Uganda: Our First Rain Day
Our First Rain Day (and hopefully last!)
The morning started at 5:00 a.m. We took a bus to a small village where children from five parishes (communities) came to receive their bedkits. We happily saw 500 children this morning, with smiles gradually broadening on their faces as they received their new beds!
Two of the little boys (Pictured at right) who were there live on their own as both of their parents have died. The local community members have taken on the responsibility to watch over them. Children this age could not care for themselves all alone in Canada. It seems unimaginable to actually know this happens! It was so wonderful to realize that we have done more than bring a smile to these small boys.
Once we were finished with this distribution, our hosts offered us a lunch that helped prepare us for a second distribution for the afternoon.
We were committed to giving out another 500 bedkits in the afternoon. This time the skies decided to welcome us with our first rainstorm. The thunder rumbled and the skies opened up.
This postponed our work for a short time, but when it stopped pouring and changed to a light sprinkle, we went back to work taking pictures and gifting the children with their bedkits. We arrived back to our guest house, wet and dirty by 8:00 p.m., with enough time to prepare for another exciting day tomorrow.
Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Photos in the slide show at right are of today's distributions.
To see all the photos so far, go to our Uganda 2011 Photo Album.
The morning started at 5:00 a.m. We took a bus to a small village where children from five parishes (communities) came to receive their bedkits. We happily saw 500 children this morning, with smiles gradually broadening on their faces as they received their new beds!
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| From Uganda 2011 |
Once we were finished with this distribution, our hosts offered us a lunch that helped prepare us for a second distribution for the afternoon.
We were committed to giving out another 500 bedkits in the afternoon. This time the skies decided to welcome us with our first rainstorm. The thunder rumbled and the skies opened up.
This postponed our work for a short time, but when it stopped pouring and changed to a light sprinkle, we went back to work taking pictures and gifting the children with their bedkits. We arrived back to our guest house, wet and dirty by 8:00 p.m., with enough time to prepare for another exciting day tomorrow.
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Photos in the slide show at right are of today's distributions.
To see all the photos so far, go to our Uganda 2011 Photo Album.
Uganda: Batting 1000
We have just finished 500 bedkits for 500 kids in Gombe, an hour or so west of Kampala.
As always, the Ladies of the Inner Wheel batted 1000 -- not 499 children, not 501 children -- but 500 on the button were at the site dressed in their new school uniform and ready to receive their 500 kits. Which they did. Graciously.
How these women are so exact totally baffles me.
An incredible amount of hard work and dedication is involved on their part.
They always amaze.
Returning to Kampala, the van stopped at Tuf Foam Ltd, the mattress company where the Ugandan distribution’s 6,000 bed mattresses were made.
I could not believe my eyes. Two huge trucks were ready to be loaded with 1,000 mattresses and bedkits that we will use in two distributions tomorrow. The ladies of the Inner Wheel who were not at today’s distribution, were there at the factory counting bed rolls, counting shirts, skirts, shorts, flip flops sheets, etc. A final final count. By hand.
Perfection demands.
Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.
As always, the Ladies of the Inner Wheel batted 1000 -- not 499 children, not 501 children -- but 500 on the button were at the site dressed in their new school uniform and ready to receive their 500 kits. Which they did. Graciously.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
An incredible amount of hard work and dedication is involved on their part.
They always amaze.
Returning to Kampala, the van stopped at Tuf Foam Ltd, the mattress company where the Ugandan distribution’s 6,000 bed mattresses were made.
 |
| From Uganda 2011 |
I could not believe my eyes. Two huge trucks were ready to be loaded with 1,000 mattresses and bedkits that we will use in two distributions tomorrow. The ladies of the Inner Wheel who were not at today’s distribution, were there at the factory counting bed rolls, counting shirts, skirts, shorts, flip flops sheets, etc. A final final count. By hand.
Perfection demands.
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| Uganda 2011 |
Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.
Uganda: Visiting the Mosquito Net Vendor
It was a great meeting with Dr. Robert at the Quality Chemicals office and store. Although, I must say it felt a little strange knowing we were visiting because they supply one of the items in the children’s bedkit. We were there to see the mosquito net that is included in every one of the 6,000 bedkit that we will give out.
