Kolkata: Day of Rest

For those of you who have been following our blog, you will have noticed that we have been travelling up to 6 or 7 hours each day to and from our distribution sites.  Today the short duration of our trip hit us all and we decided to make the most of our time here by packing in as much as we could.  After greeting our lovely bus driver Amit and presenting him with an honourary Canadian toque, we headed off for the Birla Temple in the downtown core of Kolkata.  The drive from our hotel to the centre took almost two hours today!  After a tour of this beautiful temple we decided to make a return visit to Mother Theresa's Mission of Charity orphanage to see if this time the children were awake.  To our great fortune we arrived just on time and had an escorted tour with one of the sisters.  We arrived in time to join in with the children singing their morning songs, our favourite was the wheels on the bus!  We also had time to visit the physically and developmentally challenged children as they were having their breakfast.  As we were entering the orphanage some of us had the pleasure of chatting with a German nun who first joined the mission 50 years ago.  She is still just as passionate about serving the poor of Kolkata as we are sure she was all those years ago.

We then packed in lunch and a trip to three factory suppliers for the bedkits, where we were warmly greeted.  Of special interest to our team was the cottage industry of 5-10 women who used foot or hand pedal sewing machines to stitch together the bedsheets and pillowcases in the bed kits.  When we visited the factory which supplies the t-shirts and the sandal factory the owners expressed such joy at being chosen to provide items for the bedkit.  

 

We finished off the day driving through All-Market!  This area of Kolkata is filled with wholesale fruit, vegetables and nearly any other item that you can imagine!  While we have seen streets crowded with cars, buses, trucks and rickshaws, the human crush of these market streets was so different and an incredible experience for all of us.  Luckily we were contained in the fishbowl like atmosphere of our van, ably navigating the streets with our driver Amit.

 

Our well deserved rest will happen this evening when our heads hit the pillow, as tomorrow we begin on the road once again headed off on the distribution trail.

Team Kolkata 2014
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Mumbai: This is for You!!

The Mumbai/Belgaum trip 2014 is my second distribution in India for SCAW. Again, I am struck by the friendliness of our hosts, the work they have done in preparation for our visit, and their hospitality.

So far, we have had three distributions, the first in Dahanu under the shade of an enormous banyan tree. The colourfully dressed youngsters in their new SCAW clothing entertained us with singing, while Mary Jo also had them enjoying fun activities.

In Palghar, at a school supported by the Bombay Airport Rotary club, we were led to the site by marching girls and drumming boys. We were shown around the school where the Rotarians are constantly improving the facilities. A place to be proud of.

Today in Wada, we met 480 children sitting patiently in the shade, then led forward in groups for their photo. We met many Muslim children, all were happy and whispered thank you when I gave them the bedkit. One of our Rotarian friends taught me how to say “This is for you” in Marathi. I confess that looking at their sweet faces was very emotional.

There is a soft spot in my heart for India. Every day brings new surprises and amazement. Incredible India indeed!

Margaret Crossling for Team Mumbai 2014
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Kenya: Our First Day

Today was Team Kenya's first day in Kenya and it turned out to be a very eventful day. It started off with a cup of coffee after breakfast with one of the Rotary Club members and then over to the Village Market to do our banking.  After the trip to the bank we needed to try the local Gelato - which was great.

Next on the agenda was a visit to two cottage industries where bedkit sweaters and backpacks are manufactured. It was gratifying to see SCAW's funds helping the small industries. Our afternoon included a visit to the massive warehouse where the bedkits are stored. Everything was organized for the distributions. The journey took us past many of the sites in Nairobi. It certainly is a city of contrasts.

We returned to our lodge for a pre-distribution meeting and then over to a Rotarian's house for a small reception.

Looking forward to tomorrow's first distribution.

Team Kenya 2014.

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Kolkata: Sudhir Memorial School, Doltala

Good news!  We only had to travel 10 km to our Day 7 distribution which gave us the opportunity to distribute 800 bedkits.  The flavor of the day was different as we were drawing on children in the Kolkata area, more city than rural.

Team member impressions gathered over a wonderful lunch after the distribution:

We love you Deba.  Deba works with the Rotary Club of Dum Dum and a jack of all trades.  He works with us and could not be more attentive.  One night he saw Wendy and Kathleen enjoying pomegranates and sure enough the next day on our snack table were pomegranates and a knife.

