Tanzania: The Children of Tanzania
As we arrived, most of them were patiently waiting with their parents to see what was in store for them.
We then showed them their gift - "zawadi," demonstrating and role playing each component of their bedkits. Each and every item brought cheers from both the children and their parents -- especially when one of the team members got under the mosquito net.
Off to the line to wait for their new clothes and another line for the pictures. The children of Tanzania are the most patient of all. Imagine waiting several hours to have your picture taken! Especially if you are number 700!
And then throw in an intermittent rain shower and you have the children of Tanzania.
Helene Compeau
for SCAW Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
We then showed them their gift - "zawadi," demonstrating and role playing each component of their bedkits. Each and every item brought cheers from both the children and their parents -- especially when one of the team members got under the mosquito net.
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
Off to the line to wait for their new clothes and another line for the pictures. The children of Tanzania are the most patient of all. Imagine waiting several hours to have your picture taken! Especially if you are number 700!
And then throw in an intermittent rain shower and you have the children of Tanzania.
Helene Compeau
for SCAW Team Tanzania
Post comments here.
Tanzania: The Tanzanian Miracle Lady
We, the Sleeping Children Tanzanian team, start each distribution day with a Mama Wandoa hug and that gives us the day's inspiration.
Mama Wandoa has organized the 7,000 bedkits to the Tanzanian children each year for the past eleven years. During the year prior to the August distribution, she co-ordinates with the Ministry of Education to select the children who will receive these bedkits. Mama works closely with the mattress factory owners who make the 7,000 mattresses and also stores them for her until the distribution starts. The remainder of the bedkits are stored actually in her home!!!
Each day, Mama works behind the scenes checking off names of the recipients from the master list. She is the problem solver for each distribution day, speaking to moms and officials.
During these eleven days of distributions, she arrives at the selected site at 4 a.m. to supervise the unloading of the truck, and to act as a security guard until others arrive.
Mama Wandoa is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who is loved by her family and the community she serves.
Carol Swanston
for SCAW Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
Mama Wandoa has organized the 7,000 bedkits to the Tanzanian children each year for the past eleven years. During the year prior to the August distribution, she co-ordinates with the Ministry of Education to select the children who will receive these bedkits. Mama works closely with the mattress factory owners who make the 7,000 mattresses and also stores them for her until the distribution starts. The remainder of the bedkits are stored actually in her home!!!
Each day, Mama works behind the scenes checking off names of the recipients from the master list. She is the problem solver for each distribution day, speaking to moms and officials.
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
During these eleven days of distributions, she arrives at the selected site at 4 a.m. to supervise the unloading of the truck, and to act as a security guard until others arrive.
Mama Wandoa is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who is loved by her family and the community she serves.
Carol Swanston
for SCAW Team Tanzania
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Tanzania: Unusual travel
Since many children come from distances of over five kilometres, school communities are resourceful in their modes of transportation.
Today we witnessed an unusual mode of transportation when a truck, full of about 200 children drove into the distribution site cheering and smiling. This school had secured a "lorrie" to make two separate drop offs.
Imagine our surprise when we saw this!
The children jumped off the truck in an orderly fashion and were instructed by their teachers to form a line where they were guided to a classroom to be dressed in their new clothes.
Their joy and ours at receiving and giving these gifts made another day of extreme heat and humidity seem refreshing!
Thereas Carravetta
for SCAW Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
Today we witnessed an unusual mode of transportation when a truck, full of about 200 children drove into the distribution site cheering and smiling. This school had secured a "lorrie" to make two separate drop offs.
Imagine our surprise when we saw this!
The children jumped off the truck in an orderly fashion and were instructed by their teachers to form a line where they were guided to a classroom to be dressed in their new clothes.
 |
| From Tanzania 2011 |
Their joy and ours at receiving and giving these gifts made another day of extreme heat and humidity seem refreshing!
Thereas Carravetta
for SCAW Team Tanzania
Post comments here.
Tanzania: Jambo all!
Well in the last three days, thanks to SCAW donors we were able to secure a safe and comfortable place for 2,100 wonderful children in the remote villages of Tanzania.
This bedkit contains a comfy foam mattress, a huge mosquito net, shoes (flip flops), six notebooks, three pencils, three pens, a backpack, material for a school uniform, and material for a bedsheet and of course the bag it all comes in.
