Sri Lanka: Visit To A Recipient's Home
After another successful day distributing bedkits Team SL 2015, travelled to the home of one of our bedkit recipients to better understand the impact of our work.
After a few delays to our journey due to road closures and our mini-bus struggling with the smaller local roads, the team climbed into a jeep provided by the Sri Lankan military and made our way to the home.
We met a young mother with three children whose story was very touching. She was a single mother sharing a small home with her father. She and her three children shared a single room which served as kitchen, bedroom and living room. Her story was humbling, but through the difficulties she has faced she was very proud to show us the new home that was being built for her and her children about fifty meters down the path.
This three roomed structure of clay, wood and metal would provide more living space for the family when it is completed. The SCAW team was comforted to know that the bedkit would serve the family well, not just today but well into the future when they move into their new home.
Team Sri Lanka 2015
Sri Lanka: International Children's Day in Sri Lanka
How wonderful to have one of our distributions coincide with this special day!
School was hopping with singing competitions, games and ice cream treats. Teachers and children alike were caught up in the Sfestivities. It didn’t take long for the SCAW team to join the fun.
School was hopping with singing competitions, games and ice cream treats. Teachers and children alike were caught up in the Sfestivities. It didn’t take long for the SCAW team to join the fun.
It was particularly meaningful as 444 of the bedkits were from St. Brigid School in Georgetown, ON. Children helping children!
On our way out, all the school children were dancing to music from the radio, so we had to join in the festivities. Enjoy the photos and the video!
Team Sri Lanka 2015
Sri Lanka: Polonnaruwa
Team Sri Lanka is pleased to report that we have completed our third day of distributions in the Polonnaruwa area - 2400 bedkits have been distributed and we only have 2100 left to go! We are sorry for the sporadic updates to the blog, weather has been wet and stormy, and as a consequence our access to internet has been scarce.
We know that friends and family will have been checking the blog for photos and updates, so we’ll give you what you came for with a run down of our typical day and some shots of Team SL 2015 in action.
Typically our day starts early and we work fast to beat the afternoon rain. Each day we arrive to schools at the start of the day and work through the hot morning sunshine to try and get our photography done outside. We have heard from locals on several occasions that “the rain has come early”, which means mother nature has thwarted our plans to complete the distribution before the inter-monsoon season sets in. Though our t-shirts are soaked, our spirits are not dampened!
SCAW supporters will know the daily routine: meet the children, set up, take photographs, monitor the process and hand out bed kits: all aided by the Rotarians who have hosted us and arranged the distributions with the Sri Lankan military. Here are some photos of the SCAW team in action:
While the children wait in line for their bed kits, it is important to keep them entertained. Chris H does a great job of this, with the aid of our toy bag.
Linda heads up the photography station, with help from Chris W who has also been taking shots.
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| Linda is photographer-bombed by a young boy who wants to get his own shot. |
Gail, Julie and Elizabeth all do a wonderful job of handing out bedkits, sharing the gifts sent by your donations.
Today, Susan helped by interviewing bedkit recipients to find out more about them and gather feedback to help improve future distributions.
But enough about the team, the real stars of each day are the children who come to collect their bedkits.
Rain or shine, the results is always rewarding!
More updates to come soon, thank you for all your comments and messages.
- Chris W (and the SL 2015 Team!)
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Sri Lanka: Distributions Day 1 and 2!
At the end of day we have distributed 1600 bed kits to very happy children. Even the monsoon rains couldn't prevent us from completing the task.
Here are some pictures so far from Thopawewa and Kegalugama. More to come tomorrow.
Team Sri Lanka 2015
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Team Sri Lanka 2015
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Sri Lanka: A Brief Message From The Team!
In spite of the monsoon, we reached our first destination and distributed 800 bedkits. All is well. A tired but exhilarated team is off to bed. Hope to send photos tomorrow.
Team Sri Lanka 2015
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Team Sri Lanka 2015
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Sri Lanka: The Team Has Arrived!!
Team Sri Lanka is finally together!
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Chris Webb, Susan Simpson, Elizabeth Mukondiwa, Chris Hills
Front row: Gail Hills, Julie Carney, Linda Webb
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Susan flew into Peason from BC. At the layover in Heathrow, Chris W met up with us.
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| Chris W. and Susan inspecting the clothing |
Elizabeth from Zimbabwe, joined us in Colombo.
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| Chris H, Gail and Elizabeth checking the quality of the mosquito net.
