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Philippines: Laoag and Burgos!

Today we did a distribution at  Laoag. It went extremely well, including a live pony and ice cream seller as props for the photo shoot. We did some more recipient interviews, both were blind children. One had the gift of music. Though blind Ian an 8yr old lad taught himself to play the piano. He is able to go to school but at his age it is only half days. Unfortunately he is an only child as well so he seldom has anyone to play with as he has to stay close to his mother. His home situation is complicated with the father abandoning the mother and child at his birth. To survive she moved back to her mother's house where young Ian practises on her piano. We were assured that he was quite good and that he could make a living from playing the piano. Blind artists by custom are in demand at various gatherings such as wedding and funerals. Another Stevie Wonder maybe? What was the most important thing in the bedkit? The towel, because now I can have a bath. We ended the visit with a gorgeous meal that left us full. 




On route to our next site we stopped off at Paoay Church, the Roman Catholic church of the Ilocos Norte. This is a UNESCO Heritage site built around 1710. 


In the afternoon we drove to Burgos and the Argo-Industrial school. This is an agrarian community with most being farmers. Again more interviews. Jay-de is 8yrs old living with his family in a bamboo structure of roughly 12x 14 ft with an earthen floor. They suggested that more school supplies would be good. After the distribution a dance troupe put on a colourful local dance for us. As is the custom we were treated to a meal. This time it was a suckling pig, with crackling! 




We had a lot of traveling today and finally got to our hotel about 8pm.

Team Philippines 2016
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Philippines: Day of "Rest"!

Today was our "rest" day which was pretty busy! Left early in the morning for Nayong Pilipino - a type of park which is filled with recreations of historic Phiippino architecture. Some interesting things to see and pretty flowers along the way.  Afternoon was at the Clark Museum which tells the history of the Clark Naval Base. Fascinating story which includes the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 and the economic development.



We had an early start to our  Sunday morning after our rest day. We left Angeles at 8:00 to start the distribution at 9:30. We travelled to Zaragoga. This was the first time a distribution in this town and the children were excited and a little confused as to what we were doing there. Once they discovered how the process worked after getting their picture taken they were running with excitement to receive their kit.


One of the jobs of the travelling volunteers is to interview a recipient with their parents to gain insight into their lives. We also ask them what items would be the most useful in the kit. The answer most of the time is all of it. I interviewed a woman Mary Jane and her daughter Ryanne.  Ryanne was unable to walk so her mother had to carry her everywhere. They had walked 4 hours in order to receive the bedkit and this gift will assist this child and hopefully make life a little easier for both of them.


Jenny Simpson for Team Philippines 2016
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Philippines: New Sites!

After a stay at the hotel in Aringay near the seaside, off we go to our first distribution in the same town.  We were met at Carmen National High School by lots of smiles from the children and their parents and other family members.  The school site is also an assembly location for typhoon and flood evacuation, which is always a concern here in the Philippines. 


We distributed 300 bed kits to the wonderful children of Aringay, all of whom were happy to give us a high five whenever we put up our hands. All of the children and their parents were very appreciative and were very thankful to everyone in Canada whose donations made this possible.  After our distribution, we were treated to a fantastic lunch prepared by the local school parents. Before we left, we were given a lovely gift bag of local treats and a weaved tray to take home.


We boarded our van and off we went to our next distribution, two hours drive drive along the coastal highway in Luna.  We were greeted at Luna National School by the children and their families with cheering and waves.  The local Vice Mayor gave all SCAW a warm welcome speech and a sincere thank you for choosing his town and this school.  


We distributed the 300 bed bed kits and received the traditional blessing from many of the children by them taking our hand and touching their foreheads with it and saying "thank you po."  Very touching.


We received a nice gift bag and certificate of thanks from the Vice Mayor, then we were treated to a delicious afternoon lunch known as a Merienda.  After a brief tour of the magnificent cathedral in Luna, we drove to Laoag for the night.


