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Our grand arrival in Morgaon, Karen leading the Procession on Horseback.
Horn player announcing our arrival in the tent.
Students dressed in Sarees doing tradition dancing for our entertainment.
Having fun with the children while they are waiting for their picture to be taken.
Happy child receiving the Back Pack filled with goodies.
Team Pune 2017
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Indapur is our most distant distribution at about 120 KM from Pune. Thus this day was among our longest days at just over 14 hours. Leaving at 7:30AM and arriving back at our hotel at about 10:00PM.
It was a long but rewarding day. The pictures I have attached show a young girl running from one pick-up point to the next anxious to get her next part of the bedkit.
The second and third pictures show parents, kit receivers and siblings loaded down with the bedkit and being transported home.
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Yesterday, on our leisure day, we were treated to a
classical Indian Dancing Festival.
Today, we had a Pune City distribution of over 900 kits. We
were entertained with dancing before beginning our setup and distribution. The
children and parents were enthusiastic throughout the day about receiving the
bedkits.
Thanks to all the Rotarians and volunteers who helped
Sleeping Children Around the World for making this such a successful day.
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Our team had a lot of assistance from the local Bhigwan Rotary Club, along with the our Overseas Partners, the Rotary Club of Cantonment, and numerous other volunteers to hand out 800 bedkits. We sure couldn't have succeeded without everyone's help.
Team Pune 2017
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Here is Irwin handing out a bedkit to a smiling child.
Back packs were much appreciated by all the children. Jill is handing out a back pack to a most appreciative child.
On our way home in our van, one of the Rotary Club of Cantonment members spotted a little girl who had pjs on, that looked like the ones we had just distributed earlier in the day. We stopped and asked her and she said yes, she had just received them today. Here she is modeling her new pjs. Many children in India wear their day clothes to bed, because they have no PJs.
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The Pune team set out on a mission to distribute 800 bedkits in Daund. After a fairly smooth drive and a tasty masala-tea break along the way, we arrived at Daund, where we received a warm greeting from the Daund volunteers. The distribution was hosted at a beautiful school, which opened its doors to the many children from the surrounding area to come to receive a bedkit. The local school girls were excited with our presence.
Team Pune 2017
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Shortly after arriving, our heads were ceremonially wrapped in beautiful yellow and gold Pheta head pieces. To a pounding drum beat, with a stick and chain percussion instrument in hand, team leader Karen was at the head of the pack as we followed behind a procession of traditional Maharashtra dancers. As we danced down an aisle, we passed through the smiling groups of children and parents who had been anticipating our arrival. We were escorted to a stage overlooking the huge crowd of children, parents, grandparents, siblings and other family members. David assisted one of the overseas partner volunteers in displaying each item in the bedkit during a very animated description of the items.
The efficient use of the space and a well prepared set-up facilitated a smooth flow of the distribution activities. Dave’s bunny ears were a big help in eliciting a nice “HASA” (smile) from the kids. In spite of the oppressive heat, it was a seamless distribution. We enjoyed a lovely local meal with the volunteers before heading back to Pune City.
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The
final day of distribution was at Ambattur School which is funded by our special
Ambattur Rotarians. This year is their golden (50th) anniversary.
Over
700 glowing children from a 100 km radius received bedkits today which brings our
grand total to 5000. Ten top students
received a scholarship sponsored by Ambattur Club on behalf of Murray Dryden.
It
has been joyous for veteran and novice volunteers this Chennai experience!
Team Chennai 2017
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The SCAW team arrived at Bohr to a large turnout of local villagers. The welcome was a traditional welcome for this area. That welcome both surprised and delighted our team members. The welcome is a parade of sorts. The guests are first sat on a chair and a local individual actually uses several metres of cloth to prepare a ceremonial head dress known as a "pheta".After this the guests are ushered up onto a cart drawn by the best dressed oxen you have ever seen. The oxen have coloured material covering their horns and chalk is sprinkled on them to give the oxen quite a presence. Once up on the cart the guests are paraded by a group of school children dancing and drumming to the school where the distribution occurred. What a sight indeed. After welcome ceremonies and a dance performance by the school children, the SCAW Team with our dedicated overseas partners the Rotary Team commenced the distribution of 800 bed kits to some very happy children. All in all a gratifying day for the SCAW Team.
Team Pune 2017
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Here are some photos from our bedkit assembly the day we arrived in Pune, India. We assembled over 1500 bedkit items with a number of volunteers. School teachers, Rotarians, and SCAW volunteers all participated.
Team Pune 2017
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Polar blankets are used to keep the children warm.
Wendy is ready to assemble after receiving a warm welcome.
Volunteers--many volunteers were there to help.
Team Pune 2017
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Here is our team photo. One of our overseas partners, from the Pune Rotary Club of Cantonment, Pankaj Apte, hosted our team at his home before going to dinner. We are at the "Ladies Club," on Jan 31st, where we had dinner with our Overseas Partners, The Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment. It gave us a chance to meet some of the members of the eight Rotary Clubs who are involved in the distribution with us.
Team Pune 2017
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From left: Irwin Kelly, Wendy Williams, Dave Morgan, Karen Morgan, Jill Powers, Hilda Stark, Patsy Leamon
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Yercaud
is located in the Shevaroy Mountains. It
has been a site for SCAW distributions since 2005.
Today
every 4th level (grade 4) student from 54 schools, including those
schools from tribal areas, within a 32 km radius received a bedkit . This was 290 boys and 255 girls. They received food as well: rice, egg, water and chocolate.
Student
volunteers from the Montfort Anglo Indian School of Yercaud and the Dale
Interact Club from Lady of Veilananni School provided invaluable assistance
with all the jobs.
Team Chennai 2017
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After thirteen days,
5000 happy children have treasured bedkits.
Good-bye Kolkata, India and THANK YOU!!
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Today, some
of the Kolkata team visited the Wheel Primary School in the heart of
Kolkata. We distributed pencils, pencil
cases and exercise books to the Principal who will distribute them to the
children. There are currently 70
students at the school being taught by six teachers. The six classrooms are very basic but the
children are energetic and happy and all smiles!
Team Kolkata 2017
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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!
\
Team Chennai 2017
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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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Team Chennai 2017
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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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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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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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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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