Mumbai/Belgaum: Thanks for a Chance at a Better Life!

My task during today’s distribution at Nipani was to interview three parents whose children were aged 6 to 12 and would be receiving a bedkit. It was an emotional time for both of us when I interviewed one young mother of three children, who does not know her own age as she was orphaned when her parents died when she was young. Through an interpreter, she told me that her husband had “expired” two months ago and now she was supporting her family by working cleaning houses and taking in laundry to do for other people. She is a survivor – doing her best to allow her children to remain in school so that they will have a chance at a better life.

This year’s bedkit is of excellent quality with 27 different items in it from a sleeping mat, flip flops, clothing and even a pair of nail clippers. All of the items were deemed as being very useful and necessary by the parents, who were interviewed, to make their children’s lives comfy and conducive to learning.

On behalf of all of the parents and the children, a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of the donors for supporting SCAW and giving the children a chance for a better life!

Monika Sergeant for the Belgaum Team 2014
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Mumbai/Belgaum: First Distribution in Belgaum!!

Today was our first distribution in Belgaum and it went well, with lots of lovely and happy children in receipt of your many acts of kindness.

When we showed the assembled children what they were going to be taking home with them, they were giddy with glee...the little ones near the front who could see everything as it was unwrapped were at first stunned to silence and then just over the moon happy.

One of the Belgaum Rotarians runs a Textile business and the quality of the cotton in the boys' and girls'  outfits was superb.  And instead of lovely dresses as for the younger girls, for the older girls there was a typical Indian outfit of salwar kameez with dupatta.  It was a brilliant choice and the young ladies seemed to brim with pride,

A fine way to start a week!

Mary-Jo Lang for Team Mumbai/Belgaum 2014
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Mumbai/Belgaum: Our Fist Visit to the families of previous bedkit recipients

This morning we had a most delightful few hours, visiting three families and meeting many villagers in the small town outside Belgaum. As a first time participant of the distributions, I was delighted to see how appreciated the bedkits are to the child and their family.  The first home was crowded with our group and the extended family gathered to meet us. In all the homes the contents of the bedkit were well cared for and the quality was very good. The backpack was well used but still used daily. When we walked to the next home, children gathered on their bicycles or simply walked along with us. This village was a farming community and the children pointed out with pride the tractors, goats, school and church and temple. We were delighted to meet so many smiling children and see how much a gift of a bedkit can bring.  Thank you to all the people whose donations make this possible.

Sandy Riches for Team Mumbai/Belgaum 2014

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Kenya: Update:

Team Leader, Bob Barclay, called to assure everyone that the Team is well.

They have completed six distributions and are enjoying working with the Rotary Club of Nairobi.

They will have internet access tomorrow and will catch up on blogs.

Team Kenya 2014
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Mumbai/Belgaum: Amin—An Inspiration

Amin is an amazing young man. A grateful recipient of a SCAW bedkit, he was most obliging and pleased to serve as our Mumbai tour guide. He skillfully manipulated his way through the congested city, highlighting many areas not covered in a regular tour. With his wide smile, warm  disposition,  and many experiences, we gained insights into the contrasts of this intriguing city.

As a street child, Amin was rescued by an orphanage, and later became a driver for a wonderful gentleman who mentored and guided him. Amin’s motivation, energy, determination, hard work, and desire to bring about positive change have enabled him to purchase his own vehicle and start a tour business. He was persuaded to chronicle his challenging experiences in a book, and he is now driven to use the proceeds of sales to begin a coffee shop which will provide orphan children an opportunity to showcase their talents. We were most fortunate to be accommodated by Amin, and appreciated his caring nature, warm heart, and positive energy; we wish him success in his endeavours.

Anne Mac Donald for Team Mumbai/Belgaum 2014
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Chennai: Factory Visits

Today we visited four different cottage industry locations where SCAW mosquito nets, T-shirts bedsheets, and groundsheets were made.  Over 200 families are involved in making items for SCAW bed kits.  Each location was very different but there was a feeling of accomplishment and pride in each facility. 

Team Chennai 2014
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Chennai: Yercaud Visits

Today we had another first we were invited into homes in Yercaud, where two of yesterday's bed kit recipients live. En route to our first home, we were greeted by many mothers and small children.

The two boys that were bedkit recipients are good friends and enjoyed showing us their homes. At Dhasur's home which was the first  house we visited, we were able to speak with the father. Only four of us could enter the house at one time. The house was built of stucco and a tin roof and was only ten feet by ten feet. Inside there was a raised concrete floor for sleeping. all the cooking utensils were stored at one end and there was a small cooking fire inside on the floor. The family had two adults and six children and the wife was expecting their seventh child. Sue demonstrated the way the mosquito net should be used.