The mosquito nets are a very important part of the bedkit as it is one of the essential tools for securing against malaria. It is bought from a chemical company because they are already treated with an insecticide. This not only kills mosquitoes, but repels them from the child, who will often have an arm or leg up against the net while sleeping.
The next question was, "If it’s an insecticide then will it harm the child sleeping beneath it?"
Dr. Robert advised us that many tests have been done for this specifically by the World Health Organization (WHO), and they are satisfied with its benefits and have no concerns with its safety. The net included in this year’s bedkit is WHO certified.
Just as important, Dr Robert advised us, there are specific ways to care for this most important part of the bedkit. He recommends that the net be washed in a gentle soap instead of a detergent as they have found that if it is cared for it in this way, 80% of the insecticide will still be there after twenty washes. He also advised that the nets be dried out of the sun as the UV rays can deplete the insecticide. As well, they should be laid out flat so the insecticide does not have a chance of dripping off.
It was an informative meeting that set our minds at ease. It also armed us with valuable information that will be shared with both the parents and the children at each distribution site.
Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
The mosquito nets are a very important part of the bedkit as it is one of the essential tools for securing against malaria. It is bought from a chemical company because they are already treated with an insecticide. This not only kills mosquitoes, but repels them from the child, who will often have an arm or leg up against the net while sleeping.
The next question was, "If it’s an insecticide then will it harm the child sleeping beneath it?"
Dr. Robert advised us that many tests have been done for this specifically by the World Health Organization (WHO), and they are satisfied with its benefits and have no concerns with its safety. The net included in this year’s bedkit is WHO certified.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
It was an informative meeting that set our minds at ease. It also armed us with valuable information that will be shared with both the parents and the children at each distribution site.
Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Uganda: Heartwarming visits to families
Today we visited children from four separate families who received bedkits in the past. This was a day that stirred up many emotions. A happy-sad kind of day.
Three of the four families we visited were headed by only a grandmother and one by only the mother. Two had four grandchildren living with them and one had seven.
They told us that their grandchildren were under their full time care because they were all orphaned through various disease, with one three-year-old whose mother died while birthing him.
They all invited us into their homes with pride as they showed us the bedkit that had been gifted to them, some as long ago as 2005. The older ones were obviously well-worn, and the ones from more recent distributions were clearly being used every day by the children of the family.
All who live in the home clearly gained by receiving their bedkit.
Thank you to Annette, Nalumu, Yudaya and Robinah for welcoming us into your homes!
Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
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| From Uganda SlideShow 1 |
They told us that their grandchildren were under their full time care because they were all orphaned through various disease, with one three-year-old whose mother died while birthing him.
| Uganda SlideShow 1 |
All who live in the home clearly gained by receiving their bedkit.
Thank you to Annette, Nalumu, Yudaya and Robinah for welcoming us into your homes!
Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Uganda: The team arrives
All of us on the SCAW Ugandan Tour have arrived safely in Kampala and are securely and happily housed for this first week at a wonderful guest house.
The SCAW travelling team in the photo at right:. (Left to right, back row) Nancy Holt, Carol Rolph, Mary-Jo Lang (front row) Marilyn Olivares, Suzanne Dobinson, Lorna Hedger.
Three of the Women of the Inner Wheel met us at the airport this afternoon and -- really -- the drive from the airport, across Kampala to the East side, took longer than the final portion of our flight from Addis Ababa to Entebbe. Tomorrow is the first day of school in Kampala and the streets were packed with cars and conveyances and the odd small herd of horned cattle. The weather, however, was perfect and we did not mind the 80 degree (F) temperatures and the soft breezes one bit.
The Canadian and the Uganda teams in the photo at left: (Left to right) Winnie, Carol, Suzanne, Marilyn, Lorna, Mary-Jo, Felly, Immy, Allyne.
When Rotary Clubs were for men only, these Women of the Inner Wheel were originally the wives of Rotarians. Now, however, the Women of the Inner Wheel are all Rotarians themselves.
Sleeping Children is one of the main charities of the Inner Wheel of Kampala. Part of this group has spent the better part of the past year identifying children who would need a bedkit, procuring at the best prices the items for the bedkit, compiling the disparate items into each child’s bedkit, and selecting sites in and around Kampala where the 6,000 bedkits can be handed to 6,000 children.
