Uganda 2022 - Challenging Conditions Didn't Deter the Dedicated Volunteers from Their Mission

The Inner Wheel of Kampala overcame some early challenges with rain, early darkness, and a sparsely populated area, which meant longer driving distances to deliver 2,000 bedkits to children in northern Uganda. This is an area where bedkits have not been distributed before, and where poverty is severe. At the end of the distribution 3,000 children will have a more comfortable and safer sleep. 

The truck drivers who delivered the bedkits take a break to have breakfast:

Heavy rains didn’t stop the children from attending the distribution sites, or the Inner Wheel from making sure they received their bedkits:

Ladies from the Inner Wheel of Kampala set up the bedkit:

Children lined up for photos in groups of 4:

Even our feathered friends want to join the fun:

Bed kits going home:

Bangladesh 2022: Dedicated Volunteers Reaching Deserving Children

March 25, Sreemangal, Bangladesh: Another day of accomplishment by committed Rotary Club of Dhaka and local volunteers led by SKD Chair, Rtn. Sheikh Nahar Mahmud. 2,817 children reached, 183 to go….

The Sreemangal Zone distribution was originally planned for two days. However, due to the favorable on-ground situation, we were able to finish distribution of 240 bed kits in one day. Credit goes to all inspiring and dedicated volunteers. 

Sreemangal is a sub-district of Moulvibazar District in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. It is located at the southwest of the district, and borders the Habiganj District to the west and the Indian state of Tripura to the south. It is famous for its tea gardens. 

Rain occurs all the time here. Nature has adorned Sreemangal with green trees. Its natural scenery is very charming. It soothes one’s eyes. Birds are twittering always here. The terraced tea gardens, plantations and evergreen hills of Sreemangal are wonderful treats for the tourists. 

However, historically the tea garden workers are from a small minority group both in terms of ethnicity and religion, and are economically very deprived. We have purposefully selected 240 children from this tea workers community and distributed 240 bedkits.

Children were selected by the school teachers in consultation with village heads popularly known as “Panchaiyats” or village headmen.

Prior to Sreemangal we also attended two small camps at Dhaka and distributed 77 bed kits. Out of 300 bed kits for Dhaka, so far we have distributed 117; distribution of the remaining 183 will be completed soon to reach the magic number of 3,000!!! 

More photos from the Sreemangal & Dhaka distributions:

Children of these hard working women received our bedkits at Sreemangal:

Happy Rotary Club of Dhaka Volunteers after an excellent distribution at the Sreemangal camp:

Bangladesh celebrated its 52nd Independence Day on March 26th:

Reported by:

Sheikh Nahar Mahmud, SKD Chair

Uganda 2022 - The Inner Wheel of Kampala is Ready to Go!

The Inner Wheel of Kampala is ready to start the distribution of 3,000 bedkits to children in Northern Uganda. 

It’s been a challenging process to fit together all the pieces of this remote distribution, but the ladies of the IW have shown their experience, organizational skills and dedication in making all the needed arrangements.

The members of the IW are excited, and are looking forward to meeting the 3,000 children and their families.

The bus is packed and the Inner Wheel ladies are ready for action:

There will be even bigger smiles tomorrow when the children receive their bedkits!

SCAW's partners in Uganda -- the Inner Wheel of Kampala -- ready to distribute 3000 bedkits:

March 10-13 Rowmari & Kashinathpur, Bangladesh

Another three super-rewarding and spirited days of distributions by committed Rotary Club of Dhaka and local volunteers led by SKD Chair, Rtn. Sheikh Nahar Mahmud, reaching 2,500 bed kits distributed.

The Rowmari and Kashinathpur Zone distributions were originally planned for 12 days. However, due to a favorable on-ground situation we were able to finish the distribution of 1,200 bedkits in three days. Credit goes to all inspiring and dedicated volunteers. Out of 1,200 bedkits, 1,000 were distributed at Rowmari, one of the most underdeveloped and impoverished sub-districts of Bangladesh. Rowmari in Kurigram District (Rangpur Division) is a town in Bangladesh about 215 km north of Dhaka, the country's capital city. We selected a total of 20 schools. Each school was allocated on an average of 50 bed kits.

Children were selected by the Head Teacher in consultation with members of the school management committee. Our Rotary Community Corps (RCC) Rowmari local volunteers including, local administrative members, joined our program with full enthusiasm and support. Rotary volunteers had to travel 35 hours on road to complete the mission in 5 days including 2 travel days. We have also done on-ground screening of children to ensure SCAW’s set standard and guidelines. Local photographers were trained on the spot by SKD Chair to ensure quality and dimension of the photos.

What satisfying days we have had!

Local State Minister took part in the distribution 

as a token of appreciation

Our youngest volunteer, Rotary- Let TOY in  action

Boys and Girls looking smart in Summer Dress

We provide two sets of clothing, i.e.  winter dress comprising of fleece hoodie and Pajama and summer dress of cotton attires. As Bangladesh is already in summer weather; during this distribution we only used summer dresses for photo shoots. Beautiful background images depicting one of the main sources of livelihoods (country boat and fishing net).

Local volunteers are getting ready for action
under full-bloom mango tree at Rowmari

Other photos from Rowmari and Kashinathpur distributions:

RC Volunteers on a river cruise after a day’s hard work

Beautiful sunset at mighty Brahmaputra river at Rowmari

Reported by Sheikh Nahar Mahmud, SKD Chair

Rotary Club of Dhaka completes Barotopa and Daudkandi Distributions

SCAW's partners in Bangladesh, the Rotary of Dhaka has now completed the distribution of 820 bedkits in Daudkandi Zone; the last distribution under Daudkandi zone was on 26th February.

On Friday, March 4th, we completed 440 Bedkits distribution at Barotopa.

As of today we have completed 1300 bedkits. Stay tuned for blogs from  Barotopa and Daudkandi last camp. The photos are from Barotopa and Daudkandi.

Our next distribution schedule is as follows:

• March 9-12 at Rowmari (1000 bedkits)
• March 13 at Kashinathpur (200 bedkits)

Sheikh Nahar Mahmud – Chair of bedkit program