Our second house in which a family of ten lived was a short distance away. In this house we entered the first of three rooms and this is where the fire wood was stored. In another room which was 8by10 there was a three quarter bed and a couch. The mother and father and five of the children slept in this room. The other three children slept nearby with their grandmother.  The next room was a kitchen area about ten by ten, with a sink and stove. The family had a small business making food to sell. The wife sells the food at her place of work. The husband works as a labourer when there is work. The son, Parveer, who received the bed kit was very excited to be interviewed. He had been allowed to come home from school to visit with us. He showed us where he would use the mattress and the father showed a good understanding of the mosquito net. We left both homes with a very strong feeling the the bed kits would help improve the lives of these children.

Team Chennai 2014
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Chennai: Yercaud Distribution

To arrive in Yercaud for the distribution, we survived 20 hair pin turns to an elevation of 4700 feet. This was the first time on this trip that's we encountered cooler weather which meant we had to wear jackets. Because we were in a large open area, the Rotarians erected large artistically designed canopies to protect the children and the volunteers. The Rotarians arranged to have children brought in from 43 seperate schools and the government shut down the regular bus system in order to provide free transportation to the children.
The distribution went very well except when a large cow decided to enter the area where the bedkits were, but was escorted away by one of the Rotarians!  We enjoyed a great lunch with the Rotarians to the accompaniment of some great country and western music....such as "It's a Fine Time to leave me Lucille".

Later that evening we attended the local Rotary club meeting and received a plaque commemorating this years distribution in Yercaud.

Team Chennai 2014
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Chennai: Thruvallur

What a wonderful day we had with 440 children who patiently waited for the line up heading to the camera area. Getting good smiles was our goal but often the best were just after the click of the camera. Sue noticed one smaller boy gazing down at the bedkit items as she adjusted the focus. You could almost feel his amazement at the sight of the school bag, notebooks, clothing, pillow, raincoat, mosquito net, blanket, towels and sheets - All for him! By the time he carried the rolled up bedkit to his home and shared the contents with his family, you can be sure that this day will always bring special memories.

The school courtyard was a perfect location for our work and we again had excellent student volunteers to help guide the children around to the various stations. At one side there was a long trough with taps for hand washing and I spotted a monkey come down from a nearby tree to the trough. He (she) actually turned the tap for a drink but I was too slow with my camera to record it. Apparently the monkeys regularly do that. After all, thirst is universal.

There is another area for drinking water that was donated by the class of 1988 and installed just last year.

We are learning a lot about local customs. One of the boys had yellow markings on the points of his shirt collar. After inquiring about that, we learned that when a Hindu person receives new clothing, it is marked with tumeric or saffron.

As travelling volunteers we are fortunate indeed to share in so many enriching experiences.

So it's time to prepare for tomorrow's distribution followed by a "felicitation" party with our host Rotarians. Stay tuned for our next blog.

Team Chennai 2014

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Mumbai/Belgaum: Visit to Recipients' Homes

We passed the morning visiting 3 homes in Belgaum area where the children received bed kits last year.  The children and parents talked to us of the effect the gift had had on the child and on the whole family.  And we saw how well used the items were -the book case used but still in good condition, bedding similar, and the netting used and available for years to come.  We could tell that the local Rotarians had done a fine job in procuring well made  bed kit contents -a job they are already working on for the 2015 distributions!

Rotarians Dilip Chitnis and Amit Sathye and a local educator accompanied us on our visits -and, of course,translated!

Team Mumbai/Belgaum 2014
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Kolkata: Pictures

Team Kolkata 2014
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Kolkata: Happiness and Sadness

Kolkata 2014. Last day

Excited and happy that we have now complete 6500 bed kits and 6500 children will now have a good nights sleep along with many other useful items that came along in those bedkits.

Sister Elizabeth, a nun who dedicates herself to the poor people, was a kind and gentle soul.  We met her today and the children she brought from an orphanage. After many of us had the pleasure of having a conversation with her, we decided that some of our extra goodies would be well received with the children from the orphanage so we put together a little goodie bag of extras for them.

It was our pleasure as a team to accompany the last 7 children - one child per SCAW volunteer hand in hand to individually present them with their bedkits along with a special Canadian pencil, shook their parents hands and took a photo or two. A sweet way to end a great day.

In the evening, our Rotarian hosts had a farewell send off dinner. Many of us dressed in traditional clothing, after putting in an emergency call to some of the rotary women , some of us even got dressed ..properly... in a saree. Each SCAW volunteer was presented with a farewell gift that was chosen especially just for them. The SCAW team then gave a short entertainment section for the Rotarians with a song, presentations on famous Canadians  and a game of "who invented what ".

