Togo: Traffic jam

From Togo 2012

Today we had a rough, bumpy ride to the distribution site, but we felt like superstars as we stepped out of our van and were instantly surrounded by cheering children in their brightly-coloured t-shirts.

They all wanted the chance to shake our hands. Soon after arriving, the beating of drums began and everyone stated dancing. One by one they pulled each of us into the center of the crowd to show off our wonderful dancing skills. The children seemed to be more exuberant than ever in this village, but they all fell into line quickly to have their photos taken. All was going smoothly with the distribution until one little girl ran away from big scary Dan! She was soon reunited with her mother, however, and we were back on track, handing out a total of 500 bedkits.

After our distribution we visited Lake Togo and dipped our toes into the warm water. We then continued to the large shipping port, but saw more trucks and cars than boats because we ended up in the middle of a huge traffic jam! There was construction and there were broken-down trucks in the middle of the road.

There was chaos all around us, with people yelling and honking and no traffic cops to guide the flow of vehicles. Our van was also slowly heating up because the AC did not work well when we were stationary. However, thanks to our wonderful driver, we managed to break free and return home for our much needed showers.

Megan
for Team Togo 2012

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Togo: Kpele Attime

From Togo 2012

We have now reached the halfway mark of our trip - 2,500 bedkits. Our fifth distribution site was a village north of Lomé. We drove past forested mountains and fields with towering palm trees to reach our destination in less than three hours.

Banging drummers and shimmying dancers greeted and surrounded us, and the crowds gave big cheers when we displayed the bedkit contents, especially for the school backpack.

Music kept playing as we distributed the bedkits to the children in the hot African sun. We interviewed some families who expressed their unbounded gratitude as these incredibly practical and precious offerings are simply unaffordable for them. They insisted that the items will help in improving their health and scholastic development.

They were very thankful for every single item in the bedkit. And the children especially like the backpack.

We enjoyed our trip home as we visited the local artisan shops and a small waterfall. The waterfall was located in what seemed like a “mini” rain forest.

Freddy
for Team Togo 2012

PS: We are having difficulties sending pictures over a slow Internet connection.

PPS: The chickens are no longer with us ...

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Philippines: The other side of the fence

From Philippines 2012

I can't help but look beyond the chaos of the distribution to the anxiously awaiting mothers on the other side of the fence. They are women just like me, they are mothers just like me.

Their children have been selected to receive bedkits and today is the big day. The process that started months before our arrival has finally come to an end, I can only describe it to you as Christmas morning. A Christmas morning that only happens once in a lifetime.

Four months prior to this day a group of volunteers attend the local elementary schools where they interviewed teachers and tribal elders to determine the most needy families in the area. The child chosen must be between 6 and 12 years of age and only one child per family is selected. When most families have between 5 and 6 children you can only imagine the need.

From Philippines 2012

The need to provide often as a single mother. No wonder they cling to the fence longingly looking inside.

Kelly Stewart
for Team Philippines 2012

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Togo: Glekondji

From Togo 2012

Today we visited Glekondji, a village about an hour and a half from our Lomé home base. The children were ecstatic when we showed them each piece of the bedkit ~- each item elicited more cheers than the last.

The air was cool and thanks to our partners at AED, the line went smoothly. As usual, the kids were nervous as they sat down to have their pictures taken, but soon loosened up as our team made funny faces and asked them to smile! The expressions on their faces as they received their mattress and school bag stuffed full of wonderful gifts were beautiful to see and made each one of us very happy to be here and to be a part of the team.

We left the school after having met the principal and giving him gifts of toys, balloons, paper to be used in the classroom and a beautiful book with pictures of people from all over the world.

After tomorrow we are halfway through our distribution. Time has passed quickly … what a beautiful country, a beautiful people, and a beautiful experience.


PS: The chickens are still alive … but not for long!

Eleanor Uddo
for Team Togo 2012

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Togo: Amoussime & Asso

From Togo 2012

A day of firsts in Togo:

On our third day of distributions we awoke to torrential rains. It did abate when we left for Amoussime, a two-hour drive on a good day. The roads got more and more exciting until we were on dirt roads with the biggest potholes we have ever seen -- lots of dodging necessary. There was a great singing welcome from the children when we arrived. Thankfully the rain had stopped.

