Nicaragua: Ice Cream Team
Just when I thought I had aced all the tricks of volunteering at a
SCAW distribution, I learned something new today: bedkits and volunteers
do not always show up at the same time.
At the end of our hot and sticky day the six of us went for our daily helado, or ice cream. No wonder we call ourselves the "Ice Cream Team."
Team Nicaragua
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Nicaragua: Creating Jobs!!
Today we visited the companies who supply the items for the
bedkits. It was very interesting to tour
the factory where the foam filled pillows are made. It was a family owned company that also makes
mattresses. We saw the process from foam
being made through to sewing the covers.
Our next stop was a small building where the backpacks were
made. This business was started and run
by two young entrepreneurial cousins who were very eager to show us
around. It was really interesting to
know that such a small space can produce 4000 backpacks. They proudly told us the backpack contract
offered their staff a month of overtime hours.
It’s so great to have the opportunity to see this part of
the SCAW process to really know the ripple effect of sponsoring one
bedkit. Jobs are created, small
businesses have an opportunity to thrive and children smile!
Team Nicaragua 2013
Nicaragua: Strong Leadership
It takes strong leadership to pull 6 people together into a cohesive team in a very short period of time.
I certainly feel Judy has accomplished that on this trip.
There is a feeling in the team that we're breaking records - 387 children receiving bedkits but only requiring 13 photographs!
Yesterday we gave out 400 bedkits before noon and we were told that "we are a well-oiled team"!
Judy quietly works away in the background to smooth the way for our successes always accentuating the positives.
Each of us on the team strives to do our best to help fulfill SCAW's mandate.
We had an early start to our 7th distribution in Santa Barbara
stopping on the way to see a dam. We had only taken a few group
photographs when it started to rain.
Nicaragua: "Sonria!"
Distribution #6 today was in the delightfully named town of Tipitapa.
Once again, our friends from the Nicaraguan metalworks company Indensica
provided great volunteer support for
our efforts making the distribution of 400 bedkits the smoothest to
date.
"Sonria" is Spanish for "smile" - and there were many, many
of them today. Sometimes, we need to break the ice (a distinctly
Canadian term) with balloons or our hard-working hand puppets Octavio
the Otter and Tortuga the Turtle. Other times,
sonrias are brought on by Duncan's magic tricks or by Duncan and
Stuart's kazoo band. And today there were many smiles as our disc jockey
pounded out Latino Christmas songs - certainly more dance-worthy than
our sombre Canadian selections. (Feliz
Navidad anyone?) But no smiles are bigger than those that we see
peeling across the children's faces when they receive their backpacks
and bedkits. These are smiles of joy, gratitude and, in some cases,
disbelief that such good fortune has landed on them.
Team Nicaragua
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One of the more interesting things we try to do at each
distribution is to interview parents of children receiving the bedkits
to see what is most useful and what they might like to see in future
distributions, as well as what the bedkits mean to them
and their families. One mother told us today that not only would her
daughter have the best sleep of her life tonight but that she herself
would sleep better too - now only having to share her bed with one child
instead of two. This is something we can all
really appreciate, having had the opportunity to be welcomed into
several homes of bedkit recipients over the past few days. An early
Feliz Navidad to 2,4000 Nicaraguan children from SCAW's generous bedkit donors.
Team Nicaragua
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Nicaragua: 100 Children
Today the
six of us ran Distribution Number 5 like a well-oiled machine. We were
thrilled when we pulled up to Vision Ahora Church in Managua to see that
the Rotary Club of Managua
had arranged for us to use the entire church site for the day. It was
ideal for our purposes: a huge, enclosed space with a roof over it so
that none of the children was in the sun, a secure corner in which to
stack the bedkits and, best of all, a stage. This
was the site we have been waiting for!
Thanks to
the Matching Funds Program at Macgregor Meat & Seafood Ltd. of
Toronto, we have four photographs of one hundred children to take during
this trip. So far none of our locations
had been able to hold that many kids at one time. But here we had a
stage with banks of steps in front of it so that we could line up the
children in tiers and get all one hundred into each shot. As only 387
children arrived to the site to receive their bedkits,
we were unable to get all four photos, but three out of four isn't bad.
Team Nicaragua
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Nicaragua: Day Off!
Today the SCAW team had a break from distributions. It was a sunny and
hot (as usual) day, and we were able to see more of this beautiful
country. With two of our translators, Darlene and Marcos, our first
stop was the Masaya Volcano. This is an active volcano and is
surrounded by a lava field. While we could drive right up to the edge
of the volcano we had limited vision into the crater itself today due to
the gases. However, it was still a spectacular sight. We were joined
there by Francisco (Paco) Ortega, one of our Rotary Overseas Volunteer
Partners, and his family.
After Masaya we made a quick stop in Granada to see the old colonial
town, then took a boat tour through the 300+ small islands in Lake
Nicaragua. There was even a small island populated by monkeys.
After a late lunch in Granada we finished the afternoon with ice cream cones to try to help beat the heat.
Tomorrow we're off to our fifth distribution, and 400 more happy and excited children.
Judy for Team Nicaragua 2013
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Judy for Team Nicaragua 2013
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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
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.
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.
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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Nicaragua 2013: The Team is Ready to Go!!
The Nicaragua Team of Stuart Culbertson, Patty Freeman, Judy Dryden, Pam Horricks, Suzanne Dobinson and Duncan Macgregor is set to go!!
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Nicaragua: Post Your Comments Here!
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Sri Lanka: Mission Accomplished!!
4001 more Sri Lankan children will be getting a good night's sleep.
Thank you donors, the children's smiles have said it all.
It took the work of many caring volunteers to bring this distribution to a successful conclusion.
Dave, on behalf of the wonderful Team Sri Lanka
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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