Uganda: Our Overseas Partner - Inner Wheel of Kampala!

Our partners in Uganda are the Inner Wheel of Kampala. This is a women’s group which started off being wives of Rotarians, but now membership is open to anyone over the age of 18 with interest in helping others. 

There are 14 women who are helping us on the distributions. Each day one of the women is in charge of the distribution. Prior to our arrival she and a few others, have met with the families of the 585 children to which we hand out a bedkit and she has also selected a site for the distribution. 

Today we drove 2 hours outside of Kampala into the rolling countryside to a large Catholic school, which had a primary, secondary and vocational school on site as well as the church. These ladies of the Inner Wheel are of great help and make our distribution possible and enjoyable.

Marianne Tomlinson for
Team Uganda 2019
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Uganda: Stark Contrast!

Day 2 of the Uganda Distribution is complete and was a great success. 585 bedkits were distributed and 585 happy smiling children proudly carried their gifts home to begin enjoying a much better sleep.

Part of the SCAW teams responsibility is to visit some recipients of a bedkit from a previous years' distribution. On Sunday after our distribution was complete we visited a single mother and her 2 children to see how the bedkit, that her son received in 2017 was standing up.

I find that these visits provide a stark reminder why SCAW's work is so important. The mother and her 2 children rent a room approximately 10ft x 10ft for CAD$7 a month. They live in this room with the mother and daughter sleeping together on blankets and the son sleeping on the bed. Unfortunately, due to the beliefs of the mother the son and daughter cannot share the bed.

The son is attending school but the daughter had to stop attending because their mother cannot earn enough money doing laundry to afford school uniforms for both children, along with rent and food.

Seeing people living in these conditions and how much a simple bedkit means to them helps remind us of how significant SCAW's impact can be.

Neil Waugh for

Team Uganda 2019
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Uganda 2019: Happy Mother’s Day from Uganda!

(Admin apologizes for the late post)

The SCAW Team spent the day on our first distribution in Uganda celebrating and working in partnership with the women of the Inner Wheel of Kampala.   We set out this morning in the pouring rain after a night of unsettling thunder and lightening.  Along the bumpy route to our site, our oversees partners sang away the rain and magically brought clearer skies and very warm temperatures for the remainder of the day.  A shout out to the men in our group who kindly remembered to wish all of us a Happy Mother’s Day!

In the course of handing out 585 bedkits to a large group of very excited school aged children, we met and spoke to so many grateful mothers who accompanied their children to the distribution site to watch the process and to help their children carry their bedkits back home. 

I had the humbling experience of interviewing some of the mothers and a grandmother about the contents of the bedkit, how it will help their child and to give them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings to the donors.

I heard how before today, their children share a sleep surface with other siblings and sometimes a parent.  They sleep on the floor either on a mat or a mattress, noting that when it rains, they get soaked. When asked what in the bedkit is most useful to the child, they said it was both the mattress and the mosquito net.  While some families have a mosquito net, many do not and if they do, it must be shared by the entire family. One mother spoke of her daughter waking during the night because she is hungry as they do not always have money for food.  A grandmother was very thankful for the bedkit because she is raising four of her grandchildren and now the ten-year-old can sleep on her own for the first time.  Without exception, all the adults interviewed expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the donors who made this gift of a bedkit possible for their children which will help them have a more restful and comfortable sleep at night.

It was a Mother’s Day well spent and it served as a reminder of how fortunate we all are to have our families back home supporting our efforts.  Thank you!

Karen Bridgman-Acker 
Team Uganda 2019
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Uganda: We Have Arrived!!

Our team arrived in Kampala late last night and were met by several smiling and friendly faces from our Overseas Volunteer Partners, the wonderful ladies from the Inner Wheel of Kampala.

This morning we had our team meeting after breakfast to prepare for our distribution.  Then the Inner Wheel ladies took us to visit one of our main Uganda suppliers, Crest Foam.  Besides supplying excellent foam mattresses, Crest’s team donates their employees time and facility space to assemble the 7,000 bedkits then deliver them to each distribution site in Uganda. What a fantastic team member Crest Foam is for Sleeping Children.

  

We finished the day with our meeting with the Inner Wheel ladies, who have everything very well organized for us.
 

So we are now ready to start delivering bedkits tomorrow morning!

Brian Barr for
Team Uganda 2019
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Kenya: A Grateful Team Singing Off From Kenya!

Today was a bittersweet day for the team as this was our final distribution in Kenya. We travelled outside the city centre and battled the morning Nairobi traffic to arrive at the Kayole Primary school. We were greeted by a group of students that we excited to sing a welcome song that they had been practicing. The pride and excitement in the children’s faces is a great way to start the day.

The recipients were ready and waiting to get their bedkits but the team took our time with each child as we did not want the day to end.

Everyone hugging Willow.. on our last day

Although there are many children that were disappointed not to receive a bedkit, As we are all heading to bed this evening we know that there are 4000 kids are sleeping better this evening because of our generous donors.

Thank you,

Jenny Simpson for 

Team Kenya 2019
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Kenya: A Day of Mixed Emotions

Today was a day of extreme mixed emotions for all who assisted with this 1000 bedkit distribution at the Reuben Centre.

Many helping hands!

On route we were reminded by a group of giraffes that we were indeed in Kenya.

Prior to the distribution of the bedkits at the elementary school within the Centre and were welcomed by a song specifically scripted to say their appreciation of the bedkit.

Welcoming Song

The children were thrilled with the content of the bedkit which included the brightly coloured outfits they wore for picture taking.

Time for some fun!

Handing out the bedkits

The need here was great as was illustrated by their well worn shoes and the uniforms. The mandatory school uniforms are produced on site.

Their interests were common to all children skipping , football etc and of course even selfies.

Taking a Selfie

After a generously supplied lunch by a Rotarian we toured the centre which was focused to meet all needs including health, education, care, and skill building not to mention self improvement and sustainability. There was a day care centre, workshops, a library, special needs children’s centre, gardens, chickens to look after and catfish ponds.

One of the gardens

Skills Training

Skills Training

Sustainability was a focus. Usable wastes within the centre were used to made charcoal for the Centre’s kitchen. Plastics were used to make baskets. Compositing was practiced.

Making Charcoal

The illustrated caring and partnership of many offers hope for these endearing children.

Day Care

Place for children with special needs to be cared for.

A sincere thanks to the many donors and volunteers of SCAW .
The SCAW partner the Rotarians.
The remarkable teachers and overseers.
And most critically the striving and zest for life of the children.

Nancy for
Team Kenya 2019
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Kenya: Kibera

Today, the Kenya SCAW team distributed 1000 bedkits at a school in Africa's largest slum called Kibera. No doubt it could be considered a real eye opener and reality check for those in first world countries. It's one thing to show a picture to family and friends, but it's a whole different thing to experience it first hand. I don't think anyone realizes how materialistic we really are until we see these little children in such poor countries. 

The kids were so happy despite having very little, where we have everything at our fingertips for the most part. With smiles from ear to ear, the kids were so excited and grateful for the bedkits people had donated to them - many "thank you's," along the way as the kits were given to them. The Rotarians that helped us out today were phenomenal, as were the school staff and students. Our team couldn't have run such a smooth distribution if it wasn't for them. 

Today was remarkable and touching.

Willow Jacques for
Team Kenya 2019
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Kenya: We Have Arrived & 1000 Bedkits Distributed!!

Under the sunny Kenyan sky we laughed and danced and played with a 1000 terrific kids, all who will be sleeping more soundly tonight with their new bedkit items. The bedkit distribution took place at a school with approximately 2500 students, classrooms packed with upwards of 100 students per teacher.  The day went smoothly, with our Canadian team working alongside our Kenyan partners, plus the teachers and student supporters- everyone pitched in to help the kids! A great start to our working adventure and we look forward to spending more time with the kids tomorrow!

Team Kenya 2019:
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Belgaum: Over 3000 KM Travelled + 7000 Bedkits Distributed = Mission Accomplished!!

Our team awoke to another sun filled day in the tropics, in the town of Karwar, on the Arabian Sea. Following an early breakfast enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with the gentle breezes cooling us, we walked approximately two blocks to the waterfront. Here we leisurely strolled along the beach, with the mountains surrounding us. Of great interest were the old mahogany fishing boats pulled up on the shore with nets and ropes neatly coiled, waiting for the owner to begin the day's work.

We also watched about twenty young men playing what appeared to be an Indian version of rugby without the ball. When taken down, they certainly didn't mind being covered in sand and came up smiling!!

This distribution of 400 bedkits was held in a special event hall, with many overhead fans keeping the children and volunteers cool! Much appreciated by all! The small club of Rotarians were extremely well organized, with many happy and enthusiastic helpers that resulted in completing the distribution in two hours.