I have attached a picture of a little boy (Below) who came up to us during a break and showed us his feet. He had a huge smile on his face. When we realized why - It was because he was wearing his new shoes - the flip flops!!!!
We try to show them before they get their pictures taken what is in the bedkit and encourage them to smile, but because they have never had their pictures taken, most of them are quite shy or scared. And even though we encourage them to "checka" (smile), they look at us like "what?????" so we sometimes do a little dance or act silly to get them to laugh. But they are beautiful children!
When we interview them with a parent or guardian, we find out many things. Yesterday when we spoke with tewo families (with the help of our driver Emmanuel), we found out they were both orphans being cared for by relatives and both slept on the ground. Needless to say they were very grateful for the mattress.
Today, when parents were asked what else they would like in their bedkits, they asked for malaria pills or a bicycle so they could get around. Many travelled over two kilometers on foot today in the hot and humid weather. Many of the children are Muslim and since they are currently celebrating Ramadan, they have not eaten since sunrise which is around 6:30 a.m.
You can't help but feel compassion for these children who have so little but are so happy!
Blessings all,
Thereas Carravetta
for SCAW Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
This bedkit contains a comfy foam mattress, a huge mosquito net, shoes (flip flops), six notebooks, three pencils, three pens, a backpack, material for a school uniform, and material for a bedsheet and of course the bag it all comes in.
I have attached a picture of a little boy (Below) who came up to us during a break and showed us his feet. He had a huge smile on his face. When we realized why - It was because he was wearing his new shoes - the flip flops!!!!
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
We try to show them before they get their pictures taken what is in the bedkit and encourage them to smile, but because they have never had their pictures taken, most of them are quite shy or scared. And even though we encourage them to "checka" (smile), they look at us like "what?????" so we sometimes do a little dance or act silly to get them to laugh. But they are beautiful children!
When we interview them with a parent or guardian, we find out many things. Yesterday when we spoke with tewo families (with the help of our driver Emmanuel), we found out they were both orphans being cared for by relatives and both slept on the ground. Needless to say they were very grateful for the mattress.
Today, when parents were asked what else they would like in their bedkits, they asked for malaria pills or a bicycle so they could get around. Many travelled over two kilometers on foot today in the hot and humid weather. Many of the children are Muslim and since they are currently celebrating Ramadan, they have not eaten since sunrise which is around 6:30 a.m.
You can't help but feel compassion for these children who have so little but are so happy!
Blessings all,
Thereas Carravetta
for SCAW Team Tanzania
Post comments here.
Tanzania: The Journey Continues
Over the last two days, thanks to the SCAW donors, we have made the lives of 1,400 more children a safer and more secure environment. Although the roads into the tiny villages are full of potholes and gutters, our expert driver Emmanuel Katondo delivers us safely to our destinations.
Now Emmanuel is not only an expert driver, he has jumped into the role of translator, creative problem solver and a gentle giant as he supports the SCAW team and demonstrates his true compassion and love for the children.
At 33 years old, a graduate from the University of Dar es Salaam with a degree in accounting, he owns his own transportation company and a separate multi-media company. He has a family of his own which includes his wife Kyoga and two sons - Justin a three year old and one-year-old Josiah.
A finer ambassador for the country of Tanzania, you cannot find!
SCAW Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
Now Emmanuel is not only an expert driver, he has jumped into the role of translator, creative problem solver and a gentle giant as he supports the SCAW team and demonstrates his true compassion and love for the children.
At 33 years old, a graduate from the University of Dar es Salaam with a degree in accounting, he owns his own transportation company and a separate multi-media company. He has a family of his own which includes his wife Kyoga and two sons - Justin a three year old and one-year-old Josiah.
A finer ambassador for the country of Tanzania, you cannot find!
SCAW Team Tanzania
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Tanzania: Day 1 in Mzenga
Our Day One distribution was very successful and the team members were so excited to work together and see the rewarding results! Happy children leaving with their bedkits.
We left our hotel at six a.m. and arrived at the site shortly after eight. Mama Wandoa and her team arrived ahead of us and were busy getting ready for the first child.
