Chennai: Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India

From Chennai Photos 2010

It was a hot and humid day on Thursday February 11^th, 2010 when we made our way over to the secondary school in Port Blair for our second last distribution of this campaign. The first job we had, as with most of the distributions, was to find a suitable spot for taking photos. Choices were limited and we finally determined that we would take the photographs in the hot sun. There were unfortunately no shaded areas that met our needs.

All the children were inside a large hall at the school and we started off with a welcome ceremony attended by a high government official, the deputy commissioner for the area. We were met with rousing applause and hundreds of small waving hands and arms.

It’s hard to believe this is opening day for the Winter Olympics back in Canada. Even the thought of snowy hills and sub-zero temperatures didn’t help to reduce the sauna-like heat as we moved the kids through the photo area.

From Chennai Photos 2010

We attempted to keep the kids inside as long as possible. Every patch of shaded area outside the hall was occupied by parents waiting for their special child to complete the task of having an image made for the SCAW donors. Today we distributed nearly 500 bedkits and collected hundreds of smiles. The smiles are the currency with which the volunteers are paid and personally I feel we were once again well-paid.

Knowing how hot it was and how we were looking forward to cold drinks and air conditioning, I realized that the kids and their families had no such luxury awaiting them. They would need to cope with the heat and high humidity without respite. I also realized that at least one child in the family would have a bedkit to help ease the burden and for that we thank the donors.

From Chennai Photos 2010

Each bedkit carries with it a special message that someone cares for them. Someone is concerned about their well being and their plight. That someone is a SCAW donor. While the SCAW volunteers receive the thanks and the smiles, we are well aware that we are receiving these on your behalf.

Nevertheless, the smiles I collect are mine to keep and I shall hold onto these for many years to come.

Bill Baker, SCAW Volunteer
for Team Chennai 2010

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Mumbai: Abernath

On each distribution day, the jobs, excluding the photography, are a rotation for the remaining five team members. Today I had the wonderful task of putting the bedkit into the hands of all the excited little ones who have been through the routine of changing clothes, lining up and smiling for the picture, and waiting. The children today were from tribal villages and for many it was a first ride in a motor vehicle, a first encounter with 'white' people and a first visit to the 'city.' The excitement was equal for both sides of the distribution!! Watching tiny folk walk away dragging this heavy but precious gift was a reminder of how special this project is.

This was followed by an impromptu visit to the school. They had arrived back not long before us but the teachers had prepared a welcome for the Canadian visitors and we were treated to songs and a message spoken in English by a child in each class. Could this get any better?

For the children,

Faith Clark
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Mumbai: Three teams meet in Mumbai

From Pune 2010 Photos

Three SCAW teams meet in India: the Belgaum, Pune, and Mumbai Sleeping Children Around the World travelling teams for 2010
(Left to right) Sitting on floor: Lynette Jenkins, Anne Andrew, Judy Dryden.
Sitting on chairs: Jean Bennett, Richard Poth, David Kiddle, Dave Dryden, Russ Hope.
Standing: Suman Patel, Joyce Poth, Duncan Macgregor, Brenda Oliver, Faith Clarke, Erika Zecha, Mary Jo Lang, Suzanne Andrew, Judy Skelton, Julie Merkley.

Chennai: Ambattur

From Chennai Photos 2010

The distribution today was held at the T V Nager Educational Society.

This school is run by the Rotary Club of Ambattur. It is a Tamil medium school with 570 students attending. The school has all the regular courses as well as a computer lab and a Home Theater for educational purposes.

When we arrived at the site there was a tent-covered area with a colourful backdrop where the pictures were to be taken. Once we arrived we were able to set up fairly fast as chairs, benches and tables were moved into place very quickly. However the problem of lighting up the beautiful dark faces of the children has been a problem for our photographers so a new “toy” had been purchased and we did not start for about one half hour as they played with the new reflector. This piece of equipment was able to reflect the outside light directly at the faces of the children making it possible to see the features of the children’s faces much easier.

We also did three interviews with three separate parents and their children. An interpreter helped us to communicate with them. The parent and child were shown the bedkit and asked questions about the contents and quality of the contents.

