Tanzania: Kimbaba
Day 6 of our distribution was at Kimbaba, in the district of Kinondoni, which is the
northernmost of three districts of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We arrived to the school, which was on a steep
and jagged terrain. We managed to find a
flat surface to set up for the day of distribution ahead of us.
Before we
started the distribution, we visited a small class of children with special
needs who greeted us with a song and a warm hello.
(editor's note: due to some technical difficulties, the video of the children singing could not be uploaded to the blog.)
Distribution of
the kits went very smoothly and we managed to keep dry, despite the hints of
possible rain throughout the day. After
the distribution, the team was invited to visit and tour the factory, Banco,
the bedkit supplier. At Banco, they create
and cut the foam of the bedmat, select and sew bright materials to cover the
mat followed by packaging and shipping. Benjamin,
our overseas volunteer was nearby as the staff loaded the
truck with bedkits for our distribution the following day.
The manager of
the factory said he really valued the overseas volunteers who connected him to
SCAW and they were honoured to continue to have the opportunity to be a
supplier to children in need.
Tanzania: Mburahati
Day 5, our half way point of distribution, took place in Mburahati. This was the closest distribution to our overseas home as well as our biggest distribution of 800 bedkits. We were lucky today as we were able to pick out our photo site almost immediately. Our biggest struggle of the day was the wind blowing the bedkit out of place. Luckily Joan had quick reflexes and was able to sort everything out. During one of our breaks, we had a group of children gather around to sing some lovely Tanzanian songs. Along with this they ATTEMPTED to teach us some Swahili words, including numbers from one to ten. We were fortunate enough to remember the first three numbers being moja, mbili, and tatu. During this break, our original thought was to go for lunch but unfortunately we had forgotten our lunches and had to deal with few snacks. Although it was our biggest distribution, we finished in good time with few delays and a lunch ready for the next day.
Team Tanzania 2014
Tanzania: Mji Mpya
Another early start, this morning we set out to Mji
Mpya. The school we visited was new,
replacing a former school that was damage in a major flood years ago.
In the flood, many families lost their homes as well, so the community
is now underway to re-build what they lost.
We distributed a total of 750 bedkits today. The distribution went smoothly even when we
were faced with a brief downpour. Undeterred, we set up the equipment when the
sky cleared, and completed taking photos of the children, including one photo
that had 80 children, for an 80th birthday! We also were fortunate
to enjoy hearing the students sing their national anthem.
We ended the day by saying goodbye for the weekend to our overseas
volunteer partners and goodbye to the children who now have new bedkits to go
with their new school and homes.
Team Tanzania 2014
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Tanzania: Majohe
Our team set out on day 2 bright and early to Majohe, where
we went to a school with over 3000 students.
We received a warm welcome from the students who sang a beautiful local
song to us. After 15 minutes of singing,
Benjamin (our overseas partner) jovially told us that if we did not excuse
ourselves, the kids would sing to us all day long!
After distributing 710 bedkits, we wrapped up the day. As we started to pack the vehicle, the
students gathered around our team and vehicle, wanting to spend some time
socializing with the team. Two new team members blew bubbles into the air and entertained the kids until it was time to say goodbye.
Team Tanzania 2014
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Tanzania: Congo La Mboto
Our Team arrived last night after traveling for about 24
hours. We were greeted by Mama Wandoa, Wendy and Benjamin (our overseas volunteer partners). Our
driver, David, took us to our place to stay. Once we got settled, we enjoyed a
good sleep.
Although we were a little tired this morning from our flight
last night, there was so much adrenaline in us from being excited for our first
day of distribution.
There are 3 team members on their first distribution. And
they fit in as if they have done this before.
Our first site was at the school in Congo La Mboto with
2,000 students.
After distributing 740 bedkits, we were given a wonderful
good bye with many students giving us lots of high fives
The day concluded with buying groceries for our team, making
dinner and a early time to go to bed.
Steve Allen for Team Tanzania 2014
Post your comments here:Sri Lanka: A Visit to two Cottage Industries
We went for a visit to two of the Cottage Industries that produced materials for the Sri Lanka bedkits. Being unfamiliar with the term “Cottage Industry”, we were fascinated to see that it was not a large scale factory, but a much smaller scale business run out of a local home.
The first cottage industry we visited was a small home with one large room converted into a sewing room. The company, Lasha, employed 9 people to sew t-shirts and shorts. They said that the work commissioned to them by SCAW to produce 8,000 t-shirts and 4,000 pairs of shorts kept their shop busy for 2 months. The contract with SCAW that has lasted at least 2 years, allowed the shop owner to expand his operation and purchase more sewing machines. It was like a “mom and pop shop” where a husband and wife were the employers to the nine local employees.
The second cottage industry we visited was where our mosquito nets were produced. They were all made in a small room in a home where the woman that sewed all 4,000 nets with one sewing machine. She was able to purchase a Serger (a special sewing machine that finishes and trims the seams). Through SCAW’s commission of her work she was able to purchase the Serger. To sew all 4,000 nets it provided her with over 3 months of work.
It was a wonderful experience to visit these cottage industries to see how the donor’s money also creates meaningful employment for so many local Sri Lankans.
No visit to Sri Lanka would be complete without a ride in a Tuk-Tuk. Before we departed Sri Lanka we knew we needed to have the unique experience of a Tuk Tuk ride. Weaving through the streets of Colombo it was an exhilarating experience!
Six happy travelling volunteers will be heading home shortly with stories of culture and experience…but mostly of the smiles of the children in Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka: Distributing 4,000 Bedkits is Complete!
There’s a strange feeling about the day of the last distribution. Each day we’ve been working hard and learning little tricks along the way to make each distribution day run a bit smoother than the one before. At the beginning of the distribution, the number 4,000 sounds so big, until you’re down to the last 50 photographs.
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| “Upon our arrival to the distribution site we were entertained by school children performing a Traditional Tamil Dance |
It’s incredible that five days of distribution have passed by so quickly. It’s hard to believe that we have covered so much distance and visited so many schools and distribution sites. But it’s not hard to picture the smiling faces of 4,000 children for whom we have provided bedkits and imagine them well-rested and healthy, ready for their next school day.
Our distribution’s success is largely due to the support from our Overseas Partners, the Rotary Club of Kelaniya. They have been with us along the way; passing on all there is to know about Sri Lanka’s culture and specifics about the children at each distribution site. They really are our “partners” in this venture.
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Sri Lanka: Interviews
Upon our arrival at each site we are greeted by children and paraded into the distribution site. During yesterday’s and today’s distribution we were presented with a beautiful flower garland made from local flowers.
At each distribution we take some time to speak with the parents of children whom are receiving a bedkit. We want to know about their family life and how they feel about the items in the bedkit. Sitting down with a translator, a sample bedkit is displayed. A team member asks a series of questions in English and the translator communicates the questions and responses. Today was a unique experience in that two translators were needed. The questions were asked in English, which were then translated into Sinhalese and then to Tamil. Sinhalese and Tamil are the two most widely used languages in Sri Lanka.
Through the interview we learned how gracious the parents were about receiving the items in the bedkit. They were especially pleased to receive items that would assist their children in attending school such as the backpack and school shoes. The parents explained that the dry season in the area (July-October) was the most challenging weather related time for their families.
Two successful days of distribution and 1,600 happy kids, like this one seen below, have headed home for a good night’s sleep.
Team Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Visit to the Recipients' Homes
Our visit to Sri Lanka is being enriched by being in the company of our Sri Lankan Rotary Club Overseas Partners. Everywhere we go we are learning about significant traditions, culture, history and also about the wildlife and vegetation. At the arrival of today’s distribution site, we were treated to a cultural dance performed by the students in costume and accompanied by drum. It was spectacular!
Once our distribution was complete we were taken to visit two homes of children who were recipients of a bedkit earlier in the day. Each house was a long way from the main road down a narrow dirt path. We were warmly welcomed into the homes by the mothers who expressed their gratitude for receiving a bedkit. The homes were basic built from mud bricks, with 2 or 3 rooms and concrete floors. Outside in the yard were small plants and trees. We learned from one of the families, that they harvest their own Jack Fruit. It’s a large starchy fruit that is a staple to the family’s diet and has several uses.
A great day had by all with many, many smiles from both SCAW volunteers, children and parents.
Team Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Our First Day of Distribution Complete!
Once the distribution began, the children were eager to join the line to have their photo taken. We managed to get many smiles and even a few giggles for the photographs. Receiving their neatly packaged bedkit, the children showed their joy by saying “Thank You”, showing beaming smiles and signs of respect to the SCAW volunteers distributing the bedkits. Sounds of excitement and happy conversations were heard as many of children boarded buses to head towards home.
