Kenya: Day 3!
Today we travelled about hour from Nairobi to a
school/orphanage that was founded and supported by the Rotary Club of
Nairobi. Our mission was to distribute
500 bedkits. The school was founded 13
years ago and once the elementary school kids got older the Club started a high
school.
With the help of school and Rotary volunteers along with
teachers, we organized the children into groups of 50’s then 8’s and downward
until we were taking photos of just one child at a time. We found a lovely shaded spot to take the
photos thus trying to avoid high contrast in the photos. The process worked very smoothly and the kids
were delighted with their new bedkits. We began our interviews with parents in
order to determine if there are areas in which we can improve. The parents were very appreciative of the
gifts that our SCAW donors provided.
They commented on the quality of the items in the kits.
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After the distribution we were served a lovely cup of tea
and Kenyan style donuts (donut holes intact) and visited the orphanage.
Tomorrow is a travel day and we will be out of Nairobi for
the next 4 days. We will blog if we can
find internet service in the areas we visit.
Kenya SCAW Team 2015
Post your comments here:Belgaum: Distributions Complete!
Team Belgaum completed its final distribution of 200 bedkits at Kundgol today. The Kundgol Rotarians brought in a number of local college students to assist with the distribution, which made it fun as it only took a little over an hour to hand out the kits to children. There were a surprising number of the children who spoke English and they loved to practice it with us while exchanging high fives before they had their pictures taken.
After taking the usual pictures, the team travelled back to Belgaum in our team mini-bus with Manjunath at the wheel. Manju never ceases to amaze us with his ability to weave in and out of traffice and avoid head on collisions as the on coming traffic takes up all of the available lanes in front of us. We will miss Manju and the rest of the support team who have helped us make the 10 distributions (4,000 bedkits) a success. The role that Manjunath, Nagu, Ramesh and his tailoring team play at the distributions has been invaluable as SCAW becomes more and more respected in this area of India. For example, one of the waiters in our hotel in Belgaum came up to us when we arrived back at the hotel, after being away for three days, to tell us that he was from Ramdurg and had read in the paper yesterday about the SCAW distribution there and all of the good things that the charity was doing for the children of India.
We will miss the many friends and acquaintances that we have made during our distributions but we will still have the wonderful memories of all that we have seen and done in this great land.
Bill Sergeant, Team Leader, for Team Belgaum 2015
Post your comments here:Kenya: Lala Salama!
After an early wake up, (5:15) we set out to avoid the horrendous morning rush hour
traffic, arriving 2 hours later at the school site. Today there were 500 bedkits waiting for
distribution. It was an easy first day
for our 2 “newbies” Melissa and Lauren,
as the pictures were all in groups of ten.
All of the recipients were richly deserving of their bedkit
especially those with physical and intellectual challenges. The generous donors
can be assured these children will sleep well. As they were wished in Swalhili
“Lala Salama” Sleep well!
After the distribution., we visited the home of one of last
year’s recipients. The home was a mud
hut, made from cow dung, approximately 6 ‘ x10’ overlooking a spectacular
Kenyan vista. Owned by a grandmother of Masai origin, who was wearing beautiful, traditional beadwork she was very
proud and happy to welcome us into her home.
Finally, we visited a residential school for rescued girls,
(from forced early marriages or difficult family living conditions). The joy
and happiness of these girls was very evident.
All in all a rewarding first day!
Team Kenya 2015
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Kenya: Our First Day
Tiring but fulfilling day today! Started with breakfast and
a meeting with the team and the Nairobi Rotary Club members. We discussed past
Kenyan distributions and how they went before turning onto this years. We got
some tips and suggestions on how to keep things running smoothly- and hopefully
problem free! As well as the general plan for the days to come.
Our amazing driver, took us to the Village Market Mall where
we traded in money as well as eating some lunch. We then went to the first
manufacturer of the day, Priscilla! She was very grateful and happy to have
received the SCAW contract to expand her business, we were very happy to see
that. Priscilla hand makes all 4,000 backpacks for the bedkits in her very
small shop with only 4 sewing machines. We got a tour of the place as well as
meeting a few youngsters who were absolutely delighted to see and have their
photo taken.