This is a lot of organizing and these women are up to the task!
The Canadian group is ready to start their work tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. They are a bit weary after their fairly lengthy voyage and, at the moment, only ask that those at home water the plants!
Mary-Jo Lange
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
Three of the Women of the Inner Wheel met us at the airport this afternoon and -- really -- the drive from the airport, across Kampala to the East side, took longer than the final portion of our flight from Addis Ababa to Entebbe. Tomorrow is the first day of school in Kampala and the streets were packed with cars and conveyances and the odd small herd of horned cattle. The weather, however, was perfect and we did not mind the 80 degree (F) temperatures and the soft breezes one bit.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
When Rotary Clubs were for men only, these Women of the Inner Wheel were originally the wives of Rotarians. Now, however, the Women of the Inner Wheel are all Rotarians themselves.
Sleeping Children is one of the main charities of the Inner Wheel of Kampala. Part of this group has spent the better part of the past year identifying children who would need a bedkit, procuring at the best prices the items for the bedkit, compiling the disparate items into each child’s bedkit, and selecting sites in and around Kampala where the 6,000 bedkits can be handed to 6,000 children.
This is a lot of organizing and these women are up to the task!
The Canadian group is ready to start their work tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. They are a bit weary after their fairly lengthy voyage and, at the moment, only ask that those at home water the plants!
Mary-Jo Lange
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Uganda: Leave your comments here
As a courtesy, please add your name at the end of your post.
We have two Good Work videos
Back in March, YouTube set up the Good Work Channel on their website and invited non-profits around the world to tell creative agencies about their group.Sleeping Children Around the World was among 436 groups that submitted briefs and, in response, 268 agencies replied to the briefs. Two of them were for our charity.
To put this in perspective, only one-third of the briefs got a response at all -- some only received one response and the most popular received 58 responses.
I've posted Sleeping Children's two spots below. One came from Budapest, Hungary and the other from Cape Town, South Africa.
Please help by liking/voting for our two spots. We've also posted them on the SCAW website.
You must click on the YouTube icon below each video to vote.
Togo: The Last 2011 Distribution
Destination: Attitongon, 134 kilometres from Lomé
Hurray, hurray our last distribution went without a hitch.
The trip was long, hot, and bumpy but the children's cheers upon seeing us arrive made it all worthwhile.
As we passed village after village, with the roads getting narrower and narrower, we wondered how the OVO's had found such remote villages.
Team Togo 2011 signing off.
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| From Togo 2011 |
The trip was long, hot, and bumpy but the children's cheers upon seeing us arrive made it all worthwhile.
As we passed village after village, with the roads getting narrower and narrower, we wondered how the OVO's had found such remote villages.
Including the 5,000 bedkits delivered
in Togo this year, our total is
now 1,156,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
We are all well and in good spirits with lots of stories to share with everyone at home.in Togo this year, our total is
now 1,156,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
Team Togo 2011 signing off.
Post comments here.
Togo: A Phone Call
We received a brief phone call from Togo this afternoon.
"We have no Internet at the moment but we'd like everyone to know that we are all well."
"We are coming to the end of the distribution in Togo."
"We enjoyed a great dinner evening with our overseas partners last night and hopefully will have Internet tomorrow and be able to send you more."
Team Togo 2011"We are coming to the end of the distribution in Togo."
"We enjoyed a great dinner evening with our overseas partners last night and hopefully will have Internet tomorrow and be able to send you more."
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Togo: Gboto
Day 9
Our drive today took us along roads that were difficult to manoeuvre, very bumpy, and at times full of rocks with deep craters.The Gboto area and villages seemed extremely isolated and poor. Again the bedkits recipients came from many kilometres away. The distribution was smooth.
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| From Togo 2011 |
- Day 1: They dig into the the red clay, loosen up the earth, add water, then cover the mixture with palm leaves for five days.
- Day 5: The wet mixture is carried in small “blobs” to the house location where they are molded into larger “blobs.”
- They are cut with a machete-like knife into large “bricks” (about 50x20x20 cm). These “bricks” are laid to form the first wall layer. The layer is covered with palm leaves.
- Three days later the process starts over with a new Day 1 mixture.
- Therefore each layer dries for 8 days before the next wall layer is made. This clay house will last for 25 years or more.
