Bangladesh Lions: Rest Day

There is one thing about being on a SCAW trip … every day just keeps getting better!

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

Our first two distributions went off really well. Right down to the exact number even in chaotic circumstance’s with zigzag deliveries. We’ve taken a ton of photos and are coming up with a top ten list of pics.

Today we spent with Mr. Hadi and his wife as they showed us their factory. Even though today was their day off, workers came in and showed us how they operate. The fabrics and designs that come out of the Shoppe are truly amazing and unique. We felt that they were very honored that we would come visit them.

We also went to his store and made some purchases for people back home. The great purses, ties, and jewelry were impressive but more impressive was the way the women shop for a sari. There are many fabrics folded on a wall and about 8 to 10 men show the fabric to the women who sit on stools and drink great coffee. The men even model the fabrics for you. Some saris can even cost up to $ 1500 each!

Later in the day we went out to the market to be greeted by everyone. The market has a great selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Alongside are live chickens and dozens of eggs. Everyone wants his or her photo taken. The relationship between Bangladesh and a Canadian person is tremendous. We feel very safe here and are enjoying each other’s company.

The Bangladesh Lions Team

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Bangladesh Rotary: Feni

We left at 6 AM for a four hour trip to Feni on the east side of the country and close to the Indian border. We saw the same description of the countryside as the Lions Team: lush countryside full of rice fields, fish ponds, and vegetable plots. What a breadbasket — and it needs to be, with 165 million people to feed.

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

806 bedkits today and a three-day total of 3006. Whew!

It will be a short day tomorrow with some time to catch our breath in the afternoon.

The emotional moment of the day was one school bringing 34 blind kids and it was just heart-breaking. We just took our time and cared for them as best we could in the short time we were in their lives. John was handing out the bedkits and made sure that each child was able to feel the bedkit before a helper whisked it off to the bus for the ride home. Another school insisted to the Rotary organizers that a five-hour bus ride from the most southern tip of Bangladesh was worth it for 25 of their poor children to receive a bedkit. They left for their five-hour ride home already tired but very happy.

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

So, to continue the theme of 'fun for all,' Mike showed the kids what snow was like using snow crystals we traded Sue Orr, of the Lions Team, some bubbles for. The picture says it all.

Doug took a turn at driving the bicycle rickshaw van that was delivering bagged lunches for the kids. This was quite amusing to the parents and other community people gathered around.

And lastly it remains quite a challenge to get the kids to smile for the picture so we started to get them to clap or wave which of course elicited big smiles -- but when it came time to take the picture it was back to being serious again. The kids waiting in the line watching this came in for their turn clapping and waving and we couldn't get them to stop for the photo.

Hmmm...are we trying the wrong approach?

Team Rotary Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Lions: Second Distribution

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

What a busy and fascinating day.

Out again into the countryside along single lane dikes to a waterside school. The children were delightful and quick to respond to any songs and games. They were full of smiles and of course when we saw them later very confident around the water.

Distribution pictures show local boats in the background and it was amazing to watch these boats being happily loaded with newly received bedkits. Much to the delight of the local people and ourselves we were taken on a breathtaking trip on one of these boats by a local resident.

The perfect end to a perfect day that saw another 800 children sleeping more comfortably tonight.

The Bangladesh Lions Team

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Bangladesh Lions: First distribution

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

Today was our first distribution: 13 hours including driving!

North from the noise and confusion of Dhaka, out to rural Bangladesh. Endless miles of rice fields, dikes, and fish ponds, where seemingly nowhere is more than 12 inches above the water line.

We handed out 800 bedkits to peasant farmers’ children who rarely see a stranger: 800 children who looked wonderful in their new outfits; 800 children who had their first interaction with Canadians; 800 children who will sleep more comfortably tonight.

A long day but a joyful start to our distribution.

The Bangladesh Lions Team

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Bangladesh Rotary: Fun for all

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

Fun for all involved in a distibution is the developing theme for this new team after our second distribution in the city of Dhaka.

Hey, it was a very busy day with 1229 bedkits to 1229 kids - and our first two days with 2200 bedkits. Yikes, this is trial by fire with an 11-hour time change but everyone is good.

Anyway, Joan mentioned in yesterday's blog blowing bubbles with the kids and this looks likely to be a daily event with the kids and parents (and passing rickshaw drivers) loving it.

