Philippines: Mission Accomplished!!
What better way to end our distribution than at the Baguio City SPED Centre. We had driven north to the "City of Pines" winding our way through lush forests as the road zig-zagged to reach the town perched 1400m above sea level.
The climate here tends to be several degrees cooler than further south, making Baguio a retreat for Filipinos wanting to escape the heat and humidity of southern cities.
At the SPED school we were once more warmly greeted by these very special children, as we explained to them that 350 bedkits were being given by us on behalf of their Canadian friends so far away. All the donors would like see was a smile from the children......and did they deliver!
The boy taking home the 6,000th bedkit was overjoyed at the extra attention he received at the end of the day.
One young man made a special trip to the distribution site, as he had received a bedkit in 1984 and wanted us to know that after all these years it was still remembered and appreciated. He is now a computer technician.
As this is our last distribution day, we offer our heartfelt thanks to those very generous donors who make such a difference in 6,000 children's lives.
Team Philippines 2014
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The climate here tends to be several degrees cooler than further south, making Baguio a retreat for Filipinos wanting to escape the heat and humidity of southern cities.
At the SPED school we were once more warmly greeted by these very special children, as we explained to them that 350 bedkits were being given by us on behalf of their Canadian friends so far away. All the donors would like see was a smile from the children......and did they deliver!
The boy taking home the 6,000th bedkit was overjoyed at the extra attention he received at the end of the day.
One young man made a special trip to the distribution site, as he had received a bedkit in 1984 and wanted us to know that after all these years it was still remembered and appreciated. He is now a computer technician.
As this is our last distribution day, we offer our heartfelt thanks to those very generous donors who make such a difference in 6,000 children's lives.
Team Philippines 2014
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Togo: Ready to Go!!
We are at the airport and ladened down with as much gear as we can take to Togo. Hockey bags full of medical supplies and of course Sue with a wheelchair, crutches and a walker.
Looking forward (sort of) to a quick 24 hour trip and then 5000 kids!
Team Togo 2014
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Looking forward (sort of) to a quick 24 hour trip and then 5000 kids!
 |
| From left Lynette Jenkins, Sue Orr, Wayne Cooper, Peggy Morrison, Doug MacDougald, Alice Buchanan |
Team Togo 2014
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Philippines: Dagupan
Today we began the end of our tour. We provided only 300 bed kits to some wonderful children in Dagupan as we were en route to Baguio some 4 hours north of Manila in a vast mountain range. In fact Baguio sits on a mountain top spilling down the sides to form a fairly large city. Travelling there we witnessed rapidly changing topography from extensive farmlands, to multiple fish farms as we approached Dagupan. The mountains here in the north are magnificent accessed by the Kennon Road named after an American Colonel credited with the construction of the steep and switch backed roadway. We are looking forward to our final distribution in Baguio tomorrow bringing our grand total to 6000 bed kits.
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Philippines: Mabalacat & Concepcion
Today was our largest distribution day starting with 300 bedkits in Mabalacat. After lunch, provided by the Daughters of Mary Emmaculate, we travelled to Concepcion where 2 consecutive distributions of 300 bed kits each took place in a covered, 4 sided stadium. A rock star welcome, all the families sitting in the stands and their 900 children seated on the floor broke into thunderous applause upon our arrival! Amazing! A successful distribution day completed, we headed back to the hotel at 4:30.
Philipines: Magalang & Angeles
Although it is intensely hot and humid here in Angeles, it did not hamper the smiles, laughter and fun had by all; children, parents, volunteers and team members alike.
We were warmly received at the two sites, Magalang and Angeles, where we handed out a total of 700 bed kits.
Before the photo-shoot in Angeles we were treated to a traditional dance performed by young Igorots: these are members of the Aboriginal peoples of the Philippines.
Needless to say…we were invited to dance with them!
A memorable day!
Tomorrow is a BIG day with three distributions planned….totalling 900 bed kits.
Team Philippines 2014
Philippines: Pulilan & Candaba
An early start from our hotel in Manila started us on the road north to our next distributions in Pulilan and Candaba.
Our progress to Pulilan was considerably quicker after an escort from the Philippines Army joined us on the way.
300 happy children received bed kits from caring friends that have generously donated to Sleeping Children.
Many times we were thanked by children and parents for the gifts they have received. Most items in the bed kit were beyond the means of the families we met.
Between sites we stopped at a roadside restaurant, enjoying more Filipino cuisine and hospitality, this time in "nipa huts", open-sided, raised cabins, bamboo framed, and thatched with palm fronds.
At Candaba we were yet again enthusiastically greeted by children, parents, and what looked like most of the population!
On top of meeting the children, an added bonus for the team was the opportunity to sit on a caribou (buffalo). They are used by a great many Filipino farmers to work their fields.
Team Philippines 2014
Philippines: Tawa ... Smile!!
Tawa...smile!!
Today was a day of a thousand smiles, from children, teachers, parents, and of course....ourselves! A smile is like a fire; one little warm and glowing ember coursing through both body and soul.
We travelled to two communities , Marilao and Plaridel, today. The school at Marilao was like a green oasis; everywhere innovative pots and planters made from all conceivable types of "waste" products; teaching children to use many practical approaches to gardening and growing healthy, nutritious plants in their garden.
The school has won many awards for it's innovative ideas.
Here we were entertained by a group of graceful dancers performing a traditional folkdance; before visiting the local neighbourhood to talk with the mother of a recent bedkit recipient.
On a marker on the main street we discovered that the height of the annual flood was well above our heads, adding a further hardship to the local people.
But despite all their challenges, we found people everywhere so very warm and welcoming...and full of smiles.
Team Philippines 2014
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Today was a day of a thousand smiles, from children, teachers, parents, and of course....ourselves! A smile is like a fire; one little warm and glowing ember coursing through both body and soul.
We travelled to two communities , Marilao and Plaridel, today. The school at Marilao was like a green oasis; everywhere innovative pots and planters made from all conceivable types of "waste" products; teaching children to use many practical approaches to gardening and growing healthy, nutritious plants in their garden.
The school has won many awards for it's innovative ideas.
Here we were entertained by a group of graceful dancers performing a traditional folkdance; before visiting the local neighbourhood to talk with the mother of a recent bedkit recipient.
On a marker on the main street we discovered that the height of the annual flood was well above our heads, adding a further hardship to the local people.
But despite all their challenges, we found people everywhere so very warm and welcoming...and full of smiles.
Team Philippines 2014
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Philippines: Day 5!!
Magandang umaga!!
Sadly NO children today.....so here are some pictures of our distribution so far!
Team Philippines 2014
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Sadly NO children today.....so here are some pictures of our distribution so far!
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Philippines: Day 4!!
Left 7 a.m. sharp, breakfast streamlined to toast and coffee as we are so well fed a each distribution. First stop, Los Banos, a two hour drive from the hotel (300 bed kits). The second distribution followed , another 300, in the afternoon in Lucen some 4 hours from our hotel. Arrived home 10:20, tired but having had a very gratifying day.
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Philippines: Kamusta Canada!
Another very successful day today with three distributions totalling 850 bedkits. We received very warm welcomes and gracious thank-you's from Payatas, Caloocan, and Tatalon.
In Caloocan the children performed a traditional dance, called tinikling, in costume for us using bamboo poles, a little "double dutch" without the ropes, very graceful to watch.
I was most moved today when the young girl that was asked to pray before we began, prayed for the Canadians who had brought them all a ray of hope for a brighter future.
A big Filipino thank you to the generous donors for bringing this ray of hope. Salamat-po!
Team Philippines 2014
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Philippines: Our Second Day!!
After driving south from Manila we arrived at Silang for our first of
two distributions on this our second day. We distributed 350 kits at a
picturesque location---a private school run by an order of Nuns. The
children came from the surrounding area and were definitely not able to
attend such a beautiful school other than for this distribution. The
Nuns provided us with a tour of their extensive vegetable gardens and
landscaped grounds followed by a luncheon prepared freshly from the
produce grown in their gardens.
Our second stop for the day was in
Dasmarinas where we provided another 300 kits to some very grateful
children during a warm, humid afternoon. During the day we interviewed
four parents and what incredible stories they related to us. Perhaps one
will put in proper context the plight of these children. The one fellow
was a street peddler. He has built a shack from scrap metal on a a
piece of property upon which they have squatted. It frequently collapses
upon them. The family of four all sleep in this tiny room on a piece of
foam he found, sweating in the intense heat or feeling wet when the
rains come and the makeshift rook leaks. What a difference the kit will
make to them as a family.
All in all we spent a fulfilling day, where the need of what we do here was palpable.
Team Philippines 2014
Philippines: Day 1
Following our predistribution meeting with our overseas partners, we
watched as the last few bedkits were assembled (even helping with
some!).
We were then completely amazed to see an entire house taken over with bedkits! Room by room, halls, stairs, filled from floor to ceiling with bedkits. That is dedication to Sleeping Children!
We drove through Antipolo and on to our first distribution at a High School, where 350 children eagerly anticipated receiving their bedkit.
Day one successfully completed!
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We were then completely amazed to see an entire house taken over with bedkits! Room by room, halls, stairs, filled from floor to ceiling with bedkits. That is dedication to Sleeping Children!
We drove through Antipolo and on to our first distribution at a High School, where 350 children eagerly anticipated receiving their bedkit.
Day one successfully completed!
Team Philippines 2014
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Philippines: The Team has Arrived!
The Canadian members of Team Philippines 2014 arrived safely in Manila today (Sunday March 30th at 6.30 am
...local time).
...local time).
Warm weather greeted us, with flowers in bloom, vines loaded with colourful blossoms....and no sign of snow or ice.
Jess Navarro was kind enough to meet the team at the airport, complete with transport that whisked us to our hotel in Quezon City.
Some welcome rest before we start on day one meeting our first group of happy Filipino children on Monday.
Mabuhay!
Team Philippines 2014
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Pune: Visiting Schools!
Today
while Karen, Debbie and Sieg held a press conference and met with
the Rotarians, the rest of the team had the opportunity to visit two schools
which were part of last year's distribution. The Rotarians
arranged
a minibus again and Khuzem accompanied us for the
day. We picked up Mr. Pure, District School Commissioner on the way.
The
first school was in a small village about two hours outside of Pune. The village
welcomed us with drums and dabbing the tilaka mark on our forehead by
beautifully dressed young ladies. We joined former bedkit recipients and
teachers in a classroom. A lot of the children were dressed in the items received
in last year's bed kit. Parents and interested community members were
jammed outside looking and listening through the door and windows. Mr.
Pure introduced us and we all received the gift of a coconut and a momento.
Different members of the team asked the students various questions about
the bedkits received last year. A few questions were addressed to the
teachers also. It was apparent both the teachers and children
greatly
appreciated
the items in the bedkit and the items were making a positive difference in
their lives.
After
a brief lunch we headed out to another school. On the way we visited a
large dam giving a great scenic view of the area. The next village had a newer
school. The children waiting for us included some kindergarten
students
as well as bedkit recipients. After asking the questions, one of the students
recited something for us. As it was in the local language, we did
not know what it was but it sounded like a version of Little Red Riding Hood by
her gestures. Both visits gave us excellent feedback to validate the contents
of the bedkit as being good choices for the items. It was a school holiday
for at least one of the schools but the kids still appeared to very happy to
come out to meet us.
On
the way home we stopped at a Hindu bathing ritual site along a river. There were
many cement steps along the banks and a lot of people performing the ritual.
Thank
you Mr. Pure and Khazem .
The
evening was spent with a celebratory dinner hosted by the Rotarians. It
brought together all the major volunteers and their families for a great social
evening. A wonderful way to end our distribution…and, until we meet
again.
Team
Pune, 2014
Pune: Male
THERE
ARE NOW 5,000 CHILDREN IN THE PUNE AREA WHO WILL HAVE A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.
Today
we went to Male, our last distribution village for this 2014 trip to Pune,
India. Upon entering the school area, we were given our bindi and taken to
Mulshi Gardens, where we placed a flower in honour of Shree Senapati Bapat.
Then we walked to the throng of beautiful smiling children sitting so still
waiting for us. During the opening ceremonies, we showed the children the
contents of the bedkit. The ohhs and ahhs, and the laughter when they saw the
underwear, were music to our ears. 
Today
one little boy had a smile from ear to ear when he received his gift. He was so
cute and excited. If only we had had a
camera at that moment!
At
days end we were treated to a delicious meal at a Rotarians home. The Rotarians continually show their
hospitality to all of us.
Even
though this is the last distribution day, we aren't done yet! Stay tuned for
more as we are visiting the manufacturing facilities and some of last year’s
bedkit recipients.
Pune: Bahirwadi
Once again, we arrived to see the waiting crowd. We were given a head dress, a bindi, and another ride in an oxen cart. We rode through the village, following the local musicians and dancers. Today, the children and their parents were seated together during the opening presentations. Everyone was so attentive, including the kids. It was so heart warming to see everyone so interested in all the activities. We were treated to two traditional dances performed by the girls and a dance from the boys that was more of a popular song. All three were amazing!
We had a great day handing out all the bedkits to the children! We even created a kazoo band featuring four young boys! They were quite talented.
After all our work was done, we went to a villager’s house, who made us a dinner featuring one of their crops, chickpeas! They dried and ground them,and mixed them with garlic, onions, and other herbs and spices. It was delicious!! We tried to obtain the recipe, but were not successful.
Afterwards, we were invited into some local houses. It was interesting to see that they keep their cattle right outside their front door to keep them safe. One of the houses had onions wrapped around a beam in the rafters. None of us had seen that before!
We finished up our visit in Bahirwadi by riding off into the sunset. What a perfect ending to a perfect day!
1,000 bedkits were distributed today to the children.
Team Pune 2014
Pune: Rest Day
Today was a break day. Debbie and Kerry headed off to
OSHO for some meditation while the rest of the team were treated to a tour of
Pune. Raj (Pune Rotary Team) arranged a minibus with a driver.
Our
first stop was Aga Khan Palace. The Palace was one of the places where Ghandi
was imprisoned. During his stay here his wife passed way. The palace and grounds
were beautiful and quiet being hard to believe vs. the bustle of the city just
a few blocks away. Raj then took us on a tour of an old British colonial fort.
It was massive structure. Since being built to fortify the city, tall buildings
now surround it. Unfortunately, the view from the fortifications is long
gone.
We
then stopped at a market including visiting a Hindu temple. This was the best
opportunity
to experience the electricity of the city. People, scooters. vegetable and dry
good stands everywhere. Pictures do not come close of the full spectrum of the
sensory experience. The sounds sights and aromas all together were awesome.
Next
stop was an outdoor laundry facility. Clothes towels, etc. are washed by hand
in out door cement tubs by rubbing and pounding the clothes on the cement.
They are then hung to dry on a clothesline. Quite surprised to learn the
towels from our hotel were likely washed there.
Finished
the day with a late lunch at an Italian restaurant although Indian fare was
still available on the menu.
What
a wonderful way to spend our day off. Thank you Raj!