From Chennai Photos 2010

They also were asked what two articles will be the most useful to the parent and the child, how it will affect the child’s health, etc. They were asked if there were other articles they would like to see in the bedkit and if they would like to see different questions in the questionnaire.

It appears that all parents think all the items are useful to them.

During the time that the Ambattur Rotary Club has been involved with Sleeping Children Around the World, they have provided 62,500 bedkits and 8,215 layettes to needy children and babies.

As we were starting to clean up after the distributions, we were asked to present the Murray Dryden Scholarship prizes to the ten winners, the top student in each class. Of course we were pleased to do this. Each winner was presented with 2,000 rupees, equivalent to about $46 Canadian.

From Chennai Photos 2010

In the evening we were invited to take part in the Ambattur Rotary Club meeting. Both the ladies and the men in our SCAW team were dressed by Rotary members in true Indian style. We were all asked to say a few words and Tom gave his “going away” speech. Pictures from this event will be posted either with the blog or be added to the photo album.

We left this meeting about 10 PM and made our way to the hotel where we first helped each other get undressed so we could pack the clothes we had on into suitcases to be stored in a Rotarians home. We then had a couple of hours sleep and got up at 2 AM to catch a plane to our next distribution.

Helen Brown
for Team Chennai 2010

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Mumbai: Karjit

Today the distribution was at the village of Karjt located about two and half hours north east. The driving was fairly good -- most of it along four-lane highways. We were in the country and saw rice paddies, men with oxen working in the paddies, and women transplanting the rice.

On arrival all the children (almost 400) were dressed in their new finery and waiting under a large tent. We were greeted with an elaborate ceremony and presented with roses. Some of the children sang in their native language. Following a smooth distribution we watched the children carry their bedkits home on their heads. This was followed by a traditional Indian lunch at the country home of one of the Rotarians.

Later in the afternoon we visited the homes of two children who received bedkits last year. The homes were simple buildings with only one room in the first, while the second home had three rooms. They were very clean and tidy. This visit demonstrated the value of the Sleeping Children Program.

Russ Hope
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Belgaum: Flying to Belgaum

After meeting with the Mumbai and Pune Teams last night, the Belgaum Team left their hotel early this morning to fly out of Mumbai to Kolhapur, south of Mumbai.

After arriving safely In Kolhapur, our driver, Manjunath, picked us up and delivered us to our hotel in Belgaum at 1:30 p.m.

Tonight, we meet with our Overseas Volunteer Organization, the Rotary Club of Belgaum, for our Pre-distribution meeting. To-morrow, we meet 250 children in Athani.

We can't wait! Stay tuned!!

The Belgaum Team

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Mumbai: Versai

An early start and Mumbai rush hour -- is there any other time in Mumbai? -- and we headed off to Versai to be greeted by crowds of people and a hall full of anxious and expectant children. All were dressed in their best, the girls in pigtails with red ribbons -- all sittting on the floor in perfect behaviour.

Once we got everyone organized the distribution went well with the Rotarians taking an active role supervising the kids as they waited their turn for photos and the treasured bedkits. It is wonderful when the SCAW team is as excited as our hundreds of recipients!

Faith Clark
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Chennai: T. Nagar

From Chennai Photos 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010

Sarada Vidyalaya Girls’ Higher Secondary School

Today was another exciting and successful distribution. We were able to sleep in till 7 AM this morning and have time for coffee and breakfast since the location was not very far from our hotel.

We were in the bus at 8 AM and on our way to our location, which was a high school for girls. The children were mostly bused in and some were close enough to walk. There were not the usual crowds of waiting parents since most of the children had arrived by bus with their teachers.
Today’s distribution provided 774 children with bedkits. Many, many children will be able to sleep more comfortably tonight.

We were ably assisted by hordes of high school students. The young women were pleasant and friendly and very good with the children. They were especially helpful with the little ones who were hesitant and anxious about the whole process.

From Chennai Photos 2010

I did the best job of all today: handing out the bedkits. It was wonderful to be able to welcome every child and look into their beautiful eyes as they received their bedkits. I noticed several children today who were mentally-challenged, several who were deaf and two little girls with Down’s Syndrome. I also noticed quite a few children whose physical size was quite small for their age.

