Honduras: The team has arrived

All is well!

We are in Tegucigalpa. We were greeted at the airport by members of the Rotary Club: Carlos, Sergio, Roberto and Fidel.

After a short trip to our hotel we checked in, freshened up and the team got together to plan for tomorrow, our first distribution.

We had a look at the bedkit and practiced setting it up for the distribution. We discussed our various roles for tomorrow and are eager to get started. The distribution that was missed today has been rescheduled for Sunday afternoon. Sunday will be a very busy day for us with two day's distributions.

Laurie-Beth took us on a tour of the hotel and then we went to the restaurant for an early dinner. We then retired to our rooms to rest for tomorrow.

Harry Gauthier, for the 2007 SCAW Honduras team

Leave a comment here.

Honduras: Houston - We have a Problem!

Laurie Beth calls Carlos: “Carlos, Help! We are stuck in Houston!”

The fog was really bad this morning, so we did not leave Toronto until approximately 9:00 a.m. We arrived in Houston at about 11:00 a.m. local time and seeing how there is only one flight to Tegucigalpa, Honduras per day, we had to stay over in Houston, without baggage.

Suzanne and I went to a mall to buy a few things (T-shirt & toothpaste) as our baggage is locked up at the airport waiting for the flight tomorrow to Tegucigalpa.

We have had to put off the first day's distribution to a later time. Carlos will arrange that for us I am sure. We had a chance to relax and eat (Texas-Style) and we will be up early in the morning to take our three-hour flight to Tegucigalpa.

All is well otherwise and we are looking forward to our first distribution.

For the Children

Harry Gauthier reporting live from Houston.

Leave a comment here.

Honduras: Leave your comments here

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the link.

After you click on the word "comments" or the link "Post a comment" you will be sent to a page that includes a graphic like the one at right.

1. Type your comments in the box.
2. Type the blue letters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
3. Choose an identity.
   1. Your Google/Blogger account (if you have one),
   2. Your name and a link to your website (if you have one), or
   3. Anonymous. In this case, please be sure to include your name at the bottom of your comment.
4. Click on the blue button to preview or click on the orange button to publish your comment.

Note: You cannot post comments on the Picasa pages.

Honduras: The 2007 travelling team

From Honduras 2007 Album 1

The Sleeping Children Around the World 2007 Honduras Travelling Team

Left to right: Harry Gauthier, Suzanne Dobinson, Laurie-Beth Davidson (Team Leader), Hilda Reinauer-Stark, Judy Skelton, Jim Stark

Leave a comment here.

Don't miss the next blog posts.

From Uganda 2007 Photo Album

To subscribe to
SCAW Live Report
enter email address
below:


Delivered by
FeedBurner
Be sure to answer
confirmation email
or you won't
be subscribed.

This month we have two teams leaving for distributions: a team going to Honduras leaves on October 18^th to deliver 5,000 bedkits and a team going to Bangladesh leaves on October 23^rd to deliver 7,500 bedkits.

Watch for their reports right here ... and if you haven't already set up an automatic subscription to this blog, use the form at right and fill in your email address to get each blog post delivered to your inbox daily.

Important Note: Once you fill in the form, be sure to reply to the message you receive from Feedburner to complete the subscription process. Otherwise, you will not be subscribed. You might want to check your spam/bulk email folder if you haven't yet received the confirmation email.

By the way, you can also subscribe in an RSS Reader if that is more convenient for you.

Tanzania: Day 10 — Kibaga

From Tanzania Album 10

A bitter sweet day!
Dedicated to our donors, who make it possible.

We arrived at rural Kibaga School on a beautiful Tanzanian morning. The temperature was perfect with blue skies all around, a wonderful change from yesterday’s humidity of 94%. Stately coconut trees formed the back drop for the photos. Following roll call, we were touched to hear a group of children orphaned by AIDS sing the following song they had composed for the occasion:

   Welcome to our school.
   We never thought it would happen.
   We are so happy you came here, please feel at home.

   We are orphans with lots of problems ... No food, no one
   To take care of us.
   We beg people to let us live with them.

           CHORUS
               Twawashukuru wafadhili wetu mungu awazidishie
               Thank you very much. May God bless you.

