Philippines: Surprises and Gratitude

Former bedkit recipient with Bill and Tom. From Philippines 2011

Our fifth day of bedkit distributions proved to be another one of surprises and gratitude.

The Jacinto Ponce Elementary School in Baliuag was the site of the distriibution because it was central to the area where the needy children lived, being only a short twenty-minute ride by motorised-trike that most take to school.

The surprise was having a twelve-year-old girl (Pictured at right.) and her mother show up at the site and approach us to say thank you for the bedkit that she had received in 2006 when she was seven years old.

She still had her woven mat, t-shirt, shorts, pillow case, and well-worn mosquito netting.

From Philippines 2011

The mosquito nets are a highly valued item in the rural areas of the Philippines where dengue fever is a common illness. There were smiles all around when we and the SCAW Overseas Volunteers realized that their hard work in organizing the distributions and procuring these quality items had paid dividends.

These items continue to be used and thanks given to the donors years later because these bedkits are so valued by the recipients. It truly does change their lives.

Monika Sergeant
for Team Philippines 2011

Post your comments here.

Philippines: Bustos and Caloocan

Our overseas partners in the Philippines From Philippines 2011

To-day we distributed 660 bed-kits to Bustos and Caloocan, two towns in the rural areas outside of Manila. We passed rice fields, saw lazy buffalo grazing in the field, marveled at the volcanoes towering in the distance, and the rolling hills running to meet them. The vegetation is brown and crispy because there has been no rain for two months. People scurried around in the streets of the towns, dodging the jeepneys and motorized tricycles that jostled for position while their drivers scanned hopefully for the next client. And on the roadside we saw rice drying on the sides of the road while workers rolled the grain so the sun would bake them to perfection. Yes, vehicles drove over the grain and we laughed thinking about the amazing rice cakes we had been eating at the distribution sites.

No matter where we end up though, the faces of the children turn in delighted expectation for the gift they would receive.

Going home with bedkit gift. From Philippines 2011

Some are quiet, shy, and hesitant to engage with us, but we were told not to be fooled by this, they long to be touched. Some children took a little longer to uncover the smile, but worth every moment of patient connection. Their gratitude was unmistakable when the bedkit was received.

Each child was gently nudged forward. They took our hand, drew it to their forehead and said " Thank-you po." It felt like a blessing that touched us deeply. The small faces turned up to us bore a twinkle of anticipation, they smiled shyly then trotted off with their bedkit to meet with their parent who waited patiently outside the gates of the school.

From Philippines 2011

And I watched them go, knowing that for many this would be the greatest gift in their lives. We all hoped it would change things for each of them. They had certainly changed all of us.

Donna Chantler
for Team Philippines 2011

Post your comments here.

Kenya: Kangemi

Today’s distribution was at New Kibumbui Elementary School in an area of Nairobi known as Kangemi.

Headmaster Wilfred invited the SCAW team and our Rotary partners into his office to sign the school’s Guest Book and inform us about his school, students, and staff. He mentioned that many of his students slept on the floor of their homes.

From Kenya 2011

This is a school of 1601 students covering grades 1 to 8. The Kenyan government provides the funding for the school building and the salaries of the teachers. Unfortunately with the school’s present enrolment the school is short 9 teachers. Kangeni is a disadvantaged community where parental involvement in the school is minimal.

From Kenya 2011

The Headmaster led us from his office to an interior courtyard where the distribution was going to take place. We were deluged with motion and noise. The students were running through the courtyard and the interior halls of the 2-storey building chattering with their friends and classmates. There was excitement in the air.

The students also have responsibilities before the school begins each morning. They sweep and tidy the halls, classrooms and playground and clean the washrooms.

We were told that the students would be coming in classes to have their photos taken and receive their bedkits. They would remain in their classrooms until all 1,100 students between the ages of 6 to 12 had received their bedkits and then the whole school would be dismissed. Thank goodness for the teachers. They were wonderful and much loved by their students.

From Kenya 2011

In less than three hours all the photos had been taken and bedkits given out.

After a short meal in the staff room and many “thank yous” we wandered throughout the school and playground talking with the students and teachers.

Some of the facts that we learned were:

• A typical Grade Four classroom had 74 students.
• The desks were 48 inches wide and shared by four students.
• The room was 20 feet by 30 feet in size.
• English as a subject begins in grade one (Swahili is the language of the school and family).
• All students must wear a school uniform. The estimated cost to parents for this uniform is 2,000 Shillings ($25.00).
• The outside walls of the school displayed murals related to health, hygiene, academics, and civil behaviour.

