Philippines: Life on the Streets
Today’s distribution in Metropolitan Manila took us to the grounds of a convent where local children greeted us enthusiastically.
After all the photos had been taken today we went on a walking tour of the area where many of the children who received the bedkits live. This “informal housing neighbourhood” which we would consider a slum was an eye opener. Tiny concrete block homes with minimal water or hydro supply stand on a steep slope leading to a road lined with small shops.
There we saw the children happily playing games using improvised equipment. Flip flops, stones, a kiddy riding toy, a basketball all had them running and laughing.
Most touching was their approach asking to be blessed. Indeed we are the ones feeling blessed to have brought comfort and joy to so many beautiful children.
Sally Jo Martin
for the SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
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After all the photos had been taken today we went on a walking tour of the area where many of the children who received the bedkits live. This “informal housing neighbourhood” which we would consider a slum was an eye opener. Tiny concrete block homes with minimal water or hydro supply stand on a steep slope leading to a road lined with small shops.
There we saw the children happily playing games using improvised equipment. Flip flops, stones, a kiddy riding toy, a basketball all had them running and laughing.
Most touching was their approach asking to be blessed. Indeed we are the ones feeling blessed to have brought comfort and joy to so many beautiful children.
Sally Jo Martin
for the SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
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Uganda: Getting home …
Here in Uganda we have noticed the many modes of transportation for getting bedkits to their new homes.
The road into the distribution was long and bumpy on our bus today. We were slowed down by a herd of cattle that moved at a very slow pace despite our honking.
Many children came from far away villages and had to share transportation with other children on the way home. It is common to see one large truck with 50 to 60 bedkits and their new owners as well as the children’s families.
We have seen other modes of transport such as motorcycles and bikes carrying numerous bedkits at a time and many children walking with the pails on their heads.
Rain or shine they proudly wave as we make our way on the long and bumpy road to the next distribution.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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The road into the distribution was long and bumpy on our bus today. We were slowed down by a herd of cattle that moved at a very slow pace despite our honking.
Many children came from far away villages and had to share transportation with other children on the way home. It is common to see one large truck with 50 to 60 bedkits and their new owners as well as the children’s families.
We have seen other modes of transport such as motorcycles and bikes carrying numerous bedkits at a time and many children walking with the pails on their heads.
Rain or shine they proudly wave as we make our way on the long and bumpy road to the next distribution.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Philippines: Blessed
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| From Philippines Slideshow 3 |
I am overwhelmed with their spirit. As a way of thanking us, the children take your hand and press it to their forehead. It symbolizes respect.
In a time when respect is often overlooked these children are very grateful for what they have received.
I am the one who feels blessed.
Marg Garrett
for the SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
Note: For more photos of this day's distribution, see yesterday's slide show.
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Uganda: Hello, Muzungu!
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| From Day 9 |
"Hello Muzungu!"
As we travel through Uganda, the team encounters the incredible warmth of the Ugandan people. Whether it be a warm embrace from a distribution helper, a welcome song by the children, or mothers dancing in celebration of our arrival.
Our particular favourites are the constant waves to us on the bus and children yelling "Hello, muzungu, how are you?" as they run alongside. (Muzungu is the local word meaning "white face.")
In so many ways, we are welcomed into the community. The people here are joyous, kind, and so very gracious.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Uganda: Rain
"Rain, rain go away, come again another day."
During a distribution we never know when rain is going to happen or how long it will last. One day we were reminded just how tricky Mother Nature can be as a lengthy downpour rolled over our distribution site. As one bedkit recipient’s parent said “During the rainy season, it is very cool for the child and I can’t go to work.”
Uganda is very dependent on Mother Nature. She could make a person unable to work.
As for us, we still work -- rain or shine! We’re ecstatic to do it knowing that each child will sleep on a comfy mattress, wrapped in a warm blanket and under a mosquito net tonight … and for many nights.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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During a distribution we never know when rain is going to happen or how long it will last. One day we were reminded just how tricky Mother Nature can be as a lengthy downpour rolled over our distribution site. As one bedkit recipient’s parent said “During the rainy season, it is very cool for the child and I can’t go to work.”
Uganda is very dependent on Mother Nature. She could make a person unable to work.
As for us, we still work -- rain or shine! We’re ecstatic to do it knowing that each child will sleep on a comfy mattress, wrapped in a warm blanket and under a mosquito net tonight … and for many nights.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Philippines: Snapshot of a recipient's home life
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| From Philippines 2010 |
Mr. M, who himself completed high school, and attended a college program for a while, had to drop out before finishing, for financial reasons. He then worked for a while as a Manila taxi driver, but gave it up due to the hazards of the job. Now back in the rural area, he is only seasonally employed.
His son, Sean Michael, is one of four children, aged six to twelve, living in the family's humble accomodations. Sean Michael also has an older brother living outside the family home. Sean Michael's younger sib has a hole in his heart, as yet untreated.
The four children and two parents share the family bed, which is a sheet of foam on the hard floor. They share one government-issued untreated mosquito net. They also have a sitting room where they enjoy watching TV. Last fall they lost the roof of their house during some high winds. Mr M had to borrow money from his sister to rebuild the roof but, unfortunately, the water still gets into the house.
Money remains tight in the household and, for instance, Mr M cannot always afford to buy his growing children shoes when they need them. Mr. M was very grateful to SCAW and the Canadian donors who help provide some necessities for his son.
Marsha Hardy
for SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
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Uganda: 4,000 bedkits distributed!
