Togo: Glekondji
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| From Togo 2012 |
The air was cool and thanks to our partners at AED, the line went smoothly. As usual, the kids were nervous as they sat down to have their pictures taken, but soon loosened up as our team made funny faces and asked them to smile! The expressions on their faces as they received their mattress and school bag stuffed full of wonderful gifts were beautiful to see and made each one of us very happy to be here and to be a part of the team.
We left the school after having met the principal and giving him gifts of toys, balloons, paper to be used in the classroom and a beautiful book with pictures of people from all over the world.
After tomorrow we are halfway through our distribution. Time has passed quickly … what a beautiful country, a beautiful people, and a beautiful experience.
PS: The chickens are still alive … but not for long!
Eleanor Uddo
for Team Togo 2012
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Togo: Amoussime & Asso
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| From Togo 2012 |
A day of firsts in Togo:
On our third day of distributions we awoke to torrential rains. It did abate when we left for Amoussime, a two-hour drive on a good day. The roads got more and more exciting until we were on dirt roads with the biggest potholes we have ever seen -- lots of dodging necessary. There was a great singing welcome from the children when we arrived. Thankfully the rain had stopped.
All went well. We were always a source of interest -- especially when we took photos. Today we interviewed some parents and their children about the bedkit and they were very happy with the contents.
After leaving we took more very muddy dirt roads to the village of Asso where bedkits were distributed last year. The village chief, elders, school principal, teachers, and parents gave us a great welcome. Another Canadian charity will build more school rooms and a principal's office and storage room. They gave us a tour through a typical rural village. Adobe, thatched-roof homes with chickens and goats everywhere. The two wells for the village were very deep. One of them was 110 feet. Water was pulled up in plastic jugs on ropes. We met three children who are using the bedkits that were distributed last year. We also met a young girl who showed us how to make soup wih palm nuts and beans.
The second first was that we were given two live chickens for supper. I think we are having them tomorrow. This is especially generous from such a poor village.
The third first was a flat tire with a loud bang. Fortunately our OVO partner had a mechanic who was a volunteer. The wheel was changed and after much cheering we were on our way.
The road back to Lomé was very muddy and the team was also very muddy. Supper and showers were greatly appreciated.
We feel so fortunate to have experienced such a day with the amazing chidren and people in Togo.
Best wishes from Margaret
for Team Togo 2012
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Philippines: Local industries
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| From Philippines 2012 |
Each bedkit in the Philippines contains three pairs of shorts: thus 18,000 pairs of shorts are needed in this distribution of 6,000 bedkits. The team visited the village in which the shorts were produced. Seventeen seamstresses and two cutters worked for two months fulfilling this contract, in a garage-like facility. The cost to Sleeping children is $1 per pair. (Photo above.)
This process is repeated for other bedkit items such that, not only will 6,000 children benefit from the distribution, but tens of others will receive needed employment.
Team Philippines 2012
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Togo: Game
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| From Togo 2012 |
Today was a hot one!
The distribution in Game went smoothly; we handed out the 500 bedkits in 2 hours.
The children greeted us with handshakes, smiles and loud cheers. They were especially excited when Margaret displayed the bedkit items. Eleanor entertained the kids waiting in line (and us) with her fantastic headwear. We had great help from the local volunteer group (AED) who managed in the heat a little better than us. It was a pleasure to meet more of the kids and Togolese volunteers on yet another successful day.
After lunch, we also visited schools with newly-built classrooms, wells, and latrines that were provided by other Canadian organizations. One of the schools houses the bedkits that we distribute, and we were able to observe the local volunteers loading the truck for tomorrow's delivery.
Megan & Freddy
for Team Togo 2012
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Philippines: Arayat
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| From Philippines 2012 |
The Most Valuable Gift of All From a Bedkit ...
Sharlene Tayag (shown in the photo at right with Tom Chudleigh) received a Sleeping Children bedkit in 1998 when she was 7 years old. Included in the bedkit were pens, pencils, and books. She recalls being the only student in her grade to have them. With these tools, she discovered that she loved to write. Sharlene remembers smiling in delight when using her school supplies and so the spark of confidence and curiosity was ignited.
Thirteen years later, in the village of Arayat, Sharlene returned to a Sleeping Children distribution site as a volunteer with the Kiwanis group. Identified as a previous recipient, I was elated to meet her. She told me that she has completed her fourth year of a College Agricultural program and will enrol in an Animal Science program in June. Sharlene has been attending school on a full scholarship. I asked how well she did in school? Top of your class? 1, 2, or 3? She was rather humble in admitting that she finished second in most of her classes. We can all imagine as a parent how proud we would be to have a child finish top of her class. As a SCAW team member we shared in being proud of Sharlene's success and felt we may have played a small roll in allowing her to find her talent.
As we reflected upon Sharlene's presence at the distribution in Arayat, we wondered how many other children were about to embark upon the most valuable gift of all from a bedkit ... the inspiration to be all that you can be.
Maryann Vernooy
for Team Philippines 2012
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Togo: Agbessia
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| From Togo 2012 |
Well today was our first distribution day and what a day it was with 500 bedkits delivered without a hitch! - not bad for "newbies" ;-)
We were treated to much enjoyable dancing and music by a wonderful welcoming group comprised of literally hundreds of children, parents, and of course our gracious Togelese partners.
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| From Togo 2012 |
Needless to say, the kids are beautiful and absolutely great -- superbly well behaved and quick to smile!
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| From Togo 2012 |
Dan Chiasson
for the Togo 2012 Team
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Philippines: Fire and Flood
For over 100 families living in one of the congested area of Tatalon, in Manilla, the unimaginable happened shortly before the distribution of 6,000 bedkits was scheduled to occur in their country. A raging fire broke out and, in an instant, makeshift homes and all belongings were lost. Incredibly, injuries were few and no lives were lost. Families are temporarily housed in two community halls with communal living and no privacy for anyone. Our able Overseas Volunteer Organization (OVO) responded to this emergency by directing over 100 bedkits to some of the most needy of these children. The children's smiles were overwhelming as the picture attests.
On day two, we entered the fishing community of Hagonoy that had been carefully selected for an early morning distribution as this area is virtually flooded once everyday and every two weeks as the tides reach their high point. As we worked against the encroaching water, it was obvious that while the bedkit distribution would be welcome by needy families, the community was working together to solve the problem of flooding im a permanent way. "Canals" are being built everywhere to ease the flood waters away from homes, roads and schools. Health issues from standing water will be greatly diminished through industrious management and the community will soon have a new school building which will not flood and quickly become uninhabitable. We raced against time to complete the 350 bedkit distribution and as the van drove through the ever incoming tide waters, we marvelled at the seaside home dwellers, their persistence to better their lives and the support of our OVO to work with them allowed us the privilege of meeting families, especially the children who will have the opportunity of a good night's rest under a treated mosquito net. We watched as tiny minnows who had been washed in on the last tide waters be returned to the sea so one day they might provide the staple meal in this area, the fish.
Resiliance and perseverance in the two "acts of nature," fire and flood, gave the Philippine Sleeping Children team pause to reflect on the purpose our founder Murray Dryden had in mind when he too visited the Philippines many years ago and worked hand in hand with the same OVO we have the honour of working in partnership with them to deliver the donor bedkits to with the full knowledge that the recipients were appropriate and their thanks to you, the donors, was clearly seen in the shining faces of the children as they received their precious gift of a bedkit.
Leslie Banner
for Team Philippines 2012
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On day two, we entered the fishing community of Hagonoy that had been carefully selected for an early morning distribution as this area is virtually flooded once everyday and every two weeks as the tides reach their high point. As we worked against the encroaching water, it was obvious that while the bedkit distribution would be welcome by needy families, the community was working together to solve the problem of flooding im a permanent way. "Canals" are being built everywhere to ease the flood waters away from homes, roads and schools. Health issues from standing water will be greatly diminished through industrious management and the community will soon have a new school building which will not flood and quickly become uninhabitable. We raced against time to complete the 350 bedkit distribution and as the van drove through the ever incoming tide waters, we marvelled at the seaside home dwellers, their persistence to better their lives and the support of our OVO to work with them allowed us the privilege of meeting families, especially the children who will have the opportunity of a good night's rest under a treated mosquito net. We watched as tiny minnows who had been washed in on the last tide waters be returned to the sea so one day they might provide the staple meal in this area, the fish.