   Today you have brought us a great gift.
   We are begging you to keep up your support.
   We pray that God will bless you more and more
   So you can help more children.
           CHORUS

   Our teachers give us a good education
   They treat us with respect and do not discriminate.
   They teach us wisdom.
           CHORUS

   We are begging you that this will not be
   The last time you visit our school.
   We did not expect it and we appreciate it.
           CHORUS

   So many people have lots of money and big companies
   But they do not come to help us.
   They are not even empathetic
   But you have sent help to us.
           CHORUS

   Now this is the last verse.
   The pen has run out of ink.
   We are so happy.
   May God bless you more and more
   So you can give happiness to more children.
           CHORUS

From Tanzania Album 10

So that concludes the distributions. We are off for two days on another adventure to Mikumi – a national game park for a mini-safari.

Twawashukuru wafadhili wetu mungu awazidishie.

Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: The Photo Albums

Tanzania 2007

Tanzania Album 1

Tanzania Album 2

Tanzania Album 3

Tanzania Album 4

Tanzania Album 5

Tanzania Album 6

Tanzania Album 7

Tanzania Album 8

Tanzania Album 9

Tanzania Album 10

Tanzania: Leave your comments here

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the link.

After you click on the word "comments" or the link "Post a comment" you will be sent to a page that includes a graphic like the one at right.

1. Type your comments in the box.
2. Type the blue letters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
3. Choose an identity.
   1. Your Google/Blogger account (if you have one),
   2. Your name and a link to your website (if you have one), or
   3. Anonymous. In this case, please be sure to include your name at the bottom of your comment.
4. Click on the blue button to preview or click on the orange button to publish your comment.

Note: You cannot post comments on the Picasa pages.

Tanzania: Day 9 — Tungini

HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

• There are nearly 25 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa – 59% of them are women.
• Two million children are living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Only 13% of HIV-positive children have access to antiretroviral treatment.
• Without treatment, one-third of infants infected with HIV die before reaching age one. Half die before age two.

(Sources: UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO) More information at: The Stephen Lewis Foundation

Jacqueline From Tanzania Album 9

Today we met a miracle! Today we met Jacqueline!

We are surrounded by the ravages of AIDS: grandmothers parenting orphans, single parents, children raising children, children who are HIV positive.

A few months ago, Jacqueline was dying from AIDS. Even though she herself was hospitalized and facing death, she found the strength to reach out to the other patients and comfort them whenever possible. Then Mama Wandoa came into her life and took her to her home. She was able to obtain the antiretroviral drugs Jacqueline needed and today — there was Jacqueline handing out clothing to 550 children. She never once wavered from her post in spite of the heat and humidity. She was kind and gentle as she gave directions to the children. She asked for only one thing: a second Canada pin so she could use them as a pair of earrings. She also wanted her story told. So many lives could be saved if only they had access to the drugs.

On the way to Tungini this morning we reminisced about past few days and could hardly believe there were only two distributions left to do. Even though we are emotionally and physically tired, you could hear the tinge of sadness as we realized our Tanzania adventure was drawing to a close.

From Tanzania Album 9

We were greeted by the friendly waves of mothers, children and teachers. It is heart rending to see how many mothers wait all day in the hope of receiving a bedkit. In the mornings they will wait in groups at some distance from the photography site. As the bedkits are distributed and the stockpile dwindles, you can sense the anxiety of the mothers and they push closer and closer. It is the worst part of the day to look into their eyes and explain there are simply no bedkits left.

It’s at times like this you seek consolation in the 550 children who did receive bedkits and the miracle of Jacqueline.

Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 8 - Kitunda

From Tanzania Album 8

Today we travelled to an area called Kitunda, a short distance from Dar es Salaaam, to a school located at the end of a narrow dirt road with potholes so large they almost swallowed up our van. How we don’t get a flat tire is beyond me! The good news is that our new driver seems to be able to find our distribution sites without stopping for directions every 100 feet.

When we arrived, the students were gathered in an open area, ready to perform their opening exercises. They sang the national anthem, accompanied by four girls on drums. What an uplifting way to start your morning! Mama Wandoa then introduced us all, making us feel like celebrities. However, that feeling didn’t last long once we were covered in dust and sweat!

It was obvious right from the start that the number of children here exceeded our previous distributions, yet we weren’t concerned about crowd control, feeling assured by what appeared to be the head mistress explaining earlier who we were and what we were doing there.

From Tanzania Album 8

However, while the distribution itself proceeded very smoothly over the next few hours, as our pile of brightly-coloured mattresses grew smaller and smaller we began to sense the growing desperation of the children and parents who were not slated to receive a bedkit. This is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the day: few things are as heartbreaking as a mother pleading with us to give her child a bedkit.

