Kenya: One Good Night Sleep at a Time!

Amazing teamwork today! A combined effort from the SCAW team,Rotary Club, school administration and teachers made for a smooth, well organized distribution of 600 bed kits!

As the van pulled up to the school gate - we were greeted by an impressive turnout from the local Rotary and community.  Very encouraging start😀

Once the last child  received his bed kit- the SCAW team was treated to a delicious lunch of homemade Kenyan favorites - prepared by the teachers and parents.

Alongside lunch came some  emotional words from the primary school staff- reinforcing what we know to be true ,and what becomes clearer everyday- SCAW is helping create brighter futures for children all over the planet -one good night sleep at a time❤️

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: Gratitude

600 Kenyan children will hopefully sleep more soundly tonight after our SCAW team's efforts at another Nairobi elementary school today! 

After a morning of helping make kids smile -  we were lucky enough  to be invited into the homes of families who had already received bedkits through SCAW; including single mother, Mary and son John and a second ,extended family with grandmother and grandfather at the helm of a modest one bedroom dwelling.

Everyone we met expressed such gratitude - amazed by Canadian kindness and thankful for their life- changing bedkits. So meaningful to meet our bedkit families and experience SCAW's impact on such a profound and personal level.

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Pathgram

Today 670 more bedkits were given to excited Bangladeshi children in the town of Pathgram, making the grand total of 3,380 bedkits generously donated by Sleeping Children’s supporters, and handed to the children by the dedicated Overseas Volunteer Partners from the Rotary Club of Dhaka and their many helpers. There are often as many as thirty volunteers at these sites.

Chris Hills working via SKYPE with Rotary of Dhaka.

The commentary below is courtesy of the members of SKD:

Day 5: 670 bedkits distribution at Patgram a two hours drive from Lalmonirhat town. It's a half an hour from the border of India. Both the countries are divided by a barb-wire fence. The social economic condition is very poor. The school children were lined up in a disciplined way and the children change into their new dress and waiting eagerly for the bedkits. During the war of liberation this area was all along liberated and Pakistani forces never dare to come to Pathgram. Sector 6 was fighting along the area on the 6th of December 1971 Lalmonirhat was freed. Pakistan Army surrendered to the allied forces and a new country came in to being.

I am grateful for the daily briefing from the core members of the Rotary Club of Dhaka. Their connection through Skype has come through crystal clear, and we’ve exchanged thoughts and ideas about the day’s events. My thanks to you all! 

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Bangladesh: Lalmonirhat

This fourth day of the Bangladesh SCAW distribution found the SKD team in Lalmonirhat (with the Dharla and Tista Rivers forming its boundaries), in the town of Audimari, where the site was located in the local sports arena, where under sunny skies, SKD again brought happiness to 670 local children.

Lalmonirhat is notable for its folk culture including rhymes, riddle, proverbs, Meyeligeet (song sung by women), Mantra, folk song, Palligeeti, Baul song, etc.

Masud of Rotary Dhaka sent this history of the area:

Day 4. 670 bedkits distribution at Auditmari, Lalmonirhat. Lalmonirhat is located northern borderline of Bangladesh. The previous name of the region was " Kamrup Kingdom." There were many myths about naming the region. Some historians believe that in the 19th century Bangladesh when Duras rail line was constructed, workers found red stone mining in the land of the area. Then it was named Lalmoni and later Lalmonirhat.

Some historians think that a farmer's leader along with Nualdin fought against the British soldiers and sacrificed their lives to establish the rights of the farmers in 1783. Then the region was named after her. With the passing of time Hat included with Lalmoni. During the war of liberation sector headquarters of the sector 6 was located here at Burimari, Lalmonirhat.

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Kenya: Nairobi Factories

Visited three Nairobi factories today to get a firsthand look at where some of the contents of SCAW bedkits are made. One of the day's brightest stars was Priscilla - a local, small business woman who makes school backpacks for SCAW. 

Her cottage industry has grown from an original staff of one to now six, today. She credits much of her success to the relationship with SCAW,that began some four years ago. It was all smiles as she proudly toured us around; so grateful for the opportunity SCAW has provided. 

From mattresses and knit sweaters to t- shirts and backpacks - very encouraging to see SCAW's strong impact on economic development in Kenya! 

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Chilmari

The Rotary Club of Dhaka moved efficiently through their third day’s distribution with 680 bedkits handed over to the children of Chilmari.

The quotation below is from Masudul Alam accompanying his pictures from the day in Chilmari.

Day 3: 680 bed kit distribution at Chilmari. Once it was a major railway junction. Railways come from all over Bangladesh and the passengers crossed Bhrammaputra by ferry to connect to northern Bangladesh. River erosion had destroyed all the establishments including the river port. People are the poorest of the poor. Even 15 years back this area was net food deficit area. People were dying of starvation. There was only one crop a year. Now with the support of the government and improved irrigation produce 4 crops a year and the scenario has changed totally. If you look left and right it is lush of green everywhere. This area is still the poorest in Bangladesh.

Bedkit items:

• Groundsheet
• Pillow
• Pillow case
• Raincoat
• School bag
• Water bottle
• Flip-flops
• Boys/girls: two sets of clothing each
• Towel
• Blanket
• MOSQUITO NET

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Kenya: 1200 More Children Sleeping Well!

