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Philippines: Neatan's Story

Neatan visited us near the end of our distribution in Naga yesterday. She reminded us of the lasting benefits of receiving a bed kit. Hers was given three years ago and she brought the remnants. Some were lost when a tornado destroyed her home in 2013. She is on the honour roll at her school and will begin high school in June. She is a lovely child whose family will live with loving relatives until they can rebuild their hut.
She is determined to graduate some day and will become a chef or a teacher. She feels gratitude and is inspired to succeed.

Janet, Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: April 15 - A Special Day!

April 15th marked a special day for the SCAW team from Canada as well as our partners SCAW Philippines. There had been many emails and phone calls back and forth between Ontario and the Philippines regarding the extraordinary contribution that had been donated by the students, staff, and families at the Marshall McLuhan Catholic Seconday School. 
Between them they had generously donated 443 bed kits!

We all wanted to make an extra effort to recognize the efforts of MMCSS. The official photographs were taken and will eventually be delivered to the donors at the school.

How about photographing all 443 bed kit recipients?



With their usual efficiency and organization, SCAW Philippines started setting up the shot. Children were sorted by height and assembled in a large open area of the school in Polangui.

The children were given numbered lanyards that would identify them and allow them to receive their bed kit.

And here is the result! 443 Filipino children waving thank you to MCSS, with a loud, resounding Mabuhay!​
Salamat po from the children of Polangui, the Canadian team, and SCAW Philippines.



Team Philippines 2015 

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Philippines: Mission Accomplished!

Yesterday was our last day of distribution, we travelled to Polangui 2 from the hotel about 1hr drive. The distribution site was in a beautiful country church and as always the children were so colorful in their new clothes and all smiles.

After a quick lunch we got back on the road for another hour heading North to Naga where we did our last distribution. This was a new site for SCAW, the local Kiwanis club did a wonderful job organizing so our work went very smoothly.

 Again we were fed a beautiful lunch,  I have to say we didn't go hungry these past 2 weeks.
Back on the road again for a 2 hr drive to Legaspi,  where we got together with our SCAW Philippines partners for a post distribution meeting followed again by a nice dinner, that included music.

 We were amazed at the energy and talent our Philippinos partners have, so many beautiful voices.
We feel very good this morning, a job well done...

 A big thank you to all of you our supporters who have made this possible, you can be assured that your gifts are well received and well used.

 Jacynthe for Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: Day 9!!

Today we left Manilla for the South flying Philippine Airlines to go to the next 2 days of distributions,. We have 1,400 bedkits left to deliver.


Once we landed we were met by the local Kiwanians who took us to meet one of the board members of the province of Albay. We then visited Cagsawa ruins destructed by the eruption of the Mayon  volcano in 1814, all that remains is the bell tower.


We were treated to a dinner of local specialities. We are now getting ready for an early start for tomorrow's distribution.



Gary for Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: A Day of Rest


Today we had a late start to drive through horrible Manila traffic to Fort Santiago located in the northern part of the walled city. The Fort was used by the Japanese to intern both Philippinos and Americans. Many died of starvation or drowning in the dungeons from the incoming tides.

Then we went to see the cathedral where they were set up for one fancy wedding for a TV movie. The church was filled with masses of flowers. Things were running late as surprisingly the groom was somewhere stuck in traffic.

At UST University of St Tomas, the oldest university in the Philippines we had a special tour of their museum and art gallery and were taken to the top of the tower for a birds eye view of the city.

In the afternoon we visited the orphanage of the Sisters of Charity which is the order of Mother Theresa. We delivered bags of clothing donated by many friends and soup mix Chris got from the Mennonites. Many children are handicapped. The toddlers really enjoyed the Canadian flag beach ball. Understandably we were not allowed to take pictures of the children.


Judi Fenton for SCAW Philippines 2015
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Philippines: An Alumni Returns!!

Today a shy young lady visited our distribution site in Mabalacat with her proud mother. Sharlene Tayag was  carrying a worn and faded woven sleeping mat. She was a seven year year old child back in 1999 when she was thrilled be chosen to receive a SCAW bedkit. She said that she felt blessed and knew she had to work hard to prove that she deserved the honour. Amazingly, Sharlene has just graduated from Papanga State Agricultural University and will soon be a practicing Veterinarian caring for large animals. She believes in paying back and does volunteer work whenever she can. She still sleeps on her precious mat every night.


Janet Henley for team Philippines
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Philippines: Angeles

In the afternoon today we traveled to the old Clark Airforce Base in Angeles, to distribute another 300 bedkits.

There were over 100 aboriginal children who live in the mountains at the edge of the base, in the group.


We had more smiles and giggles from these beautiful children than anywhere else so far.


We feel so fortunate to be giving the bedkits to the children on behalf of the many donors who have made it possible.  Your gifts make such a positive difference in the lives of these children and their families.

