will need all the nourishment and stamina we can get as we — due to circumstances beyond our control — do two day's distribution in one tomorrow. Then we will be back on the boat for an overnight to Dhaka.

Thus no pictures but, thanks to wireless and a Blackberry, blogging is still possible.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device.

Arrival in Barisal: view from the foredeck. From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

A photo was sent by Doug Jamieson from his iPhone® early Tuesday evening after Doug M's report had been posted:  "After a peaceful night's sleep aboard the steamer, we've arrived in Barisal. Here's the view of the dock from the foredeck."

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Bangledesh: Feni Distribution 1

Day 6: Feni

We left at 5:30 AM for the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Feni, a rural area, to distribute 500 bedkits to very poor children. This distribution site was in a school surrounded by a low wall that allowed families and others to view the event. This also allowed for more interaction with the families and children as they left, which also showed us the excitement of what this donation means.

Keep up the good work to everyone connected to Sleeping Children and especially the donors!

The drive to and from through Dhaka and the countryside was filled with unusual sights and experiences for us: thousands of bicycles, rickshaws. Considering they are smaller and slower than just about everything else, the driver and passengers have to be fearless.

This country sits atop the world's largest river delta, a vast flood plain where an intricate system of rivers and tributaries weave like a network of roads, reshaping the land on their way to the Bay of Bengal. As much water flows through Bangladesh as through all of Europe. There is water everywhere with rice fields and fish lagoons and then even more water.

We passed many outdoor brick manufacturing sites with all manual labour.

This is the most densely populated country with any significant landmass in the world — 1045 people per square kilometer compared to Canada at 3.2. 140 million people in an area sixty times smaller than Canada. There are people everywhere - in the fields, on the water, and fearless on the roads.

It's now 8:30 PM and we are back to our hotel. A good day.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Sirajgonj Distribution

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 5: Sirajgonj

The SCAW Team was off to an early start this morning. We left at 6 AM for the northern city of Sirajgonj to distribute 500 bedkits.

Our Rotary hosts treated us to a very delectable breakfast en route to the distribution site. When we arrived at the site we were greeted by some of the children who were already dressed for their pictures. The SCAW team got organized very quickly and the children were happy to get their bedkits. The weather was great once again, which facilitated a smooth distribution with loads of Bangladesh sunshine. Thanks to all the donors who have made another 500 children very happy today. They are now, hopefully, having a comfortable night's sleep using the contents of their bedkit.

The team had a very interesting ride to and from Sirajgonj. This was our first trip out of Dhaka, so we got a really good perspective of the life in Bangladesh.

We had never seen so many rickshaws in our lives and we were awed by the variety and size of the cargo these vehicles were able to accommodate. We also noticed that a two lane highway could be readily used as four lanes and that the rickshaws were well-respected by all motorists. A rickshaw would go in any direction it wished but, interestingly, there were absolutely no accidents.

The drivers are all very skillful in using up every inch of the road to move along quickly. Needless to say, we had some anxious moments, but all in all we arrived back at our hotel safely at 7:15 PM, with much enthusiasm for another early start tomorrow: 5:30 AM!!!

Maxene Henry
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Distribution Two

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 4: Dhaka

This was a very smooth 702 bedkit day and it may not have been apparent in Marg and Maxene’s blog but this was in sharp contrast to yesterday. Both occurred in the same location: a small courtyard surrounded by small classrooms and piled high with bedkits. It was a bake oven that did not work for kid, man, woman, or camera.

We led the charge to empty the bedkits from one of the rooms. Anyone who has slugged bales under a hot tin barn roof as the mow is close to filled has the picture. The only good news: we got through the rest of the distribution sort of OK ... and Richard, our co-leader, finally had a team member that could give him a run for his money on ability to sweat — we just “puddled” through the day. At some point in the day when things were not going well Marg, Maxene, Doug J. and I were happy to see our other co-leader, Joan, jump in to keep things organized.

Back to today — same place, same people and it ended up textbook. Hats off to the Rotary Club of Dhaka who did a great job.

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

The kids were bussed in from as far away as 150 kilometers and arrived hot, tired, and apprehensive. Trust me, they and their families need all the help we can give them.

But of course when the day was over and the buses were loaded and heading home the kids were excited and happy. A better ride home.