As a change of size, we all piled into our van and drove to
the HUGE building of the mattress manufacturer. The owner and the general
manager took us on a long narrated tour! Seeing all the hundreds of mattresses
they make and the work that goes into them was amazing. We all clambered back
into the van and went to the clothing manufacturer where the pajama set and
sweaters were made for the distribution. The embroidery process for other jobs
they have was pretty cool.
Lastly we finished at the location where the bed kits are
stored until they are needed. But only after we sort of got lost and went
through a very poor part of Nairobi, where around 3 million people live. It touched us all and
still can’t be put into words how we felt, it was good to see it though.
Looking forward to a good 1st day of distribution
tomorrow. (February 23rd) Up bright and early at 5:30 with only 500
bedkits to give out and hopefully stopping to visit previous recipients! Sleep
well, or as we were taught to say in Swahili; Lanasalama!!!!
Team Kenya 2015
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Kenya: Post Your Comments Here
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Belgaum: On the Move to Hubli
We're on the move to Hubli and our last two distributions!
As we were loading the van for an early start, about 500 children ran passed us in some sort of a school race. It made me think of our Canadian Terry Fox runs. The earliest runners weren't to be distracted, but partway through the group, boys veered over to our side of the road to receive "high fives" and running encouragement from us. So much for an early beginning, but wonderful excitement at this day's start! There have been many surprises during this trip.
This distribution took place at a school. A group of deaf children went through our circuit without us realizing their predicament - so who's got the handicap?
We finished the day with 35 special needs children - the neediest of the needy and for us a great finally.
After receiving sandalwood leis and smiling for lots of group pictures with the Rotarians, we were invited to the Gymkhana club for an Indian lunch. This club was built by the English years ago.
We were given time to freshen up and unpack suitcases in our new hotel.Then we were invited to visit a local orphanage.
It's a private home called Felicia Kids Home and was started by Mini, who was an orphan herself. She and her husband now have 29 children and are hoping that the government allow them to have more in the future. She ensures these children go to good schools. The children seem very well adjusted and very happy and were very excited about our visit. We entertained each other with songs and watched some of their dances. This was another surprise to our day and very enjoyable.
Pamela Horricks for Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: A Day Off
We drive an hour out of Belgaum to visit an ancient Shri Temple in the village of Hashi. It was built 800-1000 years ago. A guide in the temple the different gods and statues. The includes a statue of a pig's head with a human body. The statues are very detailed with cravings The temple is maintained by a young man who has taken over the responsibilities that his father had previously. Children and adults from the local school come in and pray and light candles.
We stop for coffee at a friend of bus driver's home. It is an neat old building with many bedrooms and beautiful wooden doors.
We head back to Belgaum to go to a big market. On a Saturday the market is buzzing, lots of people. Anything you want to buy from spices, clothing, fruits, vegetables, shoes, purses, etc are available. There are streets and streets of these market stalls
Our first stop is at the gold and silver store to get some "bling". We move on to the candy store for some sweets to take home. We are given generous samples of the goodies. We stop at the copper shop and buy some copper jugs. Hope they will fit in the luggage. Next some cashews for which India is known for.
Time to call it a day, money is getting low and so we take a quick trip in a Rickshaw that gets us safely back to the hotel with time to relax before dinner. A good day off.
Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Celebrating a Wonderful Relationship!
After a very successful distribution of 1,000 bedkits, the SCAW travelling team was invited by the Belgaum Rotary Club to attend their Friday evening meeting. The club President, Sharad Pai, gave us a warm welcome and dedicated a major portion of the meeting to talk about SCAW and the 27-year relationship that the club has enjoyed with the Canadian charity. The Belgaum SCAW Trust President, Dilip Chitnis, and its Secretary, Sanjay Kulkarni, spoke in glowing terms about all that SCAW has done for the children of India and challenged the Rotarians to 'open their hands' to donate bedkits. President Sharad stated that his club was passionate and dedicated in its support of SCAW and would continue to 'reach out to the unreached'. Many of Rotarians stated that they are more than willing to donate, so Secretary Sanjay stated that he is willing to work with SCAW Canada to find a way that they can donated and still get a tax break in India. This would be a major step forward in SCAW's relationship with its OVPs (Overseas Volunteer Partners) in India.