But this is the reality so we do what we can and console ourselves that at least a few more children will sleep well tonight.

Maureen Maus for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 7 - Bunju B and Boko

From Tanzania Album 7

What a great day it has been! Another successful day of bedkit distribution is over and a unique one at that!

We visited two school sites: Bunju B in the morning and then on to Boko where over a hundred of the children were brought in by truck to have their photos taken and receive their bedkits. What a truckload went home this afternoon, loaded up with smiling children, their bedkit bags, and brightly coloured mattresses!

We also gained a new volunteer today. Avod is our new driver and upon arrival at the first site, immediately pitched in to help line up the children and help us out with our limited Swahili. What a treasure he is!

From Tanzania Album 7

Due to threatening rain clouds we opted to take most of our photos inside a schoolroom today working in very bare surroundings with no natural backdrop and a very uneven floor. But despite all that and the fact we had over 100 extra bedkits to distribute (left over from the “rain day” on Saturday), all went without a hitch and we were on the way back to our hotel by 3:00 p.m.

It is hard to believe there are only three more days of distribution to go. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Sally Sandiford for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Sunday ... a day of rest.

"The vibrant spirituality that pervades much of the African continent fills Tanzania as well"

— The Lonely Planet - Tanzania

Ready for church with Mama Wandoa From Tanzania Album 6

As I type this blog I am listening to the 5 a.m. call to prayer from the mosque a stone's throw from our hotel.

Yesterday we worshipped with Mama Wandoa at her church. We were welcomed warmly by the pastor and the congregation. Even though we could not understand a word, we felt blessed to listen to the soul-stiring music accompanied by guitars, keyboard, and brass band.

Following the service, we visited with the children in the Sunday School class. Again, the fervour of their responses to their teachers and their musical performance was inspiring.

The Choir

According to the Lonely Planet, "about 40% to 50% of Tanzanians are Christian. The remainder of the population follows traditional religions centering on ancestor worship, the land, and various ritual objects. There are also small but active communities of Hindus, Sikhs and Ismailis."

After church, we travelled north of Dar es Salaam along the coast to Bagamoyo, where we were taken back to the mid-19th century. "Slaves. ivory, salt and copra were unloaded here before being shipped to Zanzibar and beyond." We stepped back further in time with our visit to the Kaole Ruins, where we picked our way over the remains of a 13th - century mosque and burial ground.

At the Indian Ocean From Tanzania Album 6

Following lunch and a stroll along the coast of the Indian Ocean, a tired team drove back to Dar es Salaam to get ready for Monday's distribution.

Kwa heri. Kesho. (Goodbye. Until tomorow.)

Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Don't miss the next blog post

From Tanzania 2007

To subscribe to
SCAW Live Report
enter email address
below:


Delivered by
FeedBurner
Be sure to answer
confirmation email
or you won't
be subscribed.

Today the Tanzania travelling team left for church at 6 a.m. with Mama Wandoa and then did some sightseeing. Tomorrow they will be taking part in another distribution.

Watch for a report right here ... and if you haven't already set up an automatic subscription to this blog, use the form at right and fill in your email address to get each blog post delivered to your inbox daily.

Important Note: Once you fill in the form, be sure to reply to the message you receive from Feedburner to complete the subscription process. Otherwise, you will not be subscribed. You might want to check your spam/bulk email folder if you haven't yet received the confirmation email.

By the way, you can also subscribe in an RSS Reader if that is more convenient for you.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 5 — Mbezi Ndumbwi

From Tanzania Album 5

We thought we were having trouble pronouncing this site — it was even more difficult getting there. Our driver continues to amaze us with his ability to get lost even though he has the most detailed directions from Mama Wandoa. It is now our morning ritual to place bets on the number of times he will stop to ask directions. Perhaps he is simply terrified of being irretrieveably lost with six Mzungu women.

Mbezi Ndumbwi school was a beautiful spot for a distribution: hibiscus bushes for the background, shaded areas for respite from the sun, good flow from station to station of the distribution site. Unfortunately the weather had other plans. What we initially thought was a passing sun shower, within seconds turned into a torrential downpour, the likes of which I had not seen in my lifetime. Thank goodness we had a rain-out plan. Six unflinching volunteers scrambled to protect the labels, the cameras, and the bedkit on display.

We set up shop in an empty classroom. However, we were unable to complete our quota for the day: one hundred and fourteen children never made it to the site, perhaps because of the weather.