Spent the morning delivering 600 bedkits to a primary school in one of Nairobi's largest slums that is shockingly home to over 1 million people. 

We were greeted and treated to a number of powerful songs and performances from the students - so inspiring - especially considering their difficult circumstances.

 After a short break we carried onto another extremely vulnerable elementary school where we successfully handed out another 600 bedkits!

So 1200 bedkits in all today! Looking forward to visiting factories tomorrow - interesting to see how and where all the bedkit contents are made! SCAW team is dusty, tired and pleased after another great day of helping give Kenya kids a better night sleep!

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: 592 More Bedkits Distributed!

A day of miles ....and a day of smiles! Traveled from  Makindu to Nairobi and a second successful distribution of 592 bedkits!

Treated to lunch hosted by the Rotary Club of Nairobi  who expressed deep thanks to SCAW donors. Shared that they were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of SCAW and the supporters who make lives better for their children. A great day indeed.

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: Meeting Previous Recipients!

An early departure from Mombasa and we were on the road back to Nairobi! Stopped halfway at Makindu where we had a great chance to meet with kids who received SCAW bedkits last year. During a short Q and A it was soon clear -SCAW bedkits were a big hit! When asked if they liked getting and were still using the bedkits - students' hands shot up waving "YES!"

Said goodbye to a sea of smiling faces and were welcomed overnight at a Sikh Temple - thanks to our generous host Darsi Lotay! Ready for another day of helping change the lives of children in Kenya😀

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Ulipur!

The Sleeping Children Overseas Volunteer Partner team followed on their wonderful start by moving the distribution to the town of Ulipur very close to the border with India, which is just to the east across the Brahmaputra River.

Here I’m quoting from Mohammad Khaliquzzaman (Khaliq) the SCAW team leader for this distribution.

Day 2, 680 bed-kits distributed to children of far flung river shoals where mankind almost abandoned them and the nature is often hostile, the total homestead are eroded overnight by the mighty Brahmaputra.

There is a long and harsh history to this area, with crop failures, constant flooding, and starvation amongst the people who call this place home. Recent times have brought better conditions. Action by the Bangaldeshi Government, with improvements in cropping techniques, have increased crop yields. This is highly important here as agriculture supplies the highest source of income at 70% in the Ulipur district.

The children receiving bedkits were drawn from a large area, many being delivered to this central site by boat from their “island” homes in the Brahmaputra.

The daily conversation with the SCAW team of Rotary Dhaka via Skype has worked exceptionally well. The day went smoothly, with no unforeseen emergencies, and a steady stream of 680 happy Bangladeshi children eager to finally get that bedkit they have been patiently waiting for (four months must be an eternity for a small child!)

Many thanks again to Rotary Club of Dhaka for their great dedication and enthusiasm; and of course for these wonderful pictures.

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Bangladesh: A Different Approach!

Today (Monday February 27^th 2017) marks the beginning of an unique distribution for Sleeping Children Around the World and its Overseas Volunteer Partner.

In July 2016, the Canadian Government issued a warning regarding “non-essential” travel to Bangladesh. It strongly advised travellers not to visit the country in light of a recent tragic attack on foreign nationals.

To date, as that advisory has not been lifted, the Canadian SCAW  team has been unable to team up with the Rotary Club of Dhaka to work together distributing 6,000 bedkits to needy Bangladeshi children.

The original schedule would have had the distribution start in November 2016, and in the lead-up to that date the hope from everyone was that the advisory would have changed. It did not and it became apparent that a new date would have to be decided upon, and that became February 2017.

The children were selected, the bedkits manufactured and in storage, the distribution sites organised: all this being efficiently organised by the willing volunteers of the Rotary Club of Dhaka under the leadership of Bayezidur Rahman.

With the inability of the SCAW team to travel, the duties they would normally have carried out are now being undertaken by the Rotary team. They have embraced the challenge with such enthusiasm and confidence, it’s heartwarming!

With daily communication between Bangladesh and Sleeping Children here, together we will work though this unique opportunity and bring about the desired result...6,000 smiling children with bedkits.

Today the Overseas Volunteer Partner team of Bayezidur Rahman, Mohammad Khaliquzzaman, Ranjan Neogi, RI Rowly, and Masud Alam (with countless other volunteers) started the distribution off in grand style with 680 bedkits given out in Rowmari, in the far north of Bangladesh.

These children come from one the poorest areas of the country, living mostly on “islands” in the Brahmaputra River, where season flooding periodically destroys those islands and creates new ones. These young children would have seen their homes destroyed at least twice in their young lives.

Our thanks go to the Rotary Dhaka, and all the SCAW donors, for bringing some hope and improvement to the children of this area of Bangladesh. 

Chris Hill, Team Leader connected by SKYPE to Rotary Club of Dhaka.

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Kenya: Thank You Donors!

The first Mombasa distribution of 1000 bed kits to some very happy children!

Team Kenya is going to bed smiling knowing that 1000 children will have a good night sleep with pleasant dreams of today!

Thank you Donors!

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: The Team Has Arrived!

Kenya 2017 team has arrived safely!

Preparing for distribution of 1,000 bed kits tomorrow!!

Back row left to right: Clarence Deyoung, Susan Plasteras, Connie Beaton

Front row left to right: Susan Hicks, Karen Scott, Jill Plasteras, Cheryl Warner

Team Kenya 2016

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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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Belgaum: Hubli

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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