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Kolkata: Our eighth distribution
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| From Kolkata Rotary Photos 2010 |
To get there we had to take a ferry across to the island -- a very interesting process. Vehicles did not wait at the top, leaving a lane free for the off-loading vehicles. Instead, trucks lined up right down to the loading ramp, leaving maybe a half-lane for vehicles coming off the ferrry to get by. To make it even more difficult, the vehicles backed off the ferry and up the hill, unless they were a small vehicle and were able to turn around. One could also call it the shuffle, as the vehicles waiting to get on, shuffled a little to the left, a little to the right -- whatever it took for the off-loading vehichles to get back. I continue to be amazed by the driving talent here in India.
When we arrived at our destination, some of the children had arrived. Families left their home as early as 4 am to get to the island and receive their bedkit. When the children arrived, they were provided a hot meal. For some it was breakfast, for some an early lunch, but for many the only meal they would have that day. It was great to see the example of co-operation between the local, urban, and international groups to make sure the children were fed and that they received their bedkits.
Our visit was very timely because in the late fall this area was hit by a tornado and there was extensive flooding and damage. For most of the children the bedkits were desperately needed.
It was a great day! We had fun interacting with the kids, teaching them how to play frisbee, give high fives, and thumbs up!! By the time they had their picture taken, they were giving us the thumbs up!!
No matter how far the children travel, no matter how long they have to wait their turn -- they are well-behaved and patient -- and we are always guaranteed smiles from them.
Shelley Duggan
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: The "Indi 500"
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| From Kolkata Rotary Photos 2010 |
Add constantly honking cars, vehicles travelling in both directions, and you have an idea of the traffic here. There is a hierarchy of vehicles here: small gives way to large, people to bikes, bikes to pushcarsts ,pushcarts to scooters , scooters to 3 wheelers, 3 wheelers to motorbikes , motorbikes to cars, cars to vans, vans to buses, and buses to trucks. Trucks are the king of the road!
They all drive four-abreast on a two-lane road. Sometimes an impatient driver drives in the wrong direction against traffic to his destination. Oooops! Did I mention the cows? Out saunters a cow onto the road. Screeeech! Everything stops for the holy cow ... everything even the king of the road. Drivers patiently wait for the cow to move before the craziness of accelerating, braking, honking, swerving, and near-head-ons continues.
Our driver always gets us to our destination safe and somewhat of sound mind. I am glad he is driving and not me.
Warren Wagstaff
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: Overnight in Kharakpur
Our group has just returned from an overnight trip to Kharakpur, a city about 150 km west of Kolkata. The SCAW teams have been there in past years, and again we were able to stay at the guest house of the Tata Bearing Works. Tata is a huge conglomerate in India, and makes cars, trucks, and much more. The distribution site was in front of the recreation complex in the compound for Tata Bearings executives. The little white houses, the flowers everywhere, and the lack of people, cars and general chaos that characterize the rest of the urban areas of India provided quite a contrast from our usual distribution sites.
But the children who received our SCAW bedkits were not the children of Tata executives. They came -- almost a thousand of them - from many villages in the surrounding countryside. At least one group had come from 100 kilometers away. Most of them were in school groups, often wearing their school "colours" before getting to change into a dress or shirt/shorts from the bedkit. I was kept busy for over four hours in the hot sun lining up children, alternating boys and girls, checking for too much height contrast, conflicting dress colours in the same photograph, and so on.
Then on our return trip to Kolkata we had car trouble! Our van came to a halt with a shredded fan belt. It took over an hour and a half at the side of the road before our incredibly capable driver could fix the trouble and related problems (mostly in the dark). Fortunately a car with Rotarians also returning from helping at the distribution was behind us. They stopped and gave at least moral support. During our wait we went into a nearby restaurant and got chatting with some high school students. We sang "O Canada" for them and they in turn sang the Indian National Anthem for us.
Yesterday on the way to Kharakpur we had a smaller distribution in a village in the Howrah district. This is the first time a SCAW team has been there. We had to make our way along a very narrow road from the paved road, past the houses of the village, and around a couple of very tight corners. In fact, our van had to remain at the road, as did the trucks carrying the bedkits. These were brought in small numbers the kilometer or so to the actual distribution site.