- The roofing is usually made of palm leaves, which must be replaced every couple of years.
We invited our AED-Togo volunteer partners to dinner and it was enjoyed by all.
Team Togo 2011
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Togo: Kala Kala
Day 8
We left at 7am for the long drive of almost three hours to Kala Kala. As we left , a billboard indicated it was 31 degrees (already).The Tam Tams started up at our arrival, but this time it was dancing women who greeted us, several of whom had a baby snuggling on their back (one baby was even sound asleep).
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| From Togo 2011 |
Everything went smoothly. Unfortunately we all had to work in direct sunlight today so it was difficult to exchange a shady position with each other during the day, as we often do.
At the end, the Kala Kala Village chief and the President of the County presented us with a hand-written letter in which they warmly and sincerely expressed their gratitude for our work and support. They hoped that, by seeing the very poor conditions of the school rooms, we would continue to help them.
We had our usual snacks on the way home, but today we needed even more salt repletion, so the Pringles, pretzels, nuts, and sweets were very welcome.
Team Togo 2011
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Later in the day at 6pm, we visited the Canadian Consul’s home. We spent a very informative and pleasant hour with Marc Antoine and his wife.
Togo: Day 7
Today our journey took us to a remote village in the northern part of south Togo.
We were greeted by the king of the village in the traditional costume of his office. The site was ideal for an efficient distribution and we successfully completed our mission by noon.
Following the distribution, the king and the elders treated us to a tour of the village.
The village was very traditional and untouched by the modernization of Lome and other cities that we have seen in our travels.
Homes were constructed from mud walls and thatched roofs.
The village was well-organized and the residents were friendly and hospitable.
A first impression of this bucolic setting could lead one to the romantic conclusion that this was an idyllic unspoiled oasis -- but closer inspection revealed water, hygiene, and malaria-exposure issues that put residents at high risk of the kind of troubles SCAW attempts to alleviate.
Following our tour and visit we returned to our base in Lome grateful for the experience this village provided us.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
We were greeted by the king of the village in the traditional costume of his office. The site was ideal for an efficient distribution and we successfully completed our mission by noon.
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| From Togo 2011 |
Following the distribution, the king and the elders treated us to a tour of the village.
The village was very traditional and untouched by the modernization of Lome and other cities that we have seen in our travels.
Homes were constructed from mud walls and thatched roofs.
The village was well-organized and the residents were friendly and hospitable.
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| From Togo 2011 |
Following our tour and visit we returned to our base in Lome grateful for the experience this village provided us.
Team Togo 2011
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Togo: Tabligbo & Kovie
Fifth Day
Today was another hot and humid day. We arrived in Tabligbo and were again welcomed by colourfully dressed adults and children dancing in the shade surrounded by a large number of fellow villagers. We joined them after a few minutes. Not only is this daily dancing fun but it helps burning the extra calories from the superb meals that Bill cooks for us every day!
The distribution went well despite some difficulties in getting all the bedkits to the site. But, as always, Laurent and his team, assisted by our team leader Bob Barclay, figured out how to manage this difficulty.
All’s well that ends well.
Sixth Day
Today we just had time to finish our distribution in Kovie before it started raining goats and chickens (cats and dogs!).
We really felt bad for the many families who had left the site and had a long walk home. This afternoon we went to Mercy Children’s Home, an orphanage close to where we stay in Lome and which supports 93 orphans.
It was a moving experience for us all.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Today was another hot and humid day. We arrived in Tabligbo and were again welcomed by colourfully dressed adults and children dancing in the shade surrounded by a large number of fellow villagers. We joined them after a few minutes. Not only is this daily dancing fun but it helps burning the extra calories from the superb meals that Bill cooks for us every day!
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| From Togo 2011 |
The distribution went well despite some difficulties in getting all the bedkits to the site. But, as always, Laurent and his team, assisted by our team leader Bob Barclay, figured out how to manage this difficulty.
All’s well that ends well.
Sixth Day
Today we just had time to finish our distribution in Kovie before it started raining goats and chickens (cats and dogs!).
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| From Togo 2011 |
We really felt bad for the many families who had left the site and had a long walk home. This afternoon we went to Mercy Children’s Home, an orphanage close to where we stay in Lome and which supports 93 orphans.