Resiliance and perseverance in the two "acts of nature," fire and flood, gave the Philippine Sleeping Children team pause to reflect on the purpose our founder Murray Dryden had in mind when he too visited the Philippines many years ago and worked hand in hand with the same OVO we have the honour of working in partnership with them to deliver the donor bedkits to with the full knowledge that the recipients were appropriate and their thanks to you, the donors, was clearly seen in the shining faces of the children as they received their precious gift of a bedkit.
Leslie Banner
for Team Philippines 2012
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Togo: The team has arrived
We have arrived and have spent the day acclimatizing and visited a lovely school out in the country.
The children are adorable and it is a handsome country. It was an experience we will remember forever.
The Three Muskateers have been by our side the entire time we have been here and have guided us with smiles and humor (we are mostly the point of the humour).
Now that Megan and Freddie are here ~ our team is complete.
We are looking forward to our first day of distribution tomorrow. More children, more smiles and more warm feelings in the heart!
Dan Chiasson
for the Togo 2012 Team
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The children are adorable and it is a handsome country. It was an experience we will remember forever.
The Three Muskateers have been by our side the entire time we have been here and have guided us with smiles and humor (we are mostly the point of the humour).
Now that Megan and Freddie are here ~ our team is complete.
We are looking forward to our first day of distribution tomorrow. More children, more smiles and more warm feelings in the heart!
Dan Chiasson
for the Togo 2012 Team
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Philippines: Plaridel
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| From Philippines 2012 |
These two girls spoke little English and seemed hesitant to approach the picture area ... and so to comfort each other they held hands. We felt it was an obvious sign of comfort and clearly depicts what we were hoping to deliver to these children; a comfortable sleep. They left with a comprehensive bedkit filled with all of the necessities to provide a good night's sleep and we felt we had accomplished our task.
The team was so touched by the gesture that it was only natural to accept those children that approached and posed hand in hand.
Team Philippines 2012
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Togo: Half the team leaves home
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| From Togo 2012 |
Half of the Togo 2012 team left for Togo from Pearson Airport in Toronto today. Pictured above are (Left to right) Margaret Crossling, Eleanor Uddo, and Robert Barclay (Team Leader). They will be meeting the other half of the team in Brussels on the way to Lomé, Togo for a distribution of 5,000 bedkits to children there.
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Philippines: The team prepares
This year's team that will be distributing 6,000 bedkits in the Philippines met at Sleeping Children headquarters, 28 Pinehurst Crescent, last weekend to get ready for their trip this weekend.
Shown in the photo are (Left to right): Tom Chudleigh (Team Leader), Kelly Stewart, Maryann Vernooy, Richard Belcastro, Alan Ingram and Leslie Banner.
Watch for more reports after they arrive in the Philippines.
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Philippines: Leave your comments here
As a courtesy, please include your name at the end of your post.
Kenya: All Done
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| From Kenya 2012 |
All done!
Today we met with the Nairobi Rotarians to share reports of the successful distribution and to thank those Rotarians who worked so hard to make it so.
Pictured in the centre is Larry Donahoo, who for the past two years has co-ordinated the Overseas Volunteer efforts. Flanking him are some of the Rotarians who worked especially hard.
They and we are looking forward to next year.
Including the 5,000 bedkits delivered by
the Kenya team this year, our total is
now 1,216,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.
Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click the photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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Kenya: Kajiado
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| From Kenya 2012 |
It was amazing to watch how capably these young children got around in wheelchairs or with canes. Some children had spina bifid and another was blind but they, like all the other children that we have dealt with, were enthusiastic and happy -- always willing to play a game or shake your hand. The parents the children and the staff were all quick to let us know how much they appreciated the bedkit.
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| From Kenya 2012 |
We are happy to say that now 5,000 more children can have a good night's sleep.
Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click either photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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Kenya: Huruma
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| From Kenya 2012 |
We needed, as usual, to pick up a guide to help us negotiate the narrow rabbit-warren streets lined with endless small ramshackle businesses. We saw people cutting up old tires to salvage the rubber, people making charcoal, and others selling used shoes. The children's shoes, the lack of them or the poor condition of them, is something that has been very striking throughout this distribution.