NOTE: The power just went out. I've got only about half of what I'd written back from draft, but will send this now in case I lose it all again. I, or someone else, will tell more next time about the village in the Howrah region.
Bill Weldon
for Team Kolkata 2010
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But the children who received our SCAW bedkits were not the children of Tata executives. They came -- almost a thousand of them - from many villages in the surrounding countryside. At least one group had come from 100 kilometers away. Most of them were in school groups, often wearing their school "colours" before getting to change into a dress or shirt/shorts from the bedkit. I was kept busy for over four hours in the hot sun lining up children, alternating boys and girls, checking for too much height contrast, conflicting dress colours in the same photograph, and so on.
Then on our return trip to Kolkata we had car trouble! Our van came to a halt with a shredded fan belt. It took over an hour and a half at the side of the road before our incredibly capable driver could fix the trouble and related problems (mostly in the dark). Fortunately a car with Rotarians also returning from helping at the distribution was behind us. They stopped and gave at least moral support. During our wait we went into a nearby restaurant and got chatting with some high school students. We sang "O Canada" for them and they in turn sang the Indian National Anthem for us.
Yesterday on the way to Kharakpur we had a smaller distribution in a village in the Howrah district. This is the first time a SCAW team has been there. We had to make our way along a very narrow road from the paved road, past the houses of the village, and around a couple of very tight corners. In fact, our van had to remain at the road, as did the trucks carrying the bedkits. These were brought in small numbers the kilometer or so to the actual distribution site.
NOTE: The power just went out. I've got only about half of what I'd written back from draft, but will send this now in case I lose it all again. I, or someone else, will tell more next time about the village in the Howrah region.
Bill Weldon
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: A significant difference
Over the past few days I have witnessed genuine appreciation and gratitude for the simplest of things in life - things the majority of us take for granted.
The donations of the Sleeping Children bedkits have made a significant difference in the lives of the children and families receiving them. The bedkit to them seems equivalent to our winning the lottery. For many it means their first pair of shoes, first jacket, first blanket, and, yes, their first bed.
One father told me they had no beds, no blankets and that they currently sleep on tree leaves they have gathered to make a mat for the floor and they use whatever clothes they have to make a blanket. He was overwhelmed by the generosity of items in the bedkit, and grateful that his two young daughters could share the mattress and be off the cold floor.
The mother of a disabled child was so grateful for the bedkit that she cried and hugged Irene and me. While the people here are very poor and don't even have the necessities that we take for granted every day, they are so grateful for what they do have. They don't seem to look at themselves as poor, rather they look at themselves as fortunate or rich for what they have because they see others who have less than them.
We can learn so much from those with so little.
Shelley Duggan
for Team Kolkata 2010
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The donations of the Sleeping Children bedkits have made a significant difference in the lives of the children and families receiving them. The bedkit to them seems equivalent to our winning the lottery. For many it means their first pair of shoes, first jacket, first blanket, and, yes, their first bed.
One father told me they had no beds, no blankets and that they currently sleep on tree leaves they have gathered to make a mat for the floor and they use whatever clothes they have to make a blanket. He was overwhelmed by the generosity of items in the bedkit, and grateful that his two young daughters could share the mattress and be off the cold floor.
The mother of a disabled child was so grateful for the bedkit that she cried and hugged Irene and me. While the people here are very poor and don't even have the necessities that we take for granted every day, they are so grateful for what they do have. They don't seem to look at themselves as poor, rather they look at themselves as fortunate or rich for what they have because they see others who have less than them.
We can learn so much from those with so little.
Shelley Duggan
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: Lots of help
Received by email from Kolkata after several attempts.
I have been very impressed with the huge amount of help we are receiving at each distribution site from the teenaged or slightly older volunteers.
Today I was mostly at the end of the line handing the bedkit to each child, usually wth the words, "This is a gift for you -- from Canada." Then I would hand off the child to one of our volunteer helpers who were usually taking the day away from their studies. The volunteer would take the child by one hand, hoist the heavy bedkit over his shoulder, and lead the child to where their parents were anxiously waiting. This makes it seem easy, of course.