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

Some new photos show the fun in such a simple thing with Eileen leading the bubble charge today. Hanging out with the boys is fun; teaching them how to thumbfight (and how to shake hands with a firm grip at the same time); high and low fives and even if we can't understand each other guys can still trash talk and have such a good time.

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

And of course there are the five guys that manhandled the 2200 bedkits in a tight little courtyard and small rooms the last two days. Small but strong - so of course we need to have an arm wrestle if for no other reason than it is fun for the participants and all the spectators. Just in case you are wondering, it was a draw!

And of course the photos show - kids and parents (and passing rickshaw driver) love to have their picture taken and laugh and shout about how they look.

All good and all fun,

Doug MacDougald
for Team Rotary Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Rotary: Our first day

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

In the beginning, the children's reactions as they entered the small community centre were mixed. Some were fearful, some were shy, and others had an expression of eager anticipation.

All were quiet and well-behaved which is amazing when you consider that some had been transported in an old bus over a distance of 24 km on crowded roads with the temperature at 9 am already 30 degrees. The trip took some of them at least 2 hours. The small bus was packed with at least 35 children all wondering what was to happen.

On arrival they changed into their new clothes in a small crowded unlit classroom, lined up, and waited politely.

From Bangladesh 2009 Photo Album

One of our volunteers opened up a bottle of bubble liquid and showed the children how to blow bubbles while they waited to have their photo taken. Expressions of fascination and puzzlement flitted across their faces as they watched their bubbles float away.

After their photo was taken their expressions turned to ones of excitement and awe as they were handed their own brand new bedkits. One volunteer tried to assist a little girl by carrying her bedkit. Her expression turned to one of fear. She thought that he was taking it away from her and she clung tightly to it. After quietly explaining th her he was going to help her and that the bedkit was really truly hers, the happy excited glow on her face returned.

Tonight there are 971 children with excited glowing faces who will be sleeping in comfort for the first time in their lives. No more dirt floors to sleep on thanks to all those people who gave so generously.

Joan Hryniw
for Team Rotary Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: The teams have arrived

The two teams arrived in Dhaka this morning with an eleven-hour time change, 30° C temperature, and a very warm welcome from Mr's Masud and Kaliq of the Rotary Club and Mr Hadi of the Lions Club.

We brought eleven "extra" hockey bags full of medical supplies and soccer balls to leave with the overseas volunteers. We will spend the rest of the day gettings settled in, have a team meeting/planning session and meet with the overseas organizations to review the bedkit, itinerary, and logistics ... and get a good nights rest.

Names on the attached picture are (From L to R): Sue Orr, Doug MacDougald, Judy Snobelen, Pat Tuddenham, Mr Hadi (Lions Club), Eileen Cockburn, Brian Tuddenham, Joan Hryniw, John Cockburn, Lita Fearon, Mr Masud (Rotary Club), Susan Sheen, Mike Foster, Mr Kaliq (Rotary Club), and Richard Hryniw.

Teams Bangladesh 2009

There was a report in the Stratford Beacon Herald today about this trip.

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Bangladesh: The teams are off.

Current Weather:

Email received Monday evening from Doug MacDougald's BlackBerry:

"The two Bangladesh teams are boarding right now and looking ahead to Dhaka in about 28 hours to be ready to hit the ground running to distribute 9,000 bedkits in less than two weeks.

We are ready, and why not? We are led by the intrepid Hryniw's.

Teams Bangladesh 2009"

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Bangladesh: Leave your comments here

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Three More Countries in 2009

Sleeping Children Around the World is sending out three four more teams before the end of 2009, the Year of the Millionth Bedkit.

Bangladesh Distributions
For the first time, the distributions to Bangladesh will be handled by two separate teams instead of one team. The two teams, Bangladesh Lions 2009 and Bangladesh Rotary 2009 met at 28 Pinehurst (Sleeping Children headquarters) last week to prepare for their distributions at the end of the month.

Pictured at right in the top photo is the Bangladesh Rotary 2009 team (Left to right): Mike Foster, Joan Hryniw (Team Leader), Doug MacDougald (Leader Designate), Eileen Cockburn, Susan Sheen, John Cockburn.