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| From Uganda Day 7 |
We are now two thirds completed with the distribution and are thrilled to have seen the joy in the children’s faces. We are just a wee bit sad to know it is almost over.
We are definitely making the most of each and every day.
See more of today's pictures in the Photo Album
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Uganda: Cute doesn’t even begin to describe it!
Today we travelled out of the capital (Kampala) to the eastern region of Uganda. We did a distribution in Jinja and then we were able to do a boat tour of the source of the Nile.
The team sends our best to those of you following the blog. Not much else to say today -- but check out our cute kids!!!!
We will continue our journey east for the next four nights. Stay tuned!
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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The team sends our best to those of you following the blog. Not much else to say today -- but check out our cute kids!!!!
We will continue our journey east for the next four nights. Stay tuned!
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Uganda: Bump, Bump, Bumpy
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
Certainly a challenging part of our trip is travelling from site to site. There are few paved roads and when we do take them we are likely to get into the “jam” (traffic backups) or encounter potholes so frequently and so deep that it often feels like we are in a slalmon course.
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As with all roads in Uganda there is always constant movement. Whether this movement be cars, lorries, people walking or riding, the people here are definitely “on the move” regardless of the absence of a smooth ride.
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Philippines: What a difference
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| From Philippines 2010 |
Gloribel Dariano, a '99 recipient is a 2007 high school graduate and has completed one year in an I.T. program at university. She has been a volunteer teacher for a year and next month will start teaching 5- to 8-year-old students at a school in town.
"JOYFUL" was the feeling expressed by Ronahan Navarro, also a '99 recipient, the first night with her bedkit when she was in grade one. High marks in high school have led her to a Bible School scholarship. Her goal is to teach in missionary work.
Robinson Serrato was in grade two when he received his bedkit. His first night was "RESTFUL" and he has now graduated from college in a computer science program. He wants to be the best teacher in his prep. school teaching "basic school training."
Success comes in many ways. A fourth recipient came for a brief time but had to leave to go to his job some distance away.
These four young people walked and spoke with confidence. The donors made a difference and our team felt that our mission was worthwhile.
Frank Best
for SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
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Uganda: Our Culinary Journey
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
As we travel to the distribution sites we see “maize” (corn), bananas, sweet potatoes, “irish” potatoes, “pumpkin” (squash) and so many other crops.
The team definitely has some favourites however:
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- Debbie has a fondness for the matoke (in the plantain family & pictured at left), specifically when it is twice cooked (first steamed, then wrapped in banana leaves and baked over a wood fire) with ground nuts (a purple peanut sauce). There are photos of the preparation of matoke in our Uganda Photo Album
- Sieg would like to highly recommend the goat.
- Diane can’t believe how sweet the pineapple tastes.
- Jenny is a big fan of the “chips” but is thinking of venturing out to the grasshopper realm … stay tuned.
- Laurie is captivated by the specially prepared chicken, which is steamed wrapped in banana leaves with tomato, curry powder, onions, and so much more. This dish is called Luwombo.
- Nancy looks forward to the wonderful rice preparations.
- The entire team can’t get enough of the avocado!
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Philippines: The team has arrived
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| From Philippines 2010 |
- Tomorrow is day one of our distribution.
- Ready to go on Friday with our first 700 bedkits.
- 6,000 bedkits fill an entire three-bedroom house.
- Assembly plant is under a leanto in the back yard.
- What a wonderful friend we have in Dr Ito and his family.
- More later.
In the photo are the Philippines travelling team with Dr. Ito, our OVO leader and some of the 6,000 stored bedkits. (Left to right) Dr. Ito, Tom Chudleigh (Team Leader), Joyce Foster, Frank Best, Margaret Garrett, Marsha Hardy, Sally Jo Martin.
Margaret Garrett & Tom Chudleigh
for SCAW 2010 Philippines Team
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Philippines: Post your comments here
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Uganda: Sheka
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”
Today was our third day of distributions, and we wanted to share our smile words:
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Today was our third day of distributions, and we wanted to share our smile words:
- Sheka (pronounced Shake-ah) means to laugh and smile (singular)
- Musheke (pronounced Moo-shake-ee) means to laugh and smile (pural)
SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Uganda: Stark Contrasts
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
Sir Franicis Bacon said: “In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."
We encounter the very same each and every day.
We see so many children in need, yet there is a light and joy of life not often experienced in the western world. The peoples here hold each and every healthy day here so dear and it is in each day’s contrast that the beauty of Uganda is so clearly seen:
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
- The vibrant red dirt, the whitest of white shirt.
- Unimaginable heat, beautiful deep green vegetation.
- Difficult infrastructure, while supporting a sea of movement (people walking, riding, driving).
- A pair of mismatched shoes …
for SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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Uganda: The Inner Wheel of Kampala
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
For each distribution, the SCAW team is paired up with an Overseas Volunteer Organization. Team Uganda has been paired with the Inner Wheel of Kampala for seventeen years. The Inner Wheel is made up of service-minded women who donate money and raise awareness about important issues in their community.
Each year, this team of women has taken SCAW under their wing and been an important force in making sure each distribution happens. One main job that the Inner Wheel has is determining which children receive bedkits and what items make up the bedkit.
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| From Uganda Photos 2010 |
Some of the things that they have done include paying school fees for children, building a protected well, donating money to hospitals and schools, giving out wheelchairs, and informing other people on HIV/AIDS. We are incredibly lucky to be partnered with this wonderful group of women.
Laurie Guay
for SCAW Team Uganda 2010
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