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Bangladesh: Final Preparations!

From Bangladesh 2012 
From Bangladesh 2012 
All of the bedkits are packed, sorted and ready to be shipped to the various parts of Bangladesh that will be visited when the Bangladesh 2012 Team arrives from Canada on November 8th.  
The SCAW team will be visiting the western, north-western, south-eastern and central areas of Bangladesh as we travel by bus and plane to the poorest areas in the country to help the children.  Please follow along with the blogs and the map showing our progress. 
The warehouse team, shown in the pictures and in the Bangladesh 2012 Photo Album are the heroes in the preparation for the distribution.  The team does tremendous work, working long hours in hot conditions to get everything assembled and ready to be shipped out to the distribution centres.  The team is showing some of the 6000 bedkits that are to be distributed this year.
The Rotary Club of Dhaka is anxiously waiting for the SCAW Team to arrive so the distribution can begin.

From Bangladesh 2012 

From Bangladesh 2012 

Mike Foster
for the Bangladesh 2012 Team
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Honduras: Mission Accomplished


Five thousand young children in Honduras are now sleeping on a cozy and bright mattress, nestled under a new blanket.  On Monday, they shall be taking new school supplies to school and perhaps playing in their new clothes afterwards. We have finished another successful SCAW distribution and are heading home to our comfortable lives in Canada,  ever mindful of the unfortunate reality of poverty in which so many children live around the world.

Including the 5,000 bedkits delivered by
the Honduras team this year, our total is
now 1,249,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.

We shall remember happy faces and bright smiles. We ‘ll chuckle as we recall the sight of a small child almost hidden by the large bedkit gleefully making his or her way down the path  to a waiting bus.  We won’t forget the beaming, proud mothers and fathers waving their farewells, shouting their thanks to us and all who have given this gift of love and comfort.
We’ll remember all those who have helped us in our distribution, the Rotarians and their wives, young people involved in the Rotoracts and with the Healthy Schools Program.  We won’t forget the warm hospitality and genuine friendship of all the Hondurans who have supported SCAW in this child project. In many ways it was the best of times.  Memories collected; new friendships cherished; five thousand smiles imprinted on our hearts.  

Irene Harrison  for Team Honduras 2012  
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Honduras: Home Visits

Today after our final distribution in the very poor community of Nueve Capiale, we visited the home of one of last year's recipients. Although the trek up a steep stone road was somewhat unsteady - we managed to find the very small (1 room) house of a mother and her three sons.
Her 9 year old son received a kit last year and along with his mother and 2 brothers - aged 11 and 13 shared a one room home at the cost of $25.00/month in rent - utilities were extra!
They would put the mattress on the floor for this little guy, while the mother and 2 other boys slept  together in the only other bed in the room. Across from the bed was a hot plate and about 25 yards outside the back door was an outhouse, which appeared to be shared by others in this neighbourhood.
Mom was delighted when we gave her a left over shower curtain which she is holding. She could use this to put on the concrete floor under the mattress in order to keep the mattress dry during the rains.
The three boys appeared happy and well loved by their mother. To know that the gift of a bedkit enriched their lives every so slightly was truly the best ending of an emotional two weeks.
From these 3 boys and their mother - thank you SCAW donors!
Theresa Carravetta - Honduras 2012
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Honduras: A perfect day!


Today's distribution was seamless. Irene was ready with the camera, Valerie and Sheila were ready with the children, Ken and Jim were ready with the bedkits and Theresa was on interview duty. With the help of ever present Rotarians, led bt Fidel, and the First Ladies Healthy School program representatives the distribution of 544 bedkits to 544 very happy, appreciative children took place in 2 hours and 54 minutes. That's one bed kit every 20 seconds!

During her interviews Theresa found that one 9 year old was still sleeping in her crib. How happy can you imagine that receiving the SCAW bedkit made that little girl?