The day ran smoothly and six tired but ecstatic Sleeping Children team members entered the van for the rocky ride home. Some large monkeys were spotted on our journey.
Two interviews were conducted at the end of the day. We interviewed a young girl to get a child's perspective on the bedkit and her observations were so insightful. She is an orphan who had lost both parents and her bed at home had consisted of a pile of rope on the floor for a mattress. She was thrilled to receive a bedkit that she said would change her life.
SCAW Team Tanzania
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| The 2011 Tanzania bedkit (From Tanzania 2011) For more photos, click here. |
We left our hotel at six a.m. and arrived at the site shortly after eight. Mama Wandoa and her team arrived ahead of us and were busy getting ready for the first child.
The day ran smoothly and six tired but ecstatic Sleeping Children team members entered the van for the rocky ride home. Some large monkeys were spotted on our journey.
Two interviews were conducted at the end of the day. We interviewed a young girl to get a child's perspective on the bedkit and her observations were so insightful. She is an orphan who had lost both parents and her bed at home had consisted of a pile of rope on the floor for a mattress. She was thrilled to receive a bedkit that she said would change her life.
SCAW Team Tanzania
Post comments here.
Tanzania: The team has arrived
Team Tanzania has arrived safely in Dar es Salaam, having spent an overnight in Dubai enroute. Everyone is healthy, and all equipment and clothing accounted for.
The team was met by Mama Wandoa, leader of the Overseas Volunteers here.
The mattress factory was on our route to the hotel, so we toured the factory where the foam mattresses for 7,000 children have been made and stored. We then went on to Mama's home, where she stores the mosquito nets, clothing, school bags and all other items in the 7,000 bedkits.
Tomorrow we're off for our first distribution, departing the hotel at 5:30 a.m. to try and beat some of the traffic. The team is looking forward to seeing the children, and we look forward to telling you about our first day tomorrow evening.
SCAW Team Tanzania
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| Mama Wandoa & Nancy (From Tanzania 2011) For more photos, click here. |
The team was met by Mama Wandoa, leader of the Overseas Volunteers here.
The mattress factory was on our route to the hotel, so we toured the factory where the foam mattresses for 7,000 children have been made and stored. We then went on to Mama's home, where she stores the mosquito nets, clothing, school bags and all other items in the 7,000 bedkits.
Tomorrow we're off for our first distribution, departing the hotel at 5:30 a.m. to try and beat some of the traffic. The team is looking forward to seeing the children, and we look forward to telling you about our first day tomorrow evening.
SCAW Team Tanzania
Post comments here.
Tanzania: The team prepares
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| From Tanzania 2011 |
Pictured in the photo above are: (Left to right) Ted Swanston (Team Leader), Helene Compeau, Mike Compeau, Carol Swanston, Theresa Carravetta, and Nancy Loveless.
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Tanzania: Leave comments here
As a courtesy, please add your name at the bottom of your comment.
Uganda & Togo Reports on the Web
Uganda Reports
The donor newsletter for the Uganda bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website. |
| Uganda 2011 |
If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.
Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.
Togo Reports
The donor newsletter for the Togo bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website. |
| Togo 2011 |
If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.
Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.
Sri Lanka: The team gathers
A bedkit distribution team from Sleeping Children Around the World is going to Sri Lanka again this summer. They gathered for a team photo at SCAW headquarters, 28 Pinehurst Crescent, in Toronto at the beginning of June. Pictured (Left to right): Richard Hryniw (Team Leader), Chris Hills, Ron King, Mary Ann King, Gail Hills, and Joan Hryniw (Team Leader).
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Sri Lanka: Leave comments here
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Uganda: The End
Hurrah! Magnifico! Excellent! Wow!
The SCAW Ugandan team has finished distributing 6,000 bedkits and making 6,000 children and their families very, very, happy.
We have delivered the bedkits in the Western part of Uganda, from a centre in Kampala called Gombe to the final centre to the west in Kisoro.
It has been a great adventure. It began in a very poor district in Uganda’s capital, and ended in the beautiful mountains in the West. The Ugandan children were absolutely lovely, beautiful dark eyes and the beautifully trusting faces.
Our final day was as every other day: a little bit of chaos, a little bit of frustration, a lot of love - we to them, and they to us.
