Sri Lanka: Home Visits
We were privileged to visit the homes of two bed kit recipients. In the
first home, we found three generations --- grandmother, mother, and
children, including the young girl who received the bed kit. As you can
see, some of the bed kit items are being proudly displayed. Your gifts
are sincerely appreciated, and they make a huge difference for families
like this, who live on a few dollars a day, and cannot afford even the
most basic items.
Team Sri Lanka
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Honduras: Scrapbook of Memories
Our distribution is complete. We return to Canada with a scrapbook of
memories: smiling, grateful children,
new friends and varied experiences that will last a lifetime. We came in rainy season, but brought unexpected sunshine. Our focus was on the children, but we cheered with enthusiasm when Honduras beat Mexico in a
World Cup qualification match, their first win ever over a formidable and
traditional rival. Yes, we did accept
the thanks for bringing both good weather and a tremendous win with our
arrival.
Our work in delivering 5,642 bedkits was insignificant compared to the dedicated labour of our Overseas Partners, the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Our OVO’s have prepared for several months for this distribution: procuring items for the bedkits; selecting the children of this year’s bedkits; choosing the sites for each of the nine distributions; ensuring security; inspiring many local volunteers to assist with the demands of the daily distributions and ensuring that every donated dollar was spent wisely and effectively. In addition, the members extended to us most generous hospitality and warm friendship that we will always treasure. Their commitment to the SCAW project is outstanding and they surpassed all expectations by themselves donating money to increase the number of bedkits over and beyond that given by SCAW.
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| The Team - see all of team Honduras pictures here: |
Honduras 2013
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Sri Lanka: The Team Has Arrived!!
The team arrived in Colombo on time and in good spirits, if not somewhat tired.
There were many Rotarians at the airport to meet us (at 5:00am).
Dave for Team Sri Lanka
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Honduras: The Challenges of a Distribution!
* Amusing children waiting for their turn to be photographed
*Taste tasting, perhaps overeating is more accurate, great food provided by generous and hospitable friends in Honduras
*Manoevering steep climbs and rough roads to get to our distribution site
*Worrying about security
*Getting hugs and giving hugs
*Counting smiles
* Rotarians are impressed!
Friends
working together bringing comfort to thousands of children. We are all
up to the job along with our Overseas Partners, the Rotary Club of
Tegucigalpa, the Women's Branch of the Club, the young Rotaracts , the
staff of the Healthy School Program sponsored by the First Lady's Office and numerous other volunteers.
Team Honduras 2013
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Honduras: Santa Teresa de Jesus School
Our team went to Santa Teresa de Jesus School, which was approximately 10 km from our hotel. It felt quite a bit longer because we were going up through the hills on very windy and unstable roads.Father Patrcio La Rosa, who is originally from Spain, started this school. He came to Honduras for 3 years, 23 years ago; he apparently loves it here.
The school has 1,600 students, which include 16 boys who board during the school year because it would take them 4 hours each way to walk to school. They make their own meals and help around the school grounds.
Our overseas partner, The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa in co-operation with another Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Metropolitano—who provided 50 bedkits for today's distribution—wanted to bring together other clubs in the area to join Sleeping Children's distributions. This school is a special project for the Metropolitano Club.
There were many university students here today who are affiliated with the Rotary Club of Metropolitano who are involved in Rotaract. Rotary Clubs sponsor youth groups organized to provide community service, and are called Rotaract. Also there were youth from the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa.
800 bed kits were distributed today, and from the smiling faces you see in the photographs, the children enjoyed their new-found articles.
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Honduras 2013: Interviewing Parents
During the course of our daily distributions, members of the SCAW team do interviews with parents of the children who received the bedkits, using
an interpreter. One purpose of the interview is to get some background
information about the living conditions of the family. The questions
include how many adults and children live in the home, how do they deal
with health and weather challenges and what their future hopes are for
their children regarding education.
Another purpose is to obtain feedback on the component parts of the bedkit.
The questions include what is their favourite item, least favourite
item and what other items would they like to see in future bedkits if possible.
The major challenges facing the families is Denge fever and the flu. Many parents chose the mosquito net as their favourite item because this could help reduce sickness from Denge fever. Another challenge the families face is the rainy season because everything gets wet and stays wet for many months. Notwithstanding this challenge some parents said that they still look forward to the rainy season so they can obtain drinking water much more easily.
It is interesting to hear that most families sleep on one queen size mattress. They are very appreciative of the mattress being part of the bedkit because not only does it help the child receiving the bedkit, it also helps the remaining family members.
But one thing was very clear during the interview process. When asked for input, each parent was reluctant to "criticize" the contents of the bedkit because they were all grateful for each and every item. It was not unusual for parents to be brought to tears saying they are so poor and they have nothing bad to say about the contents of the bedkit.
