South Africa 2019 - Distributions begin
We were off
and running today for our first distribution of 174 bedkits. It was at a large
complex containing regular schools through to high school, but we worked out of
a school called Pure Hope for very underprivileged children.
The children are being looked after by the school but go home to nothing. A bedkit must mean so much more to them than we can ever imagine. Eleanor suggested a lot of them have never had anything “new” in their lives.
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Eleanor
joined us to help from Rotary. She is a doctor supporting a clinic for this
school as well as a large settlement about 200 metres away. This settlement
contains homes constructed of nothing but cardboard and scrap material. There isn’t
any electricity, running water, or sewage systems. It is unknown exactly how
many people live there, as most are unregistered, meaning they are faceless and
don’t exist in the system.
The
settlement is the main source of students for our school. The students start at
two years of age and come having never seen running water or toilets, many suffering from malnourishment. The children get two meals a day at school, and this is usually the only food they have each day. Eleanor related a story of a
mother who brought her baby to the clinic yesterday, but sadly the child died
shortly after from malnutrition.
The children are being looked after by the school but go home to nothing. A bedkit must mean so much more to them than we can ever imagine. Eleanor suggested a lot of them have never had anything “new” in their lives.
Our
distribution for the day had a few problems to solve, it being the first time
we have been to South Africa, but we worked through them. Tomorrow should be
easier.
Jim Miller
Jim Miller
Team South
Africa 2019
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South Africa 2019: On the ground and preparing for bedkit distributions
The SCAW team had a truly wonderful day today enjoying their new friends from South Africa. The day began with a pre-distribution meeting at the home of Shirley Downie, the South African Team Coordinator. Plans for the upcoming distribution were discussed and final details sorted to give out 1500 bedkits to needy children in South Africa.
The teams then bonded and ate salads and sausage and ribs cooked over a wood “braii” (barbecue).
An afternoon drive though one of the “townships” and a tour of a local mosque (the largest in the Southern Hemisphere) was very interesting.
Both teams are looking forward to our first two school visits in the townships tomorrow, and are excited to meet the children.
Beth Poad
Team Leader
Team South Africa 2019
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South Africa 2019: On our way!
Team South Africa 2019 departed from Toronto with smiles and anticipation.
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| L-R: Beth Poad (Team Leader), Suzanne Andrew, Anne Andrew, and Jim Miller |
Many hours and some re-routing later, they were welcomed to Johannesburg by their hosts.
Beth Poad
Team Leader
Team South Africa 2019
South Africa 2019 - Post your comments here
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Sri Lanka 2019: A better night's sleep for 7,000 children
Completed! 7,000 children have now received a bedkit in the Sri Lanka 2019 distribution, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Pictured here with the child receiving the last bedkit to be distributed are, left to right: Ted Swanston (Assistant Team Leader), Iain Maciver, Karen Morgan (Team Leader), Carol Swanston, Eileen St. Croix, and Lloyd White.
Together, the SCAW and Rotarian teams celebrate the completion of Sri Lanka 2019 distribution.
Pictured here with the child receiving the last bedkit to be distributed are, left to right: Ted Swanston (Assistant Team Leader), Iain Maciver, Karen Morgan (Team Leader), Carol Swanston, Eileen St. Croix, and Lloyd White.
Together, the SCAW and Rotarian teams celebrate the completion of Sri Lanka 2019 distribution.
Sri Lanka 2019: A peek behind the scenes
Rains came in cloud bursts,
causing flooding in the city streets.
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Karen working the camera
Eileen doing the counter sheets
The
factory where this year’s backpacks were made.
Note: The child in the picture below is the son of the owner of the factory, and not a worker there.
Note: The child in the picture below is the son of the owner of the factory, and not a worker there.
Team Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka 2019: A musical welcome
Today we returned to a different school Yakwila. We were
greeted by children with flowers, accompanied by an all-girl marching band who
looked beautiful in their light and darker green costumes.
We delivered 766
bedkits to the smiling children who delighted us with their "thank yous”.
We were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by the teachers and parents who
also helped us immensely during the distribution.
Eileen & Lloyd
Sri Lanka 2019: Each day a blessing
The SCAW team
receives a variety of greetings at the different sites, which are selected for
us. Being honoured by marching school drum bands, and receiving leis, lotus flowers and/or
beetle leaves from the school children are just a few of the special ways to start
our day.
Today, we participated in a candle-lighting ceremony, requesting a blessing for the distribution that is about to take place. This was followed by two young female students thanking donors for their gift.
Ted Swanston
Team Sri Lanka
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Today, we participated in a candle-lighting ceremony, requesting a blessing for the distribution that is about to take place. This was followed by two young female students thanking donors for their gift.
Ted Swanston
Team Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka 2019: Rain? Not a problem...
Thunder overnight and heavy rains as we drove to our site
made the team wonder what challenges the day might bring. Our Rotary partners
feared the conditions may prevent some children from reaching the distribution
site and receiving their precious gift. Our concerns were put to rest as we
entered a large, sparsely lit auditorium filled with excited Sri Lankan
children. The bedkits were stacked in rows, as their future beneficiaries
lined up to be fitted with their new school shoes before their photo was
taken. 700 more children will have a better night’s sleep.
Shoe fitting before getting bedkit
Children were given some food and drink while waiting...
Kolonnawa Rotary and Lloyd just finishing up distributing today’s last bedkit
Ted Swanston
Shoe fitting before getting bedkit
Children were given some food and drink while waiting...
Kolonnawa Rotary and Lloyd just finishing up distributing today’s last bedkit
Ted Swanston
Team Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka 2019: Getting to know the culture
Yesterday was Rest Day, which we spent touring the Botanical Gardens
and sightseeing in Kandy. There, we saw a magnificent garden with thousands of what are to us
indoor plants, over many acres.