It was a moving experience for us all.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Togo: Day 4
Day Four: a long drive of 178 kilometers one way past goat markets, mountains, and small rural villages. We were again greeted enthusiastically by dancers. We joined in after a while with parents showing appreciation more by laughing than applause proving us white guys really can't dance!
We also got to know the community a bit better as we were introduced to the village chief and queen. Bob signed the guest book and they expressed their appreciation for our efforts in the blazing heat (at least 36 degrees Celsius).
We didn't set a record, but we did photograph one group of fifty children! (Click on photo above.)
Chris interviewed three families which confirmed why we are here. "My children have only slept on palm leaves until today."
Before getting too far home, we stopped in Tove to visit three families who had received bedkits last year.
They were very much intact and in use. Exercise books were full. Khaki was turned into dresses. Mattresses and mosquito nets were in use.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
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| From Togo 2011 |
We also got to know the community a bit better as we were introduced to the village chief and queen. Bob signed the guest book and they expressed their appreciation for our efforts in the blazing heat (at least 36 degrees Celsius).
We didn't set a record, but we did photograph one group of fifty children! (Click on photo above.)
 |
| From Togo 2011 |
Chris interviewed three families which confirmed why we are here. "My children have only slept on palm leaves until today."
Before getting too far home, we stopped in Tove to visit three families who had received bedkits last year.
They were very much intact and in use. Exercise books were full. Khaki was turned into dresses. Mattresses and mosquito nets were in use.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Togo: Agbelouve
We travelled a shorter distance of 80 kilometers to Agbelouve today.
As we drove into a narrow laneway, it opened into a school yard where an amazing experience awaited us!
As soon as we got out of the car, the tam tam drum music started and a group of children who were dressed in traditional African dresses -- with painted skin as well -- performed a very animated dance ensemble. There were even solo dances.
Soon the teachers came to get us to join in the dancing, as the crowd clapped and cheered. It was such an enthousiastic, genuine, warm welcome!
The teachers then introduced themselves, thanked us, and told us what a difference the provision of bedkits makes to these families.
The children showed great enthusiam during the whole time despite the intense heat.
Afterwards, the principal invited us on a tour of the nine-room school. Three of the classrooms were open-air, with leaky thatched roofing. She explained that during the six-month rainy season, many parents will not send their children to school because they must all crowd into the other protected classrooms -- for a student population of 380!
This principal's passion for teaching and for her students really impressed us and also marked our day.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
As we drove into a narrow laneway, it opened into a school yard where an amazing experience awaited us!
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| From Togo 2011 |
Soon the teachers came to get us to join in the dancing, as the crowd clapped and cheered. It was such an enthousiastic, genuine, warm welcome!
The teachers then introduced themselves, thanked us, and told us what a difference the provision of bedkits makes to these families.
The children showed great enthusiam during the whole time despite the intense heat.
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| From Togo 2011 |
Afterwards, the principal invited us on a tour of the nine-room school. Three of the classrooms were open-air, with leaky thatched roofing. She explained that during the six-month rainy season, many parents will not send their children to school because they must all crowd into the other protected classrooms -- for a student population of 380!
This principal's passion for teaching and for her students really impressed us and also marked our day.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Togo: Avetonou, 500 Happy Children
We arrived today in Avetonou to four classrooms of smiling happy children all dressed and ready for pictures.
The cheers were deafening to our ears. The distributions went like clockwork due to the organized help the of the AED-Togo (Action Enfance et Développement - Togo) team.
The first-timers caught on fast. The children flowed through the pictures with ease in 30°C temperature. We were able to finish in good time so we could watch the bedkits float off on the children's heads and into their cars -- fifteen in one car.
Five hundred happy children will have many good nights' sleeps ahead of them.
We are off to a great start.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
The cheers were deafening to our ears. The distributions went like clockwork due to the organized help the of the AED-Togo (Action Enfance et Développement - Togo) team.
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| From Togo 2011 |
The first-timers caught on fast. The children flowed through the pictures with ease in 30°C temperature. We were able to finish in good time so we could watch the bedkits float off on the children's heads and into their cars -- fifteen in one car.
Five hundred happy children will have many good nights' sleeps ahead of them.
We are off to a great start.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Togo: The team is arriving
Four of the six-member Togo Team arrived Friday night safe and sound.