Many of the older children had learned a few English words. When asked, “How are you?” they clearly responded, “I am fine.” They were also able to respond to “What is your name?” The high school girls translated for me when a child did not understand.

After the long line of children had made it through and received their bedkits I was able to take a photo of a large group of children sitting outside the distribution area with their teachers waiting for their bus. I asked them to hold up some special signs for me to thank my friends at home. They thought I wanted their autograph so the papers were passed around the group and I now have the autographs of some very special children. I also got the picture I wanted though. They all love having their pictures taken.

From Chennai Photos 2010

After the distribution we were entertained by some of the high school girls with special cultural dances and singing. We were honoured that they had prepared this for us.

Although tired, dusty, and dirty, the whole team headed back to the hotel uplifted by the many children who had brightened our day.

Jan Gayman
for Team Chennai 2010

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Pune: The team has arrived

Good morning,

Now there are three SCAW teams in Mumbai staying under the same roof!

This morning in the dining-room we met up with the two other teams: the Mumbai team, beginning their second day of distribution and the Belgaum team doing a city tour today.

The trip here for five members of the Pune team was uneventful and pleasant. The team members are getting themselves oriented before moving on to Pune on Thursday. The sixth member of our team will be joining us later today, as Suman has been in India since December.

All our best to family and friends at home. We are looking forward to the orientation/preparation opportunity in the next couple of days, and then on to Pune, and 4000 children.

For the children,

Team Pune 2010

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Mumbai: Navi & Sion distributions

From Mumbai Photos 2010

Our first distribution day and what an amazing day it was!!!

We started off to our first site Navi Mumbai to deliver 130 bedkits. We arrived to a very warm welcome at the front door by the Rotarians with a little ceremony that involved each of us receiving a Bindi, a sprinkle of rice on our heads and a tray with incense waved in front of us. We then entered the school where we were to meet the children that were arriving for their gift from our Canadian donors.

We set up the location and we were set to go! The first couple of groups of children were very shy and looked scared -- but as they travelled through our line they were starting to see that we were not scary after all and the smiles were starting to show. Some of them would walk right up and be so very proud as they would practice what English they knew and others just stood and smiled. They are so very sweet with their big brown eyes and their adorable smiles.

I had tears in my eyes when I noticed that some of the children arrived with no shoes on and some others had holes where their toe was sticking out. This is the reason we are here to help bring a little sunshine to them.

We were then off to our second village Sion and we handed out 105 bedkits there. The children again were so happy and thankful for their gifts that we gave them.

Julie Merkley
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Chennai: Avadi

From Chennai Photos 2010

We are here for the children and, once again, the children did not disappoint.

After about a forty-minute drive through the usual crazy traffic we arrived at the beautiful Jayagopal Garodia Higher Secondary School in Avadi for our distribution of 477 bedkits. The organizers were very efficient and prepared so that our set up took the least amount of time so far. We were told about the history of the school which helped us understand the layout, construction, and goals the supporters had set for the education of their children.

We were fortunate to have the assistance of senior male students. They were energetic, cooperative individuals who helped make the delivery go very smoothly. They treated the little ones with care as they helped them from one point to another; as well as moving all the heavy kits from a secure room to the area we needed the bedkits to be for delivery to the children.

From Chennai Photos 2010

The children receiving the bedkits were such willing little tykes from beginning to end. It is so easy for anyone to find happiness in their smiles and giggles, in their ability to accept the day as it is, in their sense of curiosity about these SCAW people who want to help them. Because they are already clothed in one of the gifts -- a shirt and shorts or skirt -- it is easy to forget how needy they are, how disadvantaged they are by physical problems and poverty.

I was fortunate to be at the “giving the bedkit” station today. It allowed me to hear their “thank you” and to see their lovely faces light up. They all just warm you from the inside out.

By the end of the delivery, the heat and work has you pretty tired; but, I had one more cause for joy yet to come. The senior boys heard that I tap dance and asked me to do so for them. I did and it was pure delight seeing what fun they had from it.

Thank you children for being the treasures that you are.

