Pune: Home Visits

With the bedkit distribution over there were just couple of items to complete before the team headed home. We held a post-distribution meeting with our Overseas Partners (Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment) when we reviewed the current distribution; followed shortly by a wrap-up meeting with members of all the Rotary Clubs involved in the "Children's Bliss Project" in attendance

Well deserved recognition was given to those Rotarians who had contributed their time, energy, and enthusiasm to make this project the success that it was. A classical Indian dance presentation was beautifully performed by Pankaj's daughter-in-law Abhidnya. An absolute honour to watch. Several Rotary wives demonstrated a local folk-dance ...encouraging team members to join in.

Our final destination was to a school in Ashtapur followed by visits to several of the children's homes. The school was well equipped for the thirty students in attendance. Brightly decorated classrooms, wall charts, books, and toys created a wonderful learning environment for the children.

Their homes were very similar to each other. One large room approx 15' x 15' served as the bedroom with the family generally sleeping on the cement floor. Alongside this room, a second area approx. 15' x 6' was for food preparation. An outside wood-fueled fire pit was used for cooking. One house did have a two burner gas stove. Electricity was in all these homes.

One child lived with her Grandfather as her Mum had died. She had all of her last year's bedkit items neatly stacked on her bed.

In a second home we found a Grandmother raising her two granddaughters, following the death of her daughter. She showed us some of the items from last years bedkit.

A third house was home to a Mum and her two children, husband, and Grandfather. Their fire pit was inside their home.  The fourth visit was home to three children, Mother and Father.

The most basic shelter was a straw and twigs A-frame built by the family, with a dirt floor and no electricity. A Mother and two children lived here.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Another 7502 Children Sleeping Well!

Today, with 1002 children in Haveli, the team completed the distribution of 7,502 bed-kits to the needy children across eight sites in Pune. Inside the school, students dancing, drumming and playing the lejhim, welcomed us. 

After the official introductions, more students demonstrated traditional  Maharashtra dances. We were truly honoured to witness these elegant, colourful artists. 

Our heartfelt thanks go to all those Rotarians and volunteers in and around Pune who worked tirelessly for many months to prepare for this event.

All this would not be possible without those generous donors who provide the gift of a bed-kit and a smile to all these children. Many thanks 

For the children, 
Team Pune 2018
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Pune: In the Countryside!

After our factory visits yesterday, we continued farther out of Pune in to the countryside toward today’s distribution site at Mhaswad. What a refreshing change from the traffic, noise and hectic pace of the city. People along the way were working hard to farm their land and tend their herds of cows and goats. This is an area rich in fertile soil for many crops like sugar cane and corn. We arrived in Mhaswad just a day or so after a festival and the village roads were still a blaze of purple dye. Curious villagers congregated to welcome us and try to understand what this group from Canada was all about. Because we had spent 2 days traveling out of the city, it was a long 4 hour drive back to our hotel. However long the days, we keep reminding ourselves that we have now made 6500 children and their families very happy. Tomorrow is another day with the last 1000 kits to deliver!

 

For the children
Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Visiting 2 Suppliers!

Today was a day off from distribution and we took advantage of our time by visiting two of the suppliers for the sleeping kits.

Mr. Patel provided the clothing for the children from his 250 square foot workroom which has if I counted right, 12 sewing machines. He has 6 or 7 people here but he also has another space with 10 employees as well as he contracts out to individual seamstresses who work at home. The electricity was out when we visited, which apparently is common and when that happens, work carries on at nights to meet deadlines. Mr. Patel showed us samples of his other work including uniforms, which looked great and provided chai during our visit.

We then drove out to a fully automated industrial plant that provided the kit containers, a polymer sack. This company is world competitive in the eco-friendly bio-degradable wrapping market. They pay their employees better than the government mandated minimum wage of 450 rupees or 9$C per day.

The local and Pune rotary clubs and the SCAW then went out to lunch to a great team building experience.

Below are pics of Mr. Patel, his sop and the polymer making equipment with the CEO.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: A Successful 6th Day of Distribution!!

