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This may be the lyrics to a popular song but for all of us today "Oh what a feeling it was!" right up to the 4000th bedkit where we celebrated every day for the feeling of giving back to these children on behalf of the FANTASTIC SCAW donors!As we head home and reflect on the joys and some days the tears, we are all wondering when we can do this again!
Our upmost sincere thanks to Fidel and the Rotary Club of Tegucigapla for another "job well done!"
Stay tuned to SCAW's next adventure coming soon!
Adios!
Super 7 Team Honduras 2014❤️
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During our bedkit distributions, the focus is always on the children.
MIGUEL TORRES MILLA is one of those very special people. He is a "go to" guy and always has a smile. He leads a team of volunteers supplied by the First Lady's Healthy School Program (Escuelas Saludables). He speaks English well and interprets when our team is trying to send a message to the children or volunteers. Miguel and his team are with us at every distribution. We need not worry about having enough bedkits or backpacks to give out (They arrange for packing, and shipping too!).We need not worry about having help taking the children to their parents after their picture is taken and after their bedkits are in their hands.
Today, another 600 bedkits were given out to beautiful Honduran children. To our donors, "MUCHAS GRACIAS" for giving us the opportunity to help you make a difference in the lives of so many children.
However, it seems that each individual annual distribution has some very special people who show leadership and go above and beyond.
Our 2014 distribution in Honduras is no exception.
We say THANKS to Miguel for his skilled leadership and to his team for making our job so much easier.
This was out 2nd last day of distribution with 3,400 bedkits delivered to-date.Tomorrow, we will say "THANKS" to our Rotary Hosts and another 600 children will receive a gift of hope, sleep, and joy.
The "Super Seven" 2014 Team Honduras
ENERGY was definitely the word for today!! We handed out 600 bedkits at Lempira School, situated in the very heart of the capital city of Tegucigalpa. We were serenaded by the girls in both Spanish and English, as they waited for their photos. They were so beautiful, wide-eyed, full of joy and most grateful.
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As for the boys .... we heard them before we saw them! Loaded with excitement, they bounced off each other. Lots of action and gratitude, as well as hugs and kisses abounded. Once again, we were indebted to the Tegucigalpa Rotary for all their support as well as some government Social Workers who were definitely an asset.
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We had the privilege of visiting a sewing co-op in the afternoon, called Alternatives and Oportunities, another project of the Tegucigalpa Rotary. This group made the bedsheets and the pillow cases for all 4000 bedkits in this distribution!!! One local woman, Norma Chaves, has been teaching 12 new students (mostly single moms) each year. They are trained to sew for 6 months. They work there for the remaining 6 months. Upon completion, they will have made enough to purchase their very own sewing machine. They may apply for micro financing outside the co-op. 8 of the 12 sewing machines in this tiny space are peddled, due to the high cost of electricity and in case of hydro outages.
As an aside, several of the women were not at work today. The river near the co-op over flooded
after a huge rainstorm overnight and they were drying out and cleaning up their stalls located nearby.
Kay Mountfourd From the Super Seven 2014 Honduras Team
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Norah Stebner for Team Honduras 2014
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That this is the view outside my hotel room,
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And yet only a few kms away this is what we see,
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Today we had children who travelled over 40 miles on a hot bus to receive their gifts. For those who are not familiar with an actual bedkit, here is a phot of one of my donations for a high school friend's dad who passed away this spring. What a great feeling to know that this needy girl will sleep off the ground and be protected by the mosquito net.
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Tomorrow we have a day of rest. One of the Rotarians is taking us to the Basilica for Sunday service and then having us to lunch. They have been absolutely amazing hosts!!
Be sure to check the SCAW page on Facebook and Instagram as well.
Thanks for all your support and stay tuned.
Theresa for Team Honduras 2014
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And yet only a few kms away this is what we see,
Today we had children who travelled over 40 miles on a hot bus to receive their gifts. For those who are not familiar with an actual bedkit, here is a phot of one of my donations for a high school friend's dad who passed away this spring. What a great feeling to know that this needy girl will sleep off the ground and be protected by the mosquito net.
Tomorrow we have a day of rest. One of the Rotarians is taking us to the Basilica for Sunday service and then having us to lunch. They have been absolutely amazing hosts!!
Be sure to check the SCAW page on Facebook and Instagram as well.