We were greeted by our AED support team with lots of hugs and hand shakes to welcome Sleeping Children back to Togo. Everyone is healthy, rested, and well fed.
This morning we went to site where the bedkits are stored. Everything looks organized and ready to go. Bedkits are great. The clothing is colourful and the matresses are a good size, thick, clean, and comfortable.
We are ready to go for Monday.
Signing off until then.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
We were greeted by our AED support team with lots of hugs and hand shakes to welcome Sleeping Children back to Togo. Everyone is healthy, rested, and well fed.
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| From Togo 2011 |
This morning we went to site where the bedkits are stored. Everything looks organized and ready to go. Bedkits are great. The clothing is colourful and the matresses are a good size, thick, clean, and comfortable.
We are ready to go for Monday.
Signing off until then.
Team Togo 2011
Post comments here.
Togo: Leave your comments here
As a courtesy, please add your name at the end of your post.
Philippines: Farewell to the Philippines
It is hard to believe that we have distributed 6,000 bedkits at 19 different sites over the last 11 days. Each distribution went smoothly thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Ito Torres and his SCAW Philippines team as well as the local overseas volunteers at each site.
After our last distribution at Tatalon, a Barangay near Quezon City, we met with Dr. Ito Torres and his team to discuss this year's distributions and to pass on our thanks for their dedication and support to SCAW and the children that it helps. (Picture below.)
Most of the SCAW Philippines team have been involved with the charity for decades and look forward to continuing their association in the future. Even when the distributions were finished, their hospitality and support continued, confirming the strong bonds that have developed between this year's SCAW travelling team and our SCAW Philippines counterparts.
They are a real blessing and cannot be thanked enough.
The SCAW Team - Philippines 2011
Post your comments here.
Including the 6,000 bedkits delivered
in the Philippines this year, our total is
now 1,151,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
in the Philippines this year, our total is
now 1,151,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
After our last distribution at Tatalon, a Barangay near Quezon City, we met with Dr. Ito Torres and his team to discuss this year's distributions and to pass on our thanks for their dedication and support to SCAW and the children that it helps. (Picture below.)
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| From Philippines 2011 |
Most of the SCAW Philippines team have been involved with the charity for decades and look forward to continuing their association in the future. Even when the distributions were finished, their hospitality and support continued, confirming the strong bonds that have developed between this year's SCAW travelling team and our SCAW Philippines counterparts.
They are a real blessing and cannot be thanked enough.
The SCAW Team - Philippines 2011
Post your comments here.
Philippines: Flip flops
One of the treasured items in the bedkits is the flip flops. We take footwear for granted but not here in the Philippines.
Children who come to the distribution sites generally have on flip flops, but often they appear to belong to someone else. They can look oversized or undersized on little feet. When we looked at the children closely, we saw broken sandals on feet with oozing sores, sandals worn by children who had swollen feet in which "something" was embedded, sandals on feet that were so scabbed it was hard to imagine they didn't hurt. Those who came barefoot, tried to hide their feet as though ashamed of not having what the other children had.
Is it possible, flip flops give them pride, self-esteem and a sense of belonging? Flip flops protect them from hard, sharp stones, and litter on the streets and also serve as a cushion when seated to buffer them from the hard ground.
I brought a pair of my daughter's flip flops and gave them to a child who arrived without any footwear. They were too large for her but I knew they would be useful for someone else in the family since the child had new ones in her bedkit. As she left the site, the child kept looking over her shoulder as if expecting someone to stop her to take them back.
Hopefully those flip flops will give someone in the family comfort.
Donna Chantler
for Team Philippines 2011
Post your comments here.
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| From Philippines 2011 |
Is it possible, flip flops give them pride, self-esteem and a sense of belonging? Flip flops protect them from hard, sharp stones, and litter on the streets and also serve as a cushion when seated to buffer them from the hard ground.
I brought a pair of my daughter's flip flops and gave them to a child who arrived without any footwear. They were too large for her but I knew they would be useful for someone else in the family since the child had new ones in her bedkit. As she left the site, the child kept looking over her shoulder as if expecting someone to stop her to take them back.
Hopefully those flip flops will give someone in the family comfort.
Donna Chantler
for Team Philippines 2011
Post your comments here.