Honduras: Laughter and Smiles!!
Laughter and smiles ... a successful day of bed kits being received by both boys and girls!
Time for fun ... an opportunity to play the parachute game.
Time to test your skill at making creative designs with the ribbon stick
We enjoyed an evening as guests the Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla.
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Honduras: A Special Day!
Another great day, with much anticipation from all of the students! It was wonderful to experience integration of special needs students at today's distribution. It was humbling to see the loving display of acceptance and educational opportunities for all the children today.
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Honduras: Joyful Stories in Pictures!
These pictures tell part of the joyful story of our day. We arrived at the boy's school to meet our very excited bedkit recipients!
This whole team of teachers, Rotarians, Rotaracts, and SCAW team members all work together for the kids.
This is one of the many Rotaract whose youthful enthusiasm and tremendous work ethic makes the day fun for all the volunteers and kids.
This teacher told us about his experiences with his 27 boys in his grade 1 classroom and the sleep education that they are taught at school.
This mom told us about the challenges she and her son face, and how her 9 year old son often gets only 4 hours of sleep each night.
Our team had a great time with the kids today!
These kids were loving their new bedkits!
Our team was also able to visit one of the local manufacturers of the bedkit items where we learned about this small cottage industry business and the young owner who works hard to give back to his community. A great day had by all!
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Honduras: A Day of Smiles!!
The thrill of the journey has begun! Thanks to the SCAW donors we were able to enrich the lives of 450 girls today from an all girls school! It's pretty obvious how excited they were to each receive this gift of good sleep! Tomorrow we will do the same for 450 boys and we can't wait!
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Team Honduras 2017
Post your comments here:
Honduras 2017: Post your comments here:
As a courtesy, please add your name to the end of your comment.
Tanzania: Farewell and Lala Salaam Children!
Our distribution has wrapped up successfully and 5,500 children will sleep better and be protected from malaria! Our last day went very smoothly, even with a couple of interruptions from rain showers. The children were delightful.
Kay found a kindred spirit in song and organized the children for photos.
Lyle gave mattresses to the children and rocked with getting children ready for photos.
Linda kept us on track and made sure our photo count was perfect.
Donna talked with parents about sleep and entertained the children with puppets.
Ruth gave each child a warm and loving greeting as she put the backpacks on the children.
And Lyndsay got some great photos and video for SCAW's marketing partner MAVERICK to use in upcoming SCAW projects.
Lyle gave mattresses to the children and rocked with getting children ready for photos.
Linda kept us on track and made sure our photo count was perfect.
Donna talked with parents about sleep and entertained the children with puppets.
Ruth gave each child a warm and loving greeting as she put the backpacks on the children.
And Lyndsay got some great photos and video for SCAW's marketing partner MAVERICK to use in upcoming SCAW projects.
As Team Leader, I had an amazing, hard-working team!
We want to sincerely thank our Overseas Volunteer Partners. Without Mama Wandoa, Wendy, Benjamin and their team of dedicated volunteers, this distribution would not happen.
We want to sincerely thank our Overseas Volunteer Partners. Without Mama Wandoa, Wendy, Benjamin and their team of dedicated volunteers, this distribution would not happen.
So "Lala Salaam" (sleep well) children in Tanzania.
Helen Scutt for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:
Tanzania: Hot, Hot Weather!!
Before our 7:00 am departure for the second last distribution, we loaded three hockey bags and two knapsacks filled with donations from generous friends and family (hats, flip flops, shoes, t-shirts, sunglasses, school supplies and sports equipment). Lyle used metres and metres and metres of rope to 'hogtie' the bags to the top of the van. The bumpy roads and huge potholes were no match for Lyle's knots!
Even though the distance to Mwangaza school was relatively short, the trip turned into an 1 1/2 adventure because there are almost NO street signs and Tanzania does not have GPS. When we FINALLY arrived at the school, the overseas volunteers greeted us with smiles, laughter and huge hugs.
Today was the hottest day yet with absolutely no breeze in the school's inner courtyard! The temperature was 33 degrees celsius with incredible humidity! We will NEVER EVER complain about the heat and humidity in SW Ontario again!
Following the distribution, we delivered the bags of donations to Matumaini school- a residential school for children with physical disabilities (ages 7-21). Since 1969, this incredible facility has been operated by the Salvation Army. Of the 210 children, 57 are albino. Sixteen teachers provide Form 1-7 education for all and almost all graduates advance to two designated high schools in Tanzania. Some regular supplies, like food are funded by Salvation Armies around the world, including Canada. A new boys dormitory is close to completion and Lt. Thomas Siana is seeking donations for metal framed bunk beds ($360 Canadian) as bedbugs pose a problem with wooden beds.
We were moved by the compassion of the staff and the caring actions of the students toward each other. Having seen some of the conditions from where these children came, it is heartwarming to see them In a place that can better accommodate their uniqueness. God bless!
Ruth Sealey & Kay McLean for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:
Tanzania: Another Day in Paradise!!
Another day in paradise! The skies were blue and the
temperatures were warm. Does it get better than this?
Today's distribution of 785 bedkits was at Kibamba Elementary School outside of Dar. The traffic was much better -- hence the travel
time was much better -- than what we experienced on the earlier distributions
which makes a big difference when every seat is filled in the van! The
school was built on a hillside so setup on level ground was a problem but not
insurmountable. When I wandered to the back school it was clear that
soccer wasn't the game of choice at recess!
As usual the children, moms and dads were elated to see us.
They listened attentively to the introductions and applauded in their own
inimitable fashion to our distribution. The children were well behaved
and smiled at the drop of a hat with little or no encouragement. It was a
pleasure to see happy faces!
There were two other things that struck me. First was the
number of "thanks you's" I heard in dispensing bedkits and
mattresses. When I inquired of a few children it appears that English is
taught -- which it was at previous schools -- but also emphasized especially in
circumstances as this. Maybe it was rehearsed but it was nice to see the
children taking risks with my language and encouraged me to continue taking
risks with theirs! Second was the friendships and camaraderie afforded
the disabled children. Their friends were excellent at guiding them
through the process at the pace required of the disability. I hope that
sense of friendship continues with them forever!
Despite the fact that the clouds were white and fluffy, being of
the cumulus kind, there were a couple of very short cloudbursts. Not only
did they not disturb the enthusiasm, they provided a welcome respite from the
heat of the day. With the slope of the hill, there weren't many trees and
hence no shade.
The day was wonderful, the children were wonderful and the impact
of our efforts were noticeable. Another beautiful day in paradise!
Lyle McLean for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:Tanzania: Day 3 of Distributions!!
Our third
day of distribution went very well at the school in Chanzige. We had
some extra helpers today, as Benjamin's family has joined us from the UK. Although
we had a small rain interruption, we successfully distributed 785 bedkits.
On our
way back to our home base, we visited the factory where all of the bedkit
mattresses are made. We were able to see how the foam is made, and some of the
chemicals are from Quebec, Canada. The foam is then cut and covered with
brightly coloured fabric and wrapped in plastic to protect it.
Mr.
Davesh Dave and Mr. Dipak Desai were very gracious hosts. They have been
supplying the mattresses for 16 of the 17 years SCAW has been distributing
bedkits in Tanzania. They also donate the transportation of the mattresses to
each distribution site and provide 50 extra mattresses for Mama Wandoa to
distribute during the year. We were pleased to share with the representatives
from Unoplast that SCAW had purchased a bedkit in memory of Mr. Paresh, a
wonderful man who will be greatly missed.
And on a personal note, this distribution is extra special
for me this year, as my daughter Lyndsay is on the team.
By Helen Scutt forTeam Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:Tanzania: A Culture Filled Day!
Today is Sunday so there are no bedkit distributions. You might think we got to sleep in and relax but NO ...church began at 7:00 and lasted until 11:00.
It was an honour to attend Mama Wondoa's church, Magomeni Mviringo Lutheran in Dar es Salaam. This new church building was started in 2012 and although it is still a work in progress, the building is used every Sunday and throughout the week for a variety of programs including a 6:00-7:00 a.m. 'Praise and Prayer' service for daily encouragement.
Attendance on Sundays averages around 800-1000. The Sunday School roll includes 285 children with an average of 100 each Sunday. We had the opportunity to visit the Sunday School where we entertained them with a song and they entertained us.
Today was a special service lead by the young people ( ages 18-35) with music and drama. Three church choirs and two visiting youth choirs sang and danced-the acoustics were amazing with the open air sanctuary that soared five storeys high. The congregation responded to each performance with the ' Trinity Clap' (three claps; Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The SCAW team was welcomed by the pastor and introduced to the congregation.
The afternoon was spent at two craft markets where we were able to watch artisans at work and make purchases to take home to family and friends.
Ruth Sealey and Linda Straus forTeam Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:Tanzania: Exploring Zanzibar
Since bedkit distributions in
Tanzania take place at rural schools, today most of the team booked a personal
day trip to Zanzibar. It was a very exciting and eventful day full of
amazing sights, sounds and smells. The morning was spent touring Stone Town.