Our sixth day of distribution started, as always with a warm reception by the local hosts.  To the sound of drumming we were fitted with our pink headdresses before mounting beautifully adorned horses to ride to the venue where 750 excited children and their parents awaited us.

Following the requisite introductions by the Rotarians, our team leader explained and showed the content of the sleeping kit to the wide-eyed audience.

The venue, a newly constructed community hall, allowed us to set up a very efficient distribution flow under a covered roof, which kept us out of the unbearably hot sun. The local organizers did a fantastic job of determining the flow which enabled the distribution to go quickly and efficiently,  before we all gathered, around 5 p.m. for our joint lunch with our Rotarian partners.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Bigwan!

We travelled out of Pune today to Bigwan where we were paraded into the grounds in a Jeep. We were working in a beautiful wedding hall therefore the children, parents, and the team were out of the sun!!

It was a pleasure to give out 759 bedkits to these very excited kids! We ended the day with a boat ride on the lake to see a beautiful flock of flamingos. So calm and peaceful after a busy day.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Rest Day!

Today was a rest day and the team had the opportunity to visit the Shaniwarwada- a stately mansion built in Pune by the Peshawar in the 18th century at a cost of Rs.16,110.  In 1758 there were 1,000 people living in the palace area.  Destroyed by fire in 1828 which burned for 8 days.  Only the granite ramparts, teak gateways and stone foundations survived.

Interaction with children ongoing.  Our guide was a local Rotarian who explained that Sundays are family time and we encountered many groups of families as we toured the grounds.

We then visited the Hindu Majaraj Shinde Temple located just outside Pune where the great Shinde  who fought and won against the British army at Vadgaon lies.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Modes of Transporation!!

A memorable entrance into Kadus today! After being fitted with bright pink turbans, the team were carried to the school in highly decorated bullock carts, lead by drumming and dancing students. What an honour! 

A cloud of brightly coloured balloons were released before the distribution of 1,000 bedkits to wide-eyed children began.

At the end of their hectic day, the children with their Mums and Dads made their way home.....by many means: riding in tuk-tuks, sharing a truck, piling onto motor-bikes, but with the vast majority walking happily down the dusty road, bedsit often carried sedately atop their heads. 

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Swirls of Colour!

Another one thousand of Maharashtra's children received their bedkits today. The entire day was a hectic swirl of colour and activity, starting with a welcoming troupe of singing, dancing and drumming students who lead the team into the school.

Mothers, aunties, and grandmothers wearing brilliantly hued saris and shalwar kameez created a exotic rainbow of colours as their children accepted their bedkits after sitting patiently for their photo to be taken.

An intricate rangoli made of various coloured sands formed a welcome carpet at the entrance to the school where the distribution took place.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: 1968 Bedkits Distributed So Far!!

1968 bed kits given out so far! The need here is so great and all the children and parents are thrilled to receive the bed kits.

They respond with “WOW!” when we show them each item.

Our team is working hard, not only to complete all the necessary jobs, but to make sure we spend time interacting with these beautiful children and their families. 

Before each distribution begins, we are treated to some joyful singing, traditional dances and customs unique to this region. 

Our Rotarian partners make sure we have water and fruit during the day and then treat us to a delicious local meal when our day is done. And then there are the many stops along the way for cups of steaming masala chai tea! 

5532 bed kits to go and we are all so excited for every child whose smiling face warms our hearts!

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Hassa!!

2 hours of driving took us to Meltham where the SCAW team  received a warm and ceremonial reception. 

After the welcoming speeches, beautiful performance by dancing girls and a showing of the content of the bedkit by our team leader, the distribution started. The flow of the children from changing thru to the giving out of the kits was already arranged by the local rotary clubs.

968 kits were distributed flawlessly.

The excitement was electric in the schoolyard as the children and parents walked away with the bedkits. 

We learned the marathi word "hassa" meaning smile while taking the pictures. Later the team was provided with lunch where we improved our skills in eating with our fingers.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: A Great First Day of Distributions!!

