Togo: Hot!
Bonjour mes amis:
IT WAS HOT; 31
degrees with a real feel of 39 degrees!
We went to the east side of Togo Benin
We were greeted with exuberant Togo
The team’s challenge today was to do a
group photo shoot of 430 children.
Thanks to Sherway Gardens Christmas Experience and our intrepid leader
who climbed up a rickety ladder with a wide angle lens to take the photo, we
were successful. The children were sooooo… patient as we tried to organize them
for SCAW’s largest-to-date group photo. Make sure to check out this remarkable,
colorful event.
We ended the day with a wonderful stop
alongside Lake Togo
Togo: Day 6 (2014)
Our Team
Bonjour mes amis.Halfway done and it has been a blur of bedkits, travel, dust, heat and most importantly 2,500 happy kids. We have a great Sleeping Children team that is after an intensive week together meshing into the daily rhythm of distributions.
Lynette Jenkins is busy every day talking to the kids (in French) as she prepares them for the photo and always at hand is her sidekick, Wally the puppet, who ensures there are always peals of laughter from the children.
Wayne Cooper is clearly enjoying every moment with the kids, the crowds, the Togo experience and the good-natured kidding from the group.
Alice Buchanan and Peggy Morrison are the crowd entertainers and have the kids all joining in on the “warm up” songs.
Sue Orr is enjoying the range of experiences and tasks in a distribution including her first full day taking the photos of the kids with the bedkit.
Tomorrow, Sunday is our day off and the team is looking forward to an Easter Sunday church service, a walk on the beach looking out on the Atlantic and a little time to catch our breath. Whew!
Bon soir de Team Togo et Doug MacDougald
Togo: Day 5 (2014)
Bonjour mes amis.
Today we were in Wutegble, about an hour and a half from Lome. We were greeted again with beautiful drumming and dancing. Members of the team couldn’t resist joining in. Tomorrow we have a promise from all of the men on the Togolese and Canadian teams that they will be part of the dancing circle.
Many of the children started to walk to the site before dawn in order to receive their bedkits. Some did not have shoes and that shows how important the flip flops are to these families. As well, all of the parents who were interviewed today really appreciated the mosquito net for malaria prevention. Another important item is the school supplies because the parents feel it frees up their money for other household expenses.
We finished the distribution just in time as a torrential storm began and many families faced another walk home carrying the mattresses on their heads in the rain.
A wonderful day with the children from this area!
Bon soir de Team Togo.
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Today we were in Wutegble, about an hour and a half from Lome. We were greeted again with beautiful drumming and dancing. Members of the team couldn’t resist joining in. Tomorrow we have a promise from all of the men on the Togolese and Canadian teams that they will be part of the dancing circle.
We finished the distribution just in time as a torrential storm began and many families faced another walk home carrying the mattresses on their heads in the rain.
Bon soir de Team Togo.
Togo: Day 3 (2014)
Day 3 at Tsiko
Bonjour mes amis.
We woke to a clear, blue sky day which when we congregated early in the morning on our balcony suggested a very hot and steamy distribution. But to our surprise we found a wonderfully shaded schoolyard for kids, parent and the Sleeping Children Around The World for the Togolese and Canadian team.
As part of our commitment to Sleeping Children’s mission we started some interviews with parents of children receiving bedkits. We want ongoing feedback on bedkit quality and product suitability of the items for the specific country and distribution.
Some of the team is interacting in this distribution almost entirely in French and the rest of are in an impossibly stressful French immersion. It is working!
We visited a village immediately beside the school and we were welcomed, by a family whose child received a bedkit today. They truly are deserving and an item like mosquito net is an essential need. Some of the pictures we posted reflect this home, family and village.
On the return back to Lome we stopped at what we are quite sure is the world’s largest termite hill for a photo op with the three very keen and helpful volunteers, traveling with us.
Bon soir de Team Togo
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Bonjour mes amis.
We woke to a clear, blue sky day which when we congregated early in the morning on our balcony suggested a very hot and steamy distribution. But to our surprise we found a wonderfully shaded schoolyard for kids, parent and the Sleeping Children Around The World for the Togolese and Canadian team.
As part of our commitment to Sleeping Children’s mission we started some interviews with parents of children receiving bedkits. We want ongoing feedback on bedkit quality and product suitability of the items for the specific country and distribution.
Togo: Day 2 (2014)
1st Day of Distribution
The team was up at 6:30 AM for an early breakfast before we set off for Djigbe (pronounced Digby). It was a delight to travel from the city into the countryside and we were able to purchase mangoes, pineapples, avocados, bananas and plantains for our meal when we got back to Casablanca.
Togo: Day 1 (2014)
Team Togo arrived safely after 14 hours of flying and 10 hours of waiting and bonding! We were greeted warmly by Laurent, his wife Gladys and a group of strong young men who transported all our belongings to “Casablanca” Apartment , our home-away-from-home in Lome, the capital city of Togo.
Day 1 focused on preparation: we began with a breakfast team meeting; visited the bedkit storage depot at a primary school. (The students are on a 2 week vacation). We had a great photo-op as mothers and their children gathered to collect water at the local tap.
We exchanged our currency in the down-town market area with a colourful character – see photo – with a unique way of doing business. $2 U.S. = 1,000 C.F.A. francs. We received wads of cash, in the confines of our van, while the traffic was whizzing around us and the hawkers were hoping to sell us their “authentic Italian, leather belts” through the window!
Both Lome and Canadian teams then went to the local supermarket to buy our provisions for the next 2 weeks – see us all at the checkout…
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Day 1 focused on preparation: we began with a breakfast team meeting; visited the bedkit storage depot at a primary school. (The students are on a 2 week vacation). We had a great photo-op as mothers and their children gathered to collect water at the local tap.
We exchanged our currency in the down-town market area with a colourful character – see photo – with a unique way of doing business. $2 U.S. = 1,000 C.F.A. francs. We received wads of cash, in the confines of our van, while the traffic was whizzing around us and the hawkers were hoping to sell us their “authentic Italian, leather belts” through the window!
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.
Team Philippines 2014
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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!
Team Philippines 2014
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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.
Team Philippines 2014
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Team Philippines 2014
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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!
Team Philippines 2014
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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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