All went well. We were always a source of interest -- especially when we took photos. Today we interviewed some parents and their children about the bedkit and they were very happy with the contents.

After leaving we took more very muddy dirt roads to the village of Asso where bedkits were distributed last year. The village chief, elders, school principal, teachers, and parents gave us a great welcome. Another Canadian charity will build more school rooms and a principal's office and storage room. They gave us a tour through a typical rural village. Adobe, thatched-roof homes with chickens and goats everywhere. The two wells for the village were very deep. One of them was 110 feet. Water was pulled up in plastic jugs on ropes. We met three children who are using the bedkits that were distributed last year. We also met a young girl who showed us how to make soup wih palm nuts and beans.

The second first was that we were given two live chickens for supper. I think we are having them tomorrow. This is especially generous from such a poor village.

The third first was a flat tire with a loud bang. Fortunately our OVO partner had a mechanic who was a volunteer. The wheel was changed and after much cheering we were on our way.

The road back to Lomé was very muddy and the team was also very muddy. Supper and showers were greatly appreciated.

We feel so fortunate to have experienced such a day with the amazing chidren and people in Togo.

Best wishes from Margaret
for Team Togo 2012

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Philippines: Local industries

From Philippines 2012

The focus of Sleeping Children, not surprisingly is on children; however, there is a second overseas group that also benefits from the distributions - the suppliers. As the 100% charity, Sleeping Children purchases all bedkit items in the destination country thus eliminating transportation costs while helping local cottage industries.

Each bedkit in the Philippines contains three pairs of shorts: thus 18,000 pairs of shorts are needed in this distribution of 6,000 bedkits. The team visited the village in which the shorts were produced. Seventeen seamstresses and two cutters worked for two months fulfilling this contract, in a garage-like facility. The cost to Sleeping children is $1 per pair. (Photo above.)

This process is repeated for other bedkit items such that, not only will 6,000 children benefit from the distribution, but tens of others will receive needed employment.

Team Philippines 2012

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Togo: Game

From Togo 2012

Today was a hot one!

The distribution in Game went smoothly; we handed out the 500 bedkits in 2 hours.

The children greeted us with handshakes, smiles and loud cheers. They were especially excited when Margaret displayed the bedkit items. Eleanor entertained the kids waiting in line (and us) with her fantastic headwear. We had great help from the local volunteer group (AED) who managed in the heat a little better than us. It was a pleasure to meet more of the kids and Togolese volunteers on yet another successful day.

After lunch, we also visited schools with newly-built classrooms, wells, and latrines that were provided by other Canadian organizations. One of the schools houses the bedkits that we distribute, and we were able to observe the local volunteers loading the truck for tomorrow's delivery.

Megan & Freddy
for Team Togo 2012

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Philippines: Arayat

From Philippines 2012

The Most Valuable Gift of All From a Bedkit ...

Sharlene Tayag (shown in the photo at right with Tom Chudleigh) received a Sleeping Children bedkit in 1998 when she was 7 years old. Included in the bedkit were pens, pencils, and books. She recalls being the only student in her grade to have them. With these tools, she discovered that she loved to write. Sharlene remembers smiling in delight when using her school supplies and so the spark of confidence and curiosity was ignited.

Thirteen years later, in the village of Arayat, Sharlene returned to a Sleeping Children distribution site as a volunteer with the Kiwanis group. Identified as a previous recipient, I was elated to meet her. She told me that she has completed her fourth year of a College Agricultural program and will enrol in an Animal Science program in June. Sharlene has been attending school on a full scholarship. I asked how well she did in school? Top of your class? 1, 2, or 3? She was rather humble in admitting that she finished second in most of her classes. We can all imagine as a parent how proud we would be to have a child finish top of her class. As a SCAW team member we shared in being proud of Sharlene's success and felt we may have played a small roll in allowing her to find her talent.

As we reflected upon Sharlene's presence at the distribution in Arayat, we wondered how many other children were about to embark upon the most valuable gift of all from a bedkit ... the inspiration to be all that you can be.

Maryann Vernooy
for Team Philippines 2012

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Togo: Agbessia

From Togo 2012

Hello from Lomé Togo!