In reality, there were mobs of parents to contend with, the usual adults who had pushed their way past our rope barrier, children whose parents didn't seem to be there, and so on.
Bill Weldon
for Team Kolkata 2010
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I have been very impressed with the huge amount of help we are receiving at each distribution site from the teenaged or slightly older volunteers.
Today I was mostly at the end of the line handing the bedkit to each child, usually wth the words, "This is a gift for you -- from Canada." Then I would hand off the child to one of our volunteer helpers who were usually taking the day away from their studies. The volunteer would take the child by one hand, hoist the heavy bedkit over his shoulder, and lead the child to where their parents were anxiously waiting. This makes it seem easy, of course.
In reality, there were mobs of parents to contend with, the usual adults who had pushed their way past our rope barrier, children whose parents didn't seem to be there, and so on.
Bill Weldon
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: 550 bedkits in Chow Danga
Report received this morning by telephone from India.
Our distribution today was at Chow Danga, a small village a two-hour drive from Kolkata. Our goal was to deliver 550 bedkits which we did. The bedkits were received with great enthusiasm by bright, beautiful children.
Afterwards we were given a tour of the village by our partners in the local service club. They have several projects for the people there. One is sewing which involves teaching the use of several machines and patterns. The other is a horticultural project in which they try out various plants to see which would be beneficial for the area.
We visited a small farm with chickens, goats, pigeons, mustard (the main source of cooking oil in the area), and rice.
A wonderful lunch was provided for all the volunteers by the ladies of the village.
Even though the countryside was well-populated, it was a great contrast to the teeming millions we encountered on our return journey at rush hour to the inner city of Kolkata.
Jill Adams
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: 700 bedkits delivered
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| From Kolkata Photos 2010 |
The Kolkata 2010 team comprising (Left to right) Peter Adams, Shelley Duggan, Irene Harrison (Team Leader), Jill Adams, Warren Wagstaff, and Bill Weldon has arrived safely in India.
It is my first trip to India and first impressions are important. Even though our flight was delayed, we were greeted by local Rotarians and their families despite the hour. We received a hearfelt welcome from people who have been working with Sleeping Children Around the World for more than a decade.
My second first impression was the dynamism of this huge city which has half the population of Canada. It struggles with a range of challenges that would depress anyone else. On the one hand, there is terrible poverty, aging infrastructure, and families living out their lives on the streets. On the other hand there are huge construction projects, road, subways, and a huge new residential area. We soon got the feeling that Kolkata is making progress.
My third first impression was the children. We completed a distribution of 700 bedkits today. SCAW teams always talk about the children at the bedkit -- about their complete optimism in the face of profound poverty. We were fortunate to see another side of this.
Our first day was a school holiday in recognition of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. All the students dressed in their best and strolled the streets decorating statues of the goddess, even in the poorest neighbourhoods.
This showed us that India is a country of the young.
Its optimism is theirs.
Peter Adams
for Team Kolkata 2010
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Kolkata: Leave your comments here
Kolkata Time and Weather
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To add your own comment, enter it in the box at the bottom of this page. Then click on the button to "Post Comment."Click for forecast.
As a courtesy, please include your name at the end of your comment or click on "Select profile ..." and fill in your name by selecting "Name/URL" there. You don't have to fill in the URL but if you like you can put "www.scaw.org" there.
Philippines 2 Trip Reports Posted
The donor newsletter for the Philippines special emergency bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website. |
| Philippines 2 Photo Album |
All of the reports did not fit into the newsletter but you can read them in their entirety here.
Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.
Nicaragua: Trip Reports Posted
The donor newsletter for the Nicaragua distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website. |
| Nicaragua 2009 Photo Album |
All of the reports did not fit into the four pages of our newsletter but you can read them in their entirety here.
Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.
Phlippines 2: Mission Accomplished
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
Our last day - and the most emotional!
The last site was a senior's home in an area called St. Camillus where 400 children were excited to receive the "Gift of Love." There were two main reasons for emotional experiences today.