Team Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: The Whole Team has Arrived!!
After spending a day acclimatizing to the lush Sri Lanka climate and humidity, the team has travelled four hours in preparation for their first distribution day. Our team was minus one member for the first 24 hours, as Ricki was delayed in Winnipeg due to weather. We were delighted to see her arrive in Sri Lanka on the next day’s flight.
Our Rotarians have travelled to the distribution area with us. They are eagerly awaiting our rendition of “O Canada” at the beginning of the distribution tomorrow morning. We are just as eager to hear the Sri Lankan anthem and get our first glimpse of 800 of the 4,000 Sri Lankan children who will be receiving a bed kit.
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Sri Lanka: The Team is Ready to Go!
Team Members are from Left to Right: Shelley Herder, Katie Sandiford, Bill Weldon, Karen Scott and Clarence DeYoung
Team Sri Lanka 2014
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Uganda: Our Last Distribution!
After a 3.5 hr drive at 8am after a good nights rest we entered the distribution area to a reception of dancing & singing.Once again it was a great welcome from the parents. The children were dressed in advance as we arrived around noon & also gave us a warm welcome of singing with the Inner Wheel ladies leading.
Beth & Jan chose a good area to set up whilst the remainder of the team had other chores & we began with no delay after a short talk to both parents & kids.
Many volunteers assisted & we proceeded to distribute to happy smiling faces.
Upon completion we took a photo of all our team with the last child & packed up to head to a beautiful location for a beautiful lunch.
The home was a residence of one of the Inner Wheel ladies & the view from the porch was mind boggling, with palm trees & hills in the background. Lunch as usual was delicious with the addition of spaghetti and cheese sauce.In the distance we could see the children who had walked for 2 to 3 hours on their way to their home.
We left around 5-30 heading back towards Kampala driving in the dark barely seeing the bicyclists on the road.
Fred our driver once again got us back to the hotel safely where we wait for our snack of vegetable Somosa.
Team Uganda 2014
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Uganda: In the Mountains!
Team Uganda is now high in the mountains enjoying the incredible scenery. Yesterday we travelled 4 hours on roads that resembled a Roller Coaster until we reached a small village. Our site was the local public school with a population of 900 children. Of these, 210 are orphans and live with other relatives. The needs here were obvious when we met the children and their ecstatic smiles upon receiving the bed kit are testimony to the difference that SCAW is making. We later visited the home of a bed kit recipient. The 6 children and 2 grandparents who live in the humble but very clean shack far up a steep and windy path allowed us to tour the 2 bedrooms and kitchen that makeup the home. These children, as most others in the area eat only 2 simple meals a day. Life is hard in the hills and there is little money for school supplies that are so important. We then began the 4 hour drive back down the mountain and arrived back for dinner and bed.
It is now 7am and we are on the road again into the mountains to another distribution.
Ps - pictures to follow when Internet access improves
Team Uganda 2014
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It is now 7am and we are on the road again into the mountains to another distribution.
Ps - pictures to follow when Internet access improves
Team Uganda 2014
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Uganda: Distribution Days
Distribution days are long ones with very
early mornings and late nights. We spend many hours on the bus but the huge
welcome that we receive at each site energize us. So much of the real work has
gone on behind the scenes in the six months leading up to the distribution with
the Ladies of the Inner Wheel working hard to prepare for the SCAW arrival. So when the distributions finally begin there
is festive air when both groups enjoy much singing, dancing and laughter as
they work and play together. We have come together in a common cause, new
friendships are developed and much fun is had. It is all “FOR THE CHILDREN” and
it is so worth it!
Uganda: Our Welcome on Day 4!!
We woke up this morning to the most beautiful sunrise we have ever seen. We were on the road around 7 to our distribution site, three hours from our hotel. Upon arrival at the site we received a phenomenal welcome by the entire village outside a lovely church. Upon entering the Church the welcome from the children waiting inside was even more moving. Our distribution flowed smoothly and we were treated to many special smiles. We were particularly moved by a significant number of children with disabilities including several who were deaf. These children were accompanied by a very caring and special teacher.
Our only small glitch to the day was a blown tire on our bus which was competently dealt with by our bus driver Fred and two members of the SCAW team, Ken and Albert.
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