Well today was our first distribution day and what a day it was with 500 bedkits delivered without a hitch! - not bad for "newbies" ;-)

We were treated to much enjoyable dancing and music by a wonderful welcoming group comprised of literally hundreds of children, parents, and of course our gracious Togelese partners.

From Togo 2012

As expected it is very warm and humid but not complaining from the weather back home. The only setback to date was a terrible exploding event with the ketchup bottle. Although Eleanor was actively involved she was not injured. Tomorrow is our first day off (code word for shopping, sleeping in and a church service). Today's drive to Agbessia was quite a long one -- about two hours from Lomé -- however, all eyes were wide open and impressed by the vegetation, and various sights. So strange but wonderful.

Needless to say, the kids are beautiful and absolutely great -- superbly well behaved and quick to smile!

From Togo 2012

Bye for now!

Dan Chiasson
for the Togo 2012 Team

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Philippines: Fire and Flood

For over 100 families living in one of the congested area of Tatalon, in Manilla, the unimaginable happened shortly before the distribution of 6,000 bedkits was scheduled to occur in their country. A raging fire broke out and, in an instant, makeshift homes and all belongings were lost. Incredibly, injuries were few and no lives were lost. Families are temporarily housed in two community halls with communal living and no privacy for anyone. Our able Overseas Volunteer Organization (OVO) responded to this emergency by directing over 100 bedkits to some of the most needy of these children. The children's smiles were overwhelming as the picture attests.

On day two, we entered the fishing community of Hagonoy that had been carefully selected for an early morning distribution as this area is virtually flooded once everyday and every two weeks as the tides reach their high point. As we worked against the encroaching water, it was obvious that while the bedkit distribution would be welcome by needy families, the community was working together to solve the problem of flooding im a permanent way. "Canals" are being built everywhere to ease the flood waters away from homes, roads and schools. Health issues from standing water will be greatly diminished through industrious management and the community will soon have a new school building which will not flood and quickly become uninhabitable. We raced against time to complete the 350 bedkit distribution and as the van drove through the ever incoming tide waters, we marvelled at the seaside home dwellers, their persistence to better their lives and the support of our OVO to work with them allowed us the privilege of meeting families, especially the children who will have the opportunity of a good night's rest under a treated mosquito net. We watched as tiny minnows who had been washed in on the last tide waters be returned to the sea so one day they might provide the staple meal in this area, the fish.

Resiliance and perseverance in the two "acts of nature," fire and flood, gave the Philippine Sleeping Children team pause to reflect on the purpose our founder Murray Dryden had in mind when he too visited the Philippines many years ago and worked hand in hand with the same OVO we have the honour of working in partnership with them to deliver the donor bedkits to with the full knowledge that the recipients were appropriate and their thanks to you, the donors, was clearly seen in the shining faces of the children as they received their precious gift of a bedkit.

Leslie Banner
for Team Philippines 2012

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Togo: The team has arrived

We have arrived and have spent the day acclimatizing and visited a lovely school out in the country.

The children are adorable and it is a handsome country. It was an experience we will remember forever.

The Three Muskateers have been by our side the entire time we have been here and have guided us with smiles and humor (we are mostly the point of the humour).

Now that Megan and Freddie are here ~ our team is complete.

We are looking forward to our first day of distribution tomorrow. More children, more smiles and more warm feelings in the heart!

Dan Chiasson
for the Togo 2012 Team

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Philippines: Plaridel

From Philippines 2012

Today we visited the village of Plaridel where the children are poor but rich in hope.

These two girls spoke little English and seemed hesitant to approach the picture area ... and so to comfort each other they held hands. We felt it was an obvious sign of comfort and clearly depicts what we were hoping to deliver to these children; a comfortable sleep. They left with a comprehensive bedkit filled with all of the necessities to provide a good night's sleep and we felt we had accomplished our task.

The team was so touched by the gesture that it was only natural to accept those children that approached and posed hand in hand.

Team Philippines 2012

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Togo: Half the team leaves home

From Togo 2012

Half of the Togo 2012 team left for Togo from Pearson Airport in Toronto today. Pictured above are (Left to right) Margaret Crossling, Eleanor Uddo, and Robert Barclay (Team Leader). They will be meeting the other half of the team in Brussels on the way to Lomé, Togo for a distribution of 5,000 bedkits to children there.