After a two hour drive we arrived at our first Pune distribution site where we were presented with traditional headdresses and welcomed and escorted to the stage by traditional music played by young ladies in traditional dress.

We sat on the stage for the formal start of the distribution, which included greetings from local officials and by our team leader, Chris Hills, while the young recipients eagerly watched and waited.

Close to one thousand  bedkits were distributed by SCAW members; the children received a large bag with handles with the bedkit items inside, plus a backpack filled with school items and a pair of shoes each.  The recipients also received eye examinations sponsored by our Rotary hosts. Each child was accompanied through the lines by a parent or other guardian, which made the handing over of the bedkit much easier for the children whose eyes literally popped open and they broke into a wide grin when they were able to grab the handles of the bag.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Packing Of 7500 Bedkits!

The packing of the bedkits was scheduled for Sunday.We split the team and half stayed closer to the city and half of us went to Bhagwan.

Everyone was very excited.Roterians,their families,and volunteers attacked these mountains of pillows, blankets, etc.After many hours of hard work by 100+ people, 7500 bedkits are ready to go!!!

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: Exploring & Pre-Distribution Meetings

There was nothing scheduled today until 5PM so the team took advantage of the free time to take their first tuk tuk ride and visit the Agakhan Palace where Gandhi was imprisoned from 1942-44 along with his wife and secretary.  Then at 5pm we met for a pre-distribution meeting with the local rotary club president and the committee in charge of the SCAW project.  Following the brief meeting we joined the local club and representatives of the 12 other clubs involved for a get together and dinner.

Team Pune 2018
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Pune: The Team Has Arrived!

The Sleeping Children Team Pune arrived in Pune at 4:00 am to be greeted by three enthusiastic members of the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment's bedsit distribution team. At that time of day the streets were deserted making our trip to the hotel swift and uneventful. After checking in, the 20 plus hour journey took its toll, and the team all went to their rooms for a well deserved sleep.

Later on in the day we met with Pankag Apte and Sameer Rupani, members of our Overseas Partners Team, to discuss the upcoming distribution of 7,500 bedsits, and the arrangements for our involvement in the following days bedkit packing. 

The team picture shows:

Chris Hills (TL), Sameer Rupani, Andy Greiner, Kathy Greiner, Gail Hills, Diane Barrick, Judy Snobelen, Lita Fearon, Pankaj Apte 

Team Pune 2018
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Honduras: 6000 Children Sleeping Better Tonight!

6000 more children in Honduras are sleeping in their new bedkits, thanks to all our supporters who believe in our dream that every child deserves a good night's sleep! Our last few days of distribution were a joyful whirlwind of work and social time- how could our 16 days in Honduras go so quickly?! Each day we were greeted in the hotel by our amazing Rotaracts,starting our day with warm hugs and playful chatter. We'd hop in our van and travel through beautiful countryside to be greeted in the schools by excited children. A flurry of activity before the rhythm of the distribution kicks in - backpacks set, children registered and looking smart in their new t-shirts, photo taken, bedkits given- hugs, smiles, high fives all around... another great day on the job! Delicious lunches prepared for us each day by the wives of the Rotarians, served to a room packed full of happy volunteers, all who helped out through the distribution of the bedkits. Our evenings were more laughter and conversation whether at our hotel, the Rotary meetings, or the homes of the Rotarians.  Conversations about the children, their lives, their sleep, all of us dreaming big on how we could help these children; all of us committed to our work with Sleeping Children Around the World.

Our last distribution was a particularly fun day as we celebrated "Sleep Day"! http://www.scaw.org/sleepday/ This year our Rotaracts outdid themselves with their pyjamas, onesies, funky sleep caps, and as always, their boundless enthusiasm.  We will miss them, and all of our Rotary partners, when we return back to Canada.  It's been a wonderful trip, a rewarding adventure and, as always, 100% for the children!

Team Honduras 2018
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Honduras: In The Home Stretch!

