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Pune: Final Day

Day 7 Wagholi

It’s a Done Deal!

As we travelled towards Wagholi I reflected on the past distribution days, and realized how lucky I was to have been part of a team who worked together to achieve our goal…to distribute 4,000 bedkits to 4,000 needy children in India.  We laughed and we cried, but we stood firm in the fact that we were helping these children.  That kept us going, throughout our jet lag and sickness.

Waiting in line for their bedkits

The community of Wagholi welcomed us with smiles and open arms.  We have been honoured to be a part of their celebration and thoroughly enjoyed the pomp & circumstance.  Reality will be coming soon when we come home…no more treating us like rock stars, but that is just fine.  We will have our memories of 6 team members banding together and becoming friends.

Team SCAW with Rotarians after final distribution

800 children today have now received their bedkits and their smiling faces will forever be with us.

Crowd of happy children being told what's in their bedkits

Team Pune 2015

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Kolkata: What a Wonderful Day!

Today's distribution was another wonderful experience. The SCAW team travelled through the city to Kamarhati where we were met by members of the Kamarhati Rotary Club who joined together with members of the Rotary Club of Dum Dum to facilitate the distribution. In addition, we had the great good fortune of having 16 young ladies from the Safal Bedside Nursing Training school also assisting in many areas. The confidence and enthusiasm of these young women was infectious and made the day even more fun and rewarding. 

With all of these committed volunteers our distribution went without a hitch - if they all went this smoothly it would make it hard to find good blog material!! The distribution included 2 large photo shots - one of 45 children and another of 50. Even these photos went smoothly as the children showed great patience as we lined them all up. The last of the 524 smiling faces left the park around 2:00.

From there, we graciously accepted an invitation from the Kamarhati Rotarians to join them at their club for refreshments - well fed as always.

On our way back to our hotel we took a detour to drive around a newly developing part of Kolkata near the airport - what a contrast! Tall new condominiums, a new metro, a massive "Eco Park" and modern shopping mall. Although it is encouraging to see the city growing it also served to reinforce the large gap between have and have-not that exists here in India. 

James Cook

Team Kolkata 2015

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Pune: Day 6

Today’s distribution took the Pune team to the Junnar area approximately 125 km

north of Pune. The day was perfect weather wise with the temperature in the low 20’s Celsius .  The area is at a higher elevation than Pune, and the air was fresh.

The drive to our destination took us through agricultural areas. The soil appears quite fertile and the evidence of this could be seen by the number of various crops. Corn, sugar cane and grapes, as well as cabbage to name a few.

The distribution went smoothly as 800 children received bed kits.  All the children were happy to receive the many items in the bedkit.  We finished the distribution and headed back to Pune tired but happy to have accomplished our goal for this 4^th full distribution day.  We have distributed 3,200 bedkits to date.

Team Pune 2015

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Kolkata: Our first distribution

Today was our first distribution day in Kolkata. To start off, we experienced a couple of hiccups when the van that was to take us to the first of our two distribution locations had mechanical problems. A replacement vehicle was organized but things got more interesting when almost immediately that car got a flat tire. Pulling out of the way of traffic in a city of such size and commotion is not easy, but our driver found a safe spot, changing the tire as cars, bikes and people flowed by.

James helping to change a flat

We arrived at the morning location in one piece and only a bit behind schedule and were greeted by our hosts, The Rotary Club of Dum Dum. The Rotarians do all of the local work required to make the Kolkata SCAW distribution a success, including identifying the children and sourcing all of the materials included in the bedkit. This year's kit is packed with items the children will use and value for a long time: a nylon mat, mattress, pillow, blanket, sheet, mosquito net, clothing, sandals, umbrella, backpack, school stationary dictionary and study materials.

preparing the bedkits

We were lucky to have a cool comfortable location to organize the 100 children in the morning group, take their photos and hand out the bedkits. As someone who has not previously been on a SCAW distribution, all I can say is: WOW! The children are almost overwhelmed by the good fortune of receiving the bedkit with all of its contents. Smiles light up their faces as they head out with such a treasure trove. Their parents are clearly equally grateful, offering thanks and their own warm smile as they collect their children, bedkit in hand.

Lynn handing out a bedkit

After a busy morning we moved to another location in the city where we were supported by the Rotary Club of Calcutta North East, as well as again by the Rotary Club of Dum Dum. As the sun sat high in the sky we handed out bedkits to another 500 smiling children.

Greeted by North Calcutta Club with flowers for afternoon distribution

After the last (and almost tiniest) child collected their bedkit, the SCAW team tidied up and headed back to our hotel feeling very satisfied by the efforts of such a successful day.

Happy Children

Lynn Benson
Team Kolkata 2015
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Pune: Day 5

At each of our distributions in Pune, the children have arrived accompanied usually by a parent and sometimes a grandparent.  Yesterday we were privileged to meet and speak, through an interpreter, with a grandmother who is raising two of her grandchildren since the death of two of her adult children.

The eldest, a girl who is ten years old, lost her mother when she was only 9 months old.  Her father left her to be cared for by his mother; he remarried however did not take back his daughter.

The little grandson is now six years old and was orphaned when both of his parents died close together from sickness.  These two young children are cousins.

This grandmother supports her family, including her husband, by cleaning houses.  Her husband is unable to work as he suffers from asthma.  He frequently visits the hospital due to asthma attacks.

Because of her exceptional circumstances, both children received a bedkit.  The grandmother was so grateful for the bedkits; she said now, for the first time, the children could have separate beds.

Here are some more pictures of the children we have met so far:

Team Pune 2015
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Pune: Day 4!

A 125 km ride along winding, climbing roads brought us to the site of the third distribution, Mahabaleshwar.  Local villagers gathered on balconies and along the roadway to be part of their first visit by the SCAW-Rotary team.  Climbing to an elevation of 4000 ft., all team members appreciated our skillful driver.  Terraced farming became quite evident. Many of today’s bedkit recipients’ families survive on the crops grown on these small tracts of land.  Schools are scattered throughout this rural district.

Travelling as far away as 40 kms to receive their kit was a big event.  Families arrived by truck in groups of approximately 10.  Emotions of joy and trepidation showed on the faces of both child and parent. 

Included in the 800 students today were 20 children from the P.C. Alwani School for the Mentally Challenged, named after its founder. Daily school bus transportation is provided for these “specially- abled” children, whose challenges were both and physical and developmental.

The reward in distributing the kits is not in the flowers presented to us but the sincerity of the practiced “thank-you” and the firmness of the handshake from adult and child.

Team Pune 2015

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Kolkata: Warm Greetings from Kolkata

After a full day of travel, Team Kolkata arrived in the capital city of West Bengal in India at 5:30 Saturday morning. We were greeted at the airport by members of the Rotary Club of Dum Dum, our Overseas Partners, and their wives. Adorned with fragrant garlands, we were all individually welcomed with ceremonial smoke and mantras, and the women with bindis. What a wonderful, warm greeting to start our 2015 distribution! 

Team members ( left to right): Judy Dryden, Lynn Benson Cook, Larry Kell, Anne  Kell, James Cook, Irene Harrison (team leader)

We are excited to bring joy and smiles to 5000 children over the next 2 weeks.

We have sampled not only the warmth of Indian hospitality, but are delighted to report that sunny skies are with us.  Weather reports suggest that we will enjoy temperatures in the low to mid twenties.
Looking forward to our first distribution Monday,

Team Kolkata 2015
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Pune: Day 3

Today we drove through the busy streets of Pune, population 2.5 million, at rush hour to get to our destination about an hour away from our base.  We were welcomed to the village of Kamshet by a lovely group of people who outfitted us in elaborate finery for the upcoming distribution. We women were dressed in elegant saris in bold blues, pink, orange, bronze and purple and all of us, including Dave, again sported ornate headdresses.