Patsy Leamon
for Team Chennai 2010

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Chennai: Thiruvallur

We were up bright and early today, meeting our bus at 6:45 AM. Our hotel generously opened an hour earlier to accommodate our breakfast needs, and off we set for Thiruvallur, a small town located northwest of Chennai. This marks the third time I have been there making a distribution.

We arrived at a school that is sponsored by a Family Trust set up by the great grandfather of one of the Rotarians from the Ambattur Rotary Club. This generous family sponsors some five schools in the Chennai District. They support all the activities of this and their other schools, educating some 10,000 children. The school follows the State Educational Programs, but is dependent on the Family Trust for funding. This type of arrangement is not uncommon in India and accounts for a large portion of the schools. Those students who attend these schools are very fortunate indeed as the education and care is better than in the regular public system.

In Thiruvallur, we were going out some 548 bedkits to the needy. This distribution is much like the others, so I want to point out a few things of interest to you.

Today we interviewed three sets of parents along with their child receiving the bedkit. These interviews allow an exchange of ideas and opinions between the parent and child and SCAW, evaluating the bedkit as well as giving us some backgrounds about the status of things in the area where the bedkits are going. We found out:

1. All three children do not have any mosquito nets.
2. All three children slept on a woven mat on the clay floor of their home.
3. All expect to improve their grades using the items in the bedkit.
4. All will be sleeping under their mosquito nets tonight.

We spoke to one father who, in answer to what season of the year he dreaded the most, said it was the winter season when the weather was wetter. I had expected to hear that he dreaded the winter because of the cold -- but no, it was the wetness.

"Why?" I asked.

Because he would lose work. You see, he was a farm labourer who couldn't work in the fields during rainy times. Most of the people here live a "hand-to-mouth" existence and don't have savings or Employment Insurance to tide them over between work stoppages. The very existence of their family depends on steady work. No work = no food. And besides, this family has a young girl who lost her left leg when she was two years old through an accident. They need the support. Needless to say, the gift of a bedkit was very much in need and appreciated.

During the interviews, I was able to explain to the parents and child just how these bedkits came to be. They were donated by people who care. These donors know that they are donating a bedkit to someone who doesn't have a bed to sleep in. They consciously wanted your child to have a bedkit. Schools are a very important group that support the SCAW program. Children in these schools hold fund raisers; sales of toys; car washes; bake sales; used-book sales; doing chores around their homes; etc. This was very much about "children helping other children who need bedkits."

While the parent and child were listening to what I was saying, I could see they were visibly moved when they learned of the involvement of "children helping other children." They heard that the pictures taken of them earlier, would go to the donor to be hung up in schools, hung up in homes, in bedrooms, fastened to fridge doors by magnets, and otherwise displayed prominently in homes and offices, with pride. It was the donor's connection to your child and the bedkit they had paid for.

Thank you, donors, for making all this possible. Another 548 young minds and bodies are sleeping more comfortably tonight.

Respectfully submitted by
Tom Belton, Team Leader
for Team Chennai 2010

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Mumbai: Day Two

India is a country of contrasts. I woke up to the noise of the air conditioner muffling the mosque's call to prayer, the crows cawing, and the start of the traffic. I opened the balcony door and looked on to a city waking up. Two men that slept on the sidewalk were rolling up their piece of cloth. Others were washing their yellow and black taxis. Children were yelling in the park with no grass but a dirt playground. I was hit with the difference between this and my home in Canada.

From this experience I realize many people sleep on the ground and know that the children we will give the bedkits to will sleep better. I am anxious to get started tomorrow.

I thank the people of Canada who have contributed to these bedkits.

Joyce Poth
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Chennai: Nellore

From Chennai Photos 2010

Friday, February 5^{th
DK Government Degree College for Women}

Well, today had its good and bad times, mostly I would have to say good. We were able to distribute 652 bedkits to mostly younger children. They were brought in to us at the school mostly from the countryside by bus, rickshaw, and, I expect, by car. Some were in wheelchairs or carried by a parent or guardian, from what I expect to be the grim results of polio. Some were blind and some were deaf. Some cried from fright but mostly we could get a heart-warming smile of excitement and pleasure.