Click on photo to see VIDEO. From Kenya 2011

To see and hear the video, click on the graphic at left.

As we left the school we saw students skipping “Double Dutch” and some playing soccer with homemade soccer balls of rags and plastic bags.

The spirit and the enthusiasm of the students were quite remarkable. This was a day that both they and we would long remember.

Thanks to Champlain Discovery Public School. Some of your bedkits were given out at this school.

Team Kenya 2011

Post your comments here.

Kenya: Blog 3

There is an impressive number of Kenyans sporting Canadian flag lapel pins this evening who did not have them yesterday. They were given out earlier today in appreciation of the invaluable contribution of those who volunteered their time and energy with Team Kenya so far this week.

From Kenya 2011

We completed our second distribution today; 900 more children received bedkits, made possible only with the amazing help of over 30 Kenyan volunteers. Rotarians, Rotoracts, teachers, church and community members, both male and female, of various ages, demonstrated impressive passion and stamina as part of this distribution.

We were reminded of the amount of hard work that takes place prior to the SCAW Team’s arrival. For example, making decisions related to finding and obtaining quotes from suppliers, choosing the locations, the contents of the bedkit, which they then collate and deliver to the distribution sites. At the same time, volunteers are selecting the most appropriate children to receive the bedkits and arranging for them to be brought to the distribution.

From Kenya 2011

On the day of distribution, they never stop, assisting with organizing the children, a huge task given the numbers and ages. Volunteers also act as interpreters, ensuring the children are changed into their new outfits, entertaining the children as they wait their turns, reuniting the parents with their children after they have received their bedkits, and helping the SCAW team members with their responsibilities.

What is truly special about our volunteer partners is the obvious dedication to the children in their community and their willingness to act upon it.

Team Kenya 2011

Post your comments here.

Philippines: Interviewing the Parents

From Philippines 2011

The morning distribution was at a convent to which the children had been transported. The Sisters are very influential in the lives of the local people providing school supplies, advice, and medical assistance. Some of the children had noticeable medical problems.

My responsibility was to conduct interviews with parents about the bedkits. The information gleaned from these encounters reveals that living conditions are sub-standard with entire families sleeping on the floor with only cardboard as a buffer. The rainy season is particularly difficult because of heavy and frequent flooding. In some cases the breadwinner is unable to get to work thus cutting off the income for long periods of time. The children are prone to colds, flu, and TB.

When asked what item from the bedkit would be most beneficial the common reply was the school supplies because they could be shared among the siblings. If possible they would like vitamins added to the kit.

All of my interviewees wanted higher education for their children.

Faith Clark
for Team Philippines 2011

Post your comments here.

Kenya: First distribution

VIDEO - Click above to view. From Kenya 2011

Imagine 900 children between the ages of 7 and 12 all in one location needing to change into new outfits, sit still for a short presentation, and then line up for photos and bedkits.

Add the vibrancy of their new brightly coloured clothing with the clear, pure strength of their young confident voices spontaneously singing gospel songs and you have our experience today during our first distribution.

To see and hear the video, click on the graphic at right.

From Kenya 2011

One of the highlights for us was the parent interviews which were held with the skill of our interpreter at the end of the afternoon. The shy women enthusiastically offered their suggestions. They shared lives that are completely unfamiliar to us from Canada.

Their eyes lit up when they saw the items in the bedkit, particularly the mosquito net. When asked how they felt the bedkit benefitted their families they replied, “Our children will be able to sleep better tonight on their new mattresses instead of on the floor and they will be safer from malaria under the mosquito net.”

From Kenya 2011

Our experience today emphasized the importance of the bedkit program to the children of Kenya. The heartfelt thanks and blessings from the children and parents touched our hearts.

Team Kenya 2011

Post your comments here.

Philippines: Marakina

From Philippines 2011

Today was our first day of distribution in the Philippines.

As a teacher, I was very interested to see that our afternoon distribution was being held at Nangka Elementary School in the town of Marakina. As the children were being organized into groups for their photos, I had an opportunity to sit and speak to the school principal. She explained that Nangka is a public school for children in Grades 1-6 with a total school population of 3,795 children.

From Philippines 2011

Due to the size of the school, children attend in two shifts--Grades 1, 3, and 5 in the morning and Grades 2, 4, and 6 in the afternoon. With 100 teachers on staff each class numbers about 38 students.

The teachers helped select the children most in need of receiving a SCAW bedkit and the principal commented on how wonderful it was to have a backpack and school supplies included in the bedkit. She found it hard to believe that 800 students would be considered a large Elementary School in Canada and that Primary class sizes are only around 20 students.

The size of the school and classes may be different in the Philippines and Canada but the smiling faces and shining eyes of the children are universal.

Pat Innes
for Team Philippines 2011

Post your comments here.

Kenya: The team has arrived

Team Kenya arrived safely in Nairobi and spent the last two days checking the contents of a bedkit, meeting the overseas Rotary volunteers, and exploring the first distribution site where the action starts tomorrow (Monday).

From Kenya 2011

We also had some time for touring, shopping and recovering from the long flight and time change. We are looking forward to a successful distribution.

Pictured are (Left to right): Larry Donahoo (OVO Leader); Marnie Nelles; Marianne Tomlinson; Karen Bridgman-Acker; Cathy Gregory; Bill Baker, Dave Dryden (SCAW Team Leader)

Team Kenya 2011

Post your comments here.

Kenya: Post your comments here

As a courtesy, please include your name at the end of your comment.

Philippines: Organizational Meeting

The SCAW team met with Dr. Ito Torres and his outstanding team of Overseas Volunteers in Antipolo City, just outside Manila on Sunday afternoon. They proudly showed us how they were packing the 27 items (59 pieces) into each bedkit and the high quality of each item. All of the bedkits were packed in exactly the same manner by a group of young men who were proud to be part of the SCAW team. They then showed us the two two-story houses where they were storing the 6,000 bedkits. The compact bedkits filled every room and will be transported to the distribution sites over the next two weeks, starting tomorrow morning in Brookside.

Dr. Ito Torres and his wife Alice kindly opened their own home to host the organizational meeting for the distributions. Military operations have seldom been organized with better precision and attention to detail. During the meeting he reviewed the criteria that he follows for selecting organizations to work with in the Philippines and how he wanted them to select the needy children who would receive a bedkit. It was as if the great man, Murray Dryden, himself were talking when he was speaking. It was a singular pleasure for us to hear his philosophies about SCAW and the sincerity of his and his team's work.

Afterward Dr. Torres and Alice treated the team to an authentic Filippino meal of traditional foods and delicacies for which we were most thankful. Dr Ito showed us how to peel sun-ripened mangos for dessert and Alice generously provided us with goody bags, including maps of central Luzon Island where we will be doing the 19 distributions.

We and the SCAW donors are certainly blessed to have such a wonderful team of Overseas Volunteers in the Philippines who have done everything possible to keep Murray's dream thriving.

The SCAW Philippines 2011 Team

Post your comments here.

Philippines: The team has arrived

The SCAW distribution team spent their first morning in Quezon City, Philippines walking around the district near the hotel to get a closer look at the people who make up this mega-city. Their friendly gestures and warm smiles made us feel welcome as we passed street vendors and the employees of various shops. Each would offer a cheery hello and offer to assist us in whatever way they could.

This afternoon we will be meeting with the overseas volunteers to get ourselves organised for the 19 up-coming distributions for this trip.

Stay tuned.

The SCAW Philippines 2011 Team

Post your comments here.

Pune: Trip reports posted

The donor newsletter for the Pune bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website.

Pune 2011

Photos are available in the Pune 2011 Photo Album. You can view them by clicking the link above.

If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.

Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.

Belgaum: Trip Reports Posted

The donor newsletter for the Belgaum bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website.

Belgaum 2011

Photos are available in the Belgaum 2011 Photo Album. You can view them by clicking the link above.

If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.

Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.

Chennai: Trip Reports Posted

The donor newsletter for the Chennai bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website.

Chennai 2011

Photos are available in the Chennai 2011 Photo Album. You can view them by clicking the link above.

If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.

Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.

Philippines: The team prepares

The Sleeping Children Around the World travelling team for 2011 to the Philippines was at SCAW headquarter, 28 Pinehurst Crescent, this weekend preparing for their distribution of bedkits to 6,000 children in the Manila area at the end of the month.

From Philippines 2011

Pictured at right are (Left to right): Tom Chudleigh (Team Leader), Donna Chantler, Faith Clark, Monika Sergeant, Pat Innes, and Bill Sergeant.

They'll be posting reports to the Live Reports Blog when they arrive there next week.

Post your comments here.

Philippines: Post your comments here

As a courtesy, please include your name at the end of your comment.