We went in procession to the school venue to be greeted by staff, volunteers, parents and 800 eager children awaiting the start of the bedkit distribution. It is always a treat to interact with these children as they have their photos taken, collect the bedkit and backpack and realize that it all belongs to them to take home.

Team Pune 2015

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Pune: Rest Day

Day 2 was an administrative and catch-up day for Team Pune.  We used our time to do inventory on supplies, charge batteries for cameras and computers, debrief about yesterday’s distribution and plan for tomorrow.

Upon reflection on Day 1, we thought it was important to emphasize how much of an event, the SCAW distribution is in Pune.  From the traditional welcome to the ceremonial presentation by local dignitaries right up to the day’s end when local entrepreneurs were so proud to show the team where and how the bedkits are produced, it is clear that the community awaits the arrival of SCAW with much anticipation.

Male teachers performing at the opening ceremony

some of the Rotarians in celebratory spirit

It is also clear how hard the overseas volunteers work, particularly the Rotarians, to ensure a smooth distribution; they plan for months ahead arranging for and overseeing the production of bedkits, assisting with local arrangements for our arrival, choosing distribution sites and, with the help of the local teachers and school officials, selecting the 4000 children who will receive bedkits each year.

The opening of the day was an event in itself, with children’s entertainment, a very entertaining dance performance by the male teachers, attendance and greetings extended by the district education administrators and other dignitaries, and teachers and parents doing their part to make certain the children were organized and dressed for receipt of their bedkits.  The school was closed for the afternoon to accommodate the 800 children who were brought in from far and wide by the truckloads.

The school grounds were cleared and set up in a way which helped in the organization and flow of the distribution and to attempt to keep the volunteers and the children from standing in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Children lining up for photos

So, with that said, Team Pune called it an early night in order to rest up for Day 3, knowing that 800 children so far would also be resting more comfortably in the Pune region.

Team Pune 2015
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Pune: Our first day!

Team Pune 2015 is very pleased to report that the first SCAW distribution of the year has been completed successfully.  The six team members working alongside several local Rotarians and volunteers handed out 800 bedkits today to the same number of excited children.

After traveling through villages and on country and mountain roads, the SCAW team arrived at a schoolyard full of eagerly waiting children and parents.  We were warmly welcomed by volunteers who draped each of our heads in a traditional cloth wrap while we were entertained by a drum brand and singing and dancing children. This was a great start to our tasks at hand.

Team SCAW: Karen Morgan, Faith Clark, Karen Bridgman-Acker, Dave Morgan , Eileen Rademacher and Isabelle Parliament.

The Rotarians explained to the children and their parents what would be happening today: each child would receive and change into a new school uniform, have their photograph taken, and be provided with a ‘bedkit’ consisting of many more items: pillow, ground mat, multiple blankets, mosquito net, shoes, backpack with school supplies, underwear, socks etc. These bedkits, containing items that were mostly produced locally, were very impressive!  And they were very well received – the parents and children had learned to say “thank you” and did not hesitate to repeat it at every opportunity.

The bedkits items were packed into large eco-friendly shopping bags, made at a nearby manufacturing plant.  We were invited by the owner to tour his facility, which was quite interesting; at this location, he employs approximately 550 people, over half of whom are women, who make a large variety of “bags” from hand sized to huge industrial container size. They produced the 4000 bags which will contain the bedkits for this year’s distribution over the next week.

It was a warm and sunny day in Pune today, the children and their parents were very pleased and appreciative of the generosity of the SCAW donors, the cooperative spirit was alive and well between the overseas and Canadian volunteers; all in all a great start to the Pune 2015 distribution!

Team Pune, 2015
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Bangladesh: Final Distribution!

Day 10 Maona Bangladesh - Final Distribution Completed

Today we completed the final distribution of 300 bedkits in the small village of Maona at a local school. What joy of clapping, cheering and photo taking occurred as the final bedkit was distributed. We now know that 5000 children are now sleeping more comfortable with their bedkit items. After the distribution was complete, we had the opportunity to visit the home of a child who had received a bedkit at this year's distribution. He was a little nervous at first when we came to his home, but we noticed that the bedkit had been opened up and then securely tied together again. We asked him what was his favourite item that he had received and then after a long hesitation, he picked up the mosquito net. We really think that he liked all the items but had a difficult time selecting only one item.

The second home that we visited was the home of a child who had received a bedkit from two years ago. We were very pleased to see that the pillow, blankets and mosquito net were still in very good condition and being used daily. It gave us a great feeling that the quality of items is still an important factor in the selection of the bedsit items. 

A special thank you to all SCAW donors for making this dream come true. Murray Dryden would be very happy with the accomplishments of the SCAW team members and the Rotary Club of Dhaka our "Overseas Volunteer Partners"

As the team prepares for their departures, they will leave with many lasting memories of the 2014 Bangladesh distribution. Happy Sleeping and Dreams!

Bangladesh Team 2014
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Bangladesh: Sherpur

Another early morning and we headed for Sherpur to the northeast of Dhaka arriving at about noon. Although we have come to expect bumpy, dirt roads out in the country the highways are not too bad other than the frequent speed bumps. Today, however, we travelled on the old side of a highway being widened and reconstructed, for more than an hour. The potholes were huge and the air was dusty! When we finally got there, the venue had been changed as there were exams being written at that school so, the Rotarians had us wait in town for 45 mins as they got sorted at another school. We wandered around a little checking out a man washing his clothes at the lakeside, the wholesale market and a mother cow and her baby resting near the lake.

The distribution went well again in a very poor area where they are very needy. There was head lice in the majority of the children's heads. Many children were shoeless. One fellow had his photo taken and then hopped out of his flip flops, leaving them in place for the next one. Many wore borrowed jewelry and rusty hair clips for this special day.

The people kept converging on us, sometimes getting a little too close, looking for handouts.
We had to stop giving out our trinkets for fear of starting a stampede.

Once again, and as usual, the joy of handing out bedkits to the beautiful Bangladesh children was overwhelming!

We had lunch afterwards at the local Rotary hall before traveling about 3 hours.

Tomorrow is our last distribution and there is so much more to be done in Bangladesh!

Team Bangladesh 2014
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Bangladesh: Day 8!

We have now completed the second leg of our distributions and have delivered 4300 bedkits. Today found us in our first rural setting where not only children were in attendance but many farm animals.

We knew that the shoes in the bedkit would be greatly appreciated because many children were barefoot and their needs were apparent.

This was the first SCAW distribution at this site and the organization was fantastic. The children were well protected from the sun and the flow of distribution was efficient.

After our day was over we had a treat of fresh coconut milk from nuts cut from the tree that was climbed by a man from the village.

Now for a day of rest before we continue on to our final leg of our mission.

Team Bangladesh 2014
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Bangladesh: Khulna

Today we completed a distribution in Khulna of 980 bedkits. A distribution this large requires additional planning to facilitate the large number of children. The children arrived at the site in groups at staggered times, so that they were not waiting too long.  It also helped with crowd control. 980 kits were carried into the site on the heads of some strong young men. Without them, our job would be so difficult. We appreciated their reliability and organization.

It is always so wonderful to see the expectant faces of the children, as they arrive for perhaps one of the most exciting days of their lives. Our overseas partners ensure that the children are well taken care of. A light lunch was provided for them because they may need nourishment to sustain them through the day. They are sheltered from the sun with canopies structured on site.

Late in the afternoon, the last three little boys waited in line to get their picture taken. They could see the bedkit laid out and I could hear them chattering away about what they saw. Their smiles grew bigger and bigger as they pointed and laughed. When the photo was complete, they went and received their bedkits that were bundled in the ground cloth that was part of the kit. One of the team members noticed that one of the boys was crying and she went to investigate. He said that he really wanted the shoes. She explained that the shoes and all the other items were wrapped up in the tarp. That little barefoot boy was full of joy and excitement as he left us.