This year's Belgaum Distribution Chairman, Basavaraj (Basu) Vibhuti, then thanked the many volunteers who helped make today's distribution the success that it was. Basu had been working since November to organize the distribution. In comparison, our jobs are relatively easy and enjoyable when we arrive to take pictures of the children and hand out the bedkits.
The Rotary Club's President Sharad Pai then made a special announcement to the SCAW team and Rotary members. He and his wife, Padmaja, invited all of us to celebrate and bless the marriage of his son Chetin to Pooja Potnis by attending it on the 28th of February. A couple of the SCAW team members were pleased to tell President Sharad that they were going to change their plans in order to attend the wedding, which pleased him greatly.
After the meeting, the Rotary Club hosted the SCAW team to a delicious buffet dinner. It gave them an opportunity to say farewell and thank you to Bill Sergeant for his leadership of the SCAW team for the past few years. They also asked that he and Duncan Macgregor come back to Belgaum at some point in the future. Bill said that he will miss the friends that he has made in Belgaum, but would love to see them at some point in the future, either in Canada or back here in Belgaum.
Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Belgaum Distribution!
When we arrived at the Belgaum distribution...we were in awe of the system they are using to keep all things organized. They have been blessed with a donation of buses that transport the kids back and forth. This is very helpful when you have 1000 eager kids and parents waiting. They also brought the kids in shifts (9:00am and 12:00pm) so that no one was waiting too long. The Belgaum Rotary club has had a donation from family that also donates all the food for each child. This makes the whole experience a positive one for the child.
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The Rotarians have been very organized and I have the highest respect for the amount of time they put into a distribution. They personally interview the children, purchase the items locally, they attend every site distribution. Planning this day happens all year round! We only arrive really on their final day and truly enjoy the moments with the children.
Sue Orr on behalf of Team Belgaum 2015
Belgaum: Bailhongal
If this is Thursday, it must be Bailhongal and a 300 kit distribution. We left the hotel at 8:15 but for some reason the traffic was not as heavy as usual and we made it to Bailhongal ahead of time. Still many children were there and sitting under large canopy.We were greeted with warm handshakes and again presented with roses.
We started off with a tour of the facility seeing first the location where the children would be served a breakfast. Then we went through the route they would follow to pick up their clothing, have the photo taken and finally get the actual Bedkit. All looked good.
Then it was down to the canopy area to show the children the contents of the bedkit. Loud cheers greeted each item. Pamela brought her marionette CAMEL out and entertained the children while we set up the photo area.
It is amazing to see the different reactions of the children having there photo taken. Some have the biggest grins while others sit stern-faced through the entire process. Some will break into a smile then shyly cover up and if the picture was not captured at the right moment we are out of luck.
We had the help of many Rotarians and their wives as well as many Cadets. There help was very much appreciated.
Following the distribution we get to play the star roll. We are wanted by all for photos. We join a group and then are not sure which of the 20 or so cameras to look at. We are treated as very special people and it is wonderful to be honoured in this way.
When we finally got moving toward our bus the most important picture of the day was requested - several children who had received bed kits rushed up to us asking to have a picture with us.
We then went to a hotel owned by one of the Rotarians for a delicious lunch. Returning to our hotel by 4:30. We may be ready for a light supper at 7;30
Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Gobak
We left for Gokak at 8:15 for a distribution of 200 bedkits at a school. The country side had
many interesting spots. We passed a cotton factory, textile factory, an
abandoned sugar cane factory, a spot that we dubbed "India's Grand
Canyon" and a huge dam.