One of the benefits of sourcing the components of the bedkit in the country of distribution is the employment that it creates. Today we were introduced to a cottage industry employing 16 local women. The women first complete a sewing training program for 6 months. They are then employed in a small enterprise that completes custom sewing jobs. The quality of the work was substantially better than mass produced low end product and pricing appeared to be extremely competitive. In a country with high unemployment this training and redeployment of idle resources is a significant event. It creates much needed income opportunities for low skilled, inner city families and helps give them hope.

As part of the Honduran procurement process, Theresa and SCAW in conjunction with the local Rotarians will investigate if there is an opportunity to use this fledgling industry. There may be an opportunity to have them manufacture some of components in the bedkit.

Another beautiful day working with beautiful children as we think about everyone at home dealing with Sandy.

Ken Teslia for Team Honduras 2012

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Honduras: The First Lady


Today our distribution was at El Carrizal, an inner city school in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. During this largest distribution of 717 bedkits, we were advised that the First Lady of Honduras would be visiting the site. The  First Ladies of Honduras have traditionally been the sponsors of the Healthy Schools Program and supporters of the SCAW bedkit distribution for the past 11 years. Many volunteers from the program assist in our daily distributions. There was a great deal of  anticipation  awaiting her arrival among the Rotarians, Healthy Schools volunteers, students and  our SCAW team. When she arrived with her entourage (TV cameramen, photographers, secret service and military), it was quite a scene. The first lady followed the bedkit distribution process through each of its steps while always stopping and talking with the various volunteers.   All the TV cameras were rolling for this stop. She particularly  quite enjoyed  talking with some of the children, particularly those who were receiving bedkits after their photos were taken. It was  obvious  that the First Lady’s support for our program is genuine and heartfelt.
The media have been very interested in the SCAW distribution and our partners, the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Many days have been interrupted with various TV personnel tracking the distribution and interviewing SCAW members, other volunteers and the children receiving bedkits.  Our good work is spreading throughout the city.  In every instance, SCAW’s contribution to the betterment of the lives of 5000 children has been met with gratitude.  So far, we have touched the lives of 3490 children.  It has been a great experience.
On behalf of the SCAW team 2012

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Honduras 2012: Rainy Season


Everyday begins as a new adventure. It is the rainy season in Honduras. We rise with the hope the sun will break through the clouds and bathe the children in its warmth as they prepare for the photo shoot and get their bedkits.  Occasionally we have had to retreat into a classroom or find shelter under a canopy.  But nature has been kind and heavy rains wait until the last snap of the camera shutter and the last child has been given the treasure of a bedkit.
The roads and countryside have not however escaped the wrath of heavy rains  that have plagued Honduras for some time.  Flooding has closed some; others have been heavily pitted creating ditches that must be carefully navigated by our driver.   The natural contours of the countryside lend themselves to steep, narrow and muddy passageways that challenge both the driver and the many children we see going to school. Some families have lost their homes, mudslides taking their humble homes with them.  Imagine the importance of the mattress of the bedkit that protects a child from the dampness of a mud floor.
On Saturday, we distributed 662 bedkits in Amarateca, a considerable  distance from Tegucigalpa, high in the mountains.  The poverty of the children was quite noticeable as was their obvious delight in receiving the bedkit.  The mattress continues to be the most popular item in the bedkit, but every item is a treasure.  School supplies, for example, are very much appreciated, for now the family has more money to spend on food.  The blanket provides warmth and comfort during the cold evenings of the rainy season.  Clothes are always a welcome addition as is the mosquito net which particularly is needed when dengue fever epidemics arise.  Each donor of a bedkit can be sure that their money has brought incredible aid and comfort to a child.  If only we could bring back the warmth and true gratitude of each child’s smile as they receive a bedkit.  It is a memory never to be forgotten.
On behalf the the Honduras SCAW team 2012
Irene Harrison.

      

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Honduras: What would be do without the Rotarians and their Wives?



What we do without them - the Rotarians and now the wives of the Rotarians!!!