Today all the children came from the outlying villages, the farthest being 75 kilometres away. Buses had been organized by the Rotarians according school to transport the children and their families. It was my privilege to hand out the bedkits today to the smiling, overjoyed children and I know they will all enjoy a good night's sleep tonight.

We travelled four hours back to Belgaum and tonight the post distribution meeting will be held with our hosts, the Rotary Club of Belgaum. And tomorrow our Canadian team members will say goodbye, some returning home and others extending their travels in India.

Accolades are in order to all the Rotarians who hosted the 13 distributions, their hundreds of volunteers, our Team Leader Sandra Riches, and my colleagues on the Canadian Team, our superb driver Shekher who skillfully provided our transportation over approximately 3000 kilometres.

Most importantly, we appreciate the thousands of donors who made Murray's Dream of providing a good night's sleep for children possible.

The final distribution at Karwar completes our commitment to deliver 7,000 bedkits to those children that need them the most.

For the Children,
Carol Rolph for
Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: Mundgod & Sirsi

Today was another busy, long, and fruitful day with several hours spent driving in our vehicle. We left Hubli and traveled south to our two distribution sites of Mundgod (300 bedkits) and Sirsi (400 bedkits), and then proceeded to the site of our final distribution tomorrow.

During the distribution at Sirsi, the Rotary Club of Belgaum reached the 50,000th bedkit milestone, made possible through their hard work and passion to help the children.

Since the 14-member Mundgod Rotary Club was hosting their very first distribution, members of the Belgaum Trust assisted with the set up and smooth operation.

In both sites, the children from rural villages were very excited and happy

and the parents, who waited patiently outside, were so thankful.

Our driver, Shekher, deserves special mention, as he has been extremely dedicated and helpful assisting with several tasks at each distribution and always with a positive, pleasant manner.

As we descended from Sirsi, he skillfully guided us, in the dark, along the curvy roads and construction areas against steady ongoing traffic. He is definitely a valuable member of our team. Thanks to Shekher we reached our destination safely, and look forward to our final distribution tomorrow.

With today’s distributions completed, we have now given 6,600 bedkits to the children. They all left happy and smiling with the generosity of donors very much appreciated by the parents.

For the Children,
Ann MacDonald for
Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: Hubli and Kundgol

Today we travelled to two different distribution sites: the first was in the city of Hubli and the second was in the village of Kundgol where we distributed 400 bedkits at each site for a total of 800 bedkits today.

So, the question that came up is how the children are selected as the need is great wherever you go in this region. This came up in the discussion with the Rotary Club of Hubli, a club that has been active since 1947, has consistently had a membership of over 100 Rotarians and has been involved with SCAW bedkits since 1975. In this time interval they have distributed about 30,000 bedkits!

Preparation by the Rotarians to go into the government schools consists of organizing meetings, school selection and administrative support which all together take about 100 man hours.

To find the children who would benefit most from a bedkit and following guidelines set out by SCAW, the club organizes 10 teams of four Rotarians who visit 40 schools in the surrounding villages, directly interview prospective bedkit recipients through the use of a questionnaire, determine those children eligible and then select five girls and five boys from each school to come up with the 400 children who would get the bedkits this year. This takes about 400 man hours of work by the Rotarians.

On the day before the distribution takes place, the bedkit contents are assembled by a large number of people consisting of Rotarians, Interact/Rotaract members, families, friends and consume about 200 man hours to ensure that the bedkits are available to be given to the selected children the next day.

Finally, it is distribution day and the Rotarians come out in force as well as other volunteers such as local police, family and friends to ensure that the distribution process goes smoothly.

Before too long, the 400 selected children arrive with an adult family member and we all closely cooperate to ensure that the children get the bedkit they so deserve in as error-free process as possible. For the Rotarians and all those who helped them get this all done, it took about 300 man hours.

Total man hours associated with the Hubli bedkit distribution this year is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of 1,000 man hours, an effort that is probably representative of the 11 Rotary Clubs involved with our team at each of their sites as well as the charitable organization Ekal, an amazing commitment by these clubs and organizations…all for the children so that they can have a good night’s sleep.

As you can see, to be an overseas volunteer partner, such as Rotary, takes considerable time, effort and resources to make the distribution of the donor funded bedkits possible.

For all involved, it is a labour of love because we all care for children and know that if they can have a good night sleep, life is so much more positive for them all and their families.

Team Belgaum 2019 has now distributed 5,900 bedkits with three distributions remaining. What a positive experience for all!!