We think Chris is checking visibility
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We received a warm welcome at the airport from Sarath, Ravi and Panni from the Rotary Club of Kelaniya. We have had a close alliance with this group for many years and are looking forward to many memorable moments as we work together to distribute 4,500 bedkits.
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| Julie adjusting bedkit setup |
Team Sri Lanka 2015
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Honduras: Day 7 - A Bittersweet Final Day!
With the continued passion of the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa, 4000 bedkits have been given out to the children of Honduras. A BIG thank you to all the SCAW donors!
With continued support these smiling faces with continue to light up our lives!
Theresa Carravetta for Team Honduras 2015
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With continued support these smiling faces with continue to light up our lives!
Theresa Carravetta for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: Day 6 - Dreams!!
Today the sky was blue and a gentle breeze was blowing and in the background you could hear the laughter of the children waiting in anticipation for what was about to begin
These children have no cell phones game boys or any electronic devices just the thrill of knowing that they were about to receive something special. As the time approached the children's excitement increased and then it came; they were receiving what they had come for - their SCAW bedkits. The look on each face tells the story. Some are all smiles and others are not exactly sure what to do, however tonight each child has a mattress and a pillow to go to sleep on, and school supplies for another day at school. It was a great day.
Jill Power for Team Honduras 2015
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These children have no cell phones game boys or any electronic devices just the thrill of knowing that they were about to receive something special. As the time approached the children's excitement increased and then it came; they were receiving what they had come for - their SCAW bedkits. The look on each face tells the story. Some are all smiles and others are not exactly sure what to do, however tonight each child has a mattress and a pillow to go to sleep on, and school supplies for another day at school. It was a great day.
Jill Power for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: Day 5 - Canada!
The other day, I learned "Old MacDonald had a farm....." is the same in Spanish
as it is in English.
The kids know the Canadian flag and a few things about us. They are happy to receive Canadian flag stickers from us.
As a group we have lots of fun, we work hard and we each experience the joy
that comes from giving on your behalf.
We are grateful for all the support from the two military policemen who not only control the crowd and keep everyone safe but assisted in guiding the children out to their parents.
The smiles, hugs and little gestures of gratitude make a hard days work so worth while.
Ted Nelson for Team Honduras 2015
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as it is in English.
The kids know the Canadian flag and a few things about us. They are happy to receive Canadian flag stickers from us.
As a group we have lots of fun, we work hard and we each experience the joy
that comes from giving on your behalf.
We are grateful for all the support from the two military policemen who not only control the crowd and keep everyone safe but assisted in guiding the children out to their parents.
The smiles, hugs and little gestures of gratitude make a hard days work so worth while.
Ted Nelson for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: Day 4 - Sights and Sounds!
As we traveled the fifty kilometers through the Honduran countryside, I wondered what the day would bring. Just like the three previous days, I saw the uncertainty in the children's beautiful faces until "Hola" was spoken, and they lit up with bright smiles. I heard their laughter, and saw how lovingly they had been prepared for this day.
But nothing could have prepared me for the three homes of former bedkit recipients that we visited. I saw trash littering small yards and emaciated dogs laying in the dust. I walked on uneven dirt floors in homes with no running water or electricity. I saw a room no bigger than a closet where a grandmother and her three grandchildren slept.
I witnessed extreme poverty, but in my shock I saw the love between the women and children, I felt the hugs of three little girls, and I saw the beauty and resiliency of the Honduran people.
Honduras: Day 3 - Boys Will Be Boys!
Today was another successful day of distribution at a school in Tegucigalpa. As we have seen every day, the children are beautiful and so excited to be receiving this gift of their bedkit. Sometimes it is hard to quell their enthusiasm especially the little boys, but others are very shy and bewildered by all the commotion.
Rotarians and Team volunteer helpers, helped them with the first part of the process followed by the carrying out of the bedkit to be greeted at the end gate by their parents.
Today I interviewed two mothers. Both were so extremely thankful that their child was chosen to be one of the recipients. They especially liked the mattress.
It was obvious that a few children were not well. We saw 3 or 4 with Chicken Pox.
Thanks to our generous donors, 600 more children are sleeping well tonight.
Marilyn Olivare for Team Honduras 2015
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Rotarians and Team volunteer helpers, helped them with the first part of the process followed by the carrying out of the bedkit to be greeted at the end gate by their parents.
Today I interviewed two mothers. Both were so extremely thankful that their child was chosen to be one of the recipients. They especially liked the mattress.
It was obvious that a few children were not well. We saw 3 or 4 with Chicken Pox.
Thanks to our generous donors, 600 more children are sleeping well tonight.
Marilyn Olivare for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras Day 2 - A Challenging Location, But Successful!