Pat for Team Philippines

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Philippines: A Great Day of Bedkit Distributions!!


Morning Distribution - 300 bed kits,Calumpit, Bulacan

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"Halo-Halo" stop at Nathaniel's, a popular eating place.   Halo-Halo is a parfait-like mixture of beans, jackfruit, makapuno, crunchy "pinipeg",  Philippine jello, "ube" ice cream and custard in a tall glass filled with shaved ice.


Afternoon distribution - 300 bed kit, Barangay Arena, 
Arayat, Pampanga.  In the photo, are two children waiting for their bed kits. 


Bed Kit Parent Interview with a young mother

Team Philippines 2015

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Philippines: South of Manilla

On day 2 we travelled south of Manilla to distribute 600 bed kits to some very happy families.



The organizing Kiwanis clubs take great pride in assisting with an appropriate backdrop for pictures.



Here are a few of the happy children ready to get their bed kits.The need is great here.

Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: Day 4

Day 4 started bright and early leaving the hotel at 7:30. The drives are never boring, lots of traffic of all kinds of vehicles.

Our destination was Los Banos South of Manila about 1 1/2 hr, where we were greeted by very well behaved children at the Lalakay elementary school.

We started the day with a prayer followed by a hearty rendition of both National Anthem.

Ready to start the day the children were guided to the stage to get their picture taken, sometime it is difficult to get them to smile but when they do, it melts your heart.

With the help of the teachers, volunteers and the representatives of the Kiwanis club all 300 bed kits were delivered to very excited children.

We were then treated to a lovely lunch of local specialties prepared by the teaching staff, and of course the ever appreciated tasty fruits, juicy mango and pineapple.

These gatherings over lunch are precious opportunities for two cultures to get to know each other and to realize that we are not so different, we all want for our children to be healthy and happy.
After hugs and hand shakes we left this lovely community to journey back to Manila for a rest and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow, very happily.

J'aimerais dire un Merci spécial à nos familles et amis francophones du Canada pour leur appuis.
Je peu vous garantir que c'est très apprécier...

Jacynthe Tremblay for team Philippines

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Philippines: Double Distribution Day

Hello from the beautiful, friendly Philippines. Today the SCAW team travelled first to Marilao where we distributed 300 bed kits. The school has 80 special needs children and 240 others. Class sizes were for one teacher 44 students and another 55. After we visited some of the homes nearby. They are built on very uneven ground with found materials but were neat and tidy.



Our afternoon distribution was in Plaridel. The children were all sitting in risers and were a rainbow of colours in their new t shirts.



My job today was to interview parents about their lives and the bed kits. They are all so appreciative for the support from so far away. Most do not have mosquito nets and live in fear of dengue fever. Several also were happy to receive the sleeping mat as they use cardboard boxes.



We should not complain about traffic in Canada. We are extremely lucky to have a wonderful driver to manipulate through the mayhem.

 Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: The Adventure Begins!

The adventure begins! After our long journey we awoke early on a glorious Easter Monday morning refreshed from a lazy Easter Sunday in Manila. We were keen to meet our Kiwanis partners and the children. The legendary Dr Ito welcomed us to his homes where thousands of bed kits were assembled and stored. He had put  most of his furniture in storage to accommodate the SCAW distribution. His hospitality was wonderful from the day we arrived. We had a tour of the Antipolo region highlighted by the beautiful historical church.  We then arrived at the  School where the delightful but impoverished children awaited . Their songs and laughter were heartwarming. We sang each others national anthems with great gusto.Three hundred children were  grateful to receive the bedkits. Some interviewed parents. It was a great day!

 Team Philippines 2015
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Mumbai: Post-Mumbai Reflections

I can’t believe my 5 days of distribution in Mumbai are finished and I’m home.  We all did many jobs while we were there and I enjoyed them all.  I did interviews on two days with 3 families each day.  So interesting to meet with the parents of children receiving bedkits to see how they live and learn how much they appreciated the many gifts their children were about to receive.  Sad to hear of the conditions they live in but also great to hear their expectations for their children.  When asked of their dreams for their children they wanted their child to grow to be strong, a good person helping in their village and a good person with their families.  All wanted their children to complete schooling to at least Grade 10 and hoped they could also go farther.

The day I got to do the handing out of the bedkits was fantastic.  When each child came to me I shook their hand and watch their face light up and a huge smile appeared as I handed them their bedkit.  All said thank you in English and many said Namasté, which is spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest.  I was puzzled by many who would touch my foot and then their forehead or heart.  I asked the person helping me and they said they are saying “God Bless You”.  I was blessed many, many times that day and I will remain blessed forever because of this tremendous trip.

Ken Thompson for Team Mumbai 2015
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