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Philippines: The team prepares

This year's team that will be distributing 6,000 bedkits in the Philippines met at Sleeping Children headquarters, 28 Pinehurst Crescent, last weekend to get ready for their trip this weekend.

Shown in the photo are (Left to right): Tom Chudleigh (Team Leader), Kelly Stewart, Maryann Vernooy, Richard Belcastro, Alan Ingram and Leslie Banner.

Watch for more reports after they arrive in the Philippines.

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Kenya: All Done

From Kenya 2012

All done!

Today we met with the Nairobi Rotarians to share reports of the successful distribution and to thank those Rotarians who worked so hard to make it so.

Pictured in the centre is Larry Donahoo, who for the past two years has co-ordinated the Overseas Volunteer efforts. Flanking him are some of the Rotarians who worked especially hard.

They and we are looking forward to next year.

Including the 5,000 bedkits delivered by
the Kenya team this year, our total is
now 1,216,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.

Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Kajiado

From Kenya 2012

Today we did the last and perhaps one of the most touching distributions, in Kajiado at the disabled children's child care center.

It was amazing to watch how capably these young children got around in wheelchairs or with canes. Some children had spina bifid and another was blind but they, like all the other children that we have dealt with, were enthusiastic and happy -- always willing to play a game or shake your hand. The parents the children and the staff were all quick to let us know how much they appreciated the bedkit.

From Kenya 2012

We are happy to say that now 5,000 more children can have a good night's sleep.

Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Huruma

From Kenya 2012

Today we headed out once again through the crushing Nairobi traffic, to visit our fourth Nairobi slum.

We needed, as usual, to pick up a guide to help us negotiate the narrow rabbit-warren streets lined with endless small ramshackle businesses. We saw people cutting up old tires to salvage the rubber, people making charcoal, and others selling used shoes. The children's shoes, the lack of them or the poor condition of them, is something that has been very striking throughout this distribution.

From Kenya 2012

When we arrived, the children could barely contain their excitement and were eager to get their bedkits but at the same time were anxious about what was going to happen. When their turn finally arrived it was a pleasure to see the smiling faces of children often barely big enough to hold the bedkit happily take it home.

Our only regret was that we didn't have more to give to those who waited on the sidelines.

Brian & Pat Tuddenham,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Gilgil

Our sixth distribution was to the city of Gilgil, 6,600 feet above sea level.

From Kenya 2012

It was a day of very mixed emotions for our SCAW team. As always, happy to be able to deliver bedkits from generous donors so far away from here and happy to see 700 excited, smiling children ready to receive them.

Sadness? As with all SCAW distributions, our team had an opportunity to visit several local homes where bedkits had just been received. In fact, as we arrived some of the children and parents were just arriving home, after having walked nearly 10 km. along dusty paths through open desert-like plains.

From Kenya 2012

We spent about an hour walking in and out of many homes of 55 families in a “camp for IDP’s” (Internally Displaced Persons) -- homes of sticks and used plastic sheeting, most no bigger than ten feet square. Homes in a dry, remote and dusty half acre plot of land, three km. away from a water source.

Happiness? Knowing that many of these homes will now have a mattress and a mosquito net. Best of all, listening to the melodious swahili songs sung by these desperately poor families as they spontaneously gathered to bid us farewell and thank you.

Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Kitui

After an overnight stay in Kitui, we headed down to the town stadium.

From Kenya 2012

There we were greeted by many parents and their children who were all dressed in their bright yellow, blue and orange outfits. The governor and the mayor said a few words and the SCAW team were back working hard distributing 600 bedkits.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in our blogs to date is the fact that, at each distribution, we try to interview a few parents to learn which items in the bedkits are most valuable and what possible improvements might be made in the future. Through the course of those interviews, we also learned that now is beginning of their dry season and March is the most difficult month for them as they don't have much access to water.

But today these worries could be briefly put aside, with the sun shining, the music playing, and the children smiling and dancing.

The SCAW team had another truly joyous experience.