Today we enjoyed the company and hard work of many of the men and their wives who are associated with the Hondurans Oversees Volunteers Partners - namely the Rotarians of Tegucigalpa.

Here we have Gustavo - next year's Rotarian's president (in the dark jacket) and Don sitting in the chair acting as translators while Jim (team member) interviews a father of one of the children. They are looking the bedkit and showing the parent each article. They are asking questions such as  - What is the most useful part of this kit? and making sure they understand the impotance of each item.

These are the women behind those men who came out today. Here Inez (who is Fidel's wife - the current president and SCAW representative, Ana (Juan's wife), Milala (Sergio's wife) and Gladys (Maurizio's wife) who will be leading the women next year are checking the children's names off after they've had their pictures taken.


 And finally Juan and Sergio help the children carry their kits out to their waiting teachers.
We can't thanks them enough for their help and support. Even Jose (our host for the day) got involved by telling the children that what they will be getting today is in fact from the generous support of SCAW in Canada and the U.S. We were please to see that many of them knew that Canada is north of the United States.

So from the start to the end of the process, we thank the Rotarians and their wives for another GREAT Day.

Mucho Gratias,

Theresa Carravetta - Team Honduras 2012
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Honduras: Enjoying all our new experiences!


Being a first time volunteer with Sleeping Children Around the World means learning something new at each distribution. The rest of the team is very encouraging and with their friendly relaxed approach to the tasks at hand, I feel comfortable with what I need to do.

Each distribution site means determining where things should be set up. With children moving easily from entry to photo shoot and receiving their bed kits, there is time for SCAW volunteers to take candid shots and to interact with groups of children.

Honduran adults and children alike treated the few special needs children in a respectful and gentle manner. I thought after the first 2 distributions that the best part or most rewarding experience is seeing the beautiful smile and evident excitement on the face of the child who has just received the gift of a bed kit.

Rivaling this sight is interviewing the parent or grandparent that accompanies the child. I had the opportunity to do 5 interviews on our third day. Melissa, a beautiful, vivacious Honduran volunteer was a superb translator. For a brief period of time I was allowed a glimpse or snapshot of life for the families that SCAW is helping. What a wonderful concept! The donor receives a snapshot of the child receiving their gift and the volunteer receives a verbal snapshot of the life of that child and his/her family.

While I prepare for another new experience tomorrow, here are some pictures from today!







Sheila Martin for Honduras 2012
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Day 2: Ciudad Cataluna, Honduras

Hello, we had a great distribution this morning, one of our smaller ones, 425 bed kits . With hurricane Sandy offshore, rain threatened this morning which required us to set up in a classroom. Thankfully, with exception of a few drizzles, it did not rain.

The children were delayed coming to us this morning due to unrest in their area. They were very anxious to get off the busses and get their bed kits.

Sheila and I were in charge of arranging the children to have their pictures taken. I love this job because we  get a chance to interact with the children while they wait. Although there is a language barrier we always  have a very entertaining time with them.  It become apparent very quickly which children are characters. The children love to impress us with the little English words that they know.
We could not distribute the kits with such efficiency without the help of the Rotarians and the young adults from the First Lady's Healthy School Helpers program.



Our team of six all share the same sentiment that the best part of the distribution is watching the smiles of the children as they receive their bed kit.

Valerie Teslia for Team Honduras 2012

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Day 1: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Life is awesome when you are a Sleeping Children volunteer and can witness the joyful expressions of 650 children. That's what our first day of distribution in Tegucigalpa, Honduras was like. Some of the children had been practicing their English and thrilled us with their "hellos" and "thank yous". But better yet were their animated expressions as we asked them to smile - "sonria" when they had their pictures taken.

There were many other things to be grateful for on our first day other than the happiness that these children expressed for their "gift". We continue to be thankful that SCAW continues to have such generous supporters. And as an added bonus we are thankful for the support of the ever so professional Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Their work started many months ago in the preparation of the entire bedkits as well as the endless support with the children on the sites. Simply said we couldn't do it without them.  We are reminded that they are in fact an intricate part of this entire process.  I think it helps that they are having some fun with it as well.