The children were all seated on the floor, girls on one side, boys on the other, in one classroom, when we arrived. Cathy and I entertained the children while the rest of the team set up the "SCAW circuit". We showed them our bubbles and a hand puppet. So as not to frighten them, one needs to be extremely gentle in presenting and approaching these children with a puppet. Some of the children sang songs to us. I wish you in Canada could have heard their cheers when we showed them the individual items in the bedkits. They were spontaneous and very appreciative. These children are poor! Yesterday I told a parent and some hotel management students the cost of one kit. They were flabbergasted at the generosity of Canadians.
After the distribution, the Gokak Rotarians treated us to a lunch of sandwiches, fruit and homemade cocoa cake. Delicious!
It was suggested that we visit the local temple and a local Shiva festival. We met up with recipients at the temple who were there to thank their goddess for their gifts from SCAW. The temple is built to honour the goddess "Laxmi" who protects their town.
On to the festival, which was held at a second larger temple. This temple had a swing bridge, built the British, crossing the Ghatprabha River, beside it. We were escorted past the hundreds of people going to the temple and blessed by receiving a yellow dot on our forehead. Today is Ash Wednesday.
The people are always thrilled to see "white people" and to see their own image in our cameras. We were elbow To elbow with crowds of people at the festival and felt perfectly safe.
Tonight we went to a recommended restaurant close to our hotel and celebrated an early surprise birthday for Lorna. The restaurant presented her with special packages of candy. A wonderful finish to another great day in India.
Pamela Horricks for Team Belgaum 2015
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The children were all seated on the floor, girls on one side, boys on the other, in one classroom, when we arrived. Cathy and I entertained the children while the rest of the team set up the "SCAW circuit". We showed them our bubbles and a hand puppet. So as not to frighten them, one needs to be extremely gentle in presenting and approaching these children with a puppet. Some of the children sang songs to us. I wish you in Canada could have heard their cheers when we showed them the individual items in the bedkits. They were spontaneous and very appreciative. These children are poor! Yesterday I told a parent and some hotel management students the cost of one kit. They were flabbergasted at the generosity of Canadians.
After the distribution, the Gokak Rotarians treated us to a lunch of sandwiches, fruit and homemade cocoa cake. Delicious!
It was suggested that we visit the local temple and a local Shiva festival. We met up with recipients at the temple who were there to thank their goddess for their gifts from SCAW. The temple is built to honour the goddess "Laxmi" who protects their town.
On to the festival, which was held at a second larger temple. This temple had a swing bridge, built the British, crossing the Ghatprabha River, beside it. We were escorted past the hundreds of people going to the temple and blessed by receiving a yellow dot on our forehead. Today is Ash Wednesday.
The people are always thrilled to see "white people" and to see their own image in our cameras. We were elbow To elbow with crowds of people at the festival and felt perfectly safe.
Tonight we went to a recommended restaurant close to our hotel and celebrated an early surprise birthday for Lorna. The restaurant presented her with special packages of candy. A wonderful finish to another great day in India.
Pamela Horricks for Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Ramdurg
I left the hotel at 7:45 am for the 2 1/5 hour drive to Ramdurg. The drive through the country was mainly valleys and farms. Sugar cane is the big crop. We pass trucks, bicycles, motorcycles and oxen carts loaded with stalks of sugar cane, as much as they can hold. They are delivered to the nearby sugar refinery. It is a big business employing 6000 people. The stalks are pressed to remove the fluid. The remaining husks are chopped into saw dust and made into blocks to burn for heat.
We arrive at the distribution site at 10:30 am and am welcomed by he Rotary Club of Ramdurg with roses. The children and parents have already been waiting 1 1/5 hours. There is an air of excitement. We enter the school to meet the children's who receive the bedkits. We show the children the contents of the kit. They are very excited by the school books and supplies. One thing that is scarce for the children is toys, no "wii" games or computers to play. The only toy I saw was a boy rolling a tire along with a stick. We play a few action games and sing with the children. Few of them speak English but respond to the action games enthusiastically. They are happy to,play catch and blow bubbles. The children are nervous about hand puppets having never seen one before.
The distribution area has been well organized by the Rotary Club with a few minor changes we start taking the pictures and giving out the bedkits. The distribution went well. The temperature was 35 degrees. The children needed a little prompting to smile and some start giggling. It is all so strange and new. I'm sure the donors from Canada will be happy to see their gift has improved the life of a child.