Dustin Van Leeuwen
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: On the road

The SCAW 2012 Kenya team has been on the road for the past couple of days. These photos show their trip so far including their latest distribution in Kitui.



Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Thika

From Kenya 2012

Our fourth distribution was in Thika and included among the 600 children who received bedkits today were thirty children with special needs.

We are so pleased that one of the items in this year’s bedkits is a pair of flip-flops. We saw so many young chldren with toughened bare feet, others dragging along in well-worn over-sized adult shoes and many in heavy, large rubber boots. Despite this, the most important item in the bedkit is still the foam mattress.

“Cheka” our photographer shouts to the “watato” as he tries to capture their smiles (cheka) for the photographs.

But the really big smiles come when the children (watato) are handed their own big bedkits to take home.

“Kulala salama” (Sleep Well)

Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Kangemi School

O

From Kenya 2012

ur leap year day was spent in a Kangemi school distributing bedkits to 700 very deserving children.

When we arrived at the school we were warmly welcomed by a sea of children dressed in their new, brightly coloured pajamas. After a wonderful performance by the school choir, we even had a chance to practise our dance skills when some of the students asked the SCAW team to join them in the celebrations.
The distribution ran very smoothly and we were more than impressed by the hard work of the school staff, the Rotarians and some senior student volunteers.

From Kenya 2012

Our day is best summarized by the principal’s comments that these children will all want to go home and go to bed earlier tonight because they want to try out their new bedkits.

Seven hundred children will likely have a more peaceful sleep.

Kelly Walsh
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Mukuru

From Kenya 2012

Another fabulous day here in Kenya.

Today we drove to the Mukuru slum located 10 kilometers outside of Nairobi to give 600 children their bedkits and we know that even after all the excitement of today, they will be having a much bettter sleep tonight.

Each bedkit contains a set of brightly coloured pajamas (more commonly called a sleep set here). This is the outfit that the children change into for their special photographs to be sent to each kind donor.

From Kenya 2012

Now try and imagine a grassy field filled with 600 children running and playing in their pajamas of canary yellow, or neon orange, or brilliant turquoise.

What a sense of joy and happiness for the children, for the Rotary volunteers, and for our SCAW team.

Patti Jones,
for Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: Winners Chapel

Today was our first distribution at a location called Winner's Chapel located near the largest slum in Africa (not just Kenya) called Kebira.

From Kenya 2012

We arrived to hundreds of kids waiting to receive one of 700 bedkits. Once inside the gates, we were overwhelmed at the sea of faces all gathered in lines patiently awaiting our arrival. For the two "newbies" of the group (Kelly & Dustin) it was a sight that will not soon be forgotten.

Our SCAW team first spent some time with the children variously doing magic tricks, blowing bubbles, playing with puppets, and using a globe beachball to show them where we were from.

Following a brief ceremony in which our team was welcomed and the children sang to us, we began our real duty of distibuting all 700 bedkits. It felt like orderly chaos at times and yet, when you looked at the smiles and heard the laughter you knew it was all going to work out just fine!

One by one the children collected their bedkits and made their way outside the gates to find their parents and make their way home- but for the first time they would have a comfortable night's sleep.

Team Kenya 2012

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Kenya: The SCAW Team has Arrived

From Kenya 2012

The Sleeping Children Around the World Kenya 2012 Travelling Team in Kenya. (Click for a larger view.) They are: (Left to Right) Dennis Jones, Patti Jones, Brian Tuddenham & Pat Tuddenham (Team Leaders), Kelly Walsh, and Dustin Van Leeuwen.

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Belgaum: Mission Accomplished

Our last day of distribution was spent in “cotton country” in a village called Kundgol. The Rotary Club of Kundgol, a small club, did a wonderful job of setting up the distribution area, keeping the children in the shade, and arranging for the many NCC volunteers (cadets) to help with the children. This picture shows the last child to receive a bedkit on our Kundgol distribution and the last child in our Belgaum Distribution of 4,500 bedkits.

From Belgaum 2012

Once again, our Rotary Club of Belgaum partners did an outstanding job of coordinating the overall distribution and of looking after the SCAW Team while were are in India. Our last night was spend discussing the distribution at our Post Distribution meeting with our Rotary Partners.

