Chennai: Day Four
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
On arrival at the distribution site we were welcomed in the usual manner with dots of cumin and saffron put on our foreheads during the welcoming ceremony. We were then taken into the hall where the children were sitting to much applause from the children. There were the usual speeches by certain dignitaries. However the big attraction for us were four dances done by four groups of students from the school.
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
When all this was finished we started the distribution. The pictures were taken under cover so the children did not have to line up in the sun. I have never seen such patient children anywhere. They had been seated in a very hot room and there were no complaints. They were very good about waiting their turn.
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
The children gave us a rousing send off when we left. We took off into the busy traffic going east in the two westbound lanes of a divided four lane highway. After a couple of kilometers there was a break in the divide and we were able to go in the correct lanes. Life is sure exciting in India.
Helen Ruth Brown
for Team Chennai 2010
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Chennai: Sivakasi
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
The first distribution was outside of Sivakasi and consisted of 300 bedkits. The distribution point was a marriage hall. When we arrived the area was already teeming with children and parents and curious onlookers. Then the fun began.
The children were waiting for us inside the hall and had been dressed in their new clothes. When we entered the room to meet the children we were greeted with loud applause and heartfelt cheering. Meeting the kids and seeing their bright eyes and excited smiles made the whole trip worthwhile. This is what I came for: the kids.
After setting up the equipment we began the work of taking a photo of each of the 300 children who had waited patiently and expectantly for their chance to receive a bedkit.
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
The instant they were through the gauntlet however, their mood changed dramatically. They turned into carefree, smiling, laughing kids. All the shyness was gone and they could hang out with their friends while waiting to be transported back to their homes.
This is a magical time in a distribution. The kids demanded to be photographed in groups and yelled hysterically when shown the photo. They were in a playful mood and enjoyed playing catch with the rubber ball I brought with me. Tiny hands were thrust forward a dozen at a time for the chance of a handshake accompanied by excited squeals.
The best job in the world is to be the team member who hands out bedkits to the kids. They’ve made it all the way to the end of the maze and suddenly they are able to wrap their arms around their very own bedkit. It’s time for the big, big smile and a well coached "thank you" before they are able to join their friends and talk about this eventful day.
All the challenges of the trip melt away with the wide smile of a small child receiving a precious bed kit. To the donors I want to say, "Thank you for this gift -- it benefits not only the child but also the adults who share their experience." The $35 donation is a gift to the whole community.
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| From Chennai Photos 2010 |
On Wednesday we are making another distribution in Sivakasi before boarding the train once again to return to Chennai.
Bill Baker
for Team Chennai 2010
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Chennai: The Vellore distribution
Monday, February 1, 2010
Our second distribution was in Vellore. It took place in a marriage hall, a very interesting venue.
It got off to a roll after a special welcoming ceremony from our Rotarian hosts. We were introduced to the children, teachers and parents. Then our fearless leader, Tom, gave a short talk to the children. He talked about all the special donors who care about them very much. A giant poster filled the entire wall behind the stage. "Thank you SCAW," was written in large letters across a weigh scale balancing a child and the world. "Rotary Club of Ambattur," was spread in large letters across the bottom. It was a very special welcome for our team.
This is my first trip with Sleeping Children Around the World. I felt much more at ease with the process and my duties today after my initiation in Killpauk yesterday.
One of my jobs today was handing out the bedkits to the children. It was wonderful seeing their happy faces.
We had a very successful and rewarding day in Vellore.
Jan Gayman
for Team Chennai 2010
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Our second distribution was in Vellore. It took place in a marriage hall, a very interesting venue.
It got off to a roll after a special welcoming ceremony from our Rotarian hosts. We were introduced to the children, teachers and parents. Then our fearless leader, Tom, gave a short talk to the children. He talked about all the special donors who care about them very much. A giant poster filled the entire wall behind the stage. "Thank you SCAW," was written in large letters across a weigh scale balancing a child and the world. "Rotary Club of Ambattur," was spread in large letters across the bottom. It was a very special welcome for our team.
This is my first trip with Sleeping Children Around the World. I felt much more at ease with the process and my duties today after my initiation in Killpauk yesterday.
One of my jobs today was handing out the bedkits to the children. It was wonderful seeing their happy faces.
We had a very successful and rewarding day in Vellore.
Jan Gayman
for Team Chennai 2010
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Kolkata: Service Above Self - Love and Care for Children
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| From Kolkata Rotary Photos 2010 |
First, the bedkit items have to be procurred at the best price, so that your $35 donation goes as far as possible. Then these items are rolled into bedkits which have to be stored and transported to the various distribution sites.
At this stage, all the children have been selected and a way of getting them to the distribution site has to be organized. The sites have to be large secure areas to allow the flow of dressing, photographing, and giving out the bedkits without keeping the children waiting in line too long. Some have already travelled for several hours to get there. The Rotarians and their wives come to all the distributions to process and help the SCAW team wherever possisble.
Then there is the SCAW team of six volunteers which has to be met, housed, fed, and transported. WOW!!!! But that is not all. During our visit to Kolkata, Peter and I developed a very scary cough which did not seem to want to leave. Two Rotarian doctors visited us at the hotel, night and morning, prescribed treatment and medication and looked after us in every way possible.
The Rotarians of Dum Dum -- for more than ten years with SCAW -- have been living up to their motto which is the title of this blog post.
Jill Adams
Team Kolkata 2010
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Chennai: The beginning
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| SCAW Chennai 2010 Travelling Team (Left to right) Back: Janet Gayman, Doug Cunningham, Patsey Leamon, Front: Tom Belton (Team Leader), Helen Brown, Bill Baker From Chennai Photos 2010 |
Hello to all of you who have an interest in our purpose and journey covering the next 2 1/2 weeks. We have a nice blend of volunteers on this trip. Each of them will be taking time during the trip to express their viewpoint on their experiences. The aim is to give all of you a "picture on our world," painted in the words of each of us. Of special interest to all is that this blog is being joined and used by Leo Bernabi School students and staff in Spencerport, New York, to follow the journey of the bedkit money they raised during their December Fund Raiser.
After twenty-one hours of flying, our team arrived in Chennai on time at 12:15 AM to be greeted by our loyal and gracious Rotary Club of Ambattur with welcoming garlands and warm greetings. After checking into our hotel in Chennai around 2 AM, we settled down to a well-needed and deserved rest ... thankfully.
Our first distribution of 541 bedkits began after a day of rest in a suburb of Chennai named Kilpauk. The temperature here was a balmy 34 degrees Celsius (about 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The sun beat down on many of us as we happily gave out bedkits and greetings and signs of love to the children. Here we met a number of mentally-challenged children. Needless to say, our hearts went out to these, the most needy and vulnerable. Their sweet innocent faces are etched in our memories.
Our trip will be a very demanding one, requiring a lot of travel, so if you don't see us each and every day, it is likely because we haven't had the time or facilities to sit down and send a report. Just to give you a glimpse of these demands: today we are in Vellore where 800 children will be receiveing the gift of a much needed bedkit. We arrived here at 8 PM last night, checked into our hotel, had a meal, and went to bed. Today we must rush to catch the 8:50 AM train to Sivikasi. We have to travel about four hours to catch the train again -- this all after the distribution. We do two distributions in Sivikasi and Sattur (located in the South of India some 100 KM from the tip) and then go back on the train to Chennai. Believe us when we say, this is a most hectic schedule and typical of many trips for Sleeping Children travelling volunteers. Considering we are in the sun and heat all day, it can get quite exhausting.
Well it is time for us to pack up and leave for today's distrbution.
It is our hope that everyone will find these blogs fitting our intentions. We want you to feel a part of what is actually happening.
Until our next contact, the team sends all our greetings and best wishes.
Tom Belton, Team Leader
Team Chennai 2010
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Chennai: Post your comments here
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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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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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