The bottom photo shows the Bangladesh Lions 2009 team (Left to right): Sue Orr, Richard Hryniw (Team Leader), Pat Tuddenham (Leader Designate), Lita Fearon, Brian Tuddenham (Leader Designate), Judy Snobelen.

Nicaragua Distribution
Also at the end of October, a team leaves for Nicaragua. They'll be getting together at SCAW headquarters later this week.

Philippines Emergency Distribution
Our last trip this year is planned for the Philippines. After the typhoon floods, we received an emergency request for bedkits from our contact in the Philippines, Dr. Ito Torres.

A SCAW team will be distributing 4,000 bedkits at the end of November. This means that, if you still wish to have bedkits delivered for Christmas gifts, we can receive information till the end of October and you should receive the gifts in time for December 25^th.

Tanzania: Day 10 - Yahoo!

We did it! We are done!

Click link below to see more photos in the Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Our usual waking time was moved again in the wrong direction, as we were up at 4 am. Our safari jeep picked us up at 5 am and after some creative shuffling of labels, clothes, and other essentials, most of which were strapped to the roof, we left at 5:20 am. We arrived at Chalinze about 120 km west of Dar just after Mama's trucks.

There was a feeling of excitement and energy knowing these were our last 700 bedkits to distribute. Our set-up routine was complimented by a great photo shooting area and completed with such speed, even the local volunteers were impressed. As we came to our last group photo, Mama and Dave rounded up the volunteers from both countries and there was one last celebratory photo taken. We then had an informal meeting with many thank you's and congraulations for everyone involved.

After handshakes, hugs and smiles we jumped into our safari jeep and on to the final leg of our Tanzania trip for some reflecting, reminiscing, and good old-fashioned rest.

We are heading home tomorrow and will be arriving at Pearson on Friday afternoon.

What a journey this has been and we will return with many stories to share, some of which will be so long that you will have to stop us short and many more photos, each of which will hold a special memory for us.

We are signing off.

Over and Out,

Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Slideshow 3

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

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Tanzania: Day 9

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

One more day!

Up at 6 am. Out by 7 am. Drove Southwest 40 km to an area called Majimatitu and a school of 3,500 children. Lucky for us, it was Saturday so the crowd was slightly smaller. We were in a very contained area and we set up shop quickly. It was worth the wait for the sun to get a bit higher to allow for better donor photos. We again started with the 270 individual shots and we were working at a near record-breaking pace. The groups were flying through so quickly, that we were left to wait for the smoke to clear from the children leaving the picture-taking area. We hit a bit of a snag in the afternoon and used our time creatively by going shopping for water and biscuits for the local children and taking advantage of an opportunity to speak more thoroughly with some local teachers.

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

With many of us being teacher ourselves, we could relate to these stories. However we did learn some interesting differences between Canadian customs and Tanzanian customs. Imagine a classroom of 80 well-behaved children!

Liz experienced a very respectful "God bless you" and many "Thank you"s in English when speaking with the children. Linda had some very interesting interviews and made such a connection with one local mother that the memory was captured on camera.

It was one of our warmer days and we found shade when we could to get some relief. Dave was quick to place the camera in the shade whenever possible.

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

After a 6-day marathon, we are looking forward to a much-deserved day off tomorrow, including a trip to Zanzibar. If we are lucky, we might be able to stay awake long enough for a euchre game or two tonight.

We are hoping to blog about Monday's final distribution day on Wednesday. However, we leave directly from Monday's site for Mikumi National Park and a safari. We are hoping to connect with you before leaving for home but we cannot guarantee it.

Thoughts to you all,
Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Day 8

Click on the link below to see more photos in the Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Hello All,

We are not going in the direction that we wish with our waking time, as we were up at 5 am. However, motivation is high, as we are completing our mission with ease and care while seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. On the road by 6:02 am and we drove a bit further to our distribution site but with little traffic early in the morning, we made good time. We arrived just after 7 at our site and were witness to a handful of local children cleaning the schoolyard with their home-made fagios (mini-brooms). Before long, we were in the middle of a sea of small faces and smiles, many of them eager to be in close proximity to us.

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Gary and Lisa lead the group in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday." Two of these voices were singing in English, but these two were outnumbered by the 50 Swahili versions. We then entertained the kids with our version of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" but were on our own for that one.