Both Aringay and Luna were new sites for bed kits distributions and they each went very well.  Three cheers for the SCAW Philippines team and each local team for excellent planning and organization before we arrived to do the distributions!


Brian Barr for Team Philippines 2016

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Uganda: Getting Underway in Uganda!

Today our team visited three factories that produced bedkit items - the mattress, bedsheet, children's clothing and school bag  - with our partner the Inner Wheel ladies.  We were impressed with the quality of all items, and the cleanliness of the factories.  All the bedkits are stored at the mattress factory, and have been counted and organized for each day of the distribution.  The team is excited to see the children and start the distributions tomorrow.




Ted for Team Uganda 2016
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Uganda: The Team Has Arrived!!

 Greetings from Uganda.  The Team has arrived!

After a long journey starting in Toronto with a layover in Dubai, Team Uganda arrived at the Entebbe airport this afternoon.  We were met by several members of the Inner Wheel of Kampala our overseas partners.  We were so exited to see them and as you can see we are a very happy group.  We are now safely settled in at our home away from home in Kampala. Tomorrow will be a day of meetings and factory visits then Tuesday we will be off for our first distribution.  Stay tuned!
Ready and eager to start our journey from Toronto
sitting:  Nancy Loveless, Ted Swanston, Carol Swanston
standing:  jan Gayman,  Susan Sheremeta, Norma Rookwood, Jean McNab
Dubai airport. Just 5 more hours to go.


We have arrived!



 Team Uganda 2016
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Zimbabwe: Meeting the Families!

Please meet this family of 5- Gogo (Grandma) and her 4 grandchildren ages 4,6, 8, and 15 (at school, so absent from the photo).  We had the pleasure of meeting the 6 year old at his school when we gave him his bedkit.  He was wiggling with excitement when we came to his home and chatted with his Gogo.  She was busy assembling his mosquito net, readying it to hang above his new bedkit. Her life has been typical, if a hard one- raising her grandchildren, living a hand to mouth existence by gathering firewood and selling it roadside.  They live on borrowed land, and there are many worries about the future.  Our discussion made us realize yet again how glad we are to be in this country, volunteering with wonderful, kind-hearted individuals who are working hard to improve the lives of children.


Team Zimbabwe 2016
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Philippines: Daily Adventures!!

Today was another good day for SCAW Team Philippines. Thunder storms delayed our departure for Magalang but it did not impact the distribution too much, neither did the 91'F. Our first challenge was to get into the site.


A very tight squeeze but nothing our driver Lando could not handle. Three hundred smiling young faces greeted us. Well behaved but they were not sure what was about to happen. Siblings waited and watched the entire distribution waiting for brother or sister.

Some played, some talked to their friends, others horsed around until order was called. Our opening  started with the singing of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems, a greeting from our donors delivered by our team leader and then the distribution. Some were excited, others puzzled while others just wanted to go play.

We are becoming a well oiled team, from setting up labels, taking the photos, guiding the children to the next spot and handing out the bedkits And all along the way the lovely  interaction with the kids..

Today we did some interviews. An adult and child were pulled aside as they left the area with a bedkit. We asked if we could get their opinions aimed ar improving the bedkits. What was the best thing in the kit? What items was of limited use? What could we add to the kit? The answers were not too unexpected.  The mat was generally number one, though occasionally school supplies have been the most desired item. All through this, the child is beaming. 

Our lunch, a Filipino meal was provided by one of our hosts. Adobo, fish and other delicacies ending with Maria's Secret, a mixture of rice, ice cream and mango. More than enough to get us to Mabalacat.

And then the routines starts all over again. The children in this distribution were from an indigenous group on a nearby mountain.  They had to be driven a distance to the site, a park. Turns out we are into the start of the  wet season, luck held out though and the rain did not materialize.

From Team Philippines 2016

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Philippines:650 More Kids Will Be Sleeping Better Tonight!!

After a brief but torrential rainstorm overnight, today was hot and humid. Our first distribution was inside a basketball court in Angeles, Pampagna, where 300 enthusiastic, cheering and clapping Filipino children greeted us. With SCAW Philippines and local volunteers working alongside the Canadian team, the day went smoothly.




The afternoon found us in Porac, where Aeta children had been brought by a variety of transportation to the local sports arena. These children are from indigenous families living close to Mount Pinatubo. The Aeta children brought high spirits and enthusiasm to a new level!!





The proceedings began with a traditional dance from four bedkit recipients lead by an Elder from the local Aeta community. Of course…..our team was invited to join in!

Chris Hills for Team Philippines 2016
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Philippines: Day Three!

Well we hit the road today, leaving the hustle and bustle of Manila and our cozy hotel to head north. Our first stop was in a Plaridel where the children were seated in bleachers waiting patiently to receive their bedkits. It was nice to the whole group together and see all the 350 smiling faces together.  I was lucky enough to be on bedkit duty so was fortunate enough to hand the kits to all the kids. (the best job of the day)  The children were so polite and excited to receive their kit making it always a pleasure to give them their gift. 

The local volunteers do an enormous of work getting things organized on the site before we arrive. From setting things up and having the bedkits ready to preparing a lovely meal for us to enjoy together after the distribution.  

After the morning distribution we continued on to Arayat arriving with a police escort! The parents and children were waiting for us to arrive and we ended the distribution with ice creams cones which was a great way to end a very hot day.



Jenny Simpson for Team Philippines 2016
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Zimbabwe: First Experiences!


Fun with the kids today on our small, start up distribution!  One of the kids told team member Elizabeth how excited he was, not only for the bedkit, but because today, for the first time in his life, he had met a white person.  Many new experiences had by all!


Team Zimbabwe 2016
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Philippines: Marilao

We arrived at Marilao to the sound of the school band playing and cheerleaders twirling flags and stepping to the music.  What a welcome!



To get here, we drove 50 km north from our hotel in Quezon City to Marilao in Bulacan Province.  Little did we know our hosts were up before dawn clearing the school courtyard of mud and water from floods caused by heavy rains the night before, and transporting some of the children by boat through the flood waters to the school to make it on time for our distribution.  These are people who deal with hardship every day, but do so with a big smile on their face.  


Before we distributed our 350 bedkits, we were treated to a spirited singing of O Canada by the chldren.  Thanks to excellent organizational work by Dr. Ito's SCAW Philippines team, the local team from the school, and our own Canadian team, the distribution went very well.  We were then treated to an excellent lunch, including delicious Filipino papaya.  


After lunch we were invited to visit three homes of families whose children received bedkits today.  They showed us around their modest one or two room homes of 300 to 400 sq ft housing sometimes three generations of 7 or more family members -- always with pride and warm smiles.




How would I sum up our experience with the children of Marilao?  Maganda, which means "beautiful" in Filipino!


Brian Barr for Team Philippines 2016

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Zimbabwe: We Have Arrived!

We have arrived Zimbabwe and had a wonderful day preparing for distribution with our Zimbabwe partners.  We visited the bright and busy manufacturing facility of the clothing for the children.  We were also able to meet with some of the Interact (young Rotarians) who had been busy helping out by packaging the items for the bedkits.  One of our partners, Elizabeth, noted how the SCAW distribution has given her the opportunity to meet many new people, make many new friends in different occupations.  SCAW broadens our world, all the while making it seem smaller- an awesome contradiction of sorts!  


Debbie Will-Dryden for Team Zimbabwe 2016
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Philippines: Antipolo

Today was an exciting day as it was our first full day in the Philippines and our first distribution.  After an early start, we boarded our van and headed to visit the warehouse and assembly location for the bedkits.  It was interesting to watch the assembly of the kits and even be put into action assembling a few on our own!  After seeing how this is done and the kits prepared for transport and distribution we were fortunate to enjoy a traditional lunch and get to know our partners on the ground a little better.  



From there we headed off to Antipolo which was the site of our first distribution.  We met the children at a school and quickly set up for handing out the bedkis.  The children and all the local volunteers were so excited to see the bedkits coming of the truck!  



Quick local facts:  it is very warm and humid!  They love to take pictures and then more pictures! They love to eat and share their food!




It was a very successful and heart warming day for all of us and we're excited to see more children tomorrow!



Joan Hatcher for Team Philippines 2016
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Philippines: The 2016 Team Has Arrived!!

The team arrived in  Manila a 4:30 this morning following an incident free flight from Toronto via Shanghai. The warmth of the early morning made us fully aware we were in the Philippines. Jess Navarro gave us an equally warm welcome and with the ever-skillfull Lando at the wheel we were soon at our hotel. After a much needed rest we will be off on our first distribution tomorrow. Can't wait to see those smiles!

Team Philippines 2016
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Togo: Murray Dryden's Dream Continues

Sally Jo, Doug, 5,000 bedkit recipient, Messenh
The Togo team 2016 happily completed our distribution of 5,000 bedkits today. It was another hot and humid day as the van bounced along the dusty roads. The landscape changed from city to villages, heavy traffic to ambling pedestrians. The fields growing corn, cassava and the ever-present mango trees had the cameras clicking.
Arriving at the site we were greeted by a rainbow of children wearing the t-shirts, shorts and skirts from the bedkit. We really have enjoyed dancing with the adults, “high fiving” the kids and using the bubble wands to bring laughter.
The area was really well shaded so the children were comfortable out of the sun and the young volunteers did a great job of lining them up for the photographs.


100, 200, 300, 400 and finally 500 back packs and mattresses had found new owners. A photograph of the lucky #5,000th child was taken. Our mission was accomplished.

After a wrap up meeting with our AED (Action Enfance et Developpement) partners, there were thanks and hugs all around. We know we have made a difference for the children and their families. Murray’s dream that every child should have “the comfort of a good night’s sleep” is closer to reality.

On the return journey we passed a village where a couple of children were hanging around. Time to give them a soccer ball! A crowd gathered within minutes as the ball and pump were given to one lucky boy. But of course the game requires many players so we know that more children will feel the love of strangers as they play soccer in their village.

Sally Jo Martin for Team Togo 2016
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Togo: Story

Remember the ‘story’ your Grandma or Grandpa told you about how they walked to school 5 kilometres (uphill - both ways)?

What was the last time you walked 5 kms (not trying to log steps on your Fitbit)?  What about 5 kms twice in the same day?

What about your young child – have they ever walked 5 kms?

Can you imagine them walking – alone, or with a friend or two of the same age – 5 kms to school at 9 am; then 5 kms home at noon; then 5 kms back to school at 3 pm (in temperatures of +35 degrees Celsius); and finally 5 kms home again at 5 pm just as dusk is starting to set in?

That was one of the common themes we came across this distribution – how far the kids travel to get an education. To arrive at a one-room hut with little wooden desk.  No air conditioning.  No interactive devices.  Just a basic notebook and a pencil.   Not all schools are this way, there are some schools made of brick, and have chalkboards (ok, maybe that’s a stretch – it is a part of the wall painted with green ‘chalk’ paint).  Most don’t have electricity.  So while the kids want to stay to learn, and the teachers want to stay to teach, they can only use the tools they have, so as daylight departs so must they.
 
For some of the kids, the benefit is that they will go home to a bedkit.  A mattress to rest their tired little legs.  A mosquito net to protect them a buzzing nuisance all through the night, and allow their young mind to rest peacefully.  All in preparation for the start of their next round of 5 km walks the next day.  And the day after.  And the day after that.

Others are not as fortunate – they have not received a bedkit.  But they will trudge on – 5 kms at a time, perhaps in the hope of being one of next year’s bedkit recipients.


Danielle Lalonde for Team Togo 2016
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