For the love of the children

Team Bangladesh 2014
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Bangladesh: Jessore and Noapara

Today we had two bedkit distributions, both at schools.  The morning was at an urban school in Jessore and we distributed 500 bedkits.  The Bangladesh bedkit includes a ground sheet, pillow, sheet, two blankets, two sets of clothing, a mosquito net, flip flops, a water bottle, a tiffin (lunch) box, and a knapsack.

The children changed into one set of their new clothes, and put their old clothes in a bag.  When asked to set the bag aside for their photo, many children were reluctant to do so, clutching the bag to their chests.  While these children may not have many possessions, they value dearly the ones they do have.

As usual, the distribution began with one of our Rotarian Overseas Volunteer Partners, Rawley, holding up each item from the bedkit. The children cheered for all items, especially the mosquito net and raincoat.  The raincoat always elicits giggles, especially when one of the Rotarians, Baized models it for them!   Rowley’s wife, Gul Ru, has joined us and assisted us getting the children dressed in their new clothes and interpreting when we interviewed families about the contents of the bedkit.

One of our favourite moments occurs when we assemble the children for photos in a large group.  The youngest children sit in the front row and we ask them to each hold an item from the bedkit.  These tiny children take this job very seriously!  Often a child will clutch the item tightly, perhaps wishing they could keep it.   They don’t yet understand that just around the corner a bedkit awaits, complete with that item and much more. 

In the afternoon we drove over an hour to get to a more rural school in Noapara, surrounded by large banana and palm trees.  We had quite a welcome, as we were greeted by a student drum band then walked through two rows of older students in blue and white uniforms.  The founder of the school was present, and informed us that the school has a 100% literacy rate. We distributed 180 more bedkits, making a grand total of 2, 920 bedkits handed out so far.  Thanks to SCAW’s generous donors for making this distribution possible. 

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Team Bangladesh 2014
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Bangladesh: 2014 Team completes distributions in North Bengal

It is Wednesday November 12^th and the Bangladesh team completes their travels in North Bengal. To date we have distributed 2,240 of the 5,000 bedkits allocated to Bangladesh.

We will travel from the north in the morning by air to Dhaka. We will spend the remainder of the day resting and getting ready for our evening flight. The team is ready and eager to continue their travels to reach out to the children desperately in need.

We are looking forward to working with the Rotary clubs of this area to distribute the next 2,060 bedkits. A special thanks to all the SCAW donors who have made this all possible.

Team Bangladesh 2014

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Bangladesh: Day 5

We are working out of Rangpur today. Today we did two smaller distributions. 

This morning, we distributed 340 bedkits at a first time site – Saidpur. Boy, are the local Rotarians there quick learners – it was an extremely well organized camp. Mike, our team leader gave them 10 out of 10! The children were situated under a very colourful tent in Bangladesh colours. After the distribution, we walked a couple of blocks to a thank you luncheon. It was our first real opportunity to walk the streets; we are quite a novelty, especially with children who love to approach us and say “Hello,” and “How are you?” The luncheon had the locals falling all over us with thanks – rather humbling.

This afternoon saw us travel to a repeat site in Dinajpur to distribute a further 220 bedkits on the streetside grounds of a private club. The site was quite crowded when we arrived, but, with the help of the large police presence, the people were quickly moved out to the street, leaving inside the grounds just the children and parents. It is noteworthy that the photo of 51 children was taken with the SCAW banner partly behind barbed wire! The children were very well behaved here, although a little more reluctant to smile than some other places. There seemed to be a disproportionate number of “undersized” children, no doubt a sign of malnutrition.

It was a long day, as we were up at 6:15 am and didn’t get back to our accommodation until 7:30 pm. We have now distributed over 2,000 bedkits – that’s a lot of smiling faces!

Team Bangladesh 2014
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