Before we started our distribution, we were graciously welcomed to two local homes of children who had received bedkits last year. It was rewarding for us to see all of the items still in use and in good condition. We were impressed at their resourcefulness in using dirt and water to make mud walls for their homes. While their homes are much more simple and space is tight, the locals still take great pride in welcoming guests.

Mama had sent two trucks to go to some outlying villages to pick up some children to receive bedkits. The numbers flowed smoothly, and as usual we started with the individual shots before moving to the group photos. We helped organize and stack the mattresses in our own creative way. This task made us appreciate all the hard work that the overseas volunteer team does to make our job run as smooth as possible. Asante sana!

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

We have learned that counting to ten in Swahili is very helpful when lining up the children and the overseas volunteers are very patient with our learning.

Tomorrow is Day 9 and to use some hockey terms familiar to a certain someone, we are in the second half of the third period before heading to overtime. We then look forward to a much-deserved day off and a day-trip to Zanzibar.

Our team is committed, energized, and still talking to each other.

Love to all,
Team Tanzania 2009
(Bob, Dave, Gary, Linda, Liz and Lisa)

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Tanzania: Day 7

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Up at 6 am. What a tease! On the road and headed back towards the Dar airport. We came to a school that required our van to receive some assistance in entering over one very large speed bump. The boys (Gary and Bob) were in charge of photo site selection this morning, and even with some teasing from the ladies, did quite well in their choice.

Once again, we were finding our rhythm quickly as we began with 270 individual bedkits. The overseas volunteers were great in assisting us with dressing, counting, and organizing the children. There were a group of students who came from three other nearby schools and with their close proximity to our location, there was very little down time.

We quickly moved onto the group photos. When leaving, our van again required some local muscle power and assistance to leave over that same speed bump.

Dave was pleased that the children were very responsive to the "checka" (smile) instruction and we saw many whites of the teeth and even some laughs.

On the way home, Mama Wandoa had organized a visit to a local house of a girl who had just received a bedkit today. She was living in a very humble home with her mother and father. Mama and some of the team members helped to put up her mosquito net over her new brightly coloured mattress. It was so nice to see in person that our work really does make a difference and the gratitude that the local families are showing us.

4, 901 and counting.

Love, Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Day 6

To see more photos, click on the link below for the Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

We are rounding the bend.

Well, we were back to our usual wake up time of, you guessed it, 5:30. Left at 6:30 and arrived after an interesting bridge-crossing experience at our distribution site. The ladies (Linda, Liz, Lisa. and Mama) were in charge of selecting the photo shooting area and site-flow for the children. Dave and Mama Wandoa graciously approved of our choice. We began with individual labels and they went very smoothly in the morning. We hit a bit of a snag and had time to tour around the local area, all the while being followed by many villagers who were welcoming to us. In the afternoon, Bob and Gary were handed over the picture-taking duties and Dave will critique the results tonight with his trained eye.

During our break, Gary learned from a local teacher that she and a group of children had walked 10 miles to the distribution site. After receiving their bedkits, they then had a 10-mile walk back home. We will never complain about our Canadian travel distances again.

We completed our distribution around 4 pm -- a bit of a later day -- but still managed to reach our goal of 700 children. It was neat to see some children still carrying their bedkits home when we were on our way back to Dar. Managed to get some photos of this. Made us all feel good to see them arriving at their intended destinations.

Happy Anniversary to a special person. Thanks for a great 37 years!

Keep on truckin'.

Love, Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Day 5

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

You might think that we were up at 5:30 as usual but in fact we were able to sleep in until 6 am. Yahoo! Our first challenge of the day was to get past the gates of the prison but the guards probably assumed that we were not local convicts. We required some minor assistance to find our distribution site. When we arrived, our second challenge was a record breaking mission. We were to include 100 children in a single donation picture. With some quick thinking and major organizing, we were more than successful and have the photos to prove it with 100 smiling faces and six relieved team members.

The rest of the day seemed slightly easier with more manageable numbers. We are working closely with the overseas volunteer team and they are proving to work just as hard as us to ensure that 700 children every day are leaving with a smile. This distribution day had a particularly enthusiastic crowd of onlookers who were standing in doorways and peering through windows to get in on the excitement.