 Today we also met a young Rotariat - Luis who is 20 years old, training to be a doctor and just joined the younger group of Rotarians 2 months ago! We learned much from him today as he learned about SCAW and we must have done something right because he and some of his fellow Rotariats will be join us later on in the week!



 We are well on our way on enriching the lives of a total of 5000 Honduran children over the next 10 days and we hope you will continue to share in our journey.


 Till tomorrow,

Buenas noches

Theresa Carravetta for Team Honduras 2012
Team Honduras 2012:
Jim Gibson, Ken Teslia Irene Harrison (Team leader),
Theresa Carravetta, Valerie Teslia, Shelia Martin
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Tanzania: Mission Accomplished

From Tanzania 2012
Well, there you have it -- 7,000 bedkits have been distributed in Tanzania! 11 days of distribution have come to an end, and as a result there are many, many children sleeping well in rural and inner city areas of Dar Es Salaam.

Today, on our final day of distribution, we delivered 350 bedkits at two locations within the city. We started our day at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School -- a school for students with special needs. It was a lovely school with lots of gardens and friendly children. Many of the students were albino and were given some extra clothes (i.e., long sleeved shirts) and hats from some of our team members. After distributing 150 bedkits at this school, we packed up and drove to our next site -- Buguruni School for the Deaf. This was a government-funded school with approximately 250 students, and an on-site residence for the some of them. The children we delivered the bedkits to here were extremely aware of the process, always showed their appreciation by signing "asante" (thank you) and were full of smiles and giggles. When we finished distributing the 200 bedkits we had a tour around with Judith - a woman who is a part of the England-based charity - Tanzanear (http://www.tanzanear.org/home/index.htm). This charity is involved with Buguruni through fundraising, support, and advocacy. There seemed to be a lot going on at the school today. There were volunteers helping out through Tanzanear. The Lion's Club was giving medical tests to the students, and children were learning in their classes of approximately 12 students. We visited the deaf and blind class, which has four students who are making rugs, paper beads, curtain tiebacks, amongst other things. We had some very interesting discussions with Judith and it gave us a lot to think about.

Including the 7,000 bedkits delivered by
the Tanzania team this year, our total is
now 1,244,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.

When we were ready to leave, we said goodbye to our 28 overseas volunteers and wished them well. They have worked so hard preparing for the distributions, behind the scenes, and during the distributions and we really appreciate all they have done. Some have been working with SCAW and Mama for 12 years! Others helped make the school shirts and bags that were in the bedkits this year. It was a great team effort by all and it was an emotional ending to eleven wonderful days.

Amazing job everyone - thanks to our team leaders Ted and Mama for great organization, attention to detail and support. Thanks to all the volunteers for all the hard work on the hot days in the sun. Thank you to all the donors who made a huge difference in the lives of the children over here. You helped more than you know. And of course - thanks for the children -- for teaching us to put things in perspective, amongst many other things. We will never forget your smiles.

Until next year -- mission accomplished!

Team Tanzania 2012

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Tanzania: Ugindoni

From Tanzania 2012
Day 10

Today, we again took the five minute ferry ride across the bay in order to save driving time. Unfortunately, the volunteers driving the trucks with the bed kits had to drive the long route around the bay because the trucks were too heavy to go on the boat. We left the hotel at 6 a.m. but the drivers had to leave their homes much earlier. All of the volunteers have been wonderful to work with and even though they speak very little English and we speak even less Swahili, they often anticipate our needs or quickly figure out where we want the mattresses and bedkits to be placed.

Students from each school have been assigned to sweep the sandy pathways clear of sticks and leaves, and carry the heavy wooden tables we use for the photography equipment and the tracking sheets.

