Five hundred and fifty
more bedkits were handed out today! When
the individual items were held up by our passionate leader, Sue, they cheered
the most for the backpack.
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Our 4th distribution today was in
Kilpauk at a school very close to our hotel. However, some of the children who
received the bedkits were bussed from great distances…some as far as 90 km.
Most children are dressed in their new clothes when they arrive at the
site. Today some arrived from the
villages dressed in traditional clothing.
On this delivery we had the company of Thiru at the grand age of 89. He was a participant on the first SCAW distribution in Chennai with Murray Dryden 31 years
Team Chennai 2017
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On this delivery we had the company of Thiru at the grand age of 89. He was a participant on the first SCAW distribution in Chennai with Murray Dryden 31 years
Team Chennai 2017
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The day started with a delicious meal
provided by the Rotarians for the children and parents.
We were very fortunate to have the teenage
leadership students helping in so many ways-guiding and playing with the
children, providing translation and helping with bedkits.
Another successful day ended with big
smiles from all the children.
Team Kolkata 2017
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Today the team was led into the school at Tiruvallur today by the
student marching band. It was a spectacular entrance!
Out of 390 bedkits, 370 were singles which afforded SCAW members
lots of one on one contact with the grateful & excited children.
After the delivery, we were honoured to visit the family home of a
recipient, where 7 people live and sleep in one room.
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Unloading the bedkits at one of our two distribution sites today.
The girls waiting eagerly in their new
dresses.
I think my dress is nicer than yours! 😊
Finally Saadoun broke the ice with this
lovely girl.
Heading home with a big smile and a bedkit! 😊
Team Kolkata 2017
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Exhilarated with
yesterday’s distribution, and inspired by all the good this incredible Rotarian
group provides for their community, the team headed out for a distribution at
T. Nagar.
The children were
guided through a maze of volunteers from the all girl public school that hosted
SCAW. They looked in awed by the process and were appreciative of the gifts
that were so generously donated.
Team Chennai 2017
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Day 1 was a huge
success, starting with a sumptuous breakfast cooked and served by the teachers
of the host school in Avadi. Yum!
The Chennai Rotarians
organized efficient and capable student and teacher volunteers who helped the whole
day run smoothly.
After the 681 bedkits
were on the way home with the children, the SCAW team was treated to a demonstration
of chanting by young men who are training to be Tamil priests.
Next stop was the Ambattur Rotary Hospital. Among
other medical procedures it provides an eye clinic, dialysis and physio therapy
for children with cerebral palsy.
Can’t wait for Day 2!
Team Chennai 2017
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Today,
we had our pre-distribution meeting with the Rotarians. This was followed by an
opportunity to meet with other members of the Rotary Club of Dum Dum and their
families and enjoy their gracious hospitality. All the details are set to
start our distributions off tomorrow.
We also celebrated the birthday of one of our team members, Saadoun.
Happy
Birthday!
Team Kolkata 2017
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Team Kolkata arrived at 4:30 AM and were welcomed by the members of the Rotary Club of Dum Dum with "Atihi Devo Bhava" which included "Malas" (garlands) and "Tilak" of vermilion; a gesture of good will, honour and unity. The team had a first look at the bedkit which is full of items that the children and their families will find very useful. We're keen to get started!
Team Kolkata 2017
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Team Kolkata 2017
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Today
we untied the bed kit bag to check for quality as well as quantity. Well done
Ambattur Rotarians. The children will sleep well.
Team Chennai 2017
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Team Chennai 2017
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The Ambattur Rotarians
welcomed the Canadian team at Chennai International Airport bright and early
this morning! It was a grand meet up
involving lots of smiles, hugs, introductions garlands and Indian coffees.
Everyone is eager to
get oriented, organized and on the road to begin distributions.
Team Chennai 2017
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The final day!
You never know what will happen at the conclusion of a SCAW distribution and today was unlike no other. 4000 children's lives have been enriched by the generosity of SCAW donors. "Muchas gracias" was heard over and over today as we end the Honduras distribution. And show their gratitude - the children at the final school performed for us. Little did we know that we would be a part of the performance!
A sincere thanks to all the donors, the SCAW team, the Rotarians and the Rotaracts who helped make this yet another successful journey!
You never know what will happen at the conclusion of a SCAW distribution and today was unlike no other. 4000 children's lives have been enriched by the generosity of SCAW donors. "Muchas gracias" was heard over and over today as we end the Honduras distribution. And show their gratitude - the children at the final school performed for us. Little did we know that we would be a part of the performance!
A sincere thanks to all the donors, the SCAW team, the Rotarians and the Rotaracts who helped make this yet another successful journey!
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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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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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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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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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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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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