We returned to our accomodations and realized that a small army of ants were more than willing to join us for the journey home. A bit of down time before heading out for dinner probably near the ocean.

We are officially half way there and we are rounding the bend. We are happy and healthy and will keep marching on.

Love, Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Day 4

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Up at 5:30. We are now well-trained for the early risings. Picked up at 6:45. Drove 40 km East of Dar Es Salaam to our distribution site at another school down a dusty and bumpy road. Set up shop and Mama was well-organized and things ran smoothly. We started around 9 am and soon began working like a well-oiled machine. Each of us had our jobs to do and did them remarkably well -- if we can say so ourselves.

In the afternoon there was a class of students singing, drumming, and dancing outside in preparation for an upcoming graduation ceremony. Linda and Bob couldn't resist the temptation to join in the fun and the students were most welcoming and patient with their beginning dance moves. The rest of us slaved away filling in the many work-related gaps left by their sudden departure. Later on, Lisa asked for one more song which all the students participated in willingly.

Liz did an excellent job in sorting kids for the pictures. She is giving Lisa a run for her money in the Swahili language department. There is an oral test tomorrow night.

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Gary, as usual was showing us his wisdom and experience in many ways. Dave, our fearless leader, is keeping us all under control and truly enjoying our experience.

A number of children had to be held by their parents for the picture due to special needs and illnesses. We are impressed by the ability of many of the children to speak basic English with us. Some children seemed overwhelmed but others had gorgeous smiles and beautiful eyes that they were more than willing to show off.

We experienced downtown, chaotic Dar Es Salaam on the way home to finalize our trips to Zanzibar and Mikumi after the work is done.

We are almost halfway there and look forward to continued success and tomorrow's distribution.

Keep the blog comments coming as we do read them and appreciate your support and enthusiasm.

Love to all,

Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: A Day Off

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Up at 5:30 again. Usual breakfast. Dressed in our Sunday best for Mama's church marathon service. We enjoyed three choirs and they showed us Canadians how to properly sing well and sing loud. A beautiful three-part harmony by twenty-five African voices is very powerful to hear. We volunteers were called to the front of the church with Mama so she could explain why we were there and what our purpose was. Each of us introduced ourselves and Lisa and Liz even managed to say it in Swahili.

After our introductions, we moved to the children's Sunday School building. The excitement that ensued was overwhelming. Lots of hugs, handshakes, smiles and warm welcomes. The children then formed their choir and sang three songs of welcome accompanied by two boys on a drum. Their love of music and innocent voices were very touching. The drummer was a hilight for Gary.

Mama then surprised us by asking us come to the front and share a sample of a Canadian Sunday School hymn. Our quick thinking lead us to "Jesus loves Me." We then had the children come and join us and Dave was told to write the words in English on the back blackboard. His teaching years came quickly back to him.

As we left the building, there were more handshakes, smiles, and touching.

Mama then took us on a short ferry ride across the Bay to tour a former distribution site from five years ago. We stopped for some fresh local coconut juice direct from the fruit before catching the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam. We were the typical tourists who then went souvenir shopping and Gary, Bob and Lisa were successful in their bargaining powers. Linda was a quiet observer who is going to make her move later in the trip.

Love to all friends and family. We will catch up on Canadian news later.

Team Tanzania 2009

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Tanzania: Day 3

From Tanzania 2009 Photo Album

Up at 5 am. Out the door by 6 am. Arriving at 7:15, we drove 70 km north of Dar Es Salaam to Bagamoyo which was the centre of the East African slave trade.

There were four trucks unloading 700 mattresses and bedkits while Mama Wandoa was busy organizing the children for the distribution.

Lisa is our current swahili vocabulary coach. She's teaching us useful words/phrases such as si mama = stop, lala salama = sleep well, njo = come, asante = thank you, and asante sana = thank you very much. She is also teaching us our numbers from 1-10.

After a few afternoon pauses, we completed the distribution at 3 pm and explored more of the historical sites of Bagomoyo. Tomorrow we are looking forward to accompanying Mama Wandoa to church from 7 am to 9:30 am.

Special thanks to our coach Linda Webb.

Love to our family and friends from Tanzania Africa.

Team Tanzania 2009 (Bob, Dave, Gary, Linda, Lisa and Liz)

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