Today was a long one, with an early start and two
distributions. Rains taunted us all day.
When we were done, the local teachers gave us afternoon tea. It was a gesture of thanks from them. The new ESL teacher, a local woman, told us that her classes
averaged 40 students. Foreigners, much less tourists were seldom seen, but they
felt learning English might be a good start to change that.
Here, we see children demonstrating an act of respect to the (foreign) elders:
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Sri Lanka 2019: A true team effort
Today, the SCAW team delivered 939 bedkits to central Sri Lankan
children. Lots of smiling faces!!
We could not have accomplished
this distribution without the organization and help of the Rotary members of
Kelaniya and the local Rotary and Rotorac volunteers.
A small snack was provided to all children receiving a bedkit.
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Sri Lanka 2019: A day in pictures
Lloyd and Iain being welcomed.
Curious boys
The Matale Hindu
Temple distribution site
Lloyd settling a
young lady
Eileen and Lloyd managing the flow of kids for Karen, our photographer
Carol enjoying king
coconut water, replenishing body minerals, etc. Far better than water.
Playing cricket with the kids. Iain actually hitting the ball.
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Sri Lanka 2019: Sunshine and Smiles
Today we were greeted
by sunshine for our one-and-a-half hour scenic drive to our distribution. On
arrival we were greeted by the local Rotarians, and the smiles of children and
their parents. We were all adorned with garlands.
Eileen had her many friends in Newfoundland-Labrador sew/knit 1,700 finger puppets. They were handed out to the delighted children.
The Rotarians had the
distribution site well prepared, and with their help and that of the Rotaract
members, we had a smooth distribution. Tonight, 663 Sri Lankan children will have
a better night's sleep, thanks to the generosity of our SCAW donors.
Sri Lanka 2019: Generosity in action
Our team received a
wonderful welcome from the children of Habarana.
Some team members are
giving out the bedkits on behalf of our donors. Our distribution today was at
Alagollawa Catholic School. We were pleased to hand out 800 bedkits to
the children.
Sweet dreams tonight.
Team Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka 2019: A warm welcome
Under sunny skies, our team was led by a
children’s band through a smiling, waving crowd of children and parents, a warm
welcome for our first distribution.
Thank you Rotary Club of Kelaniya for a successful day, helping 700 children get a good night’s sleep. Sweet dreams to every one of them.
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Things went smoothly, thanks in no
small degree to the involvement of many local volunteers who helped dress the
children in their new T-shirts, shorts and colourful skirts.
An important
bedkit item was school shoes, and the shoe supplier had a team of employees and
extra supplies on hand to ensure the children were properly fitted.
Thank you Rotary Club of Kelaniya for a successful day, helping 700 children get a good night’s sleep. Sweet dreams to every one of them.
Team Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka 2019 - We've arrived!
Glad to say the team
has safely arrived after a grueling trip from Toronto to Colombo via Abu Dhabi.
Everyone is rested up and soon we start the distribution. We’ll meet our
Overseas Partners tomorrow to finalize our arrangements.
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Front, L-R: Carol Swanston, Karen Morgan, Team Leader, Eileen St. Croix
Back, L-R: Ted Swanston, Assistant Team Leader, Iain Maciver, Lloyd White
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Sri Lanka 2019 -- Post your comments here:
As a courtesy to our overseas team, please add your name to the end of your comments.
Honduras 2019: Success, Smiles and Good-Byes
Today we completed our goal of giving out 7,000 bed kits and backpacks to 7,000 very happy children.
The children headed home eager to see what was in their backpack and bed kit.
It was a beautiful school because the wives of the Rotary Club members here had put in some lovely gardens, washrooms, a kitchen, a playground and an extra classroom. They also built a cement wall around the whole area and had the rooms brightly painted.
One donation was for 50 bed kits. Debbie photographed them in 2 groups on the stairs, which were also donated by the Rotarian wives.
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We had a surprise visit from some stilt walkers who came to entertain us.
The Rotaracts outdid themselves and because it was a Saturday we had extra help from them. Today was especially fun because we all wore pyjamas.
We were sad to have to say goodbye to the generous and friendly people we had become friends with over the last two weeks.
Carol Maranda
Team Honduras 2019
Honduras, 2019: Day 11: Generous Donors, Happy Children
Each night our team gathers to review the labels that will be in the photos the next day. We read the messages from each of the donors and it never fails to make us smile. We know that each label represents the gift of a bedkit for the child.
We see the labels from our friends and our families, we see the labels for the birth of a child, and for the passing of another. We see milestone celebrations - 50th anniversaries, a loved daughter turning 21, a dear friend hitting 60. Some are markers of special events, fundraisers within communities and schools.
This trip had many donations from corporate donors as well as from super-organized donors who were already purchasing bedkits for Christmas presents!
One of our favourites this year read simply "Just because the world is a good place".
After 11 wonderful days of working with the children here in Honduras, we agree wholeheartedly!
Debbie Will-Dryden
Team Honduras 2019
Honduras 2019: Day 10: The Children Give Back
Every day of our distribution we are greeted by the children, the teachers and the community with smiles and gratitude.
At the schools the students and teachers have treated us to dance and song performances. We see them rehearsing, we see their excitement and a bit of nervousness, and then we see them perform.
It is a treat to see the children shine and we know it is their way of giving back and giving thanks for the bedkit gifts they have just received. At today's school they had even created a backdrop on the stage with a message of thanks to Sleeping Children along with a Canadian flag.
As we wind down our work here with 6000 children now cosy with their new bedkits, we are wishing time would slow. With only 2 more days with the kids we will savour each smile!
Debbie Will-Dryden
Team Honduras 2019
Debbie Will-Dryden
Team Honduras 2019