We load up the van and drive to a nearby hotel for lunch with the Rotary Club. We try several Indian dishes that were delicious but too hard to name.
The trip back to the hotel is quiet. We're all tired from the distribution but we enjoyed every minute, seeing the happy children and parents walking away with their bedkits.
Lorna Hedger for Team Belgaum 2015
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We arrive at the distribution site at 10:30 am and am welcomed by he Rotary Club of Ramdurg with roses. The children and parents have already been waiting 1 1/5 hours. There is an air of excitement. We enter the school to meet the children's who receive the bedkits. We show the children the contents of the kit. They are very excited by the school books and supplies. One thing that is scarce for the children is toys, no "wii" games or computers to play. The only toy I saw was a boy rolling a tire along with a stick. We play a few action games and sing with the children. Few of them speak English but respond to the action games enthusiastically. They are happy to,play catch and blow bubbles. The children are nervous about hand puppets having never seen one before.
The distribution area has been well organized by the Rotary Club with a few minor changes we start taking the pictures and giving out the bedkits. The distribution went well. The temperature was 35 degrees. The children needed a little prompting to smile and some start giggling. It is all so strange and new. I'm sure the donors from Canada will be happy to see their gift has improved the life of a child.
We load up the van and drive to a nearby hotel for lunch with the Rotary Club. We try several Indian dishes that were delicious but too hard to name.
The trip back to the hotel is quiet. We're all tired from the distribution but we enjoyed every minute, seeing the happy children and parents walking away with their bedkits.
Lorna Hedger for Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: A Double Distribution Day!
The SCAW Belgaum team did double duty today with distributions at Harugeri and Ugar. Both were well organized and a joy to be part of.
When we arrived at the morning distribution at Harugeri, we were greeted joyfully by the 300 children and their parents as we stepped off the bus. We were introduced to the children by Dr. P, the distribution chairman, who explained to them where we came from and why. We then took out the bedkit items to show the children and they applauded each one more than the one before. It was more than they could dream of receiving. After the distribution, about 30 children and their families stayed behind while the teachers of the school that hosted the distribution honoured us by presenting us with garlands of flowers. It was their way of saying thank you for making a difference in the children's lives.
We then drove north-west along roads that were filled with ox carts or wagons loaded with sugar cane. It was all heading to the Ugar Sugar Factory, where the next distribution took place. The owners, Prakar and Smita Shirgaokar, greeted us warmly with a garland of Indonesian Cherries as well as bouquets of them. They also put on a delicious luncheon for us with special table decorations to welcome the SCAW team. The Ladies Club from the Ugar Sugar Factory choose to wear green saris this year as they helped us with the distribution, as seen in the attached picture. Smita and Prakar, our gracious hosts, then asked us to present a bouquet to the distribution organizer in honour of the tremendous job that he did. The distribution was one of the more relaxing and enjoyable ones that we did.
Team Belgaum 2015
Belgaum: Nipani!
Today began with a scooter ride on the back of Manju's (our driver's) scooter to the shopping area to visit the luggage store where Manju works. Sue, Lorna and Irwin followed in a motorized rickshaw. We also visited Raju's (Rotarian) jewelry store but the prices there defied any major purchases by the group. Scooter ride home for Lorna, lunch and into the van to head north to Nipani.
What a different experience from the distribution in Athani. Talk about organized. Tons of Rotary, Inner Wheel (women's equivalent to Rotary) and Rotractors (college age men) buzzing around the place getting things done. I mean actually getting things done!. We handed out 500 kits in about 3 hours, phenomenally faster than yesterday.
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Sue conducted interviews today and one mother told her she works at a factory where she makes 60-80 Rupees /day rolling up to 1000 cigarette like things. That's $1.60 / day when her production is at its best. So many people struggling in this country as there are no social nets whatsoever,
Early start tomorrow for what will certainly be a long day as we have 2 distributions.
Namaste!
