Today's blog features impressions of the first distribution day from three different team members.
From Marcelle Laverrière:
After over 16 hours of total flight time, our team has arrived
safely in Belgaum, India. This is my first distribution trip with SCAW and
also our first day of distribution.
We arrived at the distribution site to
a warm welcome from our overseas partner, the Rotary Club of Belgaum and many
smiling and curious faces of the parents and children. It was wonderful and
overwhelming at the same time to see first hand the difference that SCAW and
the many donors are making by bringing comfort, spreading kindness and giving
practical help to the families in need.
From Lou Vavougios:
I completed my first bedkit distribution today.
I was very impressed with how well this event was organized
by our Rotary partners. Our team of six distributed 700 bedkits with the
assistance of adult and student volunteers. Upon our arrival, the site of
the distribution was lined with family members who were there to see what their
children were going to receive. The children became increasingly excited
as their turn approached. I will always remember the smiles on their faces when they received their bedkit.
I also can’t forget the reaction of some of the younger children
when volunteers helped them by carrying the heavy bedkit to their waiting
parents - they always kept one hand on the bag.
From Ralf Soeder:
Today’s distribution of 700 bed kits at Ramdurg was my first
experience with SCAW.
Seeing the children in their bright and new outfits was awesome. By their
facial expressions, one could tell they were in awe.
What truly amazed me, though, was seeing the labels with messages from hundreds of
Canadians from all across our vast country, from sea to shining sea. Some
messages were to celebrate a special occasion such a birthday or Christmas. Many were legacy messages, in memory of a loved one. Others were students from various schools,
employees from companies small and large, places of faith, and some individuals
just happy to donate. The generosity of thousands of Canadians every year to
young students in these distant communities is amazing. You can all be proud of
the impact you have made, not only on the young recipients, but on their whole
families.
