Belgaum: A day off

From Belgaum Photos 2010

Happy Valentine's Day from the Belgaum Team!

Today was our day off -- no distribution of bedkits -- but our Rotary partners had arranged for us to visit two "factories" in Belgaum where the clothing included in the bedkit is made. We were pleased to see that the "factories" are in fact family-run cottage industries providing employment for dozens of people.

Our first stop was to a small shop where the shirts, shorts, and frocks are produced. The quality of the fabric that is used in making these items is very good and the clothing included in the bedkit is well-made, durable, and attractive. It takes this cottage industry four months to complete the Sleeping Children order. The children look wonderful in their new clothes and their smiles attest to the fact that they are very happy with their new look! David and Duncan couldn't resist being measured for tunics that will be ready for them in less than 24 hours!

From Belgaum Photos 2010

The second stop was at the shop that produces the sweaters in the kit. They are handsome, well-made V-neck sweaters made from a wool/polyester blend. There is one mechanical knitting machine and nine hand-driven machines in this shop; it takes two months for this cottage industry to fill the order for the SCAW bedkits. Sunday is a holiday for the workers in this shop but several of them were there to show us how the sweaters are produced.

The Sleeping Children team thinks that the quality of the items in the Belgaum bedkit is very good and the three parents that were interviewed during the Chikodi distribution on Saturday agree. They are very pleased with the bedkits and are grateful to the donors for this gift.

Tomorrow, we are back to "work" and will distribute 500 bedkits. We can't wait!

Judy Skelton on behalf of
The Belgaum Team.

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