Honduras: Thank You!
The colourful bedkits have popular animated
characters on them that are easily recognized by the recipients, who
occasionally point out their chosen favourites.
One of the best
parts of our days is when, after our work is done, we are entertained by some
of the children with singing and dancing.
They seem to enjoy the opportunity to share a piece of their culture and
talents in appreciation for the gifts they have received.
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: The Rotaracts
Today the usual functions of the Tegucigalpa Rotary Club members were taken over by the Rotaract Club. The site was previously scouted and the organization was handed over to them. They delivered the bedkits to the site, did some paperwork, and planned the snack.They even assisted in making a second opening in the site perimeter to be used as the day's exit.
Thirteen Rotaract members, including 2 who had not been previously involved, oversaw the distribution of 417 bedkits along with the SCAW team members.
Team Honduras 2016
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Thirteen Rotaract members, including 2 who had not been previously involved, oversaw the distribution of 417 bedkits along with the SCAW team members.
The Rotaracts displayed great organizational skills and were so good with the children. They were a delight to work with and to know.
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Honduras: Interviews!
We have just finished our sixth amazing day of distributions, averaging over 400 bedkits per day.
SCAW is always trying to improve on methods of distribution as well as the quality and benefits of the items included in the bedkits. With that goal in mind, several interviews are conducted using an interpreter with parents or grandparents who have accompanied the children to the schools where they receive their bedkits. When interviewing these people, questions are asked such as where does the child sleep and what do you consider a good night sleep. The interviewer also enquires about the health problems that the family faces and what times of year are the most difficult and why. We are interested in knowing at what age the child started school and at what age the child will stop attending school.
The interviewees are shown all the items in the bedkit and are asked which item they feel is most beneficial and which is least beneficial. They are told that the reason this question is asked, is so that kits in the future would have more high-quality, useful items in them. Most people answer that everything in the kit is most beneficial and there is nothing that is least useful. They are also asked to suggest a bedding item or article of clothing that they feel would be more useful than the articles presently included in the bedkit, again to make sure that we are providing them with the items that best suit their needs.
All interviewees are asked what they would like to say to the donors of the bedkits and they often get quite emotional. They thank and bless us for coming such a long way to help their children's living conditions by giving them such useful items.
We all feel proud to be part of an organization that can offer children a good night's sleep and put smiles on their faces.
Team Honduras 2016
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SCAW is always trying to improve on methods of distribution as well as the quality and benefits of the items included in the bedkits. With that goal in mind, several interviews are conducted using an interpreter with parents or grandparents who have accompanied the children to the schools where they receive their bedkits. When interviewing these people, questions are asked such as where does the child sleep and what do you consider a good night sleep. The interviewer also enquires about the health problems that the family faces and what times of year are the most difficult and why. We are interested in knowing at what age the child started school and at what age the child will stop attending school.The interviewees are shown all the items in the bedkit and are asked which item they feel is most beneficial and which is least beneficial. They are told that the reason this question is asked, is so that kits in the future would have more high-quality, useful items in them. Most people answer that everything in the kit is most beneficial and there is nothing that is least useful. They are also asked to suggest a bedding item or article of clothing that they feel would be more useful than the articles presently included in the bedkit, again to make sure that we are providing them with the items that best suit their needs.
All interviewees are asked what they would like to say to the donors of the bedkits and they often get quite emotional. They thank and bless us for coming such a long way to help their children's living conditions by giving them such useful items.
We all feel proud to be part of an organization that can offer children a good night's sleep and put smiles on their faces.
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: Dedication of the Children!!
Today we were treated to a special event! Not only do the children spend time everyday with their studies but when we arrived a today's site there were 50 children practising their band performance for the upcoming Independence Day which is still almost a month away.
The school today although in a very poor area was extremely well maintained due to the dedication of the principal, teacher and parents.
At the end of the day the Rotarian SCAW project leader waited while the last 2 boys received their bedkits even after the distribution was complete. All examples of 'true dedication'.
Team Honduras 2016
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The school today although in a very poor area was extremely well maintained due to the dedication of the principal, teacher and parents.
At the end of the day the Rotarian SCAW project leader waited while the last 2 boys received their bedkits even after the distribution was complete. All examples of 'true dedication'.
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: Visiting Recipients!
Then we headed off to a home where we had to walk a single mud and rock path to reach the home of a 10 year old boy. He has to take that path plus some dirt roads to walk 20 minutes each day to and from school. We walked up some steep steps to the home where he and his 2 siblings lived with their grandmother. He too was very proud to show us his bed and backpack. The joys on the faces of these 2 children would melt your heart!
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: The Rotaracts!!
These young men and women aged 18-30 aspire to provide good will to their country! The 10 members of this particular Rotaract team work closely with their 'padrinos' (mentors) - the men of the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa - to enrich the 4000 children who will benefit from the SCAW project. They meet every Saturday evening and prepare themselves for our project. Many of them are working and book time off to participate!
Team Honduras 2016
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Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: Actions Speak Louder Than Words!
Imagine these children teaching us how to sing "Head and Shoulders" in Spanish!? While waiting to get their pictures taken we were challenged as were they to be able to keep up with each other. With a little help from our Spanish volunteers everyone had fun!
Here are some pictures from today:
Team Honduras 2016
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Here are some pictures from today:
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: Our First Day!
Hola! Today the 2016 SCAW Team began the first of
nine days in Honduras by distributing beautiful new bedkits to 444 Honduran
children. Children were brought to the location by parents and teachers from
varying distances. Our overseas partners, the Rotarians of Tegucigalpa, have
outdone themselves in sourcing such colourful and child-friendly bedding. The
children were excited to choose from a variety of their favourite animated characters
and super heroes! Our first day ran very smoothly in a small area within the
school grounds and with the help of many Honduran volunteers, organized by the
Rotarians.
The Team was pleased and impressed that at the end of the
distribution to be given a tour of the Military Co-op which makes all of the
shirts and shorts for the 4000 children who will receive bedkits this
distribution. We are sure that SCAW donors will appreciate that these outfits
will be put to good use as physical education uniforms for the children at
school.
The Military Co-op manufactures military uniforms, boots and
clothing; these items and the SCAW outfits are produced by almost 500
employees. The industry uses some of its profits to support projects, which
include speaking to school children about leading lives that will help to keep
them from the gang lifestyle that is prevalent in the country. They support
people with disabilities by employing them to perform some of the manufacturing
and sewing jobs in the operation.
All in all it was a fun, interesting and inspiring day for
the Team. We are busy preparing for and looking forward to our second day
tomorrow.
Team Honduras 2016
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Honduras: The Team Has Arrived!!
Team Honduras 2016 has arrived and will begin their first distribution on Monday. Stay tuned for another exciting journey!
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Back Row - L-R: Mike Carravetta, Marianne Tomlinson, John O'Donnell
Front Row - L-R: Theresa Carravetta, Karen Bridgman-Acker, Ricki Miles, Kathy Christie
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Team Honduras 2016
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Tanzania: July 22, 2016 - 5000 Bedkits!
This afternoon, in Mchickichini, the 5000th Bedkit was given to a delightful child, beaming with joy, as she held each item, packing them in her "mifuko" (bag), giving thumbs up and smiling from ear to ear. She waited patiently, blowing bubbles and playing with the SCAW team.
The 5000th Bedkit was purchased by our team as a thank you gift to the overseas volunteers here in Tanzania. The jobs of the volunteers included: helping children get dressed into their brand new clothes; carrying, folding and tying 715 mattresses each morning; cutting off the bracelets used to identity Bedkit recipients; helping the children find their backpacks and baggies (Swahili for bag!) with their school uniforms; sizing the children to receive their Bedkit (large or small); and helping our team to learn Swahili (some of us can count all the way to 20, and a few of us know 5-6 colours). Many of the volunteers are also employed from January to July, preparing the bedkits- cutting fabric, sewing clothes, and packing the 5000 bedkits. Other volunteers gave up possible work days, proud to be able to help children who need it. I asked one volunteer if he was sad because it was our last day of distribution, and he told me no- that he was happy because he knows the children are happy, and he cares about them. Each volunteer has a story, each has given of themselves to ensure 5000 Tanzanian children can sleep better and dream bigger thanks to the generous gift of a Bedkit.
The gift of a Bedkit is a gift that keeps on giving. In some ways, this thank-you gift to our overseas volunteer team had 4 recipients, and we could see the impact for all four immediately- the volunteers, the child, her family, and the SCAW volunteers. The volunteers were beaming with pride, smiling for the camera ("Cheka!" - Swahili for smile), and so grateful for their thank you gift to be a gift for a child. The child was delighted, happily posing for the camera, arms around SCAW volunteers, and giving the thumbs up. Walking away with her new "godoro" (mattress) balanced on her head and her "mifuko" (bag) on her back, we saw her mama greet her happily. We know that the Bedkit will help her family- and we can only imagine the ripple effect of this gift. We as SCAW volunteers were gifted with the opportunity to see- for the 5000th time in 7 days- the incredible joy of receiving a Bedkit. The young girl shook our hands, looked us in the eyes and warmly told us, "thank you".
The gifts we have given this week, thanks to generous donors, have been gifts for us, too. We have been gifted with love and laughter, with hope and humility, and been gifted with new friendships to cherish for years to come. 5000 bedkits delivered to 5000 children adds up to so much more.
Asante Sana.
Thank you.
Team Tanzania 2016
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The 5000th Bedkit was purchased by our team as a thank you gift to the overseas volunteers here in Tanzania. The jobs of the volunteers included: helping children get dressed into their brand new clothes; carrying, folding and tying 715 mattresses each morning; cutting off the bracelets used to identity Bedkit recipients; helping the children find their backpacks and baggies (Swahili for bag!) with their school uniforms; sizing the children to receive their Bedkit (large or small); and helping our team to learn Swahili (some of us can count all the way to 20, and a few of us know 5-6 colours). Many of the volunteers are also employed from January to July, preparing the bedkits- cutting fabric, sewing clothes, and packing the 5000 bedkits. Other volunteers gave up possible work days, proud to be able to help children who need it. I asked one volunteer if he was sad because it was our last day of distribution, and he told me no- that he was happy because he knows the children are happy, and he cares about them. Each volunteer has a story, each has given of themselves to ensure 5000 Tanzanian children can sleep better and dream bigger thanks to the generous gift of a Bedkit.
The gift of a Bedkit is a gift that keeps on giving. In some ways, this thank-you gift to our overseas volunteer team had 4 recipients, and we could see the impact for all four immediately- the volunteers, the child, her family, and the SCAW volunteers. The volunteers were beaming with pride, smiling for the camera ("Cheka!" - Swahili for smile), and so grateful for their thank you gift to be a gift for a child. The child was delighted, happily posing for the camera, arms around SCAW volunteers, and giving the thumbs up. Walking away with her new "godoro" (mattress) balanced on her head and her "mifuko" (bag) on her back, we saw her mama greet her happily. We know that the Bedkit will help her family- and we can only imagine the ripple effect of this gift. We as SCAW volunteers were gifted with the opportunity to see- for the 5000th time in 7 days- the incredible joy of receiving a Bedkit. The young girl shook our hands, looked us in the eyes and warmly told us, "thank you".The gifts we have given this week, thanks to generous donors, have been gifts for us, too. We have been gifted with love and laughter, with hope and humility, and been gifted with new friendships to cherish for years to come. 5000 bedkits delivered to 5000 children adds up to so much more.
Asante Sana.
Thank you.
Team Tanzania 2016
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Tanzania: July 21, 2016 - Preferences
As we just ended the second to last distribution today, the
sunniest and warmest day so far, we have been noticing that kids are choosing
their mattresses so differently- it's fun watching them!
There is the “quick one”- They would pick any- actually- the
closest
Then, the “analyzer”- They already know what they want because
they saw how the distribution works, and they made up their mind while waiting
in line for their pictures to be taken
The “shy one”- who would choose the one you have your hand
on
The “digger”- the one they want is actually in the middle of the
pile, the one you cannot reach easily
The “twins”- who wait for their best friend and so that they can
choose together
The “weather vane”- who chooses one, and then suddenly changes
their mind to pick a different one.
One thing is for sure- each child will surely have a good
night’s sleep on their brand new mattress, regardless of what kind of chooser
they are.
Gen for Team Tanzania 2016
Tanzania: July 20th, 2016
After finishing another distribution today
in Nzasa, I have really begun to realize just how much of an impact on these
children’s lives SCAW is making. Another 715 bedkits and mattresses were handed
out today, and another 715 families will have a good night’s sleep tonight.
When we arrived in Nzasa this morning, the
kids seemed really excited to meet us, like they always do. However, there
seemed to be something extra in their excitement when they received bedkits
today. The bedkit distribution seemed to go a lot faster and the children were
full of energy and fun. Overall, another great day, another great distribution.
Team Tanzania 2016
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Distribution number four in Tanzania was in
Kawawa today, and another 715 children and their families will have a more comfortable
place to sleep tonight. As our Swahili
improves, our interactions with the children are getting fuller. The children are excited to talk with us, to
listen to our singing and laughing, and to find out about our homes.
The need in Tanzania becomes more evident
to us every day too. Showing the bedkits
to families always invokes loud cheers from them. Seeing the family reunions after each child
leaves with their new bedkit, we see the smiles from a distance. We also see the prevalent need for support when
the distribution is underway, as children and families wait nearby, hoping that
extras will be available for them too.
It is a particular joy for us to see the
names of personal friends and family who have donated a bedkit, and to meet the
child(ren) receiving a bedkit from someone we know at home.
We have been told many times that this is
winter in Tanzania, and that the children and families are finding the cold
temperatures (22 C at the lowest) difficult.
As for our team, we are managing well in the Tanzanian sun, dust, and
humidity. Each day is a lot of work, and
a lot of joy.
Team Tanzania 2016
Tanzania: July 18, 2016
Our team was privileged to visit the home of a bedkit recipient after our distribution on Monday. We drove a long way on some very rough roads to get to there, which means that the children would have to walk a long way each day to school. The home had two rooms, one for family living and the other for sleeping. Mama and the two children of the family were very excited to receive the bedkit. She explained that she would cook outdoors on an open fire and she had bought some chickens, hoping to get some eggs in the future. We left our visit feeling very blessed with what we have in Canada.Team Tanzania 2016
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Tanzania: July 17, 2016
Sunday is often described as “a day of
rest” but not for this year’s SCAW team in Tanzania. Despite having no bedkit distributions today,
we were out the door at 6:40 a.m., heading to church with Mama Wandoa, Benjamin
and Wendy. The choir’s music was beautiful
and lively, and at the end of the service we were invited to visit the
children’s Sunday School where our team taught “If You’re Happy and You Know
It” to the children—great fun was had by all!
In the afternoon, we toured through the Village
Museum and learned so much about traditional customs, housing and heritage of
seven different tribes of Tanzania.
Several of our team members and our driver joined the dancers and
learned some new moves to try at home.
At the end of the afternoon, we went to two
community markets to see local artisans at work and to practice our bargaining
skills in order to purchase a few souvenirs.
Today’s experiences will help us better
understand the families and children we are meeting, as we continued to learn
about the unique and wonderful Tanzanian culture. We are fully refreshed and ready for
distribution number three tomorrow.
Tanzania: July 16th, 2016
Day two and we were anxious to fine tune what we discovered on day one!
We left close to 6:30 am and arrived an hour later at the school in Buyuni. Trees shaded the grounds of the school and hundreds of children and their families were there excitedly awaiting our arrival.
We were introduced to the families by Benjamin and entertained with a music circle by the children. We were told the theme of the children's entertainment was based on road safety and it looked like a fun and creative way to deliver an important message. Watching children fill buckets and water the grass, the teacher told us that the signs on the trees remind the students that sharing the planet and keeping our planet green is their goal.
The Head Teacher told us that 2,260 students attend his school, aged from 5 to 11 years . There are 45 teachers in the school, and two teachers are assigned to every 100 student classroom.
Yesterday I asked students from a similar size school if they "liked their teachers" and was overwhelmed by the positive response in English of "we LOVE both our teachers!" Education is an important goal of most of the people of Tanzania.
Today, we gave out 710 Bed kits without any glitches, and thanks to the volunteers, we learned enough Swahili to say to them "This is a gift to you from a friend in Canada" as they lifted the backpacks onto their backs.
Team Tanzania 2016\
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Tanzania: July 15, 2016
Today we had our first bedkit distribution
in Temboni at a small school about fifteen minutes off the main road. When we
arrived, the children and their parents were thrilled to meet us. We quickly set up and with Mama Wandoa’s help
had the distribution on its way. A highlight of the distribution (and a real
moment of enjoyment for someone who had never been on a trip before) was seeing
how happy the children were when we handed them the bedkits and mattresses. When
we showed the parents what was in the bedkits they were overjoyed and cheered
loudly. It’s so great to think about that over seven hundred children will be
sleeping better tonight.
Team Tanzania 2016
Tanzania: July 14, 2016
Part of the challenge with a distribution
in a foreign country is trying to adapt to every situation possible. Today is
an example, as we had to reschedule the distribution because of a change in the
country’s exams for students entering secondary school. Children had to attend
class so, we started our journey…. with a field trip! It was a great
opportunity for us to learn more about the people, their culture and the
country of Tanzania.
We had the opportunity to meet Said, a
history teacher, mentor and also a fantastic guide that gave us a lot of
information about how African history evolved over the years. We tried many
different regional fruits and ate local typical food. We also explored the
spice fields filled with many of the well-known spices of Zanzibar. Our guide seemed
to know everyone on the island and it was amazing to see his genuine involvement
with local citizens in need.
During the day, we learned so much, and as
nothing happens for nothing, we will be more knowledgeable about the children’s
reality for our first day of distribution tomorrow.
Team Tanzania 2016
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Sri Lanka: Mission Accomplished!!
Today we completed our last day of distribution. It feels so good to say that we've given bedits to 4,000 children in Sri Lanka.
Shelley was able to get some further information from a bedkit recipient and her father by conducting an interview on the usefulness of the bedkit.
We had an opportunity to visit another home of a bedkit recipient. The family of four resided in a mud hut. They were not able to stay in the home during the rainy season and needed to board with a family down the road. They also told us that they continually have challenges with elephants damaging their property.
It has been a wonderful experience distributing bedkits to children in Sri Lanka and working with our Overseas partners.
Sincerely,
Team Sri Lanka 2016
Judy, Marni, Shelley, David, John, and Katie