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Honduras: Cristo el Picacho
Cristo el Picacho is 12 Km. from the City of Tegucigalpa. The
distribution site houses elementary to high school children and funded
by the Catholic Foundation of Cristo el Picacho. It is situated way
down the mountain thru a very narrow zigzagged Stoney path. I closed my
eyes and I thought we would never be able to go up again. Our driver
Luis is very skilled.There was a concrete outdoor playground that was perfect for what we had to shoot today. There were 10 shots comprising 50 children each for the 500 Bedkits from a very generous Donor. It was a very challenging positioning of the children that I have never encountered in all my wonderfully adventurous career with SCAW. Due to the number of children, it had to be shot from above. Irene did a very daring stunt as you can view on the video. Wow!
After one of the harshest Hurricanes that hit Tegucigalpa, many were left homeless. The Foundation built homes in this area and uprooted the families. Most of the families live in two room homes, the kitchen and an all purpose room. Most of the children have to hike for more than 3 Kms to get to school.
On the way back to the hotel, we toured the picturesque Town of Santa Lucia. What a treat. Throughout its cobbled narrow streets and the quaint brick homes, one is presented with the most amazing scenery below beneath the blue sky. Another heart warming day!
Linda Taiabjee For the Honduras Team
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Honduras: Women's Co-op
On Wednesday,
after a very successful distribution at Colonia VIlla, we had the
opportunity to visit a Women's Sewing Co-op. Organized two years ago to
provide training and employment opportunities for women, this program is
supported by the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa, our Overseas Partner in
Honduras and facilitates the economic
independence of women, most of them single women. About 50% of the bed
sheets included in this year's bedkits were sewn by the Ladies. This
was a pilot project to determine their ability to deliver a quality
product at the right price and on time. The Co-op produced a superb
product and hopefully they will have the opportunity to manufacture all
the sheets or other items for next year's distribution. This is an
example of how a $35 donation does far more than provide an bedkit for a
child. Since items in the bedkit are manufactured in the country of distribution, it supports the local economy which is experiencing troubled
times, high unemployment and limited opportunities. The trickle down
effect is significant. Women have the opportunity to earn wages and
support their families. The bedkit provides comfort for a child; a
lifeline for its mother. Thank you donors on behalf of the Women's Co-op and their families.
Team Honduras 2013
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Honduras: Mucho Gratias!!
Today was the second day of our Honduran 2013 Bedkit Distribution and our team drove up the steep hills of Tegucigalpa to arrive at the Republica de Mexico school. We were honoured to have the Mexican Ambassador to Honduras there to welcome us and say a few words. The school principal also made a speech and said many kinds words about SCAW and all the generous donors that ensure that so many of her needy students receive the wonderful bedkits. The Tegucigalpa Rotarians have everything so well organized at the schools, with so many of the members and wives helping our team at every step of the way in the distribution process.
As a first time travel volunteer, today it was my turn to be directly involved in actually handing a bedkit to each child. What an amazing experience! Many times as they said a very heartfelt "Gratias" to me, I wished I could somehow send that little child's appreciation and loving smile back to all the donors who make this all possible.....so "Mucho Gratias"!!!
Kathy Grant for Team Honduras
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Honduras: Day 1!
For the first time in so many days, there
was no rain! I have monitored the weather for a few weeks before our
departure and it rained every day, after all, this is the Hurricane
season in Honduras. Today, the Sun helped our picture taking, giving us
a bright sunny day with a refreshing breeze that made it comfortable
for the 654 children as they lined up waiting for their photos to be
taken.
We selected the site, arranged the photo Bedkit to reflect a clear identification of the contents that your $35.00 donation will provide to a child who should have these in a normal household, but doesn't. A new addition to the kit this year is a colourful backpack which the children loved.
Our team settled quickly and smoothly doing our individual tasks as if we have done this together for a long time.
With the assistance of the Rotarians (both husband and wife), The First Lady's group of young people headed by the ever capable and efficient Miguel who have helped in the SCAW distribution for many years, teachers and others, our first day was successfully concluded without a hitch.
Later, our team visited the Park at the tip of one of the mountain that surround the City of Tegucigalpa. The huge statue of Christ with His hands stretched out towards the City giving his blessing makes us aware that Honduras is heading towards a brighter future through their Children.
Team Honduras
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We selected the site, arranged the photo Bedkit to reflect a clear identification of the contents that your $35.00 donation will provide to a child who should have these in a normal household, but doesn't. A new addition to the kit this year is a colourful backpack which the children loved.
Our team settled quickly and smoothly doing our individual tasks as if we have done this together for a long time.
