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Belgaum: Hunger
One thing that struck me, as a first impression during our initial distributions of bedkits is how well nourished the children seemed to be. I mentioned this to Pat and Brian Tuddenham, who had been here 10 years ago, and they confirmed, that yes, something had definitely happened, the normal case had been that the average child was suffering from malnutrition.
Today, we discovered the reason for the transition.
In 2003, the Indian Government mandated that every child enrolled in school would receive a free mid day meal. Today we visited the largest of 12 mega kitchens run by Akshaya Patra. The kitchen we visited was in Hubli and prepares 150,000 meals in less than 5 hours every day. Each meal costs $0.20, 12 cents provided by the government and 8 cents by donations from the public. A donation of R 950 will serve one child a daily meal for an entire academic year.
This is one program that has had a truly transformative effect on both the Indian economy and society. School attendance is up, the level of literacy is exploding, childhood starvation has been eradicated.
The goal of the program is to feed 5 million children daily by 2020.
Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: "It's a long and winding road".......to Sarsi
Today we started out at 7:30 a.m. And because we were so early there was very little traffic. It must be the ideal time to learn how to drive because within 1 km of our hotel, we came across 3 driving school vehicles training new drivers. If they only knew what they were in for!
On the hottest day yet at 37 degrees Celsius, we travelled the 2 hour drive on a long and winding road filled with monkeys and trees marked with red and white stripes and bamboo trees galore. We were even lucky enough to stop and take some pictures of the cashew trees.
Not knowing who was more excited - the children, the parents or the Rotarians - we arrived at this first time distribution site and were greeted with sandalwood leis. Awaiting us were 200 students and their parents from 20 schools with about 10 children per school all travelling 25-35 km to the site which was at the home club of the Rotary Club of Sarsi.
This club with 100 members had 25-35 volunteers here today including Rotary members and members of the Inner wheel. They were so eager to please the SCAW team - this being their first experience. They did an excellent job and were all set up by the time we got there. They even had a bedkit set up for us. That was a first!
70 per cent of today's children came from a single parent home and they were treated like royalty all through the process ending in a delicious meal for them and their parents - also sponsored by The Rotary Club of Sirsi.
With 4800 happy children under our belts we look forward to the final 200 tomorrow.
Namaste!
Team Belgaum 2017
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Today was a great day in Hubli.
Everything went well, after some modifications were made upon inspection.
The parents were directly at the exit and it was wonderful to see their excited
anticipation, as they awaited the arrival of their children. Some of the
pictures demonstrate the hard work of the local Rotarians as they assisted in
the distribution.
Here is a picture of a classroom at the site that is used: it definitely looks as small as you think it looks. Unbelievably, it hosts 30 children on a daily basis. School runs from 10-5. There is a chalkboard and a smart board. No other pictures of books to be seen. There is a computer lab in the building but it was under lock and key, so we didn't have a chance to see it.
Another great day, communicating with children
and adults. Their warmth, appreciation and generosity of spirit is
wonderful to experience.
Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: Bailhongal
Today we moved hotels to Hubli, stopping on the way to distribute 400 bedkits in Bailhongal. This time we were helped by several dozen National Cadet Corps girls and boys. The children as always were poor, polite, appreciative, and cheerful.
The children had traveled as much as 100 km. in school buses paid for by the Rotarians, who also provided them with a meal. Before the distribution the children spent 15 minutes meditating.
After the distribution we again had the opportunity to visit the home of a bedkit recipient. Again it was small and sparse and again the family were gracious hosts.
Today one of the Rotarians laughingly told us that you had to change languages every 12 km. in India. We have learned to say smile in at least three languages. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: Our Biggest Day!
Today was our shortest drive and our biggest distribution. Today we gave out 1000 bedkits in the city of Belgaum. As always the children were eager to see us and happy to play bubbles and catch with us. They tried to say "Canada" and were keen to shake hands and try to talk to us and as always virtually all of them volunteered a sincere thank you.
It may appear from the formal photographs that these children don't smile a lot and are not as happy as we report them to be.They and their parents smile and laugh most of the time, until faced with a camera. Sometimes our best pictures are after the children have the bedkit and are on their way home. Then they seem more relaxed and willing to show their enthusiasm. It is a stressful day for them
After the distribution and lunch with the hard working Rotarians we visited an Inner Wheel Craft Shop that provides an opportunity for rural woman to sell their handicrafts. The workmanship was very impressive.
Tonight we are attending a Rotary meeting that is open to all the families.
Tomorrow we are back to a long drive and a change in location.
Team Belgaum 2017
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Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: Gokak
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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Belgaum: Harugiri
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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Belgaum: Nipani
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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Belgaum: It's a long road to Athani... it's a long road we know...
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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Belgaum: Pre-Distribution Meeting
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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Pune: Morgaon - That's a Wrap!!
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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Pune: Indapur
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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Pune: Dancing!
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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Pune: The Importance of PJs!!
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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Pune: Daund
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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Chennai: Mission Accomplished!
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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Pune: Day One in Bohr!
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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