We are happy to have completed, but sad to have said good bye to our new friends, our beloved driver, the Rotarians, the wives of the Rotarian's and Deba ( hiiii deba ) - team joke ...

Safe travels homeward bound.

Kolkata 2014
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Mumbai/Belgaum: We have arrived in Belgaum!

We have arrived here with great adventure accompanying our ride thru the mountains -breakdown of the van mid way in dead zone for contact with the world! ....but eventually we were saved and arrived here to be greeted by a bevy of Rotarians and a most fabulous al fresco dinner-and we are all happy and ready for a distribution here today!

Mary-Jo Lang for Team Mumbai/Belgaum 2014
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Kolkata: Barrackpore

Today we thankfully had a short drive to one of our last distributions of the trip.  We drove through some of the outskirts of the city on our way to Barrackpore, a community filled with military barracks just outside Kolkata.  We arrived early at the site and enjoyed spending some time walking around the area getting to know the community.  Our location today was on the banks of the beautiful Ganga river and offered an amazing backdrop for the day.  We spent some time waiting for the distribution to begin by entertaining the kids with some more bubbles and teammate Wendy brought out her hula hoop.  Even more than the kids, it was some of the women volunteering at the site who burst into infectious laughter as they tried the hoop.  

We enjoyed some great time spent with the children receiving the bedkits today as it was a smaller distribution than we have become used to.  The extra time spent on giving out the bedkits meant that we were able to really see the gratitude visible in the faces of both the children and their parents/guardians.  Many of the team members were touched to receive blessings from the children; another beautiful expression of their thankfulness that your donations have made possible.

After the distribution we were able to take a tour of the Ghandi Museum where our distribution took place.  We were able to see some beautiful murals and photos depicting important events in Gandhi’s leadership of the non-violent Indian independence movement.  This museum was a great way to finish off our day reminding us of the long history of this wonderful people.  

Finally, we finished off the day with the last few details to get ready for our final distribution tomorrow.

Team Kolkata 2014 
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Chennai: India's Republic Day

January 26th is India's Republic Day. after gaining independence from Britain, in 1947 India's constitution was ratified and India officially became a Republic in 1950. We were invited to be the honored guests to a celebration at Ambattur School which the Rotarians established. A beautiful Rangoli greeted us a the gated entrance. A Rangoli is colorful design on the side walk made from colored powder. Upon entering the grounds we were greeted by a girls band and given ceremonial paint and a rose. We were then given a tour and a brief history of the school. With much fan fare we were escorted onto the stage where the ceremonies began.

We then were given a flower garland and a flag of India to wear during the ceremony. Sue was invited to raise the flag and then as she unfurled the flag she was showered with rose petals. The students marched past the flag, saluting it, and then took their places for the ceremony. We were entertained by cultural dancing and an interesting depiction of India's journey to Independence. This included three children portraying Mother India, Nehru, and Ghandi.

This was a wonderful send off for our train ride to Trichy and our next distribution.

Team Chennai 2014
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Kenya: Update

The Kenya team called to report as they have no wifi.

They distributed 700 bedkits today.  Some were at an orphanage. They had an opportunity to visit homes were bedkits were received.

They report the distributions are running smoothly and everyone is well.

Team Kenya 2014
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Kolkata: Midnapur

Midnapur was supposed to be a trip from Kolkata, but the wise Rotarians learned that there was going to be a political rally, with what turned out to be 1.5 million people. So we left our distribution on Wednesday and booked into the hotel near Midnapur. A delightful time with our Rotarians in the hotel garden looking at the stars and sharing pokura before dinner and then a good sleep. The result was a quick trip to Midnapur the next morning.

Some unique features of our day. Being in a different region of India, we found the approach to things to be different. More chaotic and loud, not due to disorganization, but just a cultural difference. In the midst of the chaos, we saw something that was unique for a distribution. Each child was asked to speak his or her name into the microphone just before receiving their bedkit as a way to connect with their parent/guardian/teacher. Usually a Rotarian does this. A nice touch.

In contrast to loud speakers and voices was a wonderful cultural ceremony to start the day. A group of seven young girls played out what appeared to be an historical dance reflecting on the glory of India. This was followed by a charming dance by a classically trained teenage girl who was beautiful and graceful beyond belief. She had had been training for 13 years and was possibly going places because of her grace and sparkling movements.

Another unique dimension of the day was the fact that many of the children had been bused in on Rotary-sponsored buses with the Rotary/SCAW banner proudly displayed on each bus. The implication was that we were seeing the underprivileged of the underprivileged. Midnapur is a poor town and children came from even poor villages. Some children were overwhelmed by it all, especially when they were separated even for a few minutes from their friends. We carried teary kids to the head of the line so that they could reconnect. We were also told that some of the children might have been overwhelmed because “we were a lot of everything”. White, tall, broad, speaking a different language, lively.

The team as usual had fun. Warren has become the team tattoo artist with his black and red markers turning bare arms into Maple Leaf Canadian flags; drivers, helpers, team members included. Not going to turn into a second career since this is the only tattoo he can do.

A wonderful meal at the end of the distribution featuring regional dishes and then on the road back to Kolkata. Wish us luck getting through the political rally!

We did get back without delay except that we had two close shaves – Don and Warren had Indian shaves with a straight razor and all. We were a bit worried when the barber said a brief prayer before he started!



Team Kolkata 2014
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Mumbai: Farewell and Thanks to our Mumbai Overseas Volunteer Partners

(L-R) Shivakha and Apura Shah, Monika and Bill Sergeant, Sandy Riches, Rajnikant Reshamwala, Margaret Crossling, Neelesh Suchak, Anne MacDonald, Mary-Jo Lang, and Bipin Barot at Bipin’s country home after the Post-Distribution Meeting in Karjat, India.

It is hard to believe that we have already handed out 2,000 bedkits and are getting ready for the second half of our distribution.

The five distributions in Dahanu, Palghar, Wada, Dombivali, and Karjat went well due to the great organisation and detailed preparations by our Overseas Volunteer Partners (OVP). There are so many aspects to each distribution that need careful planning and diligent oversight by our OVPs. Rajnikant Resham, Apurva Shaw and Neelesh Suchak have spent numerous hours working with 25 of the Rotary Clubs of the Mumbai District 3140, providing them with orientation briefings, making trips to survey the proposed distribution sites, and reviewing their plans and preparations for each distribution. They also oversaw the reception and packing of the bedkits to ensure that each one contained the proper items.

At each distribution, one or more of these key OVPs was present to assist our travelling team with setting up the bedkit for the pictures, greeting the children, showing them the bedkit items that they were about to receive, instructing the local volunteers about we needed them to do, and then extending their hospitality to us at a refreshing meal.

All of their efforts were very much appreciated by each member of the team. Without them, SCAW and its donors would not be able to reach out and help the 2,000 children in Maharashtra province, each of whom went home from the distributions with a great big smile of their face.

Dipak, Rajnikant Reshamwala, Neelesh Suchak, Bipin Barot, Bill Sergeant and Balu.

The travelling team would also like to thank Bipin Barot who organised the Karjat distribution and then hosted us and the 26 Rotarians from Mumbai at his country home to a delicious wind-up BBQ. It gave us a chance to meet many fascinating people and hear first hand about the wonderful projects that their clubs are working on, many focused on helping the children of India.

 In closing, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to our OVPs and the many Rotary volunteers in the Mumbai area.

From Bill Sergeant and the SCAW Travelling Team Mumbai 2014
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Mumbai: Wonderful Helpers

We were most fortunate to have a wonderful driver accompany the team during our 5 day Mumbai  area distribution. He assumed several roles and accommodated our many requests and needs, always with his warm smile, bright eyes, and pleasant disposition. Ballu weaved his way skillfully through the congested Mumbai traffic, and picked his path carefully driving cross country over severe potholes, road construction, ditches, and around gravel piles, lane barriers, and cows. At each site he automatically unloaded and loaded the equipment, assisted team members to perform their duties, as well as encouraging each group of children to pose properly and smile for the photos. Ballu was most gracious, positive, and accommodating, and his smile was infectious. As we prepare to leave the Mumbai site, we will remember his kindness and we will miss his presence.                

                                                           

Anne Mac Donald for Team Mumbai 2014
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Chennai: Train

Today actually started in our minds with an almost 6 hour train trip from Chennai to Trichy. This was a typical Indian train and most of us approached this trip with some degree of apprehension. We were met by many of our friends from Rotary and they had arranged reserved seating in one of the few air conditioned coaches. We arrived in Trichy, around 9:30 pm and were taken to the hotel. We enjoyed a typical Indian dinner at the restaurant there and then off to bed. Monday morning was beautiful and following breakfast we set off to our venue for the day and prepared to make the lives of 728 children much better. This was a very busy distribution and we had the help of many of our Rotarian friends from the local Clubs to accomplish our goals for the day. All of the children were happy and excited to receive such wonderful gifts from the generous donors back home.

Team Chennai 2014
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