With the assistance of the Rotarians (both husband and wife), The First Lady's group of young people headed by the ever capable and efficient Miguel who have helped in the SCAW distribution for many years, teachers and others, our first day was successfully concluded without a hitch.
Later, our team visited the Park at the tip of one of the mountain that surround the City of Tegucigalpa. The huge statue of Christ with His hands stretched out towards the City giving his blessing makes us aware that Honduras is heading towards a brighter future through their Children.
Team Honduras
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Honduras 2013: The Team Has Arrived!!
We have arrived In Honduras,greeted at the airport by a contingent
of The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa and their wives. The media is there to
greet us as well, interviewing us for the evening news. Perhaps we were
not the most elegant or articulate, somewhat tired from the long trip
and very early morning start, but we were enthusiastic, spreading the
word about the upcoming SCAW project, delivering bedkits to over 5000
children.
Our reception was highlighted by a tasty, traditional Honduran
lunch at the home of Ramon and Conchita, also attended by many of the
Rotarians who have worked diligently to make this distribution a
reality. It was an opportunity to renew friendships for those members
who have worked In Honduras before and a wonderful insight for new team
members of the warm and generous hospitality that the SCAW teams are
always given.
It was a great start to what will be a most
rewarding time as we continue the SCAW dream, bringing smiles and
comfort to the children of Honduras. We look forward to our first
distribution.
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| The Team: Steve Allen, Kathy Grant, Karen Morgan, Linda Taiajbee, Irene Harrison (team leader) Jim Gibson |
SCAW Team Honduras 2013
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Tanzania: Mission Accomplished!!
We're done!
Tanzania Team 2013 is pleased to report that 7,000 needy children will
tonight be enjoying a good night's sleep thanks to our donors, the
efforts of our overseas volunteer partner, Upendo Information and
Counselling Centre, and the Sleeping Children team. Following the
distribution we met with our overseas volunteers, and thanked them for
their hard work over the last six months, and everything they have done
on behalf of the children. Today's farewell was emotional for our team
and certainly for me, as this was my third and final year as Team Leader
on the Tanzania distribution. Tanzanian volunteers who in the first
year worked with our Sleeping Children team as colleagues now feel to me
as if they are family. We did not say goodbye, but rather that we look
forward to the next time we see each other.
Many of Mama Wandoa's Tanzanian volunteers are Muslim. Not only have they worked hard and long every day of the distribution, but as it is Ramadan they have not taken food or even water from sunrise to sunset. One volunteer explained they are happy to do this, since community service is an important component during the period of Ramadan. The children who received bedkits in Tanzania are a testament to the service these volunteers, and others, have provided.
After our distribution, our team visited the historical city of Bagamoyo, sea-side destination of the east African slave caravans. Our team saw the old fort where the slaves were held, followed by the slave market and port where slaves were loaded onto dhows to be transported to Zanzibar and then on to other countries around the world. Today the dhows are still here, but now they are largely are used for fishing in the Indian Ocean. Our guide told us that fishing is the major activity in the Bogamoyo area. Walking on the beach we passed a fisherman who proudly showed us his catch of prawns.
Seeing this fisherman took me back to Mama Wandoa's volunteers, people
of meagre means who volunteer to help the children. Several days ago I
had an opportunity to interview five of Mama's volunteers, and one
question asked was how they made a living to support themselves and
their families. Two men said they would go down to the ocean at dawn,
and wait for the fishing dhows that had been fishing all night to return
to shore. These men would offer their service to the dhow captains, to
help them unload their catch and earn a small sum, and perhaps a few
fish to take home to their families.
So even at Bagamoyo, with the distributions over, my mind was taken back to the amazing group of volunteers who make the Sleeping Children distributions possible. I will not forget them.
Our team hopes you have enjoyed the updates, videos and photographs they have sent back over the last two weeks. I can assure you they worked hard, and represented Sleeping Children and its donors well in all aspects on this trip. Thanks to our team, we are bringing home hours and hours of video covering all aspects of the bedkit distributions, interviews with our overseas volunteers, bedkit recipients and others. This video will be reviewed by Sleeping Children when our team returns to Canada. Our team hopes this material will help spread the word about the charity in new ways, through new communication channels, that will help Sleeping Children ensure more children get a good night's sleep.
And so we say good night, and thank you donors.
Ted Swanston
On behalf of Team Tanzania
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| From Tanzania 2013 |
Many of Mama Wandoa's Tanzanian volunteers are Muslim. Not only have they worked hard and long every day of the distribution, but as it is Ramadan they have not taken food or even water from sunrise to sunset. One volunteer explained they are happy to do this, since community service is an important component during the period of Ramadan. The children who received bedkits in Tanzania are a testament to the service these volunteers, and others, have provided.