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| From Kenya 2012 |
When we arrived, the children could barely contain their excitement and were eager to get their bedkits but at the same time were anxious about what was going to happen. When their turn finally arrived it was a pleasure to see the smiling faces of children often barely big enough to hold the bedkit happily take it home.
Our only regret was that we didn't have more to give to those who waited on the sidelines.
Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click either photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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Kenya: Gilgil
Our sixth distribution was to the city of Gilgil, 6,600 feet above sea level.
It was a day of very mixed emotions for our SCAW team. As always, happy to be able to deliver bedkits from generous donors so far away from here and happy to see 700 excited, smiling children ready to receive them.
Sadness? As with all SCAW distributions, our team had an opportunity to visit several local homes where bedkits had just been received. In fact, as we arrived some of the children and parents were just arriving home, after having walked nearly 10 km. along dusty paths through open desert-like plains.
We spent about an hour walking in and out of many homes of 55 families in a “camp for IDP’s” (Internally Displaced Persons) -- homes of sticks and used plastic sheeting, most no bigger than ten feet square. Homes in a dry, remote and dusty half acre plot of land, three km. away from a water source.
Happiness? Knowing that many of these homes will now have a mattress and a mosquito net. Best of all, listening to the melodious swahili songs sung by these desperately poor families as they spontaneously gathered to bid us farewell and thank you.
Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click either photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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| From Kenya 2012 |
Sadness? As with all SCAW distributions, our team had an opportunity to visit several local homes where bedkits had just been received. In fact, as we arrived some of the children and parents were just arriving home, after having walked nearly 10 km. along dusty paths through open desert-like plains.
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| From Kenya 2012 |
Happiness? Knowing that many of these homes will now have a mattress and a mosquito net. Best of all, listening to the melodious swahili songs sung by these desperately poor families as they spontaneously gathered to bid us farewell and thank you.
Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click either photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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Kenya: Kitui
After an overnight stay in Kitui, we headed down to the town stadium.
There we were greeted by many parents and their children who were all dressed in their bright yellow, blue and orange outfits. The governor and the mayor said a few words and the SCAW team were back working hard distributing 600 bedkits.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in our blogs to date is the fact that, at each distribution, we try to interview a few parents to learn which items in the bedkits are most valuable and what possible improvements might be made in the future. Through the course of those interviews, we also learned that now is beginning of their dry season and March is the most difficult month for them as they don't have much access to water.
But today these worries could be briefly put aside, with the sun shining, the music playing, and the children smiling and dancing.
The SCAW team had another truly joyous experience.
Dustin Van Leeuwen
for Team Kenya 2012
Click the photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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| From Kenya 2012 |
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in our blogs to date is the fact that, at each distribution, we try to interview a few parents to learn which items in the bedkits are most valuable and what possible improvements might be made in the future. Through the course of those interviews, we also learned that now is beginning of their dry season and March is the most difficult month for them as they don't have much access to water.
But today these worries could be briefly put aside, with the sun shining, the music playing, and the children smiling and dancing.
The SCAW team had another truly joyous experience.
Dustin Van Leeuwen
for Team Kenya 2012
Click the photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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Kenya: On the road
The SCAW 2012 Kenya team has been on the road for the past couple of days. These photos show their trip so far including their latest distribution in Kitui.
Team Kenya 2012
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Team Kenya 2012
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Kenya: Thika
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| From Kenya 2012 |
We are so pleased that one of the items in this year’s bedkits is a pair of flip-flops. We saw so many young chldren with toughened bare feet, others dragging along in well-worn over-sized adult shoes and many in heavy, large rubber boots. Despite this, the most important item in the bedkit is still the foam mattress.
“Cheka” our photographer shouts to the “watato” as he tries to capture their smiles (cheka) for the photographs.
But the really big smiles come when the children (watato) are handed their own big bedkits to take home.
“Kulala salama” (Sleep Well)
Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012
Click either photo to see the Kenya Photo Album. Then click Slideshow at upper left to see all the photos at a larger size.
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