Thanks for all your support and stay tuned.
Theresa for Team Honduras 2014
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Today we had the chance to spend some time chatting with family members. This lady - Miriam- was the aunt of 7 year old boy who was receiving a bedkit. His mother, newly diagnosed with breast cancer, was ill and not able to bring him. Rather than miss the opportunity, his aunt brought him to the school. In their house there are 4 adults, 4 children all in 2 rooms. This is the first mosquito net in the home and the smallest children will be sleeping under it. Miriam stated that all items in the bedkit were of great value and a necessity to this family. This gift would allow the family to use some of their earned income for necessary medical care. You can tell by the smile on her face that the family was very appreciative of this gift.
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We had the opportunity to visit a house across the street from the school where the distribution was held. The house was at the bottom of a steep and muddy hill - built into the side of that hill. With careful footing we discovered this single mother who lived with her 3 children in a one room house. We watched as she was preparing the dough to make doughnuts that she would sell in the village. This was her only source of income. With no running water or electricity, she seemed quite content to support her children in the home where she was raised. Needless to say she was extremely grateful for the gift from the SCAW donors.
Karen Steel for Team Honduras 2014
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Today we visited a remote area outside of Tegucigalpa, where we travelled over 25 kms. through the lush countryside. The rain held off until after we left which proved very helpful.
6 schools travelled by bus, trucks, tuc tucs and by walking to receive their bedkits today! Some of the children had been awake since very early in the morning in anticipation of their journey not knowing what lies ahead for them. But soon after they had their pictures taken we were lucky to enjoy their smiles, their hugs and their expressions of appreciation as they received their bedkits.
Because of the generous donations from St. Brigid's School back in Canada, 500 happy children will sleep well tonight and from now on! Way to go St. Brigid's - your support to SCAW made our day so exciting!
Editor's Note: Due to some internet issues, we were unable to get pictures for today's blog. We will upload pictures as soon as we can.
Genevieve Milot
for Team Honduras 2014
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6 schools travelled by bus, trucks, tuc tucs and by walking to receive their bedkits today! Some of the children had been awake since very early in the morning in anticipation of their journey not knowing what lies ahead for them. But soon after they had their pictures taken we were lucky to enjoy their smiles, their hugs and their expressions of appreciation as they received their bedkits.
Because of the generous donations from St. Brigid's School back in Canada, 500 happy children will sleep well tonight and from now on! Way to go St. Brigid's - your support to SCAW made our day so exciting!
Editor's Note: Due to some internet issues, we were unable to get pictures for today's blog. We will upload pictures as soon as we can.
Genevieve Milot
for Team Honduras 2014
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"Thank you SCAW donors for this gift. I will be able to sleep on a mattress tonight with a bedsheet, a pillow, a pillowcase and maybe the blanket if it gets cold! And tomorrow when I go to school I will be able to use my new backpack, with pencils, pens, an eraser and even a ruler!!! And then when I get home I will change into my new clothes and feel very safe because I now have a mosquito net! I am so happy."
What a wonderful first day we had today in Honduras because of the many children who shared their smiles and thanks with us today!
Theresa Carravetta for Team Honduras 2014
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What a wonderful first day we had today in Honduras because of the many children who shared their smiles and thanks with us today!
Theresa Carravetta for Team Honduras 2014
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Team Honduras arrived safely in Tegucigalpa with all baggage in hand and the sun shining on the Hounduras capital.
Our hosts and partners, members of The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa, were on hand at the airport to greet us.
The two teams came together this evening at the Pre-Distribution meeting with Rotary generously hosting dinner for the SCAW Team afterwards.
Our first distribution starts at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning with our team leader, Theresa, leading the way, and we can't wait to see the children!
A GRRRRRRRREAT start to a well organized distribution for 4,000 children!
Team Honduras.
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Today we had our final distribution. We distributed 750 bedkits in groups
of 50. There were a couple of breaks
throughout the day, where we took the opportunity to play ball and blow bubbles
with the kids. Since it was our last
day, we left the kids a couple balls and bottles of bubbles which put big
smiles on their faces.
We were all happy to call Dar es Salaam our
home for the past couple of weeks and we wish Steve Allen, who travelled with
us, much success as he takes over as the new team lead for Tanzania over the
next 4 years.
Here are some pictures from our distributions!!
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.
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
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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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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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
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