We met them early in the morning and they greeted us with songs which continued as we mingled with them. We joined them in the singing, we blew bubbles which some of them chased across the school yard with the grace and speed of well, an impala, and we entertained them with Arthur the Puppet. Some liked Arthur and some did not.
Since this was our last distribution, some of us passed out Canadian flags to the children who had looked on at the proceedings all day long, hoping against hope that they might receive the bedkit.
As we headed to our last hotel, we passed many of the 500 lucky children who had their bedkits in tow, and they waved good-bye excitedly. These were the same children who had so recently shyly whispered, “Thank you,” as they received their gifts. Some we passed were many kilometres from the distribution site and they would be walking even once darkness fell.
Mary-Jo Lang and Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
The SCAW Ugandan team has finished distributing 6,000 bedkits and making 6,000 children and their families very, very, happy.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
We have delivered the bedkits in the Western part of Uganda, from a centre in Kampala called Gombe to the final centre to the west in Kisoro.
It has been a great adventure. It began in a very poor district in Uganda’s capital, and ended in the beautiful mountains in the West. The Ugandan children were absolutely lovely, beautiful dark eyes and the beautifully trusting faces.
 |
| From Uganda 2011 |
Our final day was as every other day: a little bit of chaos, a little bit of frustration, a lot of love - we to them, and they to us.
We met them early in the morning and they greeted us with songs which continued as we mingled with them. We joined them in the singing, we blew bubbles which some of them chased across the school yard with the grace and speed of well, an impala, and we entertained them with Arthur the Puppet. Some liked Arthur and some did not.
 |
| From Uganda 2011 |
As we headed to our last hotel, we passed many of the 500 lucky children who had their bedkits in tow, and they waved good-bye excitedly. These were the same children who had so recently shyly whispered, “Thank you,” as they received their gifts. Some we passed were many kilometres from the distribution site and they would be walking even once darkness fell.
Including the 6,000 bedkits delivered
in Uganda this year, our total is
now 1,162,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
Your gifts of these bedkits have given these children of Uganda a measure of love and hope for a brighter future. Our hope is that next year we will bring more bedkits to Uganda where the need is great.in Uganda this year, our total is
now 1,162,130 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.
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| Uganda 2011 |
Mary-Jo Lang and Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
Uganda: Shoes
Shoes.
How many do you have in your closet?—10, 20 30 pairs? A pair for each occasion---dressy, casual, for sport, for work, summer shoes, winter boots, ones to match this or that outfit? Which to wear?
The needy children of Uganda do not have to decide. Many have no shoes or ones held together with twine or tape. At the distribution site, we often see shoes much too large for them---maybe belonging to a parent.
Second hand shoes can be purchased for very little, but still too costly for their family.
Education is free in Uganda, but many children cannot attend because they cannot afford the items that are compulsory to attend. These include a uniform, school books, a math set, and SHOES. Often the parents can only afford to send one child. These families have 6 to 8 children.
The cheers from parents and children alike when they realize they are receiving the requisite for school attendance, makes it very reassuring that the bedkits we are distributing are filling a great need and are very appreciated.
Thank you to all our donors. We have seen first hand that their contributions are making a big difference to the children of Uganda.
Marilyn Olivares
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
How many do you have in your closet?—10, 20 30 pairs? A pair for each occasion---dressy, casual, for sport, for work, summer shoes, winter boots, ones to match this or that outfit? Which to wear?
The needy children of Uganda do not have to decide. Many have no shoes or ones held together with twine or tape. At the distribution site, we often see shoes much too large for them---maybe belonging to a parent.
Second hand shoes can be purchased for very little, but still too costly for their family.
Education is free in Uganda, but many children cannot attend because they cannot afford the items that are compulsory to attend. These include a uniform, school books, a math set, and SHOES. Often the parents can only afford to send one child. These families have 6 to 8 children.
The cheers from parents and children alike when they realize they are receiving the requisite for school attendance, makes it very reassuring that the bedkits we are distributing are filling a great need and are very appreciated.
Thank you to all our donors. We have seen first hand that their contributions are making a big difference to the children of Uganda.
|
| Uganda 2011 |
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
Uganda: From Planet X
Had dinner last night with one of the new members of The Ladies of the Inner Wheel. We had finished distributing bedkits in the late afternoon, managing to match 1000 children with 1000 bedkits, in two separate distributions.
