Today was a fabulous day of learning and experience. We began the day with having breakfast at one of the Belgaum Rotarians home where we learned many interesting facts about life in India. Afterward we were shown how the bedkits are assembled in the location used for the Belgaum site and Ekal at Joyada. 1000 kits and 700 kits respectively.
The trip to Gokak was eventful with a visit to a waterfall along the way and passing a gypsy group moving from one site to another.
The Gokak distribution of 300 kits went smoothly. These were distributed to 20 kids from different schools and instead of parents being there, the teachers were in charge of the kids and transportation was provided home as a group.
Another wonderful day to experience India!
Team Bulgaum 2017
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Today we headed deep into farm country. We passed plot after plot of corn, rice, bamboo, and wheat along with other vegetables to arrive at Harugiri and 400 waiting boys, girls and parents. They were really pleased to see us and two girls sang for us. When they saw what was in the bedkit they became increasingly excited.
Both children and parents were some of the most thankful and appreciative that we have experienced. They were quick to indicate how much the bedkit meant to them.
At the end of the distribution we were very fortunate to be able to visit the homes of two of the children who had received bedkits. The first had only one room and the second two small rooms. Both homes had dirt floors and virtually no furniture.. The families were happy to host us and were proud of their homes.
We ended the day by visiting a Belgaum swimming pool built by the Rotary who had 200 handicapped children taking free lessons when we arrived.
Team Belgaum 2017
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After a restful and informative morning visit to a Hindu ashram we drove two hours to be greeted by 400 delightful children and their families from a very poor rural setting.
Both children and parents were very appreciative of the bedkit. One of the mothers interviewed said that there was not a single item in the bedkit that her family could have afforded.
We came home late tired and tremendously uplifted by their enthusiasm and joyfulness
Team Belgaum 2017
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And so that long road took us to our first distribution this Saturday morning. That long road of 140km took us a good 3 hours each way. But the distance was well worth the wait as we were greeted by 300 excited children and over 30 willing members of the Rotary Club Of Athani.
It's always a thrill for the 4 experienced SCAW volunteers and somewhat overwhelming for the 2 newbies to be greeted with such enthusiasm as seen in the picture below.
More exciting is to see the children in their new clothes and excited to receive their new shoes.
With many smiles and thanks we are off to a great start in enriching the lives of 5000 children in and around the city of Belgaum, India.
Team Belgaum 2017
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We met with the SCAW Trust for a pre distribution meeting
at the Belguam Club last evening. The meeting was hosted by Dilip
Chitnis, who outlined the itinerary for the 2017 distribution, provided us with
an overview of their process for selecting recipients including the principals
followed, gave us a preview of a PowerPoint presentation that they will use for
orienting new sponsors and presented the 2017 bedkits.
I was impressed by the value for money the local Trust
was able to achieve, the sweater alone would easily retail at the Bay in Canada
for $35.
Today, we visited the homes of some of the 2016
recipients. The visits started at their schools. After
presentations by the children, we visited selected homes, one group in a rural
setting and one in a very impoverished section of Belguam. The living
conditions in the rural area were by any measure spartan, but clean and
reflected a sense of pride. The area we visited in Belguam was very
crowded, but the children were well taken care of and it was obvious that the
teachers in the school were strong advocates for them and making every effort
to move them out of poverty.
Tomorrow, we will be making our first distribution.
Team Belgaum 2017
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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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