We and you are helping one child at a time.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: The first distribution

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 3: Dhaka

It was much to our surprise that the distribution site was only 10 minutes from our hotel. We left at 8 AM and arrived at the site at 8:10 AM greeted by the children and parents who were gathering.

There were lots of Hello's, How are you's, and smiles. The many Bangladesh volunteers were already on site with lots of enthusiasm and politeness.

600 happy faces were our treat of the day. The children were orderly, patient and full of anticipation. The girls particularly looked beautiful in their colourful outfits for picture taking.

Click to go to the Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

There was one girl today with only one leg and no prosthesis. She was hopping along using only a stick. She radiated grace and appreciation for her bedkit. We were thrilled to see her.

Maxene Henry and Marg Garrett
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Preparations

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 2: Dhaka

Off the plane by 6 AM and it was warm and sticky in Dhaka as we headed to our hotel. We got a glimpse of the sights and smells of the fourteen million people that live in this city on the ride -- but only a little glimpse.

We spent the rest of the day resting and prepping for our first distribution tomorrow. We met with the Rotary Club of Dhaka’s committee and discussed details of their portion of this 8,000 bedkit distribution. The Lions Club will organize the other portion.

Then we examined and did a dry run of the bedkit set-up.

Ahhhh ... bed.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: The team has arrived

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Day 1: Travel

Our day of travel to Dhaka started Tuesday early evening in Toronto, and ended early Thursday morning after seventeen hours flying time, nine hours layover in London, and ten hours time change.

Not so bad compared to my Dad’s longest mission of twenty-two hours flying out of Jessore, India (now Bangladesh) in WWII. We had the comforts of modern travel; he was crammed into a tail turret. We have no complaints!

Well perhaps one: our best-laid plans during our layover of heading from Heathrow to Windsor for a walk-about, lunch, and perhaps see the Queen didn’t happen due to a comedy of logistical errors. Instead, we walked through all five Heathrow terminals. Long story, one best not repeated.

But, at the end of it all, Team Bangladesh has arrived in Dhaka.

In the photo, we have just been welcomed by the Rotary members. In the photo (Left to Right) Doug MacDougald, Marg Garrett, Richard Hryniw, Maxene Henry, Capt. M. Khaliquzzaman of the Rotary, Joan Hryniw, Doug Jamieson.

Doug MacDougald
for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Leave your comments here

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Bangladesh: They're on their way

From Bangladesh 2008 Photo Album

Here's the Bangladesh 2008 travelling team for Sleeping Children Around the World at Pearson Airport this afternoon.

They're on their way to distribute 8,000 bedkits in Bangladesh.

Back Row (Left to right): Doug Jamieson, Doug MacDougald, Richard Hryniw (Team Leader). Front Row (Left to right): Maxene Henry, Marg Garrett, Joan Hryniw (Team Leader).

Nicaragua: 4,000 Children sleeping well

The first-ever distribution in Nicaragua is completed. Thanks to SCAW donors, 4,000 children in this country will be sleeping well tonight. In addition to handing out 516 bedkits today, our team had the opportunity to visit the homes of two families in central Managua.

Upon arrival at the first home, the mother hugged our team and was so overcome with emotion that she was sobbing and thanked us profusely for the gift SCAW had given her daughter. We were invited into her home to see where the bedkit would be used. The mosquito net had already been set up, and the children in the family all piled onto the bed, and we asked if we could take their photographs. Please see the attached Slideshow.

At the second home, the mother was heating milk in a metal pot over an open fire when we arrived. The team was shown through their home. We were struck by the clothesline in a communal courtyard made of scrap barbed wire, with well-worn items hanging over the rusty metal barbs.

After witnessing the conditions in these two homes, the team was happy to have had the privilege of providing help where it is so obviously needed.

Because tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, the team felt it was only appropriate to invite our new friends in Rotary and Rotaract (young and future Rotarians) to a celebration to thank them for all their hard work in organizing this first-ever distribution.

Thank you donors for making this Thanksgiving truly meaningful for the team and for 4,000 children and their families.

Thanks for all the e-mails. We have appreciated your encouragement and best wishes.

The SCAW 2008 Nicaragua travelling team.

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Nicaragua: Outside Managua

First girl recipient today. From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Our team today travelled outside the capital of Managua to do distributions in three different rural locations. It was enjoyable to leave the city for a change and enjoy the openness and fresh country air. The weather co-operated: bright sunshine throughtout most of the day was followed by rainfall which started as our final bedkits for the day were being given out.