For the Children,
Joep Diening for
Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: Home Visits

After today’s distribution of 500 bed kits under yet another sunny sky, the Rotary brought us to visit a village called Bailhongal where we visited two homes after completing the distribution.

Home 1

A family of three lived in the corrugated tin home located along a narrow road in a village where cattle, when not used in the field, are tightly roped to stakes outside the home.

This home was equipped with government supplied electricity and gas. There were no windows, no furniture and the home was very small.  The corrugated tin roof was curiously decorated with plants stuck in ‘clay pots’.

The inside area was divided into two. At night the family’s two cattle occupied half the space and the family slept in the other half (including the kitchen) on a mat placed on the ground.  A wall mounted clock was the only decoration.  In the corner by the door was a two-foot square cement bathing area.

Home 2

A family of three lived in this newly constructed tin home located in the middle of a field. It was not yet equipped with electricity or gas. It also had no windows nor furniture.

Neatly aligned and polished metal pots were proudly lined up on a shelf.
The family cooked with wood inside the one room house which had a front and back door.

A raised clay platform covered in tarp in the back of the room is where the family of three slept and where water jugs were stored.

A wooden peg was used to secure the cattle in the home at night.

Both homes receiving the bedkits were looking forward to sleeping under the SCAW provided mosquito nets as they had none.

As of end of day in Bailhongal, we distributed 5,100 bedkits with five more distributions to go to reach the 7,000 total.

For the Children,
Line Forestier for
Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: A 50,000 Milestone!!

Today’s distribution in Belgaum, under a very sunny sky, was mammoth and marked an admirable milestone for the Rotary Club who began working with SCAW in 1996.

Many hands make light work. This was our team’s biggest single distribution - 1000 bed kits were given to children some of whom had travelled up to 70 kilometres early this morning with their parent.

A number of players were instrumental to today’s smooth operation.

No small details were overlooked by Dilip Chitnis and his team of rotary’s colleagues, Rotaracts, their families and friends.

Generous school teachers, whose math skills far surpassed ours, easily counted and organized the children for the large group photographs. Determined family members managed to make children not only smile but laugh out loud while having their picture taken. Donors will enjoy seeing these pictures.

As for the special milestone reached today for the Belgaum Rotary... drum roll please..... they have now distributed over 50,000 bed kits in the area. Congratulations !!!

We look forward to working with you for the next 50,000 !

For the children,
Sandra Riches - Team Leader for
Team Belgaum 2018
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Belgaum: Factory Visit

Today was a non-distribution day which allowed us to do a factory visit as part of our audit function for Sleeping Children Around the World. When a team does a distribution in a country, there is a requirement that manufacturers and suppliers are compliant to SCAW guidelines for local procurement.

We made a visit to a tailor shop where all the clothing for the 7,000 bedkits were made for this distribution. This is all accomplished in an extremely small space of two rooms in which five employees using very old Singer sewing machines work very hard for four months to produce the beautiful dresses, shirts and shorts given to the children.

The tailor and his assistant come to each distribution site to ensure that each child is fitted properly for their new clothing. It is amazing how he can take one look at a child and chose the proper size.

For the children and their family, this is a very special day. The children’s hair is done in braids and decorated with flowers and barrettes. They look their Sunday best!

The evening was spent with our Belgaum Rotary hosts visiting a swimming pool which they financed, built and operate.

This pool is open to all the children from the variously handicapped to high-level athletes. We heard amazing stories about the children’s accomplishments. One young man who did his training at the pool swam the English Channel with just one arm. Neither deafness, blindness, delayed development or physical impairment can hold any of these children from enjoying the water or earning medals for India in international competitions. The head coach in charge of the pool, is extremely energetic and passionate about his work.

This concludes another busy, wonderful and inspiring day. Going on a SCAW distribution is truly an ongoing adventure, full of long days, lots of fun,  with the reward of smiling children happily going home for a good night’s sleep!

Carol Diening for
Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: Ekal at Ramnagar!

Today we retraced our way through part of the Mhade Wildlife Sanctuary to a small rural village called Ramnagar where once again we were warmly welcomed by the organizing Ekal volunteer Girish Pai, and his outstanding local volunteers, and most especially the beautiful children and their parents. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, but today it was the exceptional team of volunteers who raised the standard of this distribution of 800 bedkits to new heights. The accompanying picture shows the efficient volunteer team.

Each child on their arrival received a banana, and upon leaving with their bedkits, a sandwich and a sweet bun. In this year’s bedkit our Canadian donors have provided a sleeping mat, two light weight blankets, a very warm wool blanket, two sets of clothes and sweater, an insect repellent mosquito net, flip flops, raincoat, backpack and school supplies. The children and families are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy as kids go home for a better night’s sleep!