Today we arrived to throngs of children and parents waiting patiently for their turn to enter through the school gate and receive their bedkit.
The first of a number of large group photographs scheduled for the distribution proved to be very challenging especially for the children having to sit in the hot sun while we arranged them for the perfect picture. Everyone's patience paid off in the end and the children were off to receive their eagerly anticipated bedkits.
Once again we asked them to wait patiently until the previous group had been processed. Even though, as one of them said "it's like Christmas", and the excitement was building.
Finally each of the children received the eagerly anticipated bedkit and in this case this little boy received the hot commodity of the " Minion bedkit".
And now tightly holding on to their "prize" they head out to show their parents after a big "thank you" to the SCAW team in both English and Spanish.
Neil Waugh for Team Honduras 2015
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Neil Waugh for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: Day 1 - A Success!
These two boys want to give all the SCAW donors a 'thumbs up" and a sincere "muchas gracias" for our new clothes!
650 children left today's distribution expressing their excitement with a "thank you " and huge smiles on their faces!
John O'Donnell for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: The Day Before ...
Today we had the pleasure of visiting the warehouse where 4000 bedkits are stored. Within this colorful display, there are 4000 mattresses. The Rotarians have worked endlessly to dress the mattresses in a zippered cover. Stuffed inside these rolls are more contents of the bedkits - a bedsheet, a pillow, a pillow case and a blanket. The rest of the items are all packed in a backpack (the mosquito net and many school supplies!
As we are leaving, the volunteers are stuffing the truck with 650 bedkits for tomorrow's distribution. These will be loaded and then unloaded into classrooms at the first school. Military will guard these bedkits overnight until our arrival in the morning! And then the fun begins as the children arrive with smiling faces and the thrill that they will sleep in comfort!
We are so fortunate to be able to partner with The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Stay tuned for the pictures of the results of all their hard work!!
Theres Carravetta for Team Honduras 2015
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As we are leaving, the volunteers are stuffing the truck with 650 bedkits for tomorrow's distribution. These will be loaded and then unloaded into classrooms at the first school. Military will guard these bedkits overnight until our arrival in the morning! And then the fun begins as the children arrive with smiling faces and the thrill that they will sleep in comfort!
We are so fortunate to be able to partner with The Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa. Stay tuned for the pictures of the results of all their hard work!!
Theres Carravetta for Team Honduras 2015
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Honduras: The Team Has Arrived!!
Back row: L-R Theresa Carravetta (Team Leader) Marilyn Olivares, Jill Power, Rosanne Waugh
Fronto Row: L-R John O'Donnell, Ted Nelson, Neil Waugh
Fronto Row: L-R John O'Donnell, Ted Nelson, Neil Waugh
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Tanzania: Thank You from Team Tanzania!
Last night we said thank you and goodbye to our overseas volunteer partners at an end of distribution party that the SCAW team hosted. These volunteers worked so hard for months to prepare for these past two weeks and show so much heart and love for the children. The SCAW team has been so very privileged to work with such caring people.
Throughout this distribution, team member Helen has been training to take over as team leader in Tanzania. By the last distribution she had taken on most responsibilities including organization of team members and photography. Upon hearing that Helen would be returning as team leader next year, the overseas partner volunteers cheered and gave some very touching speeches, knowing that Helen is kind, capable and passionate and will do an amazing job when she returns next year.
This morning, we said goodbye to four of our team members as they left on safari and the rest of us will board our return flight to Canada later this evening. We have grown as individuals, as a team and have become like family during this experience. Murray Dryden would be overjoyed to know that 5000 more children are now sleeping peacefully. The SCAW donors have made this possible.
Thank you.
Team Tanzania 2015
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This morning we headed out into the country for our final day of distribution. The distribution site was just down the road from where we were yesterday. We arrived at the smallest of the schools that we visited this trip and were greeted by many children and their parents who were already there waiting for us. Locating a site for pictures was complicated because of voter registration that was going on in the same compound. Everyone who wants to vote in the fall election has to register and have the fingerprints entered into a central database.
Once we got started, the day went quickly as we were taking groups of 10 children. With Mama Wandoa's team and a few of the older school boys, we were able to successfully deliver 715 bedkits to needy children.
It was a bittersweet moment when we took the last picture and gave out the last bedkit. We celebrated the end of a successful distribution, but also realized that we would now have to start saying goodbye to the wonderful team that Mama has assembled.
Tonight we will be having a pizza party form Mama and her volunteers to say thank you and goodbye.
Jim for Team Tanzania 2015
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