We are learning to eat Bengali food properly.  Rice with vegetable dishes first, then followed by meat, then sweets.  The order is important to keeping the system healthy.  We also learned that the date soaked dessert balls are to be squeezed to firm up the dessert and to make them less sweet.  We are starting to get the knack of eating with our fingers.

Gratitude.  There was something about the sense of gratitude that was different from our more rural experiences.  We can’t quite put our fingers on it, but immense gratitude was shown.  Many blessings to us, gentle nomaskars, and touching of our feet.

Needy.  These children were needy.  During our family surveys, one father was asked if the bedkit would allow him to buy more food for the family, since he wouldn’t have to buy blankets, books, etc.  His most touching reply was that it didn’t matter since he didn’t have any money.

Fun.  We had fun as a team.  A few of us ended up with Maple Leaf felt pen tattoos on our arms, as did Deba and our driver Amit.  And of course we had fun with the children.  They really liked Wendy hula hooping.

Overwhelmed.  We had around half a dozen young ones overwhelmed by the whole process, tears and all.  We moved them to the front of the line to receive their bedkits.  It was a combination of not knowing what was going on, and not knowing that their parent/guardian would be there to meet them after they received their bedkit.

Support.  The school provided many helpers, many of them Rotary Interacts.  We saw the future of India in these wonderful helpers.

On to Day 8 …

Team Kolkata 2014
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Kolkata: Jadurhati and Bashirhat

Today was unusual in that we were involved in two different distributions within 24 hours.  The bonus of this was that we enjoyed both second breakfast and lunch provided by our wonderful hosts. The second breakfast was particularly interesting as it was finished up with the treat of a local delicacy, date palm molasses, somewhat similar to our Canadian maple syrup. At both of our sites today we were overwhelmed by the reception that we received by our adult hosts as well as the children.  They seemed amazed by our appearance and presence in their town.  

This morning's distribution site was organized differently so we had time to enjoy shaking the hands of the children and giving high fives all along the line of patiently waiting children and their guardians.  This was the first time that a distribution has been held in this community and as such, our hosts were particularly grateful for the opportunity.  Our team was particularly impacted by the story of one mother who had recently lost her husband and had no way of earning an income.  She and her son were overwhelmed by the generosity of our donors, and how this bedkit will improve the quality of life for this family.

We travelled two hours further east , nearly to the border with Bangladesh, for our second distribution of the day.  Driving through the many communities on our way to the distribution many of the team members commented on the bustling market areas of each town.  The sense of community carried over to the distribution with many local volunteers observing and assisting.  The enthusiasm of the children at this site was particularly memorable, with their requests for an encore performance of head and shoulders.  We were warmed by the fact that four young girls who missed the first distribution of the day were transported to the second site so that they could still receive the gift of their bedkit.  Kathleen and Debbie were the recipients of enormous hugs as these young girls showed their appreciation.

What a day!!!

Team Kolkata 2014

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Chennai: Avadi

Today we travelled to a large high school where the Canadian team and our Rotary partners were assisted by a large number of grade 11 students from the host school.  Together we delivered another 591 bedkits  to impoverished and special needs children from the area surrounding Avadi.

Afterwards we were treated to a ten minute Hindu meditation chant by 45 young boys who, from age 5, have been taking training to be Hindu Brahmin priests.  In return they are given free education.

Next we travelled to a factory where all of the bedkits are assembled and packaged for shipment to the various distribution sites.

Finally we visited the Rotary Hospital of Ambattur where we toured the hospital and witnessed several patients undergoing therapy for cerebral palsy, eye surgery, and emergency medical treatments.  Our Rotary partners fund this hospital as one of their many charitable ventures.  They are very dedicated and busy people.

Tomorrow we head west by train to our next distribution.

Team Chennai 2014
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Chennai: Volunteer Helpers

Our Volunteers for the day!!

Team Chennai 2014
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Kolkata: Sonamukhi

After an evening spent on the road we started out on a beautiful morning for a small town in the agricultural heartland of West Bengal.  Here most of the farmers devote their time to producing coconut, date palms, rice, mustard seeds and potatoes.  We were warmly greeted by our hosts and proceeded quickly to start our busy day of distributing bedkits.  The need of the children in this region was immediately apparent to us.  We had a great day distributing 550 bed kits equally to both boys and girls, from tiny to tall and from shy to outgoing.  We certainly were the first foreigners that many of these children had ever seen.  One young man approached us with a huge smile on his face, looking to engage in a conversation.  He explained that it was his life dream to converse in English with a foreigner.  He went away as happy as one of the children receiving the bedkits.  As we left for our 4 hour drive back into the city and were miles past the distribution site, we continued to see bedkits joyfully carried on foot, bikes, carts and heads!  These bedkits were on the way to their new homes!