Our guide Sahid was a wealth of historical information about the island,
buildings, its people and its markets-fish, meat, fruits and vegetables.
After enjoying a tasty Swahili lunch, our guide took us on a very informative walk through a spice farm where we smelled and tasted many spices -lemongrass, peppercorn, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, mace, cloves, nutmeg and cardoman. We stayed at the spice farm a little too long and found ourselves running late. This was further complicated when traffic stopped due to road construction. Given the limited time to get to the ferry, our driver chose to drive down the sidewalk. It made for quite an adventure! Luckily we arrived at the ferry with four minutes to spare.
The return ferry trip to Dar es Salaam took longer than the morning trip of an hour and a half because of strong head winds and very rough water. It was a once in a lifetime adventure on "Spice Island."
Ruth Sealey and Linda Straus for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:Tanzania: "La La Salama"
Team Tanzania was on
the road by 7am this morning. Today would be a big day as we were to deliver
790 bedkits to Sanze Primary School, located about a one hour drive southwest
of Dar es Salaam. It is a hilly region with lots of tropical vegetation. The
earth is so red due to the iron content in the soil.
When we arrived at the
school, many parents and children were there waiting for us with big smiles and
waves. Momma Wandoa’s team was already unloading the bedkit supplies. The SCAW
team helped to tie up the mattresses to make it easier for the children to
carry them home.
The team worked very
well on our second day. On this distribution, we have four new team members out
of a team of seven, so we have had to develop a fast learning curve. But there is an
experienced group of Tanzanian assistants to help out all the SCAW team
members.
To be begin the
distribution, the children change into their new school uniforms. The colour of
the uniforms varies with each school. The children are lined into various size
groups for picture taking. Our partner, Mama Wandoa has her team complete this
challenging task.
After picture taking
the children receive their bedkit and a mattress. I personally had chance to
wish them a good night sleep by saying “la la salama”, as they left carrying
their new bedkit.
As a retired teacher
it was interesting for me to meet two teachers at the school, Zamda Abdallah,
grade 5 and Ndimbumi Undongole, Kindergarten teacher at Sanze Primary School in the village
of Kisarawe. We shared information about our teaching experiences and the
challenges of the teaching profession.
Today was a wonderful
distribution day. We finished early but got caught in traffic on the way back
to our lodgings. However, I slept well that night, knowing that 790 children
would have a chance to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Donna Henderson for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:
Tanzania: Learning in New Places!
This morning we were on the road at 7:00 a.m. The ride to Go Go Public Elementary School was an interesting one. The trip took us much longer than it would have for the same distance to be traveled at home because of the many stops. When you stop at a red light in Dar es Salaam, you REALLY stop and by that I mean for up to 15 minutes. All due to construction and a lack of infrastructure, similar to many Canadian cities. While we waited for the traffic policeman to allow us to go through, we watched many people walking between the cars selling various goods, shovels, peanuts, potato chips, maps (very large maps) to name a few. Along the way there were rustic stands selling almost anything you could imagine.
Upon our arrival we were greeted with lots of hugs from Mama Wandoa, her son Benjamin, her daughter Wendy and her grandson Jerome as well as many volunteer helpers . The trucks containing the backpacks and the mattresses were already unloaded and we were ready to start our day.
From there I headed to meet the principal. He was so warm and welcoming. He asked if I knew of a school in Toronto that might like to partner up with his school so that they could learn more about life in Canada. I said I didn't have connections with Toronto schools but I would be more than happy to hook him up with the students in the school that I retired from in St. Thomas. He said that the children are learning English; yet they have no books to read. I walked away from him knowing that I would do my best to make that connection for him and his amazing students as well as finding a way to send him some used textbooks. What a gift the textbooks that are too old and outdated in our schools would be to this community.
The day was long but it went by quickly because the children were such a joy to work with. Seeing them meet up with their parents with their bedkits made me forget about that dusty bumpy road that got us there. I will think twice before I complain about some of the trivial matters that I find irksome. I have shoes on my feet which is more than some of these children.
For the record we distributed 765 bedkits to deserving students. The chaos was well controlled by the volunteers and the incredible logistical challenges were somehow overcome by these same volunteers. For us it was relatively simple and straightforward but we all knew that the efforts of others were making us look like heroes! And we are grateful to them for all they do! They must love the children as much as we do!
Kay for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:
Tanzania: On The Go!
Team Tanzania 2017 has
been on the go with our first distribution today in Gogo! 785 children and
their families are sleeping better tonight thanks to the many donors who make
this all possible.