The day started for us when we left the hotel in Chennai at 6 AM. It was to be a 165-kilometer drive to reach Nellore, north of Chennai. Along the way we stopped for a coffee and some breakfast that was brought to us in a bag. We encountered the usual traffic problems. One case in particular was a long bus blocking our two lanes of a four-lane highway forcing us to travel the wrong way on the other side for a short distance. Scary!!! We finally arrived at our destination about 10 AM.

From Chennai Photos 2010

What a reception greeted us. Coming off the four-lane highway the first thing we spotted were three billboards that must have been at least 20 feet by 8 feet announcing for every person in town that the SCAW team was arriving. The next surprise, when we reached the college, was a welcoming committee consisting, amongst others, of six pretty teenage girls with beautiful garlands that were placed around our necks. That was just the start. As we proceeded into the school all around our path we had more pretty girls showering us with flower petals. You can tell that you are reading the musings of an old bachelor when he talks of being swarmed by pretty girls.

During the whole day these girls constantly assisted us. Every time you turned around there was one waiting to help. The result of this is that the distribution was the fastest, most-organized and pleasant we have had so far.

After the distribution was over we were pleasantly hosted to another surprise catered lunch at the home of the Rotarian in charge of the Nellore distribution, Mr. Prabakar Reddy. We arrived back at our hotel around 10:00 PM after negotiating another traffic jam.

From Chennai Photos 2010

What can I say? In spite of our early start, in spite of our traffic problems, which are more common than not, and in spite of witnessing the hardships of the handicapped children, it was a rewarding day.

I am going to climb into my bed tonight knowing 652 children have a decent place to lay their heads as well, thanks to many of you.

Doug Cunningham
for Team Chennai 2010

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Mumbai: The team has arrived

From Mumbai Photos 2010

Nana steh or hello from the Mumbai 2010 Team. We all arrived on Friday. We have met with the Rotary Team and are planning to start our distributions on Monday morning.

The Mumbai 2010 Team are pictured at right: (Left to right) Julie Merkley, Richard Poth, Lynette Jenkins (Team Leader), Joyce Poth, Faith Clark, Russ Hope.

Please do remember if you send us a reply is is public information for all to see.

We hope to provide many updates.

Richard Poth
for Team Mumbai 2010

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Belgaum: The team ready to go up, up, and away!

From Belgaum Photos 2010

The Belgaum Team leaves Toronto International Airport on Saturday evening, February 6^th. We will arrive in Mumbai in the early morning hours of Monday, February 8^th. On the 9^th, we expect to be a part of a historical occasion when three SCAW Teams -- the Mumbai, Belgaum, and Pune teams -- meet in one spot. Watch the live reports for the pictures of this event.

The 2010 Belgaum team are: (Back Row) Suzanne Andrew from Lucknow, ON; Dave Kiddle from Milton, ON; Duncan Macgregor (Team Leader) from Toronto, ON; (Front Row) Judy Skelton from Toronto, ON; Anne Andrew from Lucknow, ON; Judy Dryden from Victoria, BC.

The Belgaum Team will start distributing 4,000 bedkits with the help of the Rotary Club of Belgaum on Thursday, February 11^th.

We're keeping Murray's Dream Alive!

Team Belgaum 2010

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Kolkata: Mission Accomplished

Sixty five hundred children in West Bengal are having a better night's sleep.

We have, along with the Rotary Club of Dum Dum, extended the generosity of SCAW donors to many needy and deserving children. We gave relief to those recently hit by a devestating tornado near the border of Bangladesh, visited families in villages whose gratitude was overwhelming and sobering, and gave a measure of comfort to many confined in the crowded city of Kolkata.

Thank you to all donors who made the trip possible. It was a most satisfying and rewarding experience for all of us. And Kudos to the Rotary Club of Dum Dum, who have encouraged the involvment and partnership of forty other participating clubs, enabling us to venture into remote areass.

The Kolkata distribution was a great example of friends and partners, perhaps divided by oceans, culture and diversity, but united in purpose, coming together to bring smiles to so many children and their families.

Team Kolkata 2010

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