The first was the children: all 4,000 children who we touched and were touched by were special in the Philippines; however, the first 76 children on this final day of distribution were "special needs" children. It was hard to keep our emotions inside.
The bottom picture shows shows a young lad who just could not wait to get his hands on the box of coloured pencils - a special moment!
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
The other reason for our emotions showing was that we were saying "So Long" to such a wonderful group of people in the SCAW Core Committee. In the short time that we have been in the Philippines to distribute 4,000 bedkits, we had developed a special bond with these giving people. They will forever be in or hearts and memories. As Dr. Ito says, "We don't say Good-bye!"
And so, the distribution of 400 bedkits to the final 400 children brings us to the end of a wonderful experience in the Philippines. We say "Thank you" to our donors for making this possible and to the SCAW Core Committee and the hundreds of volunteers in the Metro Manila area for creating an unforgettable experience over the past six days.
Duncan Macgregor
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: Tatalon
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
Tomorrow will be our last distribution of 400 bedkits, and in the afternoon, Duncan, Sue and Don are off to Hong Kong then home. I felt nostalgic and felt we have been through so many great moments in the short period that we were together and now it's about to end. I want to share with you some of the memorable moments that made this trip one of my best trips for Sleeping Children.
- A short program that starts the day is the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. I feel proud singing it with the children. After a while, Don and Duncan can actually hum the tune with the group!
- Of course when "O Canada" is being sung, the booming voices of Dr. Ito, Jess & Boyet (SCAW Core Committee members) to support us, makes it sound like there are many people singing with gusto.
- Sue and I enjoy opening a bedkit and individually modeling each item to the delight of the parents and children.
- Don's "moment of fame came in Marilao. A large crowd of mothers with colourful umbrellas were cordoned off with ropes. I started shaking their hands when some bold ladies shouted "We want the good looking one" pointing at Don. I shouted for him to come over. He ran towards us and everybody cheered. It reminded me of the Rolling Stones coming into the stage. He worked the crowd to their delight and many photos were taken.
- After Duncan's short speech about why we are there, and on behalf of the donors who would like the children to have comfortable sleep and to concentrate better in school, he would say, "Now we are ready to sing our song." We do the song and action of, "When you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." Most of the children know the song and they perform it with us. Dr. Ito wants to be our agent to put us on the road!
- The funniest of all that kept the children giggling is Duncan's magic and his Charlie Chaplin's imitation of tripping.
- The amazing volunteers, teachers, and clergy who prepared goodies for us after each distribution. For each distribution, dozens of volunteers showed up at each site like the Vista Verde Volunteers and the ladies in green.
- The way the children were given snacks treated with iodized salt to give them more energy.
- And, the wide eyes and smiles of thousands of children who are receiving the "Gift of Love" (bedkit).
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| Dr. Ito & "the good looking one" Philippines 2 Photo Album |
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| Philippines Album |
As of today, we have distributed 3,600 bedkits - 400 to go!
Linda Taiabjee
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: Pasig
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| Tony and the Sleeping Children team From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
When we arrived in the Philippines (Manila) on November 18th, we were amazed at the number of Christmas decorations that were everywhere -- from our hotel lobby, to the street vendors, to the houses with light displays. Christmas is a huge holiday period in the Philippines and they start celebrating it early. The SCAW team is having our own special Christmas time as we are provided with the opportunity to gift a "Gift of Love" to 4,000 Philippine children on behalf of our many donors. As we photograph the children it is also interesting to see so many labels wishing "Merry Christmas" to friends and family through the gift of a bedkit to these needy children. Yes, Christmas has come early for these children, most of whom have been victims of the recent typhoons and flooding in the Manila area. And, the Spirit of Christmas has come early to the members of the Sleeping Children team in the Philippines thanks to the generosity of SCAW donors.
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
The SCAW Philippines team has now distributed 2,800 bedkits over the past four days. Today bedkits were distributed in an area of Manila called Pasig to 800 children. A good portion of this area was totally flooded.
For the members of the SCAW Team, the time has gone so fast - but the memories of the children's happy faces will linger on!