I must admit that while working with these children, whether on the photo end or the bedkit end, I often wonder about their lives and what might become of them. In our morning travels to the different sites, I see lots of children carrying cans of water on their heads, and I see them in their school uniforms at 6 a.m. walking or running on the gravel roads on their way to school. I suspect the children receiving your bedkits are doing that too. And it seems so tough.
So I asked my dinner friend if she had ever carried water on her head, and things like that, as a child.
And she looked at me as if to say, “Which planet, exactly, are you from?”
Yes, of course she had carried water as a child.
She would rise at 5 a.m., get the water for her mom, and carry it home in jerry cans made of clay. The filled jerry cans could weigh 20 kilos! She would leave for school at 7 and start class at 8. The walk to school was 5 km. The walk home was 5 km. No school bus … She grew up in western Uganda where we are presently distributing bedkits and it is mountainous. Her school was one hill over! The school day ended at 5 pm.
For her secondary school education, her parents sent her to boarding school 200 km away from home. She would get home from school three times each year for two weeks each. Basically, she left home at approximately 14 years old.
And she has done well. After university she taught briefly, and eventually became an expeditor of cargo coming from anywhere in the world to Uganda.
She loves it and is very happy doing it.
And with a little luck, some of these children receiving your bedkits will do as well. And be as happy.
Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
I must admit that while working with these children, whether on the photo end or the bedkit end, I often wonder about their lives and what might become of them. In our morning travels to the different sites, I see lots of children carrying cans of water on their heads, and I see them in their school uniforms at 6 a.m. walking or running on the gravel roads on their way to school. I suspect the children receiving your bedkits are doing that too. And it seems so tough.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
And she looked at me as if to say, “Which planet, exactly, are you from?”
Yes, of course she had carried water as a child.
She would rise at 5 a.m., get the water for her mom, and carry it home in jerry cans made of clay. The filled jerry cans could weigh 20 kilos! She would leave for school at 7 and start class at 8. The walk to school was 5 km. The walk home was 5 km. No school bus … She grew up in western Uganda where we are presently distributing bedkits and it is mountainous. Her school was one hill over! The school day ended at 5 pm.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
And she has done well. After university she taught briefly, and eventually became an expeditor of cargo coming from anywhere in the world to Uganda.
She loves it and is very happy doing it.
And with a little luck, some of these children receiving your bedkits will do as well. And be as happy.
|
| Uganda 2011 |
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
Uganda: Reactions
As we travel throughout Uganda, the reactions to the SCAW team never cease to amaze me.
There are so many people walking along the roadside at all times of the day and generally they make their journeys with pensive expression. It makes me wonder what are they contemplating? Their demeanor is calm and thoughtful as they proceed forward with specific purpose.
As our bus passes by and they gaze upon us, the first reaction can only be described as inquisitive and occasionally shock. Often at least one of the team members sends them a friendly wave as if to say “Hi, hope you are well.” The second phase of their reaction is generally a small smile and a look that seems to say, “What a surprise!” or “Did I really see that?” Almost immediately, the third reaction is that their smiles widen ten-fold and they wave back in such a way that for the briefest moment we are connected with them.
Of course children’s reactions are typically more heightened and they will not only smile and wave back but also do it so enthusiastically that at times I think they might fly! Many times the kids will start to run alongside the bus to see if they can extend this connection. The team’s absolute favourite is when the children laugh then shout “Hey, Mzungo!” (In East Africa, Mzungo is a person of foreign origin or “white face.”) and proceed to run after the bus as if they may catch it.
The shared experience of the distribution is again filled with many moments in which the team is able to connect with the children and caregivers. Whether it be a high five, a hand shake, or a small wave these brief encounters are treasured by everyone on the team.
The Ugandan people ooze warmth and tenderness. We are so lucky to share these small moments of their lives.
We have now distributed 4,500 bedkits!!! 1,500 to go!!!
Nancy Holt
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
There are so many people walking along the roadside at all times of the day and generally they make their journeys with pensive expression. It makes me wonder what are they contemplating? Their demeanor is calm and thoughtful as they proceed forward with specific purpose.