Team Kolkata 2014

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Kolkata: Day of Rest .... Kind of

Even though it was a rest day we were up bright and early to see the sights of Kolkata.

Our fist adventure was to the Jain Temple  where we were lucky enough to see a morning prayer in progress
This amazing temple was covered in multicolored pastel and mirrored mosaic tiles.

We then drove around downtown to see many impressive British colonial buildings. Highlighted by the writers building and the Victoria Memorial Indian Museum.

Following this we made a quick stop at new market a market for those who enjoy combat shopping, every merchant wanting to be our best friend ....Hahah

Next was what we all had been waiting for a visit to Mother Theresa's . We visited her tomb, her sparse room, and wandered over to the orphanage. The children were sleeping so we did not want to disturb them.

We headed back to the hotel for some well needed rest, although it does not sound like we did much ... We were in traffic for over 5 hours ... The traffic is crazy busy.

If you are following our Blog you might realize that there are laps in our writing. We have had some poor internet connections but are trying our hardest to keep you informed about our journey.

Kolkata 2014
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Kolkata: Kalanabagram

Up bright and early, on the road by 630. After a smooth journey, we arrived to a warm greeting by parents children and our Overseas Volunteer Partners. We were surprised to be entertained by the children with four regional dances that made us smile. Each had its own distinct flare that wowed us all.

 

550 children will be sleeping well tonight because of your generous donations; the children received the bedkits and we received the smiles. 

We have the chance to interview family members each day to insure the bedkit meets the needs of the child and family, and today's responses re-enforced the importance of the bedkit items.

The climate here is cooler the in Kolkata so certain items were appreciated more, especially the warm sweater and blanket. The parents shared how important the school supplies were for these children as they want their child to attend school for as long as possible.

After the distribution, we had the distinct pleasure of seeing the bedkits being used in an all girls dormitory where these young girls sleep on solid wood beds, with no mattress. Showing us that these bedkits will provide them with a comfortable sleep from now on. We saw them laughing and smiling and giggling as they disassembled the bed kit and put it straight to use, as we left they were cheering, smiling and waving.

Team Kolkata 2014

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Chennai: National Girl Child Celebration Day

back row - Brian Sutherland, Bob Conway front row - Sally Jo Martin, Sue Small (team leader), Jean MacNabb, Judy Fowler

January 24 has been declared India's "National Girl Child Celebration Day". We really enjoyed today's experience as we met and gave bedkits to 650 children at a local girls high school.  A marching drum band greeted us on arrival and the day ended with song and dance performances by 4 different age groups in traditional dress. Their talents are many.

The senior students were wonderful volunteers, lining up the children, directing them to the bedkits and generally being happy and helpful. 

Rotary Club of Ambuttur had done much preparation for our distributions and that ensured the success of this first day. 

Tired and ready for bed we look forward to meeting another group of happy children tomorrow who will benefit from "the comfort of a good night's sleep".

Team Chennai 2014
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Mumbai 2014: A Welcoming Atmosphere in Mumbai/Bombay

The SCAW team has arrived safely in Mumbai. Anne MacDonald and Sandy Riches arrived a little early; they had the opportunity to explore the area for 3 days.

We were most appreciative that Neelesh Suchak, our Rotarian partner, called to check on our accommodations and comfort.  He came the next day with his wife Juhi for tea and to make certain we had all we needed. On Wednesday evening Neelesh sent a car to take us to the meeting of his group of Rotarians. In Bombay alone there are 133 Rotary Clubs. As the district governor was attending the meeting we were greeted by Rotarians in formal dress.  In this club 40% of the members are female. They greeted us wearing the most beautiful saris. Everyone was most welcoming and we enjoyed the company, conversation and fine food.  

This morning, the team gathered for a pre-distribution meeting with the Mumbai Rotarian organizers.  It was our first opportunity to see the bedkit contents and see the pride of the Rotarians who have been working over the last few months to finalize this. Later we enjoyed a lovely lunch together. We are excited to set off from Mumbai early tomorrow to begin our first distribution.

Sandy Riches for Team Mumbai 2014

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Chennai 2014: Touring

We started our day with a team meeting and discussed our roles for our first distribution tomorrow.