Duncan Macgregor
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: Olandes and Marilao
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
Our day consists of distributing a total of 800 bedkits in two different locations: Olandes and Marilao. On the way to our first distribution, we are shown one of the many areas that was extremely affected by the flooding. Although the streets are almost completely cleaned up, there are still many visible signs that show us just how high the water level rose. The water marks against many of the buildings indicate the water level rising to nine feet!
Any type of transportation used here in Manila, mainly cars and motorized tricycles ended up in huge piles as a result of the high water. As we approached Olandes and the church area where we would be distributing the first 400 bedkits, we drove by a number of mounds of dirt and debris that now covered what was once a beautiful park.
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
We were greeted by loud "Good morning visitors" and big smiles. The set up for our pictures with the children and distribution of the bedkits was perfect. We were all able to see each other and the parents were able to watch their children receive a bedkit. As the 'newby' in the group, the morning was extremely special as it was my turn to actually hand the bedkit to each child. Words cannot describe my feelings. Where did the morning go!
After being treated to a wonderful lunch we were on the way to our second distribution in Marilao. The distribution was held at one of the public school areas. As we drove into the school area, we were greeted by the many parents who were waiting patiently for us to arrive and to see their children receive their bedkits. The afternoon was beautiful and once again we were able to be close to the parents so that they could see their children during the pictures. A beautiful rainbow in the sky was soon followed by a rain shower and we were forced to do our last 10 pictures under the roof.
One of my most memorable moments came when I thanked a young girl for so patiently waiting for what probably was hours before she received her bedkit. With a smiling face she said, "It was worth the wait, sir."
Although the traffic was extremely busy on the way home (We will never complain about Toronto traffic again), it gave us time to reflect quietly the days activities.
We are now half way through our distribution with 2,000 bedkits distributed.
Tomorrow is another 800 bedkits.
Don Macgregor
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: Vista Verde
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
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| From Philippines 2 Photo Album |
The church courtyard was being used to air the water logged bibles, hymn books, etc.
We handed out 800 bedkits at this distribution site and each SCAW child's eyes lit up when they received their SCAW bedkit. The SCAW children in Manila have been through so much and their SCAW treasures are a new beginning for each child and their family.
Sue Small
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: The Bedkit
Here are the contents of the Philippines 2 bedkit:
for Team Philippines 2
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- Plastic Mat
- Mosquito Net (LLIN)
- Blanket
- Sheet
- 2 Pillows
- Pillow case
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 5 T-Shirts
- 2 Bath Towels
- 3 Toothbrushes
- Face Towel
- Poncho (raincape)
- Pair Flip Flops Slippers)
- 2 Pairs of socks
- School Bag
- 6 Notebooks
- 12 coloured pencils with case and sharpener
- 6 pencils
- 3 Ballpoint Pens
- Ruler
- Grade 2 pad
- Intermediate pad
- Plastic bag
for Team Philippines 2
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Philippines 2: First Distribution
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| Don & Dr. Ito From Philippines Photo Album |
After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we proceeded to our pre-distribution meeting with the Kiwanis team and visited the warehouse where the bedkits were packaged, ready for distribution. They had to give up the old warehouse for many reasons, and this time used two of Dr. Ito's homes which were converted into warehouses. The two homes which used to be beautifully furnished now contained 4,000 bedkits wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor in the livingrooms and all the bedrooms. We observed the amazing production line where six volunteers filled a huge plastic bag with sixty-two items.
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| The Philippines 2 Team From Philippines Photo Album |
He explained that the SCAW Philippines distribution is a family affair. This involved the die-hard team plus their spouses who were given important responsibilities.
After a quick lunch, we proceeded to our first distribution which was at a school in Karangalan, Antipolo (Honor in English). It was especially moving because all the children were affected by the recent flooding that devastated the area. We distributed 400 Bedkits which represented 10% of the total. Emotions were overflowing not only for our team but most of all to the parents, teachers, and volunteers who were grateful as this represented a new beginning for them to recover from their loss.
So this is how our first day ended, full of anticipation for more successful and heart warming distributions in the next few days.
Linda Taiabjee
for Team Philippines 2
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