Chennai: Sivakasi

From Chennai Photos 2010

The team left Chennai on Monday night to travel by train to Sivakasi, a city in the south of India. It gave our team a chance to get to know each other as we shared the challenge of getting some sleep in an old-styled sleeper car with the sights and sounds that seemed to come from an old Hollywood movie. We arrived safely in the early morning and made our way to our hotel and readied ourselves for two distributions.

The first distribution was outside of Sivakasi and consisted of 300 bedkits. The distribution point was a marriage hall. When we arrived the area was already teeming with children and parents and curious onlookers. Then the fun began.

The children were waiting for us inside the hall and had been dressed in their new clothes. When we entered the room to meet the children we were greeted with loud applause and heartfelt cheering. Meeting the kids and seeing their bright eyes and excited smiles made the whole trip worthwhile. This is what I came for: the kids.

After setting up the equipment we began the work of taking a photo of each of the 300 children who had waited patiently and expectantly for their chance to receive a bedkit.

From Chennai Photos 2010

It is bewildering for a young child to run the "SCAW gauntlet" from being lined up, shepherded over to the photo area, placed on a bench, told to smile, ushered over to a table to deposit their yellow tag, and then to receive their bedkit from a Sleeping Children team member.

The instant they were through the gauntlet however, their mood changed dramatically. They turned into carefree, smiling, laughing kids. All the shyness was gone and they could hang out with their friends while waiting to be transported back to their homes.

This is a magical time in a distribution. The kids demanded to be photographed in groups and yelled hysterically when shown the photo. They were in a playful mood and enjoyed playing catch with the rubber ball I brought with me. Tiny hands were thrust forward a dozen at a time for the chance of a handshake accompanied by excited squeals.

The best job in the world is to be the team member who hands out bedkits to the kids. They’ve made it all the way to the end of the maze and suddenly they are able to wrap their arms around their very own bedkit. It’s time for the big, big smile and a well coached "thank you" before they are able to join their friends and talk about this eventful day.

All the challenges of the trip melt away with the wide smile of a small child receiving a precious bed kit. To the donors I want to say, "Thank you for this gift -- it benefits not only the child but also the adults who share their experience." The $35 donation is a gift to the whole community.

From Chennai Photos 2010

We finished up our 2^nd distribution of 300 bedkits in another marriage hall late in the afternoon and were transported back to the hotel for a quick shower and a team meeting before meeting up with our Rotarian hosts for a fireworks display and a late dinner outdoors. All of us were happy to return to our hotel to enjoy the blissful sleep we had been longing for.

On Wednesday we are making another distribution in Sivakasi before boarding the train once again to return to Chennai.

Bill Baker
for Team Chennai 2010

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