As our bus passes by and they gaze upon us, the first reaction can only be described as inquisitive and occasionally shock. Often at least one of the team members sends them a friendly wave as if to say “Hi, hope you are well.” The second phase of their reaction is generally a small smile and a look that seems to say, “What a surprise!” or “Did I really see that?” Almost immediately, the third reaction is that their smiles widen ten-fold and they wave back in such a way that for the briefest moment we are connected with them.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
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| From Uganda 2011 |
The Ugandan people ooze warmth and tenderness. We are so lucky to share these small moments of their lives.
We have now distributed 4,500 bedkits!!! 1,500 to go!!!
|
| Uganda 2011 |
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.
Uganda: Dawn to Dusk
Dawn to Dusk
----the first of seven days on the road.Today our intrepid team left our comfortable guest house in Kampala for parts north and west and into the mountains of Kampala. Our bus left at 6 a.m. and picked up the Inner Wheel ladies along the way.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
A prayer starts our journey followed by beautiful singing by our hosts, which puts us all in a serene and calm mood. Through the streets of Kampala we travel, watching the residents begin their day. By 6:30 a.m. some of the children are already walking to school; mothers are cooking breakfast on their little fires outside their homes; people are heading to work by foot, taxi-vans, and “boda boda’s” (motorcycles).
We stop briefly at the equator and watch draining water turn counter clockwise in the South and clockwise in the North. Soon it is noon hour and we were only 9 or 10 kilometres away from our destination.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
Turning off the highway, the road soon becomes narrower and narrower twisting every few yards. Our competent bus driver continues to miss the large potholes as we bounce along. It soon becomes apparent that we are lost in the depths of Uganda!!
We later learned that, should we have continued along that path, we would have ended up in a swamp. Skillful reverse driving and a turn around, set us back on the path we had just travelled. Fortunately telephone contact with the organizer at the site saved us -- and a “boda-boda” was sent to our rescue.
We arrived at Isingiro at approximately 1:30 p.m.! The parents and children were patiently waiting and we were greeted with clapping and such happy faces. The children entertained us with the Uganda National Anthem followed by The Children of Uganda.
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| From Uganda 2011 |
A wonderful supper was hosted graciously by a retired professor and his wife, outside in their spacious garden. It was interesting to hear that they had spent a year in Winnipeg -- and never got warm!!!
Soon we were back on the bus and travelled another two hours to our lodging. We arrived at 7:30 p.m. -- tired and hungry but so happy that another 500 children would have a “good night’s sleep."
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| Uganda 2011 |
Carol Rolph
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.
Uganda: A View of a First Time Volunteer
Lorna Hedger is the first time member of a SCAW team and her baptism by fire is taking place in Uganda.
Early in her time here, Lorna is almost overwhelmed with the need that is seen both in the parents and in the children.
The team has been to four former bedkit recipients’ homes to check on the condition and use of the bedkits, to see how the materials used have worn over the years, and so on.
Lorna was humbled by the pride and the dignity that the grandmothers, moms, and the children took in their homes. Humbled too at how they so welcomed us into those homes
Today Lorna attended her first distribution and was a bit teary-eyed at the welcome that the parents and children gave the SCAW team. There was clapping and ululation and general excitement.
Lorna’s favourite part of the day was immediately after this when the six of us meandered through the lines of children. Lorna liked the chitchat with them, their ball playing abilities, and their marvelous smiles.
Those smiles!
Only in Uganda!
All in all, Lorna says it was a moving day, a thought-provoking and humbling day.
Possibly, the first of many.
To our readers: Today is a very special day for Lorna as she is celebrating her 47th Wedding Anniversary with Don. Although she is with us, her heart is back home with Don. Happy Anniversary to both!!!
Mary-Jo Lang interviewing Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Early in her time here, Lorna is almost overwhelmed with the need that is seen both in the parents and in the children.
The team has been to four former bedkit recipients’ homes to check on the condition and use of the bedkits, to see how the materials used have worn over the years, and so on.
Lorna was humbled by the pride and the dignity that the grandmothers, moms, and the children took in their homes. Humbled too at how they so welcomed us into those homes
Today Lorna attended her first distribution and was a bit teary-eyed at the welcome that the parents and children gave the SCAW team. There was clapping and ululation and general excitement.