Team Belgaum 2015
What a different experience from the distribution in Athani. Talk about organized. Tons of Rotary, Inner Wheel (women's equivalent to Rotary) and Rotractors (college age men) buzzing around the place getting things done. I mean actually getting things done!. We handed out 500 kits in about 3 hours, phenomenally faster than yesterday.
Sue conducted interviews today and one mother told her she works at a factory where she makes 60-80 Rupees /day rolling up to 1000 cigarette like things. That's $1.60 / day when her production is at its best. So many people struggling in this country as there are no social nets whatsoever,
Early start tomorrow for what will certainly be a long day as we have 2 distributions.
Namaste!
Team Belgaum 2015
Belgaum: Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentines Day from Team Belgaum!
Sue Orr on behalf of Team Belgaum 2015
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We began our day with a 7:30 start...it was a 3 hour drive and the roadways were most interesting. We passed countless tractors and oxen carrying loads of sugar cane. Our driver Manganet is fearless!
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Apron our arrival it took some time for set up but once we were in the system it all worked out well. The bed kits have many supplies and all great quality. The colour of the dresses stands out and all the children are so happy. The site also had some challenges with the local pigs coming in but that adds to ambience to the day. We had a lovely lunch/supper with the local tea and some of the crew from the Belgaum team.
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We arrived home at 8:30pm...our drive back was exciting with the added danger of sundown. It's always an adventure in India!
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Belgaum: Friday the 13th!
Nothing untoward has happened to the team today. Friday the 13th has been a wonderful experience.
We started the morning by visiting 2 houses of recipients of bedkits last year. Both families graciously invited us in to see there homes and expressed gratitude for the kits. When asked what was the best item in last years kit they were hesitant to distinguish one item over another as all items were important but the backpack seemed to get some special recognition perhaps for the additional school supplies it contained. The first homes were extremely dark - the only light entering through the front and back doors. The home contained four families housed in a row of four rooms. We were visiting the front unit which also contained the communal kitchen. The recipient from last year saw our need for light and went to a back room and brought a bright LED flashlight which then gave us a much better view of his home. The kitchen seemed to have good collection of stainless steel eating and cooking utensils and a 2 burner gas burner. The floor is compacted dirt. Life was sparse but they seemed very happy with their situation and very proud of their children.
Moving to the next house I was struck by the contrast created by the microwave cell tower just beyond the home we were visiting. Still very dark but electricity was available as was cable TV. We saw no evidence of either in the home.
From these houses we drove back into Belgaum to visit a knitting works which produces School Uniforms for the bed kits. We were greeted as VIP’s and presented with roses upon arrival. It was very interesting seeing the mechanized looms compared to the hand loom. Bill was telling us that they have modernized much of there production during the last few years and now only have one hand loom working where a couple of years ago they had 6. Workers also seem to have a much better working period from 9:30 to 6 with an hour for lunch.
Then we were off to the tailor shop where much of the other clothing for the children was produced by six sewing machine operators. Again the VIP treatment roses and drinks during our stay and a good showing of the materials being presented to the children.
We arrived back at the Hotel had a late lunch and prepared for the pre distribution meeting.
The predistribution meeting went very well. We met the Rotarians of the SCAW trust and went over the distribution procedures, locations and material. we followed this with great food and conversation. They are truly a wonderful group who work extremely hard to see that all goes smoothly. It now approaching midnight and we have to be ready for a distribution tomorrow at 7:30 so I will sign off
Team Belgaum 2015
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We started the morning by visiting 2 houses of recipients of bedkits last year. Both families graciously invited us in to see there homes and expressed gratitude for the kits. When asked what was the best item in last years kit they were hesitant to distinguish one item over another as all items were important but the backpack seemed to get some special recognition perhaps for the additional school supplies it contained. The first homes were extremely dark - the only light entering through the front and back doors. The home contained four families housed in a row of four rooms. We were visiting the front unit which also contained the communal kitchen. The recipient from last year saw our need for light and went to a back room and brought a bright LED flashlight which then gave us a much better view of his home. The kitchen seemed to have good collection of stainless steel eating and cooking utensils and a 2 burner gas burner. The floor is compacted dirt. Life was sparse but they seemed very happy with their situation and very proud of their children.