In the afternoon we spent a few hours touring Chennai with our enthusiastic Rotarian friend as the guide. Highlights of the tour included a visit to the tomb of St Thomas, the museum adjoining and the impressive basilica. Visiting the grounds of a Hindu temple was another point of interest.

We marvelled at the skill of our driver as he negotiated around auto rickshaws, cars, busses, motorized bikes, trucks and pedestrians.

A visit to the beach, one of the widest any of us had ever seen was a welcome change from the chaos of the busy streets.

So now it's off to bed to rest up for the excitement of tomorrow and the first group of bedkit recipients.

Team Chennai

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Kolkata: Mograhat

Another special day which reflects the SCAW team’s commitment to the kids of India.

We started off a bit on the wrong foot with an underestimation of the travel time and lots of traffic going south.  So what’s new for Kolkata!  Lots of traffic, humanity everywhere, sights to think about in terms of kids in India.

A warm welcome in Mograhat at the country place of the Cedar Point Rotary Club’s president.  Well laid out for a distribution with Rotarians and their spouses from the local club and Dum Dum ready to go.

What stood out to the team was our commitment to the kids.  First, part way through the distribution, there was a delay due to the provided lunches needing to be restocked.  Sidebar – it’s not every distribution where the OVP commits to providing a meal for each bedkit recipient and a parent/guardian.  Kolkata does, which means that over all distributions, 13,000 meals are provided – commitment to kids.  The break was filled by a delightful meal for us provided by the Rotarians and a bit of entertainment by us singing Oh Canada, playing with the children, and getting to know one another.

Second, we were informed mid-afternoon that 60 children were delayed and would we mind waiting for over an hour to deliver bedkits to these kids.  The response from the team was a resounding “yes” within about 2 seconds – commitment to kids.

Last, 20 of the bedkit recipients were from an orphanage, and we were invited to come to the orphanage after our long day of delivering 500 bedkits.  Again, we all said “yes” under the impression the orphanage was on the way back to Kolkata – commitment to kids.  It turned out that the best laid plans did not work out, but none the less – commitment to kids.

Signing off for now, Team Kolkata …

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Chennai 2014: First Day

Arrived at the hotel very early in the morning and after a few hours sleep we inspected a typical bedkit that we will be distributing in the coming days.  The items in the bedkits are specifically chosen for each individual country or area of distribution.  SCAW volunteers and our  friends from the Rotary Club of Ambattur check the suppliers and the items in the kits to ensure that your donations are well spent.  We also check with the parents of various children receiving the bedkits to make sure that the items will all be put to good use.
Keep in touch to learn what we accomplish in our distributions to 6,000 children.

Team Chennai 2014
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Chennai 2014: Post your comments here:

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Kolkata: Asanol

We had a lengthy 300km drive to our next distribution.

Getting to know the flow of traffic, rules and the hierarchy of the roads

It is wedding and anniversary season now, shared a few celebrations . Boro didi (Deb) had the pleasure of being a stand in wife with one of the fellow Rotarians

We experienced a Moon light adventure locating our hotel. Thank goodness for cell phones.

Our Overseas Volunteer Organization's partnered with a neighboring rotary club to have a distribution in their community of Asanol.

We had the opportunity to entertain the children before staring the distribution  hoola hooping, bubble blowing , tossing balloons around and learning how to use the poi balls.

Watching the realization of when the children understands that this gift of a bed kit and all it holds is for them, was heart warming.

At days end we are on the road again back to Kolkata.
 

Team Kolkata 2014
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Kolkata: Newbies

First day impressions by the first timers:

We have 4 new SCAW volunteers on our team; here is a quick over view of the first day through our eyes

Excitement: We are so very excited to be involved with an organization like SCAW and finally put our paper explanations into action.

Anxious: Not knowing what to expect. Wanting to be a good team member. And make the day run as smooth as possible.

Teamwork: As the day moved onwards we started to function as a team and things fell into place

Having 2 newbies giving out the first 50 and the other 2 finishing off the distribution seeing the expression on the child's face was priceless.

 Not only seeing the the children's faces but the parents face impacted us as  well. Their appreciation of the gift we are giving their child, was evident  as was the love they have for their children. Many thanks was giving to all.

Sharing all these new experiences with everyone that made this day possible out SCAW team, our Rotary partners, our bus driver, the parents and most importantly the children will be a memory we will keep close to our hearts for years to come.

Team Kolkata 2014
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