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| From Uganda Slideshow 3 |
Those smiles!
Only in Uganda!
All in all, Lorna says it was a moving day, a thought-provoking and humbling day.
Possibly, the first of many.
To our readers: Today is a very special day for Lorna as she is celebrating her 47th Wedding Anniversary with Don. Although she is with us, her heart is back home with Don. Happy Anniversary to both!!!
Mary-Jo Lang interviewing Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team
Post your comments here.
Uganda: The Spa Experience
We were “beloved guests” at a hotel in beautiful western Uganda. After today’s distribution, we arrived back at the hotel and a couple of the SCAW team members headed for the spa facilities that the Women of the Inner Wheel were highly recommending. After a long but wonderful distribution day with 500 very sweet children, we definitely needed to rejuvenate!
The spa opens daily at 5 p.m. -- Ugandan time, 5:45 p.m. We sat in the beautiful 25 degree late afternoon sunshine on the patio – the lovely lush rolling Ugandan hills surrounding us on all sides.
On entering the spa, we were presented with two freshly pressed but thin cotton towel. We changed in the dressing room. Of course, the only other person in there was a beautiful young woman who with great expertise wound the one towel into a turban around her. She looked great.
She could see we were HOPELESS. She tried helping us, and then she went on her way.
The scent of eucalyptus is lovely. The company too.
It is a fine Ugandan sauna experience.
Lorna Hedger and 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.
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| "We love the Inner Wheel ladies." From Uganda 2011 |
On entering the spa, we were presented with two freshly pressed but thin cotton towel. We changed in the dressing room. Of course, the only other person in there was a beautiful young woman who with great expertise wound the one towel into a turban around her. She looked great.
She could see we were HOPELESS. She tried helping us, and then she went on her way.
The scent of eucalyptus is lovely. The company too.
It is a fine Ugandan sauna experience.
|
| Uganda 2011 |
Lorna Hedger and 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: Guest House life
While in Kampala, the SCAW group stayed at a Guest House whose grounds were available for rental.
Arriving home after Thursday’s distribution, we could see that several large and lovely tents had been erected throughout the garden. Friday afternoon, we returned home in our usual state of dustiness and sweatiness and a party was moving into full swing. The celebration was a 20th wedding anniversary.
The party began with a Mass with the Bishop of Kampala and an assistant celebrating. The gifts carried to the altar were twenty large woven baskets, apparently filled with foodstuffs for distribution to a local neighbourhood. The choir was magnificent, incorporating African dance and song and expressions of joy into the celebration.
And the dress! The gowns on the women showed to perfection. Their carriage might be described as stately at any time, and this bearing just made for the best fashion show I could ever imagine. Absolutely stunning!
After dinner a live band played African rhythms and everyone danced. Even we from our vantage point on the Guest House porch got a bit into the groove, as they say. (I think they say that!) It was rather delightful to go to bed and fall to sleep with all of that still going on.
I thought of our young bedkit recipients and hoped that occasions such as that might be at least a possibility to them in their futures. At least a choice.
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.
Arriving home after Thursday’s distribution, we could see that several large and lovely tents had been erected throughout the garden. Friday afternoon, we returned home in our usual state of dustiness and sweatiness and a party was moving into full swing. The celebration was a 20th wedding anniversary.
 |
| From Uganda 2011 |
The party began with a Mass with the Bishop of Kampala and an assistant celebrating. The gifts carried to the altar were twenty large woven baskets, apparently filled with foodstuffs for distribution to a local neighbourhood. The choir was magnificent, incorporating African dance and song and expressions of joy into the celebration.
And the dress! The gowns on the women showed to perfection. Their carriage might be described as stately at any time, and this bearing just made for the best fashion show I could ever imagine. Absolutely stunning!
 |
| From Uganda 2011 |
After dinner a live band played African rhythms and everyone danced. Even we from our vantage point on the Guest House porch got a bit into the groove, as they say. (I think they say that!) It was rather delightful to go to bed and fall to sleep with all of that still going on.
I thought of our young bedkit recipients and hoped that occasions such as that might be at least a possibility to them in their futures. At least a choice.
|
| 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.