Moving to the next house I was struck by the contrast created by the microwave cell tower just beyond the home we were visiting. Still very dark but electricity was available as was cable TV. We saw no evidence of either in the home.
From these houses we drove back into Belgaum to visit a knitting works which produces School Uniforms for the bed kits. We were greeted as VIP’s and presented with roses upon arrival. It was very interesting seeing the mechanized looms compared to the hand loom. Bill was telling us that they have modernized much of there production during the last few years and now only have one hand loom working where a couple of years ago they had 6. Workers also seem to have a much better working period from 9:30 to 6 with an hour for lunch.
Then we were off to the tailor shop where much of the other clothing for the children was produced by six sewing machine operators. Again the VIP treatment roses and drinks during our stay and a good showing of the materials being presented to the children.
We arrived back at the Hotel had a late lunch and prepared for the pre distribution meeting.
The predistribution meeting went very well. We met the Rotarians of the SCAW trust and went over the distribution procedures, locations and material. we followed this with great food and conversation. They are truly a wonderful group who work extremely hard to see that all goes smoothly. It now approaching midnight and we have to be ready for a distribution tomorrow at 7:30 so I will sign off
Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Rotary Pool Visit
This evening the team went to visit The Belgaum Swimmers Club which practices out of a pool the Belgaum Rotary supports. The city run pool was about to close when the Rotary stepped in to support the program The team coach introduced us to a number of the Clubs decorated athletes. The club has produced a number of champions at the international level, as well it has trained a swimmer who completed a swim across The English Channel.
They also have an amazing program for blind children. One of the girls from that program, totally blind, jumped off the high diving board for us. The program is hugely successful. The Rotary Club even provides transportation for swimmers and evening practice is followed by dinner for everyone. Amazing work!!
Team Belgaum 2015
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They also have an amazing program for blind children. One of the girls from that program, totally blind, jumped off the high diving board for us. The program is hugely successful. The Rotary Club even provides transportation for swimmers and evening practice is followed by dinner for everyone. Amazing work!!
Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Leaving Mumbai
Today we left Mumbai. We will have many memories of that city. Such a mixture of beautiful and ugly and bad.
The good, most of the people we met were friendly, polite and happy. The city is colourful with the beautiful array of colour of their saris. It is good with the patience and driving skills of many taxis, motorized rickshaws and cars that abound in the downtown. Sometimes 4-5 cars driving along in a 2-3 lane road weaving in and out of the traffic, passing other cars with just 1" to,spare, but in 3 days travelling around the area we saw no accidents . The business of the streets; hundreds of people bustling around, crossing the roads at their own parrel, darting between cars, rickshaws, push carts, wagons, and buses.
The bad is the numbers of beggars on the street and the large slum area throughout the city among the new high rises. We are told the city is working on programs for youth employment programs. Many of them are working under poor employment conditions, living in large dormitories.
There is the beautiful history side of Mumbai with many old temples, shrines, caves from 1000 years ago with statues that are still colourful. These caves were built by hand and we wonder how it could be done. Even today with our sophisticated diggers and equipment it would be a challenge .
We found a quiet temple pool in the city where people bath to wash their sins away while quietly people pray and partake of religious ceremonies on the stairs around the pool. Just so many memories.
Today is Thursday and we leave for Belgaum. I had a little hitch with my visa which took some time to correct but all worked out. We left on time and even arrived early, met by our Rotary Partners, Dillip and Sandjay for a ride to the hotel. We are away from the bustling city and with quiet green farmlands, with cows going down the centre of the street. Today is a day off, we will visit a newly renovated Rotary pool, have dinner and relax tonight.
Lorna Hedger for Team Belgaum 2015
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The good, most of the people we met were friendly, polite and happy. The city is colourful with the beautiful array of colour of their saris. It is good with the patience and driving skills of many taxis, motorized rickshaws and cars that abound in the downtown. Sometimes 4-5 cars driving along in a 2-3 lane road weaving in and out of the traffic, passing other cars with just 1" to,spare, but in 3 days travelling around the area we saw no accidents . The business of the streets; hundreds of people bustling around, crossing the roads at their own parrel, darting between cars, rickshaws, push carts, wagons, and buses.
The bad is the numbers of beggars on the street and the large slum area throughout the city among the new high rises. We are told the city is working on programs for youth employment programs. Many of them are working under poor employment conditions, living in large dormitories.
There is the beautiful history side of Mumbai with many old temples, shrines, caves from 1000 years ago with statues that are still colourful. These caves were built by hand and we wonder how it could be done. Even today with our sophisticated diggers and equipment it would be a challenge .
We found a quiet temple pool in the city where people bath to wash their sins away while quietly people pray and partake of religious ceremonies on the stairs around the pool. Just so many memories.
Today is Thursday and we leave for Belgaum. I had a little hitch with my visa which took some time to correct but all worked out. We left on time and even arrived early, met by our Rotary Partners, Dillip and Sandjay for a ride to the hotel. We are away from the bustling city and with quiet green farmlands, with cows going down the centre of the street. Today is a day off, we will visit a newly renovated Rotary pool, have dinner and relax tonight.
Lorna Hedger for Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Mumbai Tour
Amin, our tour guide and former bedkit recipient, took us on a whirlwind tour of Mumbai. We visited the house where Ghandi lived, a market which included fruits, vegetables, birds and kitchen gadgets. We had a vegetarian lunch, went to the Victoria Train Station, a cloth market, a large open area where laundry is done, stopped at a camera shop and a shop that sold pashminas.
Walking through these places and crossing the busy streets was incredibly exciting. The train station was so noisy one couldn't hear the trains because of people talking and yet in the middle of all of this confusion, two women sat on the floor facing each other chatting! The people who work in the markets selling, live and sleep right there. We spotted a man sleeping in one of his large baskets. The vegetarian restaurant where we ate lunch employs 180 people. They have many staffrooms where 20 or more of the workers sleep each night. These workers send their earnings back home to their villages. The streets are crammed 4 cars wide then further stuffed with motorized rickshaws. We lost Sue at one point as we were crossing a street because she hesitated for a split second about stepping forward into traffic. She yelled to get our attention but couldn't be heard over the sound of the horns. Amin nicknamed himself "Coffee With Milk" because at each crossing he'd grab Lorna's hand to get her across with our pack.
Tomorrow we're flying to Belgaum.
Pam Horricks for Team Belgaum 2015
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Belgaum: Touring Kanheri Caves with Amin
We had a good day touring with Amin Sheikh today, a long time friend of SCAW and previous bedkit recipient, even with the 33*C heat and humidity. He took us up to the Kanheri Caves National Park north of the city to see the 1,100 year old Buddhist caves. This time, we walked way up the hills to the highest level of caves and then he showed us where the Tibetan Monks still come to worship up there. There were a lot of their prayer flags tied to the trees and two large rectangular basins carved out the rock where they could immerse themselves during the rainy season. He then took us to a roadside vegetarian restaurant for lunch where we sampled various types of the local dishes and ate with our hands. It was quite the experience, especially when a truck drove through the restaurant while we were eating. The restaurant is hosting a large wedding and reception this evening, so the truck had brought a lot of the things to set up for it.
We then went to Snehasadan orphanage that Amin belonged to when he was young. We were given a tour of House #7 and met some of the current orphans, including one young boy who is a promising soccer star. They showed us where they cooked, ate, showered and slept. They all sleep on mats on the floor in one big room, but are thankful for that. We also met the new headmaster of Snehasadan, Father Noel, a young Jesuit priest, who took time to welcome us there.
Team Belgaum 2015
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We then went to Snehasadan orphanage that Amin belonged to when he was young. We were given a tour of House #7 and met some of the current orphans, including one young boy who is a promising soccer star. They showed us where they cooked, ate, showered and slept. They all sleep on mats on the floor in one big room, but are thankful for that. We also met the new headmaster of Snehasadan, Father Noel, a young Jesuit priest, who took time to welcome us there.
Team Belgaum 2015
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