Today our team completed our 10th distribution in Honduras. We are in the home stretch now! With only two more distributions to go, we have now given out 5000 of our 6000 bedkits. Go team Honduras!

Before heading out on our distribution this morning we had to say goodbye to Julia, a wonderful member of our team who is heading back to medical school in Alberta. Julia’s departure reminded us all that our work in Honduras will soon be coming to an end. With heavy hearts we climbed into our van determined to continue the hard work and amazing spirit of our original team.

Today’s distribution took place at a school within the urban centre of Tegucigalpa. Before we even entered the gates of the school we could hear a tremendous amount of excitement within the school’s walls. As the gates opened we were swept up into a mob of children playing in the school’s courtyard. The children greeted us with big friendly smiles and warm hugs. It was such a nice way to begin our day. The children continued to be playful and outgoing throughout the distribution, eagerly playing a game of “Simon says” or skipping rope while they waited for their photos to be taken. Upon receiving their backpacks and bedkits the children could not hide the excitement on their faces. One little girl was actually jumping up and down with joy as she waited in line for her backpack.

Upon completion of our distribution, we drove into the downtown core of the city, and had the pleasure of meeting with some of the women who sewed the pillowcases and sheets for the bedkits. These women have all been trained through a special program at the Alternatives and Opportunities Institution, which provides them with skills to enhance their financial stability. During our visit to the co-op we learned that 20 women were involved in the Sleeping Children project, spending approximately 2 months sewing the bedkits items for the Honduras distribution.

We are all so grateful for the opportunity to not only provide the gift of sleep to 500 more children today, but to have participated in a project that provides employment opportunities to these well-deserving women in Honduras.

Sleep Well!

Kelly Dodson for
Team Honduras 2018
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Honduras: The Happy & The Sad

 Today was one of those days where you look around at your team and you feel your heart fill with pride. I feel tremendously grateful to be working here in Honduras with so many wonderful people who are truly committed to improving the lives of the kids. We had a huge turnout of volunteers today and everyone pitched in- organizing the site, assembling the backpacks, herding the excited and bouncing children, clapping and singing songs with the kids, enjoying the camaraderie of conversation over a home cooked lunch. So many bright and happy moments. 

Then there are the sad moments too... it is hard to see your committed and caring team members return from the homes of the children in tears because of the hardships they have just witnessed. These children live in challenging circumstances- they arrive at the school bright and happy, but their home life shows a level of poverty that is difficult for us to process. It truly is hard to make sense of it all. So we remind ourselves why we are here, and we feel grateful that we are able to work here; we stretch our emotions and we change and we learn. And then we get back to work, always for the children.

Team Honduras 2018
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Honduras: Distribution 7…. 1st Of The Second Half ☺

Today, we distributed another 500 bedkits to very needy kids from the countryside of Tegucigalpa. We also did our first interview about the environment of where and how the children sleep by visiting with two lovely girls who had just received their gift from our donors. We went to the first house, not without its challenges… The road isn’t made for cars in that area… and, even walking up to the house was a slow process, making sure everyone would get there without falling or coming face to face with the many dogs of the area… 

The house was occupied by the grandmother, mother, two niñas (girls) and their uncle. They have one bedroom for Grandma and the uncle, and the other room is for the three others, all occupying one bed. The metal roof would get noisy when raining and very warm when the sun is high… but, luckily this area is windy and the night gets cool so they get some rest in this calm place. 

The second house was more crowded… in one of the bedroom, slept two small children with their parents, in the other bedroom the mother is sleeping with her two daughters and her two others son sleep in the main room. The entire place was cluttered and very small for all those people. The mattress would actually allow them to use the cot with more comfort and the youngest will be protected under the mosquito net with their mother. What touch me the most was even though they have so little, they would share with their sibling.

We also visited the warehouse where the bedkits are assembled and stored. It was really impressive to see the pile of bedkits that are waiting to be given, which means more work is awaiting us in the next few days!

Team Honduras 2018
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