Have a look at the photos ... Maureen was able to capture the force of the rain and the rivers that immediately flowed down the gentle slopes of the school grounds.

From Tanzania Album 5

The abrupt end of the distribution left us with time to do some exploration of a Tanzanian street market and enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant. Haggling is the game at the markets and Nancy is our haggler par excellence!

Oh yes ... if you are wondering how to pronounce Mbezi Ndumbwi ... start off with a hum followed by “beezee," then a nasal hum for the N , followed by “dum wee.” Got it?

And if you are worried about the 114 children, we will stop at their village on Monday to give them their bedkits.

Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 4 — Kwembe

From Tanzania Album 4

Having supported SCAW as a donor for 15 years, I have always believed in its integrity as an orgnization. Now, as I experience firsthand a bedkit distribution here in Tanzania I am even more convinced that Sleeping Children is a working miracle. We have just completed Day 4, and each day has brought me face to face with a different side of poverty.

Today we traveled further into the countryside, to an elementary school in Kwembe, negotiating roads that would barely qualify as walking trails back home.

When we finally arrived at the top of the hill where the small school perched we were greeted by hundreds of children waiting patiently. Off to the sides sat the groups of mothers with their babies, clear evidence that for them the distribution is quite a social event. I spent some time “talking” to these mothers, using my camera as a way to break the ice. They, like the children, were curious to see their picture in the digital camera, giggling and teasing each other, proof positive that human nature transcends race.

From Tanzania Album 4

The Kwembe school seemed a bit poorer than those we’ve visited already (if that’s possible), and the children were more quiet and reserved. But the shy smiles we received were just as heartwarming.

After we finished the distribution we followed Mama Wendoa to her home back in the city where she operates the Upendo Aids Center. She proudly showed us around, and it was wonderful to see what the amazing woman has accomplished. Her smile, like the smiles of the children, will stay in my heart for many years to come.

Maureen Maus for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 3 — Ukombozi

From Tanzania Album 3

A much more rested team set out this morning at 7 a.m. for Ukombozi for our third distribution. Our driver took us down many a winding road but he doesn't mind stopping for directions or at least asking opinions on which roads to take.

When we arrived at Ukombozi we set up in the courtyard of a primary school. A beautiful cashew tree stood in the centre and most of the children were already in classes. We heard their voices reciting their lessons with their teachers.

Before beginning our distribution the students had a special gift for us. They sang three songs accompanied by an outstanding children's drum section. Their teacher who was leading them was all smiles and very proud of his students. I once heard that "music is where we hang our memories." The melodic and joyous voices of these Tanzanian children will be a memory I will carry with me forever.

Distribution four is in Kwembi tomorrow with more memories to come ...

Nancy Loveless for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 2 — Nzasa

From Tanzania Album 2

Coming back to Tanzania for a second time I expected some things to be the same and wondered if I would see any differences. Soon after arriving I immediately recalled Tanzanians quick paced style of driving; frequently using their horns to make other drivers aware of their need to get into the weaving flow of traffic. I recalled that there was always plenty of action to see while driving through the city. People are selling fruit, clothing and even cassette tapes at the side of the road packed with people traveling by foot, bicycle, bus and even motorcycle to and from their homes and work.

From Tanzania Album 2

During distribution, many memories came back to me as well. The excitement of the children when we arrived, the shy glances of the children as they walk by the 6 women from Canada and the smiles and a quiet “thank-you” when passing out the bed kit.

News of our arrival travels very quickly in the area we are visiting. By mid-afternoon there are many, many children that have come to the school to see if they will receive a bedkit today. Many do, but sadly many go home without a bedkit. This reaffirms that although we are doing a great thing for these children there is still such a high need for the items we are distributing.

From Tanzania Album 2

During our first two days of distribution I have noticed one small difference from my last visit. More and more children are wearing laced-up running shoes and socks. On my last visit almost all of the children wore flip-flops or sometimes no shoes at all. I can only speculate that the reasons for this change could be because running shoes have become more available to Tanzanians living in the villages of Dar es Salaam or perhaps the need for proper footwear has been recognized and running shoes have been donated to the children. Either way, it’s great to see the children dressed in suitable footwear for running through the schoolyard with less risk of hurting their feet.

The hard work of the first two days of distribution has left me longing for sleep, but at the same time looking forward to distributions in the next few days. The children are still beautiful, have the most brilliant smiles, and are appreciative of our donors’ gifts.


Katie Sandiford for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: Day 1 — Maweni

From Tanzania Album 1

The team arrived late on Monday night.

It was a bleary-eyed but nevertheless exhilarated team that set off on the ferry across the Dar es Salaam harbour to Maweni. We were somewhat concerned to discover that not only did our driver not speak English, but he also had no idea where we were going once we disembarked the ferry.

He did have one redeeming feature: he did not hesitate to stop and ask for directions.

We arrived at Maweni and were greeted by Mama Wandoa, Director of the Upendo AIDS Centre and the voices of hundreds of curious children in the school yard.

It was immediately apparent that the children were needy. Mama Wandoa pointed out a few children wearing a red stripe on the sleeve of their school uniform. This marked them as special needs children with AIDS or epilepsy.

Tonight, six hundred children are sleeping with the comfort of a mattress and protected from mosquito-borne diseases by an LLIN (Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Net).

Following the distribution, we visited the home of a past bedkit recipient. The mother of this family was recently widowed. Mama Wandoa explained they were living in dire poverty in a small shelter. Because of the generosity of a school teacher who had built a small row of rooms, this mother and her three children had a roof over their heads. The poverty was palpable. It was an emotional time and six subdued volunteers left that little home to return to the comfort and -- in contrast -- the luxury of our hotel.

From Tanzania Album 1

I wish I could tell you we had some exotic Tanzania meal for dinner. We settled for Romano's Pizza next door, and most everyone has hit the hay as we start at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.

The photos show some of our adventures today including photos of some some of the
beautiful Tanzanian children. It is always about the children and for the children.

Linda Webb for the SCAW 2007 Tanzania travelling team.

Leave a comment here.

Tanzania: The team has arrived

From Tanzania 2007 Photo Album

SCAW 2007 Tanzania Travelling Team (left to right): Katie Sandiford, Maureen Maus, Nancy Loveless, Linda Webb (Team Leader), Sally Sandiford, Laura Harper.

Just a quick note to let you know that Sleeping Children's travelling team to Tanzania has arrived safely. Today they completed their first distribution.

When the first photos arrive you'll see them here.

Leave a comment here.

Sri Lanka: Visiting a bedkit recipient

From Sri Lanka Album 1

Lois Wey sent a report yesterday mentioning our team visited the homes of several bedkit recipients. One of these was particularly sad, in that we were told the father committed suicide due to his inabliity to bring his family out of their severe poverty.

Our team spent an emotional few minutes with the mother, bedkit recipient, and her older sister and grandmother.

They all knelt at our feet, and thanked us in the traditional Sri Lankan way for the bedkit their daughter received.

It was humbling for all of us to receive their thanks in this fashion.

You can see three photos from our visit in Sri Lanka Photo Album 1. One shows the outside, one the kitchen, and the family with team members Chris and Lynette.

Report submitted by Ted Swanston
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team

Leave a comment here.

Sri Lanka: Photo Album 1

From Sri Lanka Album 1

Do you know Wally?

"Wally who," you say?

Well let me tell you we have a very important member of our team that few people know about. Yes, it's Wally.

Now Wally has a major role on our team - particularly making the children smile and helping them relax. Wally belongs to Lynette, our team leader, and Lynette always brings Wally to each distribution. At the opening ceremonies, Lynette will spend a few minutes (before the speeches start) introducing the children to Wally. The reaction is incredible.

Smiles all round.

From Sri Lanka Album 1

After the speeches, Wally shows up again at the photo shoot. He gets around you know. And the kids all smile when they see their new friend once again.

Wally does have his moments though. Someitmes he tries to "bite" a child - gently you understand - and this escalates the smiles into laughs and shrieks - all good fun.

What this accomplishes of course is lots and lots of smiles in the photos - and happy children heading off to collect thier bedkits.

I have had the joy of being able to spend some time taking photos of the most beautiful children, and lots of things happening at the distributions. For more photos of the children, (and Wally too) take a look in Sri Lanka Photo Album 1.

Report submitted by Ted Swanston
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team

Leave a comment here.

Sri Lanka: Distribution four

Current Weather:

It is now about 7 pm Sri Lankan time, and we are resting after our latest bedkit distribution. As of today we have distributed bedkits to 3,200 children over four distributions. Each day has been a wonderful success — the Rotarians, community volunteers, and members of the Sri Lankan military have been assisting each day. Many hands make lighter work. Each distribution has been attended by about five schools who have all gathered at one central location.

The welcomes we have received from each community have been amazing. We have had marching bands, fresh flowers, flower necklaces, holy water, incense, and the presentation of stacked leaves. Most distributions have included a diverse mix of children and parents speaking Sinhalese, Tamil, and some English.

The children and parents have been especially relaxed, warm, and welcoming. We have had fun playing with the children, and they are delighted to mingle with Canadians. It has been wonderful that the children have not been fearful of us and there have been lots of smiles all around.

It is clear that we are working in an area with a lot of poverty. The Rotary Club has selected very appropriate centres for our bedkit distributions: where there is a clear and strong need for our assistance. We have been interviewing parents at each site to get feedback about the items chosen for the bedkits. They are clearly delighted with all of the items, and have stated that all the items are needed and important to receive. The quality of the items is also very good. This year's bedkit includes

• a plasticized woven mat,
• two t-shirts,
• a skirt for the girls or a sarong for the boys,
• two pair of shorts,
• a mosquito net,
• a strong backpack,
• 5 exercise books,
• a box of pencils,
• a pillow,
• a second pillowcase,
• two towels and
• two bedcovers.

It is quite an amazing bedkit for a donation of $30 Canadian.

Yesterday we were able to visit the homes of two children who received bedkits. Both homes were very simple and constructed of woven roofs, dirt floors, and concrete or mud walls. The cooking areas were very basic and poor. The living conditions of these families was heartbreaking. An average day's pay is about $2, and this makes it very hard to live.

Today we had a slight delay in the distribution and used the time to play with the children to keep them amused. Hokey Pokey, playing with a ball, using a puppet, and just hamming it up was a lot of fun for all.

There are only two distribution days left. We want to assure all of you that we have been keeping well and safe, and are thoroughly enjoying this special experience with the children.

Report submitted by Lois Wey
for the SCAW Sri Lanka 2007 travelling team

Leave a comment here.

Sri Lanka: Three distributions completed

To subscribe to
SCAW Live Report
enter email address
below:


Delivered by
FeedBurner
Be sure to answer
confirmation email
or you won't
be subscribed.

There are six of us in Sri Lanka with the delightful task of personally delivering bedkits to 4,500 needy children in the Puttalam area north of the capital city of Colombo. We arrived in Colombo on July 5^th after a long series of flights (Toronto to Alaska to Hong Kong to Singapore to Colombo) and were very thankful that we had a day to adjust our body clocks to Sri Lanka time.

The Rotary Club of Kelaniya has done a wonderful job of organizing this distribution. We left on July 7^th by 6 am and headed three hours north to our first distribution site where we were met by some lovely young girls who ceremoniously presented each of us with a handful of leaves. The distribution of the first 650 bedkits went extremely smoothly, and we knew that our "team" was going to do well. Since then we have completed two more very successful distributions each of 650 bedkits. At the second site we were greeted by an eastern girls' band, who played their instruments so well. The third day we were also greeted by a wonderful girls' band. Each day has been a thrilling experience.

The success of each of these three distributions has been supported by the members of the Rotary Club who have attended to all the details: the prior registration of the neediest children; the purchasing, packing and delivery of the bedkits to each distribution site; and the preparation of volunteers to assist with every step. The Sri Lankan military has been extremely helpful at each site, providing security and also a team of friendly soldiers to provide more helpful hands. This has made each distribution extremely smooth, with lots of fun for the children and their parents.

Each distribution site has included a diverse group of children speaking Sinhalese, Tamil, and English and practicing the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu and Muslim. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. What has been most delightful is the warmth and ease of the children, who have been smiling from the beginning of each distribution day.

We have four more days of distribution in the area, and anticipate that everything will continue to go smoothly.

The bedkits are lovely, and have been most appreciated by all the families who have received them.

We are unable to send pictures from this rural site, as there is not high speed internet, but hope that they can follow later.

Report submitted by Lois Wey
for the 2007 SCAW Sri Lanka travelling team

Leave a comment here.

Sri Lanka: Leave your comments here

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the link to "Post a comment."

After you click on the word "comments" or the link "Post a comment" you will be sent to a page that includes a graphic like the one at right.

1. Type your comments in the box.
2. Type the blue letters you see as Word Verification (to prove you're a human).
3. Choose an identity.
   1. Your Google/Blogger account (if you have one),
   2. Your name and a link to your website (if you have one), or
   3. Anonymous. In this case, please be sure to include your name at the bottom of your comment.
4. Click on the blue button to preview or click on the orange button to publish your comment.

Note: You cannot post comments on the Picasa pages.