Chennai: Thank You Thangavelu!

Today we visited five cottage industries that make articles for the SCAW bedkit. Each community benefits from the production of the SCAW item.  For the last ten years Thangavelu, a SCAW volunteer, has supervised the production of the SCAW quilt, mosquito net, pillow and t-shirt. 

Happy Children!

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Team Chennai 2017
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Chennai: Trichy

Our first experience with rain so far, but thankfully it held off until the last few photos. Over 600 recipients received bedkits…our largest distribution so far.  The Rotarian/SCAW team’s system ran like a well oiled machine:  line up children, photograph them, put a smiley face on their arm, collect their identification card and finally they gratefully accept their bedkit! 

Team Chennai 2017
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Chennai: Puducherry

Yesterday was a travel/rest day so we were all eager to get back to work. 

Since all the children were congregated in one hall, we were able to interact with them as a whole before handing out 520 bedkits.  We had fun singing songs and doing chants.  Surprisingly they all knew Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  Once again the heavens unite us all!

Team Chennai 2017
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Kolkata: Near and Far!

Children and parents travelling from near and far by various modes of transportation to get their bedkits. Incredibly, some children travelled for seven hours, one way!  A testament to how prized a bedkit really is in Kolkata.

Team Kolkata 2017 

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Kolkata: Entertaining!

During a big distribution, it is helpful to keep the children occupied while they wait for their photos and bedkits.  Clearly, the SCAW volunteers are having a good time, too!

Some of the over 900 children waiting for their photos and bedkits.

Playing catch with the children that are waiting for their pictures.

Saadoun finally catching a throw from one of the future professional ball players.

Clapping along with a Rotarian volunteer.

Blowing bubbles was a bit hit with everyone standing in line.

Team Kolkata 2017

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Kolkata: Lean on me

No matter where we are, we all need someone to help once in a while.  We had plenty of help at our two distributions today.

The buddy system begins at an early age

High school students helping with handing out the bedkits, taking tickets from the back packs and reuniting the children with their parents.

The Rotariannes helping with distribution.

Teachers of the future were on hand to help the children get into their new clothes.

Parents helping to carry the bedkits on the way home.  

Team Kolkata 2017
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Chennai: Nellore

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.

Team Chennai 2017
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Chennai: Kilpauk

Our 4^th 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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Kolkata: Young Helpers Make a Difference!

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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Chennai: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

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.

Team Chennai 2017
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Kolkata: Double Distribution Day!

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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Chennai: T Nagar

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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Chennai: Hard at Work!

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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Kolkata: Happy Birthday Saadoun!

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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Kolkata: The Team Has Arrived!

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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Chennai: Preparing for Avadi

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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Chennai: The Team Has Arrived!

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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Honduras: The Final Day!!

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!

Adios!
Team Honduras 2016
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