Following one distribution, our team spoke with a Sister, and her teachers, who operate a school which, as an additional community service, houses, feeds, and educates forrty orphans. One of the team's pictures today shows the Sister and several of these young ladies.

Sister and the orphan girls. From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Interviews with parents again confirmed how important the mosquito net, mattress, clothing, and other items would be to the children receiving bedkits. Our team saw children leaving the distribution site on horse-drawn carts, bicycles, and other simple modes of transportation.

The trip has gone quickly. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last distribution day.

To see more photos, go to our Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album.

The SCAW 2008 Nicaragua travelling team.

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Nicaragua: Making bedkits

From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Our fourth distribution in Nicaragua was on a very sunny day. The sun shone all day and so did the faces of 765 children. At 8:00 this morning the temperature gauge read 37 degrees and the children patiently waited for their turn to pose for their photos and receive their bedkits. As one little boy enthusiasticly proclaimed, in perfect English, "It's Santa Claus!"

Today, the team was again overwhelmed by the appreciation expressed by the children, families, and schools. One particularly brave little boy stood in front of the crowds and thanked Sleeping Children Around the World and the Rotary Club. They were all so grateful for their 765 friends in Canada. The simple gifts of mosquito netting, bedding, mattress, clothing, and school supplies were indeed valuable and precious to all the children and their families. Each child would certainly agree that every donation from Canada will improve, if not change, their world!

The clothing factory. Click to see more photos. From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Following today's distribution, the team had the unique opportunity to visit the two workshops where the clothing and mattresses had been made. Under hot tin roofs, Nicaraguan men and women have worked tirelessly to manufacture 4,000 matresses, 16,000 t-shirts and 12,000 shorts on behalf of the SCAW donors. Without the luxuries of air-conditioning and space, these workers have made the mattresses, stuffed with cast-off material, and sewn each shirt with ancient sewing machines, for the Nicaraguan children. It quickly began apparent to all team members that SCAW's bedkit order had vastly improved these workshops' economy. Murray Dydren's vision of contributing to the local economy was certainly maintained.

At the end of the day, there were still more children at the gate asking for food and supplies. Therefore the team is very happy to be continuing the bedkit distribution tomorrow.

To see more photos, go to our Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album.

The SCAW 2008 Nicaragua travelling team.

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Nicaragua: Day 3's Distribution

From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Following yesterday's heavy downpours, everyone appreciated a day without rain.

With the co-operation of the local police, the road outside the school (where the distribution was held), was blocked off from all local traffic. This allowed the bus loads of children and their parents clear access to get their bedkits. As you might imagine, there was great excitment and total confusion as the children checked in, dressed in their new clothes, and sat down for their photographs.

Clarence and Marianne had visited the school yesterday to coordinate the set-up of today's distribution: this was a great help.

From Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album

Some of today's bedkit recipients attend the school where the distribution was held. This school is supported by several charitable organizations where children receive food, transportation, uniforms, and school supplies.

One highlight of today's parent surveys was the comment that receiving the bedkit for their child meant the family would have more money available now to buy food for the family ... thanks to receiving the bedkit.

The children and parents continue to be appreciative of you, our donors, for making the gift of a bedkit possible.

To see more photos, go to our Nicaragua 2008 Photo Album.

The SCAW 2008 Nicaragua travelling team.

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Nicaragua: 701 Bedkits in the rain

Our team went today for our second distribution to a local school in Managua, to give out 701 bedkits.

It poured, several times during the day but the children were remarkably resilient and patient with the delays and being soaked! When they had to change from their own wet clothes into their SCAW outfits we were delighted to see the sun come out and everyone's mood brightened accordingly.

We started interviewing some of the mothers/grandmothers to find out what they thought of the bedkits. Liz, who did the interviewing, was quite overwhelmed by their stories and the descriptions of their living conditions. The parents were ecstatic about the inclusion of the mosquito net in the bedkit as mosquito-born infections (e.g., malaria and dengue fever) are a huge concern here.

One grandmother we interviewed is caring for her five grandchildren because four of their parents had died of unknown causes. She sleeps on the hard mud-packed floor and she was delighted to know that her children will sleep so much better tonight on their brand-new mattress with their mosqito net protecting them.

We hope you enjoy today's photo slideshow.

The SCAW 2008 Nicaragua travelling team.

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