Uganda: The Gift

At each distribution the Uganda team shows the parents and the children who will receive the bedkit the contents that are in each kit.  One of the incredible Ladies of the Inner Wheel, our Overseas Volunteer Partners translates for the large group of parents, grandparents, guardian, caregivers and friends. We introduce ourselves and the bedkit to great cheers and yelps and dances of joy.  The biggest cheers go up for the school bag, the 12 exercise books and the compass and protractor sets. The water bottle and basin are cheered as is the mosquito net.  We explain that it is treated and can prevent diseases like malaria which continues to plaque Uganda and the adults nod their heads in agreement.  The mat, blanket, sheet, shoes and additional tee shirt are also cheered.

 

We carefully explain that donors have given $35 Canadian to purchase this bedkit for their children and what the process will be for the picture taking and the child actually receiving the bedkit.  It is clear that many times these villagers have been duped by individuals and some organizations into turing over funds that have been borrowed with the promise that they will receive items or school fees for their childdren.  However the person never returns and families have lost very valuable resources that they desperately need to support their families.  So when they hear about Sleeping Childrem Around the World, there is some scepticism initially until the Inner Wheel complete their assessment of the needy children and choose the site in the village and then we arrive. 

 

The cheers today in Mity-ebili when we arrived were overwhelming as was the beautiful singing of the children singing a welcoming song for us. Their "wel-a-come song" touched each of us as the children waved their arms as we moved among the lines to greet the children.  They were waiting patiently for us to arrive, then changed into their new clothes to get ready for their pictures to be taken.  Even though we talk to the children about what is happening and the gift they will be receiving shortly, they do not seem to truly understand until they recieve the bedkit and then the smiles are then enormous.  Today we raced against an oncoming storm to complete the distribution before the skies opened up.

Watching the children leave with their bedkits is a joy to watch and as we leave the site we often see children and their caregivers along the road.  The waves and smiles we receive give us the understanding of the power of the gift of the bedkit that Sleeping Children Around the World is able to give to children in Uganda through the generosity of our donors.

Team Uganda 2013
 Post your comments here: