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Nicaragua: The Children!!

Our 4th day of distribution was back in Managua at the Juan Pablo II School.  It was a very small school with not much room to move around, but 400 more bedkits were delivered bringing our total to 1,200 (2,800 to go).


This blog features the children.  There was little difficulty in knowing that the children in this area were poor. One only had to look at their shoes and the parents patiently waiting outside the fenced-in area of the school.
 
You will note that all the children in the pictures are wearing white T-shirts.  This is done in Nicaragua so that the children have a shirt that can be used as part of their school uniform to go along with the blue shorts that are also included in the bedkit.  Heat is an issue here in Nicaragua and several of the children were feeling ill from the heat even though they were in the shade most of the time.  Our Rotary Club of Managua provided a cool fruit drink for the children while they were waiting to have their pictures taken which certainly helped.  
Like our distribution in Leon, we were able to visit several homes of the children who received bedkits. 
 
After visiting the homes and seeing the children, their siblings and parents, there was no doubt in our minds that our donors money was being put to good use!  The SCAW Team was also lucky to duck another rainfall.  While we were having lunch on the shore of Lake Managua soon after the distribution, a storm hit with high winds and torrential rain.  If the storm had hit during our distribution, today's blog would have been an interesting one!  So, we are blessed to be providing bedkits to very needy children and we are blessed to have missed the rains for 4 days in a row.  Please take a look at the pictures of the children - aren't they beautiful? They are sure deserving!
Tomorrow is a day off - time for sightseeing and getting caught up on sleep.
Team Nicaragua 2013

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Nicaragua: Big Smiles!!

Our third distribution today was held on the shores of the Pacific at Playa Poncloya - just on the outskirts of historic Leon. As we arrived at the site, I was reminded how our work is not only dependent on the volunteers on our team but, importantly, so dependent on a large legion of volunteers on the ground here in Nicaragua. We have now worked with two Rotary Club partners - our host partner the Managua club and, today, the Leon club. Today we worked with an impressive team of young Rotaract volunteers - all students in their late teens - who probably had other ideas about what to do on hot sunny day by a beautiful beach besides assembling and slinging bedkits and helping the 400 children who received them through today's process. And yet they worked unflinchingly in somewhat challenging logistical circumstances to help us all accomplish our shared goal. The sense of service and commitment to others that these young people are developing in this type of work will serve them and their country well as they cope with the challenges of the future. 

After our distribution was complete, we had the opportunity as a team to visit two homes of children who had received bedkits today. This "brought it all home" for us as well. Handing out bedkits to smiling children is one thing. Seeing where they will be used and the primitive beds they will be replacing is another thing all together. As volunteers and donors ourselves, we all left with an entirely different perspective on the changes that SCAW's donors can bring to a child's life. And we left with big smiles on our faces too. We wish the children of Playa Poncloya dulce suenos (sweet dreams) on their first night in their new beds. 

Team Nicaragua 2013
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Nicaragua 2013: Meeting Old Friends

Today was a very exciting day for me!  I had the honour of being a Nicaragua team member in 2009 and was now not only returning, but reconnecting with special friends.  In 2009 some of the youth of the Rotaract club and I created a bond that we have kept through Facebook.  Things have changed in four years and now one of those people, Marcia was in charge of the distribution today.  Working along side with her were Maryhen and Greco.  All three are wonderful, successful adults who are committed to enhancing the lives of the people of their country.  It was so great to see them taking charge and sharing their hearts!  We shared long hugs and enjoyed the opportunity to work together again.


After the distribution we visited the company who made the 4000 mosquito nets for the bed kits this year.  It is a small family business and it was clear they worked very hard to get the order complete.  The children and their parents are so happy to be taking home every item in their gift.


Suzanne Dobinson for Team Nicaragua 2013
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Nicaragua: First Distribution!!

Distribution One! My first day volunteering for Sleeping Children Around the World. I'm excited and nervous, hoping to do a good job and be useful and not mess up. As we roll down the rural roads in our van, I wonder what to expect when we arrive at our destination and soon enough, I know: throngs of children and their parents, waving green, red and blue balloons in the air as they shout out their greetings to us. Oh, my. I try to stay composed, but I am overwhelmed and inevitably the tears roll down my face.


We drive through the gate, into the compound and go to say "Hola" to some of the girls and boys, who are beautiful and sweet. Ranging in ages from six to twelve, each child is patiently waiting to receive their mattress, pillow, sheet, pillowcase, t-shirt and shorts, backpack, school supplies and mosquito net.


But now we have to get to work. It's my job to line up the kids for their photos. What a pleasure to meet them and have fun with them!    One adorable little girl crosses her arms over her chest when she is about to be handed a bedkit, because even now she cannot believe that she is getting this precious gift. The day falls into a pattern and everything goes smoothly, even when I send one little "nino" for his photo wearing his old shirt and not the one he has received from SCAW. But that is quickly fixed.

At one point in the afternoon I watch my dear friend Judy taking the photos of the children and it sinks in that she is doing the work her father began all those years ago in 1970. It is amazing to have the opportunity to see her carrying on this work.

And now we're done. All of the photos have been taken and it is time to pack up and go back to our hotel. I wonder how today's four hundred children are doing with their new bedkits.

Team Nicaragua 2013
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Nicaragua: Our First Day!!

Wow, my first trip with SCAW and my first day in  Nicaragua. Last night we were greeted by the Rotarians and Rotaracts at the airport with lots of smiles and hugs. Two people from the SCAW team have been here in past years so it was a renewing of past friendships. This morning was the official "kick off" with a meeting to discuss changes in the bedkit from last year and review the process of distribution. The Rotarians are becoming known for distributing SCAW bedkits and are often asked when SCAW will be returning to Nicaragua. We gave them some lapel pins and were surprised to receive Rotary caps. They invited us to visit the warehouse where the kits are assembled and stored. I was blown away when I saw 4,000 mattresses stacked, waiting for the children - these children are the poorest of the poor and the kits are a true blessing in their lives.



Pamela Horricks for Team Nicaragua 2013
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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.

The Team - see all of team Honduras pictures here:
Our respective teams met divided in culture and language , but were united in purpose and commitment.  We leave fond of Honduras, loving its people, especially the children.  Our partnership ensured yet another successful distribution.  Work begins to repeat the same for the following year.  Without the help of the Rotary Club of Tegus, their wives and many other volunteers, our mission would be impossible.  The Donations of $35 gave bedkits to thousands of children, but gave us all a marvelous opportunity to make a difference and continue the dream of Murray to give children a measure of comfort and hope for the future.

Honduras 2013
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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.

 


Karen for Team Honduras
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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.



Steve Allen for Team Honduras 2013
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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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