From today’s location at a school in Ugindoni, we distributed 700 bedkits to children from two schools that were much smaller than the schools we have visited previously. Each had around 500 students enrolled. There were a few sprinkles of rain. Following the distribution we walked in the grass and sand, past fields of sweet potatoes and other vegetables, to the homes of two of the bedkit recipients. Their homes were made of tree branches, thatch, and mud. Children sleep in one room and the grandmother or parents sleep in another room, on wooden platforms cushioned with cardboard boxes or on grass mats on the ground. Tonight some or all of the family will sleep under a brand new mosquito net.

We have one more day to give out bedkits. We are both sad and glad. Sad to be leaving the wonderful children, volunteers and Mama, but glad to have almost completed the delivery to 7,000 happy kids and glad to be returning soon to our families.

Marilyn Hagerman
for Team Tanzania 2012

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Tanzania: Magomeni Mviringo

Distribution #9 – Saturday, July 21, 2012

This morning our distribution was in Dar Es Salaam. We distributed 350 bedkits on the grounds of Mama Wandoa’s church.

When we arrived at the site, Mama had 40 children standing and seated ready for the first group photo. As we have observed at all the distributions the children patiently and quietly wait in the hot sun when they have to. We then took a second group photo of 50 children!

Despite the fact that today is the first day of Ramadan and several of our volunteers are fasting – they still worked hard with us.

After we completed distributing the 350 bedkits to needy children from four different schools we drove to Mama Wandoa’s farm about 1.5 hours away. Mama is building herself a small home there so she has a place to stay overnight when she wants to go check on her animals and the pineapples growing.

That afternoon Mama held a commemoration for the opening of the new well on her property for the use of the whole community. A group of Canadians from Ontario had provided funds last year for the well to be built.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we will not have a distribution.

Lala Salama (Swahili for “Peaceful Sleep”).

Kathy Devine
for Team Tanzania 2012

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Tanzania: Gomvu

Today is our 8th distribution. We travelled to Gomvu via our van, and a short ferry ride. There were three schools who received bedkits, for a total of 700. The bedkits that we have distributed to date in Tanzania is 5,600.

When we arrive at the distribution site, we have some time to take pictures of the children. They are delighted when we show them their photos on our cameras. They stand around giggling, and want us to take more and more.


The photos of the children for the distribution went well. A rooster even tried to get his picture taken.

When we were leaving the school, down this dusty rural road, we came upon a motorcycle that was loaded with seven mattresses. Everyone standing beside the motorcycle looked pleased and waved to us as we passed.

Hadi kesho. (Good night)

Team Tanzania
Ted, Karen, Kathy, Marilyn, Jeremy & Jenny

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Tanzania: Kibugumo

Day 7
From Tanzania 2012

Well another 700 children will sleep well tonight after our distribution today in Kibugumo, Tanzania. We arrived early to site different from our other distribution days -- today we rode the ferry! We brought the van load of travelling volunteers and bedkits on a 5-minute ferry ride with many other vehicles and busy locals. Due to the large size and weight of the mattress trucks -- they drove the long way around and met us at the site.

We arrived to see a school with some gardens and lots of greenery -- trees (several palm trees), shrubs, plants, and bushes -- and butterflies! The students were sweeping the dirt with their personal brooms made of sticks, while others were filling their plastic bottles with water from the well to water all the plants and grass.

The students joined in singing songs with us and giving high 5’s before the bell rang when they gathered to sing the national anthem and then rushed into the classrooms (hoping to get a seat in a desk and not on the floor) to start their lessons. Ted talked to the parents, (See video below.) explaining the items of the bedkits and with the announcement of each item, the response was cheering and applause. We had government members present during the distribution who participated and will participate in the bedkit selection process. They were observing the end result of the work they had started earlier, as well as talking to those involved in the process, including the families.

We left the and drove away watching the overseas volunteers drink from coconuts, and the older students spread out in the yard writing a test.

Team Tanzania 2012

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From Tanzania 2012







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