As we travel we are exposed to many unfamiliar, but interesting sights outside the larger cities, such as: religious processions on foot in special dress, some with offerings carried on their heads; protests marching on foot; shepherds with their flocks; herds of goats, and of course the sacred cows. Both in the large cities, small villages, and along the countryside, people selling their wares in small stalls or beautifully displayed vegetables sitting along the roadside; small brickwork factories; fields and fields of sugar cane blowing in the wind and the sight of hundreds of trucks brimming over with their load, lining the narrow road, waiting not hours but days to unload their trucks at the sugarcane factory. 

But the almost unbelievable experience is the sight, sound, and speed of the congested traffic, consisting of motor bikes, trucks, cars, bicycles, tuk-tuks, pedestrians and at times cows! Up to ten lines of vehicles jostling for a spot to proceed, darting in and out, literally with inches to spare, stopping and starting quickly with screeching brakes all the while blowing their horns, both out of frustration as well as safety measures to alert the driver they are about to be passed.

Our donors and volunteers can rest assured another 800 children are sleeping better tonight! 

We are now at 3,600 bedkits distributed towards our goal of 7000 bedkits!

For the children

Carol Rolph for

Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: EKAL at Dandeli

Today we travelled south through a shady forested national park; as we descended we encountered a few rough areas of road construction.  The topography and vegetation were in sharp contrast to the more arid and flatter terrain of the past few days, where sugar cane and rice fields were prevalent.

The distribution was in the small village of Dandeli where cows wandered freely in the streets.

Our partner today was the NGO EKAL ABHIYAN, and volunteers were mainly members and family.

There are several remote rural villages in this area, and many parents of the recipients work in the fields, laboriously assisting with the harvesting of sugar cane.

Some children in these areas are unable to attend school, and the EKAL volunteers, guided by their principle “If children are not coming to school, education has to reach at their doorstep.” provide evening lessons to some individuals.

The 800 bedkit recipients greet us with great enthusiasm, and are very happy and excited as they await their photos in their new clothes.

Many are a bit nervous about the process as they proceed through the various stations, and they are in awe of the various bedkit items that they receive.

Our pleasant and friendly SCAW team members, with their positive warm gestures and words encourage each individual; they greatly appreciate the heartwarming experience.

The EKAL leader and volunteers are very well organized and efficient, and we look forward to working harmoniously with them tomorrow.

Total bedkit distribution to date for Team Belgaum is 2,800!

Anne Mac Donald for

Team Belgaum 2019
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Belgaum: Ramburg

It is an in incredible opportunity and experience to be a new volunteer with SCAW - Team Belgaum.  On today’s blog, I would like to give a “shout out” to the families .... single parent, mother, father, grandparent and/or uncle. Many travelled over 25 km to get to the distribution, either on foot, bus, or a shared vehicle.

The distribution takes time and the parents waited very patiently for at least 4 to 5 hours in 32 degrees Celsius, with limited shade from the sun and in crowded conditions outside the centre.

They also have to retrace their trip with the child and the bedkit. A very, very long day!!!!  However, the wait was worth it when their daughter or son was escorted to their family with a bedkit often bigger than the child.

Every parent wants the best for their child, and our generous donors help them achieve this objective. The family interview on bedkit items and sleep habits is an important part of the process. 

The gratitude, smiles and happiness are priceless!!!!

Today we distributed 600 bedkits, and to date there are a total of 2000 extremely happy children and their families who will get a better sleep!!

For the children,
Colleen Watson for

Team Belgaum 2019

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Belgaum: Gokak and Nipani

This is my first trip with SCAW and I am thrilled to be part of this dedicated team that distributed 900 bed kits at two locations today.   It’s been a long 13-hour day for us! This late-night entry will focus on the children who so eagerly greet us in various ways upon our arrival at the distribution locations.

Their loud cheers are pleasantly deafening and very humbling.

Their eager two-handed waves are heartwarming.   Their beautiful and sometimes toothless smiles are heart melting.

As hard as I try to capture their warm welcome in a photograph or two, it’s simply not possible.

I look forward to tomorrow’s distribution and to the enormous goosebumps I get when these patient, well behaved children welcome us into their world.

Total bedkits delivered to date is 1,400.  Only 5,600 to go!

For the Children,
Line ‘Goosebump’ Forestier for

Team Belgaum 2019

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