Honduras: Tears of joy

Rain at school. Click to enlarge. From Honduras 2008 Photo Album

23^rd September, 2008, Honduras

First some comments on today, then some more observations about yesterday.

Today's distribution of bedkits took place at Escuelo Monsenor Fiallas #2, in a district of Tegucigalpa. We distributed bedkits to 566 children, finishing just before a tremendous rainstorm that we thought was going to flood the school but which the kids and others just took in their stride. As heavy rain had been forecast for the next several days, we set up for the photos inside - a wise decision event though, in the event, we did not need the shelter.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to volunteer for SCAW overseas often talk about the children who line up in their hundreds and thousands for bedkits, patiently but excitedly. It is an experience that is both exhilarating and overwhelming. Exhilarating because here, in all their shapes and sizes, bubbling over with enthusiasm, is the future of humanity. Overwhelming because of the sheer scale of the obvious need.

Happy girl! Click to see more photos. From Honduras 2008 Photo Album

The 5,000 families we touch here in Honduras are the tip of an iceberg. Every now and again, it becomes even more overwhelming. We literally wept yesterday when a group of children who were blind (often with other handicaps) joined us to receive their bedkits and have their photo taken.

In some ways, even more touching, was the boy today who did not want to change in SCAW clothes in front of his friends - almost certainly because he was only wearing his outer clothes. There was no way we could have anticipated this until it was too late. Harry played ball with him and his friends for 15 minutes and things, of course, went ahead without his needing to change.

Fortunately, most of our tears are tears of joy.

Tomorrow, something about surveying Mums about the quality of the bedkits, visiting homes of last year's recipient families, and a visit to the operation that makes SCAW blankets.

Peter Adams
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: The work continues

22^nd September, 2008, Honduras

It was a pleasure to arrive at Escuelo 21 De Octubre so quickly today and begin our delivery.

The covered patio gave all relief from the sun and a convenient place to work. The children were patient and thankful in spite of some of the delays. They were ready with smiles, hugs, and attempts at conversation.

Our children included a group who was physically challenged and visually impaired. We visited two homes of last years recipients to find the kits being put to good use.

Our deliveries continue to be a rewarding experience.

Patsy Leamon & Faith Clark
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: Amabate distribution

20^th September, 2008, Honduras

Today's distribution was based in the Escuelo 21 De Octubre, beside a highway in the community of Amabate. This involved about an hour's drive from Tegucigalpa. This was an elementary school enclosed by a wall/fence, with two armed guards on the main gate while we were there. The children walked in from the surrounding area or were brought in by bus or truck from more distant locations. As we distributed 432 bedkits, often to children of six or seven tears old, you can imagine that this was a considerable logistic exercise. With family, friends, and helpers, this involved thousands of people.

You have to be there to get a sense of the excitement and energy of children who have waited for hours and of the patient involvement of adults who, unlike the kids, realize the opportunity that this is for their families. Actually giving out the bedkits is a much-sought-after task on the SCAW team. You get to see the smile and body language of a child who suddenly realizes what the exciting, long, day was all about. But, in fact, every phase of the distribution is most rewarding. Receiving new clothes, watching their friends have their photos taken, and then having their own photo taken: each of these steps is a new and exciting experience for every child. You can almost see them storing up the day's images for the folks at home.

Those of us on the SCAW distribution teams are fortunate to have the privilege of making sure that your bedkits reach children in need. We thank you all for this.

Having taken a wrong turn into the real countryside today, we saw people travelling between their homesteads on foot (with heavy bundles) and on horseback.

Tomorrow is another day.

Peter Adams
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: Mateos distribution

From Honduras 2008 Photo Album

19^th September, 2008, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Today, our SCAW team of six was taken to the village of Mateos, about an hour outside Tegucigalpa. This is a tiny community set in a hilly rural area, with mountains in the background. Some of the mountains looked very like volcanoes but we were assured that volcanoes only erupt in surrounding countries. The countryside consists of lots of scattered homes, most surrounded by gardens (with bananas, a variety of fruit trees, corn, goats, etc) around them, rather than fields. Some of the homes, high on steep slopes or very close to the main road, are very poor indeed.

Our bedkit distribution took place in the courtyard of Escuelo Romulo E. Duron. It was not a large place and the "courtyard" barely contained our activities. The school was tightly secured and we had two quite heavily armed guards. As we are so near to the equator, the overhead sun quickly heated up our place of work and the main street, outside the school barriers, where the children were marshalled by Rotary.

We distributed well over 500 kits, including some left over from yesterday. Virtually all of these were delivered through photographs, each with three children. Those who have helped distribute SCAW bedkits know that this is a highly personal but exhausting process. The personal side makes up for the exhaustion because you get to interact more with the children who not only love the bedkits but also enjoy every stage of the day. They are very curious about Norte Americanos. They often have phrases like "What is your name?" and "My name is ..." that they love to share with us.

Rotaract helpers with bedkits at Mateos, Honduras From Honduras 2008 Photo Album

As is usual here, the distribution school was just the base of acitvities. Children came from far around Mateos, often by school bus but one boy told me that he had walked for an hour and a half.

One of the reasons for the success and buoyancy of this particular distribution was the help provided by members of the Rotaract Club, the young Rotarians. These are bright young people, most with English, who threw themselves into there various tasks with admirable enthusiasm. Their sense of public service, and their pleasure in it, is an example top us all.

The "daily" rain that is a feature of this season here, did not arrive although storm clouds passed around us. A good day!

Peter Adams
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: Bedkit distribution in Villa Vieja

18^th September, 2008, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Villa Vieja is a small community just outside Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. The actual site for this day's distribution of your bedkits was a small school, Policarpo Bonilla, to which children were bussed from a number of even smaller schools.

As this was the first day for a new team, our chief, El Jefe Harry Gauthier, wisely decided that we should distribute our target of 530 kits through group photographs of ten children per photo rather than the more usual groups of three. This allowed us to practice our various roles in the distribution process, organizing the groups, bringing them to and from the photo site, counting and re-counting them, etc. Those who have volunteered with SCAW overseas know that all of these functions have to be performed efficiently: for accounting purposes and to reduce the wait time for excited children.

Harry also had to plan for a delightful visit from the First Lady of Honduras, Senora Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, wife of the President. This was a very exciting time for the children, our Rotary partners, and the SCAW team. The First Lady came with many staff and a media entourage. She is well-known for her support of children's programs in Honduras and had helped the Rotary Club with this year's SCAW distributions. This was like a cabaret for the children and their families - and us. Harry gave a speech on TV after the First Lady presented him with a certificate for SCAW and hugged him.

At the end of the day, we had distributed kits to 530 children. Thirty four did not make it because of a bus problem. We will make up the numbers on a quieter day.

We took the photos inside as this is the rainy season here. Another wise decision by Harry as there was a rather heavy storm in the afternoon.

Tomorrow is another day!

Peter Adams
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: Getting ready

We had heard about the nail-biting landing at Tegucigalpa, Honduras, but is was an anti-climax for many of our group. Some of us had been delayed twenty-four hours and then diverted around Texas by Hurricane Ike. One of us almost reached the notorious airport approach and then was diverted to the Caribbean coast of Honduras for a short visit before continuing to Tegucigalpa.

The approach is certainly hair-raising however, because the city occupies a valley high (1,000 m) in the mountains of Honduras. The old city fills the valley bottom with the poor barrio districts spreading up the mountain sides. They had their own hurricane, Mitch, ten years ago. That flooded the lower town and devastated the entire community. Today it is difficult to imagine the effect of such a natural disaster on the capital of the poorest country in Central America.

We were met by Guillermo E. Valle, Presidente, Club Rotario de Tegucigalpa and Rotarian Carlos Medrano and his wife Brenda. The help of these people and their colleagues is vital for SCAW's mission here.

We are to deliver 5,000 bedkits and we spent the first day checking the bedkits and our photographic and other equipment. We will begin our distributions here in the inner city tomorrow.

Later distributions are split between rural and urban communities.

Peter Adams
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: The team has arrived

We have all arrived safely in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Peter and Jill Adams were set to come down a couple days early but were delayed by a day due to Hurricane Ike in Houston. They went via Miami with American Airlines versus through Houston with Continental.

The rest of us arrived today. Faith Clark, Patsy Leamon, and I came on Continental via Houston with no incident.

Bud Adams went American Airlines via Miami and was due to arrive five minutes after us but it started pouring after we landed and they diverted to Puerto Plata and were delayed a couple hours. He finally made it.

We are planning a tour of the National Art Museum tomorrow afternoon and then we will be doing a run through on the bedkit setup. We start our distributions on the 19^th of September.

Buenos Tarde

Harry from Barrie
for the SCAW Honduras team

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Honduras: Leave your comments here

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Tanzania: The final 2008 blog post

SCAW & Upendo volunteers celebrate the final photo From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Final day of distribution - Magindu

Up at four .. on the road by five ... seemed like a long day ahead.

As we drove in the dark, we were amazed to see scores of children already on their way to school. Our van was unusually quiet as we were wistfully aware this was our final distribution. We left the main highway and turned off onto a seemingly endless and rutted red dirt road which led to the village of Magindu. At 7 a.m., the schoolyard was already a beehive of activity. It became even busier as the trucks unloaded the mattresses and blankets. SCAW and Upendo volunteers set to work tying up mattresses and completing the bedkits by adding the blankets.

The children in this remote area seemed apprehensive about our presence and received their bedkits with cautious smiles. Once again, the decorum and patience of the children was remarkable. For us, the most joyous part of the day was spotting the children wending their way home with their bedkits as we headed back to Dar in the van.

---

Today, the highlight of the distribution was seeing a child arrive at the entrance of his home. We jumped out of the van and approached his mother who graciously permitted us to take photos. Mama was in the process of weaving twine across a hand-hewn stick frame in anticipation of the mattress.

Other children arrived with their bedkits and stopped to have their photos taken too. This was clearly a momentous day for this little enclave of huts.

Hopefully the photos will bring the experience to life for our readers.

Somewhat subdued we returned to the van.

Whatever will we do tomorrow?

Karen, Michael & Linda
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: 7,000 bedkits delivered

For those of you following this blog, there will be one last post from the Tanzania team later today or early tomorrow, but I couldn't let the day go by without telling you this:

I just added 7,000 to the running total on the home page of the Sleeping Children Around the World website which brings our total up to 954,850 — the number of children helped by SCAW since 1970.

Fifteen minutes ago (10 am EDT) I was able to have an IM (instant message) chat with team leader Linda Webb in Tanzania. She was pleased to let me know that the distribution is complete. The team is now taking showers and cleaning up for a meeting with Mama Wandoa and her team to do a final evaluation this evening at 6 pm (Tanzania time). The team has been pleased to read all the comments from friends and family at home.

Watch for the final blog post tomorrow.

Milton van der Veen
on behalf of Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Christmas in August

Waiting in the shade From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Day 9 – Ruvu KJT

As a child, do you remember what it was like to open your presents on Christmas morning? Well today, the children of Ruvu JKT, a small village 120 km north of Dar es Salaam, experienced Christmas in August.

Halfway through our distribution today, we were informed by Mama Wandoa that the second mattress truck had been delayed by the Tanzanian police, because the mattresses were piled too high. With a few well-placed phone calls, one to Mr. Gilbert, whom you will remember from Day One, the truck was released from custody and on its way, but at least three hours behind schedule.

Rather than wait for the mattresses to arrive, we decided to take the photos and give the children the bedkits “sans” the mattresses. We asked them to wait under the shade of a tree for the mattresses to arrive. Like children on Christmas morning, the look on their faces as they unzipped the bags to look at the contents, was one of wonder and surprise. Their smiles radiated joy and excitement, as they eagerly chatted in Swahili to one and another about the contents of their bags.

Each day we have wondered what the childern say when they arrive home and open their bedkits/bag. Today, we were given our own gift in their smiles, laughter, excitement ... now we know how important this gift is. Their happiness in finding school shirts and socks in their bedkits was particularly gratifying. Just a small reminder of how much most of us have and how this is so needed by these wonderful and lovely children.

We were the ones that really had Christmas in August.

Warren and Judy
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Slideshow 2

Tanzania: Whose Child is This?

From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Day 8 - Mvuti

Whose child is this?

A boy perfect
Except he had no words
Only grunts and unexpected
High-pitched giggles as though laughing at the trick
Fate had played on him.

He stood in line with the children
But they shied away from his
Mangled right arm.

Sometimes he dropped unexpectedly
To the ground as though he derived
Comfort from the warm sand if not from the
Smiles of other children.

His bedkit and new clothes safely in the arms of his mama
He returns, dressed again in tatters, to stare with big dark and
Knowing eyes at each SCAW volunteer in turn.

Maybe he sees the sorrow and concern for his
Welfare in our hearts.

He reaches with his good hand to
Gently touch Judy’s blond hair.
And he wanders off again.
What if his mama has AIDS or Malaria?

Whose child is this?

Linda Webb
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: A Peaceful Day

Mama Linda & Mama Wandoa From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Day 7 - Mtambani

A beautiful day in Mtambani, a small community 45 km northeast of Dar es Salaam. As we travelled from the city heading to our destination we caught glimpses of the calm and serene Indian Ocean. We knew we were in for a peaceful day. Peaceful it was!

The school’s 1200 eager, smiling, and curious children awaited. Once again, we were the guests at the school’s outdoor opening exercises. Their drumming and singing chilled our spines. Classes were summoned by the ringing of the school bell — a metal tire rim hanging from a branched tree stump struck with large rock — a privilege treated quite seriously by a senior student.

Karen and I had the supreme pleasure of visiting a Level 4 classroom. All 73 students were crammed in cheek by joule. In spite of their learning environment, they sprang to attention as we entered the classroom. How excited they were to learn the “Head and Shoulders Song.” This was truly a rewarding experience for two retired teachers. Another fantastic day in the sun and we can hardly wait until tomorrow when we travel a greater distance to reach our distribution site of Mvuti.

On behalf of 700 children, we thank you donors for the priceless zawadis (gifts) of bedkits.

Michael Foster
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Education is Our Liberation

From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Day 6 - Pugu Kajiungeni

Pugu Kajiungeni is 50 km south of Dar es Salaam – (The same challenging traffic, same humungous potholes.)

Our team was on the road by seven this morning in order to join the children in their opening exercises. Just when we began to think our days couldn’t be more interesting, we were once more taken aback.

We were greeted by swarms of excited children. Wonderful to feel so welcome ... but logistically daunting.

With astounding speed the confusion was, as if by magic, transformed. Twenty two hundred children, standing four deep, formed a huge square around a group of older children with three pairs of drummers. All was silent as we were introduced.

What followed can hardly be described. Rich voices joined as one, first singing the Tanzanian national anthem then a school song, “Education is Our Liberation.”

So much rhythmic clapping, so many joyous faces, so much emotion. Does it get any better?

We can hardly wait for tomorrow.

Karen Shouldice
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: A Colourful Day

From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album Click button above to see slideshow again. | Click here to go to the Tanzania photo album

Day 5 - Vikindu

This was truly a beautiful day for 700 bedkits and the half-way point of our distributions. Vikindu is located 75 km south of Dar es Saalam in the coastal region of Tanzania.

We had a busy time fighting traffic made up of cars, bicycles, buses, and many people on foot as we travelled to this region. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a paradise of colour, spirited people and many Asanti Sanas (Thank you very much).

The true colours of the Tanzanian mamas' clothing shone as they waited for the distribution to begin. Mamas, babas, guardians, or significant people in the child’s life must be present to take their child and the bedkit home. Many children had already arrived after many kilometers of walking. Others were just arriving in the back of a large open-topped truck. Fifty-five smiling children, their helpers, and one classroom teacher had also arrived.

With the possibility of a threatening tropical rain, we were forced to move the photographs inside. The teachers were more than accommodating in giving up their classrooms for additional space to make this a pleasurable and rewarding experience for all. They thanked us repeatedly for coming to their village community.

The Tanzanian team thanks everyone involved especially Mama Wandoa for the selection of this site. We thank all the SCAW donors for their generous donations to make this distribution and others possible.

Mike Foster
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Not all God’s children got shoes

From Tanzania 2008 Photo Album

Day 4 - Mkuranga

I got shoes, you got shoes ...
Not all God’s children got shoes ...

Mkuranga is a typical Tanzanian village in an idyllic tropical setting in the coastal region about 120 km south of Dar es Salaam. The children live in less than idyllic circumstances.

Poverty seemed compounded by physical handicaps, skin ailments, and malnutrition. These wee ones had calloused hands from working alongside their parents.

At this site we noticed that most of the children had no shoes. They had walked long distances in bare feet. Big soulful eyes stared up at us as we placed the bedkits on their heads. Some managed a shy smile or a whispered “Asante” (Thank you), but the grins got bigger and wider as they were escorted to the arms of their mamas or babas.

Dear donors ... We wish you could have seen what your gifts meant to these 700 children today.

Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Never Enough

Day 3: Kigamboni

A glorious day for a ferry ride across the Bay of Dar es Salaam ... but it turned out to be a bittersweet day. Following a bone-jolting ride over potholed dirt roads, we arrived at the distribution site located near a leper colony. It was abundantly clear that not only were the children in dire need, they also required medical attention that we take for granted in Canada, but is inaccessible to the average Tanzanian.

The crowd increased hour by hour as word spread throughout the village that SCAW had actually arrived with bedkits. Disbelieving parents realized that the promise of bedkits was a reality. Soon thousands surrounded the site and the desperation of the parents was palpable as they realized that 700 bedkits would not begin the fill the needs of the village.

Mama Wandoa, as always compassionate and understanding, had to stand firm in her choice of children.

A challenging day ... but 700 children in Kigamboni are sleeping more comfortably tonight.

Thank you, donors.

Lala salama (Sleep well) to you to.

Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: The SCAW Team

A photo of Team Tanzania for 2008 -- on location in Tanzania.

Members of Sleeping Children's travelling team are: (Left to right) Linda Webb (team leader) from Etobicoke, Michael Foster from Brantford, Karen Shouldice from Etobicoke, Warren Wagstaff from North Vancouver, Judy Owens and Grace Owens from Boston. Click photo to see a larger version.

More photos will be posted next time we can make a connection.

Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Two days in

We are having the worst time with the Internet here. I got up at 4:30 this morning to see if i could get through and even though I had a signal, Hotmail would not open.

Anyway, it seems to be working now so I will try again. Distributions are going well. We just got in from our second day.

More later (I hope),

Linda Webb
for Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

Day 1 – Kwala

We arrived to cheers of Kwala Oye! Kwala Oye!

The entire village, led by Mr. Gilbert, the District Commissioner, came to greet the SCAW team. Swahili cheers and songs rang out ... a moving experience for us. It was interesting to note that Mr. Gilbert stressed that it was a day for the children and that the bedkits were for their personal use ... not for Mamas and Babas.

The excitement rose as we prepared the site for the distribution but the discipline and politeness of the children was remarkable. They patiently waited their turn, sometimes caring for their smaller brothers and sisters and carrying them effortlessly on their backs.

Some had walked 34 kilometres and waited as long as six hours to receive the bedkit because of a malfunction with one of the delivery trucks. As always, the indomitable Mama Wandoa took control and worked out the logistics.

The children were easily coaxed to smile prompted by our “Checka! Checka!” (Smile! Smile!) The individuality of each child shone through ... some were shy, others confident, a wink and mischievious grin ... just like children everywhere.

The current date/time in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:

A day of wonderful memories for the SCAW team.

We’ll sleep soundly tonight.

Team Tanzania

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Tanzania: Distribution has begun

Current Weather:

The distribution of bedkits in Tanzania has begun. Tanzania children -- 7,000 of them -- will be receiving bedkits that include:

• mattress
• sheet
• blanket
• Olyset LLIN (long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net)
• t-shirt
• school uniform shirt
• kanga (wrap)
• socks
• flip-flops
• carrying bag

Our overseas partner is the Upendo AIDS Centre, under the direction of the indomitable Mama Wandoa Mwambu.

Members of the Sleeping Children travelling team are: Warren Wagstaff from North Vancouver, Michael Foster from Brantford, Karen Shouldice from Etobicoke, Judy Owens from Boston, and team leader Linda Webb from Etobicoke.

More to come later,

Linda Webb
for the 2008 SCAW Tanzania team.

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Tanzania: The team has arrived

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The Sleeping Children Around the World travelling team to Tanzania arrived in Dar es Salaam this morning.

The photo shows part of the team that left from Pearson Airport on Monday evening: (left to right) Karen Shouldice, Linda Webb (Team Leader), Warren Wagstaff, and Michael Foster. (Click photo for larger version.)

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Tanzania: Leave your comments here

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Kenya: Mission Accomplished

The Final Distribution

The last day of the Kenya distribution occurred at St. Benedict’s Primary School in Nairobi where a total of 779 bedkits pushed us to the 6,500 total for Kenya.

When you consider that the decision to return to Kenya was only made near the end of March, this was a huge commitment by both the Rotary Club of Nairobi and by our Sleeping Children team.

By working together, the job got done and there was tremendous joy from 6,500 Kenyan children and their parents and relief that the distribution was complete with no major issues. Keep in mind that the March distribution was set up for 5,000 bedkits. When it was postponed and increased to 6,500 bedkits, it meant that Rotary members were taking on the task of of increasing the number from 4,000 in 2007 to a whopping 6,500 in 2008.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Nairobi and to our donors who gave the wonderful gift of sleep to 6,500 needy Kenyan children.

Duncan Macgregor
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Second last day

Day 8

Today, a total of 429 bedkits were distributed in a town called Kijabe, a missionary town.

The children receiving bedkits included some children from a Displaced Persons camp. One of the children from this camp made a verbal presentation to us and her story of how her family was displaced after the December elections and subsequent rioting left us all in tears. However, "Jennifer" was showing her leadership qualities at the Kijabe Primary School and there was a joyous event at the school as SCAW bedkits were distributed to needy children in the Kijabe area.

This is the first time that Sleeping Children has distributed in Kijabe, a town about an hour outside of Nairobi but 7,000 feet above sea level. The SCAW team also had the opportunity of visiting the Bethany Kids Hospital in Kijabe run by Canadians.

We have one more distribution to go to reach 6,500 bedkits!

Duncan Macgregor
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Africa Inland Church, Nakura

Day 7

The Day 7 distribution took place at the Africa Inland Church in Nakura. Nakura sits on the edge of Lake Nakura National Park, one of the most popular parks in Kenya for viewing wildlife. It is unlikely that many of the tourists are aware of the poverty and illness in the town that they pass to reach the park.

This was the first sunny day of the Kenyan distribution but fortunately the overseas volunteers for the day, the Rotary Clubs of Nairobi and Nakura had arranged for tents to be put up with chairs for each of the children. The children were occupied throughout with the leadership of Girl Guides and teachers who led them in several hours of dancing and singing. The majority of the children today were either orphans or children with HIV/Aids.

At the conclusion of the day, the team started surveys of the parents as to the contents of the bedkits, letting them view the bedkit and then answering questions on how the bedkits can be improved, what is most useful, least useful, etc.

For this group of parents, grandparents and guardians, there appeared to be satisfaction in all of the contents!

Alan Ingram
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: 800 Children at a time

Day 5

Today we returned to the desperate slum area of Mathare, located north of Nairobi.

At the Kiboro Primary School we experienced many heart stopping moments as we photographed and distributed your 800 bedkits to the beautiful children who were brought from many schools in the area.

The SCAW team, accompanied by our local OVO representatives, then walked from the school to the humble home of Boniface, a recipient of a bedkit in 2007. He is a grade seven student who was proud to have us come to meet his mother and sister in the Mathare slums. There, in his 8 X 10 foot tin-walled home without water, he showed us his mattress and mosquito net that are used regularly.

We had to pinch back tears and show Boniface our joy to feel so welcomed in his home.

Day 6

On Saturday, June 21, we were at Grissa Primary School, in the rural town of Thika located one hour north of Nairobi. Slums are in many areas of the country and this industrial town was home to the second biggest slum in Kenya.

Despite a slight mist of rain, 800 bouncing, dancing, smiling, and joyful children from the streets, handicapped homes, and nearby schools totaling 11 different districts arrived all at once for their gift from Canada.

This was a well-organized distribution, where all children were given a hot lunch, with music and activities: just a big party in the school yard. Even the goats showed up nibbling the grass.

What a joy it is to have our team leader, Duncan, playing the cazoo and the rest of us singing "When You’re Happy and You Know It," with 800 children all holding hands in a circle: a true circle of friends of all ages. What a party we had!

Hats off to the volunteer Rotaractors who showed up and led the kids through the process with a smile, holding their hands and hoisting the bag onto the wee childrens heads to be carried off.

During the distribution inside, parents and the curious were held outside the gate. We lined up all the recipients with their bedkits to release them all at once. The line appeared to be the tail of a colourful kite -- oranges, blues, yellow and greens -– a rainbow of love, safely escorted by Security into the slum area where their parents were waiting.

Janice Gillespie
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Our many helpers

Day 4

Today’s distribution was in a school of over 2,000 students in Mathare, one of the largest slums in Nairobi.

The work that we do could not be done as smoothly without the many volunteers who help us daily: including Rotoractors (Junior Rotarians), volunteers from various service organizations, school–based volunteers, and several excited senior students.

They assist as needed with preparing students for the photos, arranging the bedkits for distribution, entertaining the students as they wait patiently in line, escorting the little ones to their awaiting parents, and helping us with our attempts to speak Swahili.

What a joy to wish 800 happy Kenyan students “la la viema” – "sleep well."

Janice Gillespie
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Day of the "Singing Rainbow"

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Day 3

We arrived at Kayole Primary School to be welcomed by a wonderful, excited gathering of 800 children –- already dressed in their SCAW outfits of orange, green, yellow, blue, red -- and standing in class lines.

As we entered the school court this rainbow of children broke into cheers and waves, followed by songs sung by all.

Incredible.

The school has over 2,000 students, and all of them were excited by the day's events.

We met some children attending Kayole school who have AIDS but who were part of the classes and enjoying the experience just like all the others. We watched the boys playing soccer in a red clay field which resulted in some really dirty knees in some of our photos.

These deserving children live in the Kawangware slum. They come to school either by walking or “transport” which is the local bus service. Some are picked up at 6:00 am and stay at school til 5:30 pm each day. We were surprised to discover that these children are at school all day without a mid day meal.

A rewarding day and one that we will all remember as the day of the "Singing Rainbow."

Megan Johnson, first time SCAW volunteer
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Another 796 bedkits distributed

Date & Time in Kenya:

Day 2

Today, we were in two locations in Nairobi: ACK Church in the Westlands area, and Dagoretti Muslim School, in the Kawangware slum area. Most of the children were either orphans or had one single parent who was not working.

The team has come together very well in only our second day and we have certainly distributed on behalf of our donors to very needy Kenyan children.

This brings our total to 1594 bedkits in our first two days and we take our hats off to our Overseas Volunteer Organization, the Rotary Club of Nairobi, for their wonderful efforts on behalf of SCAW.

George Foster
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: The team has arrived

The SCAW team arrived safely Saturday night and had a wonderful sleep at our lodgings.

Sunday began with our first breakfast together, followed by an interesting short tour of Nairobi City Centre. We met the Rotary Club key contacts for lunch at the local Sports Club, and enjoyed a meal and meeting together.

The Rotary Club members are ready for us and we are ready to begin the distribution tomorrow morning!

We enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal at a Rotarians restaurant this evening, celebrating Father's Day with our dads in the group: Alan, George and Duncan.

It is the start of an exciting stay in Kenya!

Duncan Macgregor
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Team in Amsterdam

We received the following email from Sleeping Children's 2008 team to Kenya. More messages will be posted as we receive them.

Team Kenya is safely on the ground in Amsterdam and getting ready for our flight to Nairobi.

Duncan Macgregor
for the 2008 SCAW Kenya team.

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Kenya: Leave your comments here

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Uganda: Distribution Complete

Thank you, donors, for allowing us to distribute successfully 6,000 bedkits to the children of Uganda.

It was bittersweet when we handed out your last bedkit. We knew that 6,000 children and their families were happy with their bedkit, yet it meant for our team that our journey had drawn to a close.

It feels so good to be here in Uganda and we hope that our blogs have been able to convey some of the joy of our experiences. Thank you for reading our updates and joining us on our journey.

The photos are from our last two distributions: One day we gave out 1,000 kits without a hitch. The last day we saw the smiles of 500 children. The last group of photos are of our trip to the Nile. The photo of the rippling water is actually the source of the Nile!

We are packing our bags and saying our goodbyes. We have all said it feels like leaving summer camp: sad to go, but full of good memories.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: In the foothills of Mount Elgin

We had a wonderful day today, working and playing and meeting children and adults.

We were about 1 1/2 hours outside of Mbale, in the foothills of Mount Elgin, high up above the plains of eastern Uganda. Many of the people in this community had been displaced because of tribal conflict on the plains and had settled in the hills for safety. We also were very upset and saddened to hear that this region practices female circumcision although there is an education program in place to help eradicate this ritual.

On our way home we stopped at Sipi falls and a hospital which treats children with hydrocephalis. We learned that Uganda has one of the highest rates of hydrocephalis and this hospital alone treats 2,000 cases a year. Although heartbreaking to see these sick children, it seemed like an excellent facility where they were being treated.

Tomorrow is our long day - 1,000 children will receive bedkits at two sites.

We are looking forward to it!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: 500 More Children

From Uganda 2008 Photo Album

We were greeted today with 500 children singing their thanks to us, complete with rhythmic clapping. One of the songs they sang had the refrain "We are the future of Uganda," which made us all reflect on the possibilities for this beautiful country.

One of the pictures today shows us in our banana leaf skirts and necklaces which were bestowed upon us as we arrived at the distribution site. The community members then had us up dancing in them in celebration of the day.

Click to enlarge and browse Uganda Photo Album

We took the photos of the children under some huge trees with the mountains in the background — as well as a few goats and cows — it was beautiful.

After the distribution was complete we convinced the Inner Wheel to join us for a hike up the mountain. Our guide led us through small paths to a stunning waterfall. All along the way the hillside was cultivated with corn, cabbage, avocados, tomatoes — all on tiny plots of land with the occasional mud hut.

Another great day!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: Travelling Upcountry

We had fun travelling upcountry.

There was lots of music — with thumb instruments, drums, and throat singing — and many, many happy smiles of children and caregivers.

We wish you all could join us in the celebrations of the children receiving their gift from you!

Hope you enjoy the photos of our days upcountry!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

Leave a comment here. | Link to Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Uganda: 2008 Photo Album

To browse the photos in the Uganda 2008 Photo Album, click below.

Uganda 2008 Photo Album

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Uganda: Day Four

Today, we were greeted with beautiful sunshine for our 4^th day of SCAW distributions in Uganda.

The SCAW team travelled approximately 50 km outside of Kampala to conduct a distribution at a Catholic church yard.

The children were so happy to receive their bedkits from the donors in Canada and we were fortunate to complete the distribution before a shower arrived.

On behalf of the children of Uganda, "Webele" or "Thank You," for your wonderful donations; it is greatly appreciated.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Day Three

Flat Stanley in Uganda, from Uganda 2008 Photo Album

We awoke to the rumbling of thunder but had a day of sunshine!

After an 80 km ride to Kayunga we arrived at our site — a muslim school. Nobody was at school today as it was a Ugandan national holiday.

Our 500 bedkit children were so very happy with their gift from our donors.

Sue Small interviewed a number of the recipients to find out how we could improve the bedkit items and was touched at how grateful the recipients and their caregivers (most of the children had been orphaned by AIDS) were.

Flat Stanley from St. Theresa School in Sherwood Park, Alberta joined us today. He found out that the children here wish they could afford to continue going to school and that they love to eat matoke at each meal!

The children at our distribution had fun playing with Stanley!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: A Muddy Day

Click to see more photos in Uganda 2008 Photo Album

Today's distribution went great, despite rain all day.

We got off to a slow start as our van got stuck in the mud on our way to the distribution site. Luckily, we were only 2 km from the site, so the Canadian team and the Inner Wheel team hiked and slipped our way through the red Ugandan mud. What a great team!

The children were so happy to see us and we were so happy to see them!

Our hike back to the bus was a journey we took with children, bedkits, caregivers and heavy mucky shoes. All in all, certainly a day to remember!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Bedkits in Mpigi

Hello from the Uganda team!

The slideshow shows photos from our first distribution in Mpigi. Despite a deluge of rain, the children's smiles tell the story of our day!

The last two photos show one of the places where the bedkit clothing is sewn and Daisy, a member of the Inner Wheel, in front of the storage room for part of the bedkit.

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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You can also browse the Uganda Photo Album if you would like to see larger versions of the photos.

Uganda: The team has arrived.

Click photo to see larger version.

Hello there!

As you can see, the Uganda team has arrived safely in Kampala.

Today we toured the manufacturing facilities for the bedkit mattresses and the children's clothing. The children's clothing manufacturer was a true example of a cottage industry, employing many local women.

We explored downtown Kampala and had a pre-distribution meeting with the Inner Wheel women.

We are all excited about beginning our distribution tomorrow!

Thank you donors, for enabling us to distribute 6,000 bedkits to children in this country!

Debbie Will-Dryden
for the SCAW 2008 Uganda travelling team

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Uganda: Leave your comments here

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Togo: Mission Accomplished

The children cheered	Waiting for next year.
Click on any photo to see a larger version and to browse the Togo 2008 Photo Album

The Togo 2008 distribution is now complete. This brings to 935,350 the total number of bedkits distributed since Murray and Margaret Dryden began Sleeping Children Around the World in 1970.

Mission accomplished. From the Togo 2008 Photo Album

Pictured with the 3000^th bedkit recipient are: (Left to right) Grant Clark, Helene Compeau, Sarah Compeau, Leslie Banner, Loreen Cumming, Doug Cumming.

The Canadian SCAW team looks forward to returning home. We leave tonight.

Helene and Sarah will return via Egypt. Grant and Leslie will spend several days in Paris on the way home. Doug and Loreen are going right back to Owen Sound.

Sarah Compeau,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Photo Album Slide Show

Eagerness, anticipation, and happiness:
twenty-three images of the Sleeping Children Around the World
bedkit distribution (2008) in Togo, West Africa.

Browse the Togo 2008 Picasa Photo Album

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: A day of rest

Click on photo to see a larger version From Togo 2008 Photo Album

On Friday, May 23^rd, our team enjoyed a day of rest. We took this opportunity to visit hospitals and orphanages in Lome.

Our team had brought toys and children’s clothes that we distributed to mothers in maternity wards and to children whose parents have died of AIDS.

At one orphanage, we met a gospel singer who, through her own efforts, rescues street children from certain death. She is responsible for the survival and strength of 34 children.

Our hearts were filled with amazement. She funds her work through sales of her very popular CDs.

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Click on a photo to see a larger version and to browse Togo 2008 Photo Album

Brianna’s bracelets were a hit! A beautiful grade two student from Caledonia had carefully braided 40 friendship bracelets. Children in this orphanage were overjoyed to accept this very special gift from Canada.

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the Sleeping Children 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Three distributions completed

From Togo 2008 Photo Album

Our Togo team sends greetings to all our donors, family, and friends.

Our team has completed three distributions, experienced a torrential downpour that turned roads into small lakes, and experienced temperatures that make the hottest days in Ontario, Canada seem cool.

We send special greetings to all those school children that have made donations to Sleeping Children Around the World.

We wish that each of you could be with us to touch the hands of the children receiving your bedkit.

Whether it is a needy child in Togo, or a child from other countries our charity serves, their joy is overwhelming. Their eyes burst with happiness when they see all the items they will receive in their bedkit.

I am especially proud of the children from the Norfolk, Brant, Haldimand Catholic Elementary Schools, whose generosity has made a difference to children in need.

Grant Clark,
on behalf of the SCAW 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Photo Album

Photos above from Togo 2008 Photo Album Click on photo to see a larger image and to browse the photo album.

Uganda: The team is ready

Our Uganda team was at Sleeping Children headquarters a few weeks ago, preparing for their trip at the end of May.

Here's the team that will be representing SCAW during this year's distribution:
(Left to right, Back row) Jean-Pierre Hamelin, Debbie Will-Dryden & Sieg Will (Team Leaders), (Front row) Valerie Greenfield, Sue Small, Jeffrey Bamford.

Togo: First distribution completed

Our first distribution (today) ran smoothly and we distributed 500 bedkits to very happy children.


This post includes pictures promised yesterday.

The top picture shows our team and the Overseas Volunteer Organization (OVO), who are members of a not-for-profit organization called Action Enfance et Développement Togo (AED-Togo), whose primary goal is the care of women and children affected with AIDS.

The bottom picture shows our Canadian volunteers: (Left to right) Sarah Compeau, Helene Compeau, Grant Clark & Leslie Banner (Team Leaders), Loreen Cumming, and Doug Cumming.


Sarah Compeau
for the SCAW 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: The team has arrived

The current date/time in Lome, Togo:

We have arrived safely in Togo, West Africa.

We just wanted to say we're safe ... and hot ... and we hope to send some pictures tomorrow.

Sarah Compeau
for the SCAW 2008 Togo travelling team.

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Togo: Leave your comments here

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Philippines: 6,000 Bedkits Delivered

April 12^th: Mission Accomplished

The 2008 Philippines Sleeping Children Around the World Canadian travelling volunteers with the last two bedkit recipients in Meycauayan, Philippines.

(Left to right) Dennis Jones, Patti Jones, Ken Graham (Team Leader), Andrea Tynan, Brenda Porter-Lockhart, Wayne Witney.

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Philippines: Two more distributions to go

We had only one distribution today. At this one, I was able to observe the checking-in process whereby each child is verified against the master list before being assigned their tag/recipient number which they wear until just prior to having their picture taken.

Upon further investigation of the various classrooms, where groups of 50 children waited patiently for their turn, I observed a special needs child with his mother. When I mentioned this to one of the local support people they were already aware and were moving this child to the first position to avoid delays for this family. I was told that this is SOP (standard operating practice) for this group; I should have known, since they really do seem to think of every detail. Today in particular, there were 80 local volunteers including the mayor plus twenty teachers who covered the costs associated with transporting the children to the distribution site.

One other practice by Sleeping Children Around the World is the survey; typically two parents/guardians are selected at each distribution site who are asked to scrutinize the bedkit contents and answer a series of questions. Their well-thought-out responses will no doubt help to ensure that all the bedkit items meet their needs.

As two SCAW team members set up the bedkit for the display, another reviewed three randomly-selected bedkits to ensure that all itmes were contained within (See list of bedkit items). I can assure you that our Philippines OVO [Overseas Volunteer Organization] has excellent quality control with respect to this important detail.

This will likely be the last live report from us. Later today we are going to be travelling for about five hours to the next site where we will stay tonight and have two final distributions tomorrow. Then we willl wrap up with a meeting with the Philippines SCAW core committee to discuss how things went.

Another successful SCAW distribution: moving us that much closer to the millionth bedkit.

Signing off,

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: Photo Album

Photos from Philippines Photo Album 2008

This is the only father I surveyed. He provided some excellent insights into the bedkit contents and had some suggestions that I feel will be very helpful.

He and his daughter had a one-hour ride home -- both of them, with the bedkit, on the bike.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: Distribution in Angeles

From Philippines Photo Album 2008 SCAW Canadian travelling team: (Left to Right) Back: Patti Jones, Andrea Tynan, Ken Graham (Team Leader), Brenda Porter-Lockhart. Front: Wayne Witney, Dennis Jones.

All is progressing well - the distributions are an absolute pleasure despite the heat.

In all cases, we are welcomed with open arms and sincere appreciation. In some cases, we are also treated to some cultural dances or children in costume which is wonderful.

While booking into our hotel in Angeles after a very long day, our spirits were lifted when a young man, working in the hotel, introduced himself as a bedkit recipient 20 years ago in the same area. He had recognized the SCAW name from one of the Kiwanian's t-shirts. You'll be hearing more about this in the donor newsletter that will accompany the pictures we send out when we return.

We are so proud to be representing all the Sleeping Children donors each and every day.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: 650 Bedkits on April 6

Less travel time today.

We were on location and ready to begin by 8:30 am. Following the smooth distribution of 350 bedkits, we were able to walk around the surrounding area and visit a 3,000 square metre community where approx 300 families live.

One hundred of the bedkits were distributed to children who live here and we were welcomed and thanked as we walked down the narrow alleys. There will be more information about this in the newsletter to follow. The bedkit recipients are easy to identify as they are all wearing bright t-shirts (red, green, orange or blue) and colourful printed shorts decorated with Nemo, Miss Kitty, Winnie the Pooh, and Sponge Bob. They also have huge grins on their faces.

At the afternoon distribution of 300 bedkits, we were greeted by singing children.

All went smoothly and the children were given a bag of snacks by our Overseas Volunteer Organzation as a reward for their patience.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: The 2008 Bedkit

Here is a list of the items in this year's Philippines bedkit:

• 3 pair cotton shorts
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 long sleeve jersey
• Plastic ground mat
• mosquito net
• blanket
• pillow
• pillow case
• raincoat
• bath towel
• washcloth
• handkerchief
• socks
• flip flops
• backpack
• 4 notebooks
• 3 pens
• 5 pencils
• dozen markers
• ruler
• plastic envelope for school supplies
• 3 toothbrushes

All those items were able to be bought for your donation of $30 — something that is making a lot of children in the Philippines very, very happy this week.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: 700 Bedkits today

Today started early. We were enroute by 6 am and we didn't arrive until almost 11 am. Some of the children had travelled for as long a time as us, since they came from islands. Despite a further delay due to a torrential downpour, all 350 kits were distributed.

Following lunch we travelled to Imus, passing Lake Taal and the Taal valcano which was spectacular. Since we were already behind schedule, a police escort was arranged and we arrived at 4 pm. We made record time and distributed all 350 kits to the children who had patiently waited. We finished up just before sunset.

A wonderful day and many happy children who will, no doubt, sleep well tonight.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: The team has arrived

Current Weather:

We arrived safely and the team is well and raring to go.

We spent Day 1 getting orientated and viewing the location where all 6,000 bedkits are stored. We also viewed the assembly process which our overseas volunteers have down to a science.

Our first two days of distributions have gone very well and the recipients and their parents are most appreciative. Tomorrow is an early day.

Brenda Porter-Lockhart
for the 2008 SCAW Philippines Travelling Team

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Philippines: Leave your comments here

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