From Belgaum 2012

All good things come to an end! We said good-bye to our Rotary partners and friends at our Post Distribution Meeting. We hope to see a good number of them at our Pinehurst Club Breakfast on May 9^th. They are indeed “Keeping Murray's Dream Alive.”

Including the 4,500 bedkits delivered
by the Belgaum team this year, our total
is now 1,211,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.

“Thanks” to all our donors who made this distribution possible. It was GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!

The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Belgaum: Yellapur

Four happy children and their parents wait patiently for their ride home (30-40 km) after the children have received their bed kits and have been fed at the Brahmakumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning (our distribution site in Yellapur).

300 bedkits distributed today with another 300 to go tomorrow to reach 4,500.

From Belgaum 2012

After travelling 60 km from Hubli to Yellapur, we were greeted with such emotional sights and sounds. As we turned into the gates of the courtyard of the Spiritual Mediation Centre we were facing our SCAW team photos on huge welcome banners. Then the young Boy Scout band of cymbals, bugles, trumpets and drums played for us. We were escorted up a long palm tree lined driveway filled with parents and dignitaries until we arrived at the great hall to receive a blessing and lotus flowers. Amazing! We could also see the many anxious children hidden amongst the trees to keep cool.

With the temperatures in the mid-30s, we distributed bedkits to 300 very thankful boys and girls. On our way back to Hubli from a long day in the sun, we saw some of the children in the village streets who had received bedkits and they were wearing their new floral patterned dresses.

From Belgaum 2012

We also passed a truck on the highway that had bedkits strapped to the top of it and parents hanging on to the sides of the vehicle as it carried them back to their distant village. Despite having had to travel many miles to get the bedkits, the children and their families will have a good sleep tonight.

Marg Goodchild,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Belgaum: Hubli

Our “bus time” today was minimal. After a short drive through a fairly quiet city on a Sunday morning, we arrived at the school where today’s distribution was to be held. The backdrop for the photos was carefully and beautifully crafted by the wife of the Hubli SCAW chairman with roses, plants and large paper plant cutouts. The SCAW team was blessed; each person received a red dot and a grain of rice on their forehead as well as a brightly coloured garland placed around their neck. After admiring from afar the wonderful decorations draped on the tractors we had passed during our travels this past week, Larry was finally able to begin his collection for his tractor when he gets back home.

The children today were quite excited and looked so beautiful, or handsome, in their new clothes. One little boy was so happy to get a new shirt that he began jumping up and down as soon as it was on him. His mother could hardly do up the buttons.

A highlight of the day was getting the group of deaf children and the children from the eco-orphanage ready for their photos. Each little deaf boy carried a small square receiver in his shirt pocket to enhance his hearing. Although they must have felt overwhelmed and confused, these boys were so proud to be receiving their bedkit. Later, just after the distribution had ended, I watched the children from the orphanage pile their bedkits into the back of a small truck before climbing in on top of them for the ride back home. I will never forget their goodbye wave and their smiles of pure joy.

Larry Kell,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team



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Belgaum: Hubli

Nine happy children are being driven back to their village after receiving bedkits in Hubli. The smiles say “Thanks to SCAW Donors for the Gift of Sleep.”

From Belgaum 2012

What is SCAW’s impact in India? There are over 22,000 bedkits being distributed here during the months of January and February this year. That may seem like a lot but we are just scratching the surface of the number of families here who would love to be the beneficiary of a bedkit.

Today the SCAW team worked with the Rotary Club of Hubli and their families to distribute 900 bedkits to deserving children. Similar to other distributions, the children were selected from the surrounding villages based on need and the recommendation of their teachers. Today though, they also came from an eco-orphanage which is located in the jungle about 30 kms from Hubli. There were also children who were physically challenged, hearing impaired, and a number of them with visual difficulties.

These children would be brought to the distribution and carried or escorted by a parent or guardian until they reached the location where we were taking the pictures. The parent would then wait patiently until the picture was taken, which could take some time depending on the number of children in the photo. The child would then be taken to the place where the bedkit was being given out and the local Rotarians would ensure that the bedkit was carried for them out to awaiting transportation to take the child home. Usually the transportation would be a motorized rickshaw or small pickup truck. One that we saw had 11 bedkits and children in the back of the pickup, all of whom felt blessed for having been given the rare privilege of getting a bedkit. The cab was crammed with five adults and the driver but they were used to travelling like that.

From Belgaum 2012

Afterward, we were invited to the Hubli Gymkhana Club by the Rotarians to share a bite and discuss how the distribution went. Considering the number of bedkits involved and the work that had gone into planning the distribution, all of their hard work paid off. The Rotary Club president and the chairman of this year’s distribution committee were quick to ask us whether we would be back again next year. Ideas were exchanged about the distribution and how it was conducted. For most of this year’s team, they would not be back. Since I will be taking over from ‘Mr. Duncan,’ (boy do I have big shoes to fill), I said so long to them until next year.

So what is the impact of SCAW in India? It is considerable and one that the SCAW overseas volunteers and bedkit recipients hope will continue to grow.

Bill Sergeant,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Chennai: Mission Accomplished

We received word today that the final members of the Chennai travelling team arrived back in Canada today at noon safe and sound after completing their distribution in India.

Including the 6,000 bedkits delivered by the Chennai team this year, our total is now 1,206,630 bedkits since Sleeping Children began in 1970.

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Belgaum: Bailhongal

We delivered 500 bed kits in Bailhongal and had lots of volunteer help from the cadet corp. This brings our total distribution to 3,000 with 1,500 to go!

From Belgaum 2012

After spending the last seven days based out of our hotel in Belgaum, while doing bedkit distributions in the Belgaum district, we packed our bags and headed down the highway to Hubli. On the way, we stopped in Bailhongal to distribute another 500 bedkits. Wow! Three thousand bedkits; it seems hard to believe that we have already distributed two-thirds of the bedkits for this trip.

From Belgaum 2012

As usual, the Belgaum and Bailhongal Rotary teams were well prepared and with the assistance of many volunteers, and especially the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets (Shown in today's photos.). We are certain that another 500 deserving children and their families will sleep better tonight.

As we keep finding out when we do parent/guardian interviews, it is not just the children but also the caregivers who are overwhelmed by the amount of essentials provided in the bedkits. These families will be able to improve their chances for a better life through the gifts provided by the donors to SCAW. The backpacks and school supplies were most often mentioned as the most appreciated items.

I could not help but look into the eyes of the children today, as we were “lining them up” for the pictures and wonder who will this person become. I give thanks that SCAW could be a part of their lives and that people from all walks of life, all around the world, do care.

The Inner Wheel Club of Bailhongal Rotary banner hanging up at the distribution site says it all, “THINK AHEAD – AIM HIGH.”

Larry Kell,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Belgaum: Big Day

Our team had a request to take a picture of 40 children! Here is our team Leader preparing the group of 40. It was the BIGGEST picture ever taken in the Belgaum distribution.

From Belgaum 2012

1,000 bedkits were distributed in Belgaum, the home area for our Overseas Volunteer Organization (OVO), The Rotary Club of Belgaum.

From Belgaum 2012

This well-oiled Rotary machine made our job of distributing 1,000 bedkits easy!

This brings our total to 2,500 bedkits with another 2,000 to be distributed over the next four days. The children came from as far away as 50 km outside the city.

When one of our Rotarians was asked if all the 1,000 children chosen to receive the bedkits actually showed up at the distribution to receive their Gift of Sleep, he said that all 1,000 appeared because they knew from previous recipients in the Belgaum area just how valuable the bedkit would be to them.

From Belgaum 2012

So, our hats are off to the members of The Rotary Club of Belgaum for another successful distribution. And, just to top it all off, we took a picture of 40 children for an “In Memorial” donor (usually group pictures go up to ten children).

Tonight, our SCAW Team attends the regular Friday night meeting of The Rotary Club of Belgaum and it will be a celebration for sure!

Just to put the cherry on top of the sundae, several members of The Rotary Club of Belgaum will be attending The Pinehurst Club breakfast in Toronto on May 9th!

Duncan Macgregor,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Belgaum: First Timers

This was our first distribution at Ramdurg and there were 200 happy children bringing our total to 1,500 bedkits out of 4,500.

From Belgaum 2012

Upon leaving the Hotel Eefa this morning at 8:30 a.m., I surely did not anticipate all of the pure joy we would have participating with the Rotary Club of Ramdurg in their very successful distribution of 200 bedkits to the children from the surrounding villages within a 20 km radius.

Hats off to the Rotary Club members, the Inner Wheel women, the Rotractors from the local business college, and the children of the area. The children will sleep well tonight because of your generous donations towards the ‘gifts’ that we handed out to each child.

Before leaving the community, where poverty was visible everywhere, our bus driver took us to visit a local school where his sister was a teacher. We were swamped by very eager children, some of whom had just received a bedkit from us a few hours earlier. They all wanted to speak with us and shake our hands as if we were rock stars. I am sure that they did not accomplish much school work for the rest of the day.

From Belgaum 2012

I cannot end this blog without briefly mentioning how our evening ended in Belgaum. Their Rotary members invited us to visit the only public swimming pool in Belgaum, a city of 4.5 million people. The pool was built and run by the Rotary Club and every February their club runs a swimming camp for special needs children each evening, including lessons for blind and severely challenged children, all for free. We were able to observe this directly while we were there. Our hearts were opened and tears shed as we met them and watched the joy they experienced “coming together at the pool”.We were honoured to meet three local young men who have won gold medals at national swim competitions as well as at international ones. Look out Canadians!

The firsts that we experienced today will be with us for a lifetime!

Marg Goodchild,
for The 2012 Belgaum Team

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Pune: Distribution Completed

From Pune 2012

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity.

Many smiling faces, many laughs shared with newly forged friends, many miles travelled, and many wonderful memories formed.

We have now completed the distribution of 5,000 bedkits to the children of Pune, India. The last day was bittersweet - we are tired and happy to see our work completed, sad to know that our time here is coming to the end and there are still many more children in India who are not living with the same rights and privileges as our children at home in Canada.

From Pune 2012

Tonight we are attending the wrap up banquet with the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonement, and tomorrow we are again hitting the road to visit the homes of former recipients.

Team Pune 2012

Click either photo to see more in the Pune 2012 Photo Album. Then click on SLIDESHOW at upper left to see them all in large size.

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Including the 5,000 bedkits delivered
in Pune this year, our total is
now 1,200,630 bedkits since
Sleeping Children began in 1970.

Pune: Final Days

As published by the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment.

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Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome the SCAW team led by Debbie along with her team comprising of Sieg, Anne, Suzanne, Beth, Irene and Elaine, who are amongst us this evening, to celebrate with us the distribution of 5000 Kits this year. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment, I thank SCAW for giving us this opportunity to give joy and happiness to children in and around Pune by distributing Sleeping Kits to them, year after year.

The Project this year commenced with the packing of the kits on 29th January and 5th February, followed by the distribution at seven centres namely, Rasta Peth on 7th Feb., Ghargaon on the 10th, Hiwargaon on the 11th, Abitkhind on the 12th, Belapur on the 13th, Loni on the 14th and Lingdeo on 15th February.

I hereby make special reference of Mr.Ghule and Mr. Mujawar and thank both of them and their respective team of teachers and other staff members for giving us full support and assistance and for standing by our side during the entire Project. They helped us identify the beneficiaries and ensured that at all times we had sufficient volunteers to help us pack and distribute the Kits in their respective areas. The warm welcome that was given to us at each distribution center will also remain with us forever.

Friends, I take this opportunity to applaud the fantastic work done by Chairperson PP Aloysius, Rtn. Pankaj and President Nominee Sameer in planning, implementing and executing this Project along with PP Vilas, President Elect Fanash, Rtn.Rajesh, PP Nisar etc. PP Aloysius and his team have worked extremely hard for the past several months, first identifying the beneficiaries, thereafter visiting the schools for verification, ordering the supplies, arranging for the warehouses and other transport facilities, scheduling the packing and distributions of the Kits and taking care of all other necessary details.

I also thank the Rotary Club of Poona North for joining us and contributing towards the distribution of Kits in Loni and the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown for contributing towards the distribution of Kits in Lingdeo. I also acknowledge the contribution of the members of our Club and the Annes on the various days of packing and distribution.