After our distribution, our team visited the historical city of Bagamoyo, sea-side destination of the east African slave caravans. Our team saw the old fort where the slaves were held, followed by the slave market and port where slaves were loaded onto dhows to be transported to Zanzibar and then on to other countries around the world. Today the dhows are still here, but now they are largely are used for fishing in the Indian Ocean. Our guide told us that fishing is the major activity in the Bogamoyo area. Walking on the beach we passed a fisherman who proudly showed us his catch of prawns.
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| From Tanzania 2013 |
So even at Bagamoyo, with the distributions over, my mind was taken back to the amazing group of volunteers who make the Sleeping Children distributions possible. I will not forget them.
Our team hopes you have enjoyed the updates, videos and photographs they have sent back over the last two weeks. I can assure you they worked hard, and represented Sleeping Children and its donors well in all aspects on this trip. Thanks to our team, we are bringing home hours and hours of video covering all aspects of the bedkit distributions, interviews with our overseas volunteers, bedkit recipients and others. This video will be reviewed by Sleeping Children when our team returns to Canada. Our team hopes this material will help spread the word about the charity in new ways, through new communication channels, that will help Sleeping Children ensure more children get a good night's sleep.
And so we say good night, and thank you donors.
Ted Swanston
On behalf of Team Tanzania
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Tanzania: The Power of the Blog
The comments to our blogs may be from family and friends concerned about our welfare so far away from home. This warms our hearts as we are experiencing so many new sights, smells, tastes and smiles as we travel through the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam. We seem to be in suspended animation here as we work with the children and then return to our hotel to shower the dust off that swirls around us at each distribution site.
We know that there has been an election in Zimbabwe, the former president Bill Clinton has been in Tanzania to look at his funded projects for sustainable farming and that many American embassies have been closed around this part of the world (but not the one here), but we seem to be so engrossed in our daily activities we are almost unaware of the world around us.
Our friends in SCAW whom we may even have travelled with understand the power of the distribution on each and every one of us. Whether a first time volunteer traveller or a fortunate multiple-time ones, we all share the understanding of the emotional highs of making a difference in the lives of 7,000 children here in Tanzania.
As this distribution draws to its close our feelings of sadness at its ending and the satisfaction of working hand-in-hand with our Overseas Volunteer Partner becomes more difficult to describe to those who have not had this privilege of traveling for the 100% charity, Sleeping Children around the World. The blog comments often come from our brothers and sisters in the charity who understand the experience.
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| Getting ready for our second last distributi before the sun is up |
for Team Tanzania 2013
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| Talking to the 700 boys and girls who will receive a bedkit today and their families, mostly mothers and grandmothe |
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| Our ladies trying out the bench for the pictures |
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| Arranging the bedkit for the children |
Tanzania: Going Above and Beyond
A
key element of the Sleeping Children Around The World bedkit program is
to generate local economic benefit in the countries where distributions
occur. In Tanzania, a local manufacturer Unoplast Limited supplies the
major item in the bedkit, the mattress. Parents and children's faces
light up when, before each distribution, we speak with them and show
them the colourful mattress each child will be receiving.
Unoplast
has been supplying mattresses for over ten years for the bedkit
program. Each year Mama Wandoa, the head
of our overseas partner organization, gets at least three competitive
quotes, but Unoplast has always earned the contract to supply the
mattresses. This year Unoplast supplied 50 mattresses at no cost.
Their Marketing Manager, Mr. Chirag Patel, spoke to the SCAW team of
the importance their firm and management team places on their
participation in the bedkit program (you can see an excerpt of Mr
Patel's comments in the wonderful one-minute video that team member Lori
Albrecht created and is below).
Mr
Patel and Unoplast went "above and beyond" being an excellent supplier
at Saturday's distribution for albinos and other challenged
children. As promised, Mr. Patel arrived at the distribution site with
a medical doctor, Dr. Stanley Lwiza, and Nurse Elizabeth Kondela to
examine the children. Twenty-two of the most at-risk children were
given a thorough physical examination, and the doctor and nurse
discussed the results with each child's parents. The medical staff
provided suggestions to the parents for treatments that would help their
children, and in some cases referrals to specialists for follow-up.
I
spoke with the Doctor and Nurse following their work, and it was clear
that they were moved by the experience. They said they would be
willing to come back next year to examine other children who were to
receive bedkits, and provide what advice they could offer to their
parents.
Sleeping
Children Around The World and Upendo Information and Counselling Centre
wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Lwiza and Nurse Kondela,
and to Chirag Patel and Unoplast for making the visit possible by these
medical professionals.
We
tried to say "thank you" to Mr Patel by having him hand out bedkits to
the challenged children. I hope Mr Patel and his family enjoy these two
photos, and that in some small way they can express our team's
appreciation to him.
Team Tanzania 2013