Our bright-eyed team
departed Toronto Pearson Airport on Tuesday, and we arrived in Dar es Salaam Wednesday
afternoon (not as bushy-tailed). After claiming our luggage, we were
immediately greeted by the big smiles and open arms of Mama Wandoa, Benjamin
and Wendy. No time to spare, we jumped right into business, visiting Mama
Wandoa’s house which housed the backpacks full of bedkit goodies, and met with
one of the men responsible for sewing garments and backpacks for the bedkits.
Our first distribution
site was in Gogo, just over an hour’s drive from Dar es Salaam. We arrived to
crowds of excited children and parents, waiting in anticipation. Well… they
weren’t the only ones excited, so were we!
Team Tanzania 2017 is
half distribution newbies, and half veterans. Working together, we soon found
our distribution groove, and did a lot of high-fives with the children along
the way. As a newbie myself, I was fortunate enough to help out in an array of
distribution tasks. But by far, the most special task I performed was
interviewing parents and children who had just received bedkits.
With a strong focus on
sleep habits and quality of sleep, I was able to connect one-on-one with nine
families. Mothers, fathers, grandmothers and their children spoke with me (with
translation help from Benjamin) about their lives and how well they sleep at
night, prior to receiving a bedkit. I learned more about these families than I
ever anticipated, holding back my emotions as I was moved by their stories and inspired
by their strength.
What a wonderful start
to our distribution journey here in Tanzania. My cheeks already hurt from
smiling so much, and I can’t wait to get started on day two!
Lyndsay Wallis for Team Tanzania 2017
Post your comments here:
Tanzania 2017: Post Your Comments Here:
As a courtesy, please add your name to the end of your comments.
Sri Lanka: Distribution Completed!!
The distribution is complete!!!! The team distributed 800 bedkits today to reach a grand total of 5,000!
After our distribution, we had the opportunity to visit a boarding house where approximately 20 girls reside while they attend local schools. Their families live outside the area. Several of the girls living in this boarding house received bedkits today and are thrilled to be given this generous gift.
Post your comments here:
Sri Lanka: Day Five Complete!
Day 5 is successfully completed! So many happy faces right from the beginning today in Sri Lanka. We started off this morning with an O' Canada sing-a-long and the kids absolutely loved it!
800 little ones will be returning home for a happy night's sleep after today. 😊
Mariah, a science major, has also included a diagram of a heart from a mural on the side of a school. We've seen plenty of these types of visuals at schools throughout the distribution.
Mariah for Team Sri Lanka 2017
Post your comments here:
800 little ones will be returning home for a happy night's sleep after today. 😊
Mariah, a science major, has also included a diagram of a heart from a mural on the side of a school. We've seen plenty of these types of visuals at schools throughout the distribution.
Mariah for Team Sri Lanka 2017
Post your comments here:
Sri Lanka: 855 More Bedkits Given Out!
Another successful day here in Sri Lanka. Although it's Sunday, we had a full turnout, distributing 855 bedkits.
Teachers accompanied some of the children who came by bus
Parents were on hand to collect others with their bedkits in tow
Children receiving their bedkits
Waiting to catch buses home
Happy faces all around . . .
Team Sri Lanka 2017
Sri Lanka: Bringing Joy!
Today was the hottest of three distributions. Full Moon Celebrations were going on in the District. The SCAW team are doing a fantastic job bringing joy and a better night’s sleep to 850 children.
 |
| Happy faces preparing to receive their bedkit |
 |
| Various methods of travel for parents and children taking home their bedkit |
 |
| Various methods of travel for parents and children taking home their bedkit |
 |
| Various methods of travel for parents and children taking home their bedkit |
 |
| Can always count on an ice cream vendor to keep the children cool with a treat |
 |
| Faces of two Sri Lankan children about to have a Suwa Nindak. (Good Sleep) |
 |
| The young child’s expression tells the story! |
Team Sri Lanka 2017
Post your comments here:Sri Lanka: Our Distribution in Pictures!!
Another successful day! Working with our local Sri Lanka partners, we distributed 850 bedkits.
Here are some photos!
Team Sri Lanka 2017
Post your comments here:
Here are some photos!
 |
| Neil watches welcoming ceremony with children presenting betel leaves to us on arrival at their school gate. |
 |
| Very excited children lined up to get photos and receive bedkits. |
 |
| Brian with three teachers who accompanied their children by bus from another nearby village. |
 |
| Children outside after just receiving bedkits. |
 |
| Time to take the new bedkit home! |
 |
Mariah with some of the children who helped out at the distribution. |
Team Sri Lanka 2017
Post your comments here: