Chennai: The Team Has Arrived!

We’re on a journey.  So much has happened in the last 24 hours. First the sunset taken in my 5 minute window of opportunity near Bagdad. Check out the mountains below.

Then after landing in Dubai and spending quality time there, In the airport that acts like a city we arrived in Chennai at 4AM in the morning to be warmly welcomed, and blessed with decorations. Look how many greeters were there to meet us so early in the morning. 

Only 8 hours in the country we are rested have successfully ventured to the closest ATM machine. 

Today only 24 hours later was very special with lots of laughs. What a treat to visit Thiru an original member of the Rotary Club when the distributions first came to Chennai. He was a friend of Murray Dryden so long ago and has attended a distribution every year since.

Winding our way, no slogging our way through the traffic, we witnessed a well oiled machine of happy people working in the packing facility. Your donations service the cottage industry  here and some 250 families gain employment from making all the items in the bedkit.

 We even took a  hand at trying to pack a kit, however we decided our strength was in distributing them to the children.

Marg Garrett for Team Chennai 2016
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Chennai 2016: Post Your Comments Here!

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Pune: Our Final Distribution!

Our final distribution and another successful rewarding yet marathon 15 hour day!

The long drive over rough and winding roads revealed the agrarian Pune area with fields of sugarcane interspersed with crops of corn, grain, and mixed vegetables,farmed with labour intensive methods.

Our driver maneuvered the switchbacks through the foothills of the Ghat Mountains;the Sahyaeri Hills provided impressive scenery, with the stark arid rolling hills contrasting with the lush green fields below. We appreciated the fresher air as we ascended to the higher altitude.

Upon our arrival at Mhaswadi , we were again greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Our welcome included: the wrapping of our heads with the ceremonial pheta,the blessing with tikka application to our foreheads, the art of mehendi (meticulous henna drawings on our forearms and hands, and rangoli (the skillful welcome painted on the ground in front of us. Our transportation through town was an upgrade of a tractor pulling the honoured SCAW guests in a wagon, led by a lively children's marching band. Upon entering the gate, we were impressed by the Senior Men's troupe and the beautifully attired young dancers who entertained us.

Under the patient competent guidance of our leader Karen, the distribution of 900 bedkits was a smooth operation thanks to the pleasant, caring, and efficient SCAW team members and the Rotarians and volunteers who embraced their duties.Upon completion of the final bedkit exchange, we celebrated the success of the operation with a meaningful group hug, and were then treated to a traditional festive meal by the friendly teachers.

Although the descent to Pune was rather tiring and adventuresome, we certainly felt the pride of the SCAW team's efforts, and were most thankful to the many donors who provide volunteers with such an unique opportunity.Indeed our greatest reward is the delightful smiles of the young children and the many expressions of sincere gratitude from the recipients and their parents--a wonderful heartwarming experience for all members of the SCAW Pune team!!

Anne Mac Donald for Team Pune 2016
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Kolkata: Garland

Each team member was presented with a garland made of roses and jasmine.  The perfume was potent and a wonderful warm welcome to this fascinating country.

Team Kolkata 2016

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Pune: Breaking News!

Breaking News!

The Scaw team has arrived!

Karen Morgan for Team Pune 2016
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Kolkata: The Team is Arriving!

Nameskar,

We are delighted to say that we made it!  Five sevenths of the team arrived in Kolkata in the wee hours of Monday morning to a most glorious welcome by our volunteer hosts - the Rotary Club of Dum Dum. We are looking forward to meeting our two other team mates when they arrive later this evening.

Our photos show us leaving Toronto and our arrival in Kolkata.

More tomorrow!

Team Kolkata 2016
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Pune: Bhawani Peth

Today we had no long drive to the site, no ride in an Ox cart and no ceremonial head wear but today we danced! The student entertainment today was colourful displays of native dances. The costumes were exquisite and the skill level impressive ; but the thing we will remember is that we were invited by the children to join them in dancing on the stage. Not many photos, as we were all busy trying to follow along!

Although we were in Pune many of the recipients had travelled great distances for this very special occasion.  We gave out 900 bed kits in short order, thanks to the support and assistance of the Pune Rotarians and their family and friends.

I am always amazed at the smiles from both children and parents.  Life is not easy for many of these families, yet the children greet you with a smile! Even the youngest children say " Thank you very much". Today, I found many of the parents so pleased with the gift to their child that they appeared over come with emotion.  While handing out back packs, parents often shook my hand and thanked us.

It is really amazing what your $35 donation can buy. The Rotarians have done a wonderful job of sourcing all the contents of the bedkit locally.  Take a look. Your donations go a very long way in helping these children and their families.

Today I met a women who had brought 10 young girls from an orphanage. All the children had been coaxed on saying thank you. She also made a point of thanking all the SCAW team along the distribution route and thanking us. This means so much to these children!

A wonderful day! Tomorrow will be a very long day and unfortunately our last distribution.

Sandy Riches for Team Pune 2016
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Pune: Amboli

Words cannot describe my experience since arriving!  My first distribution, first trip to India and first time travelling without someone I knew. 

Our day four was a two hour drive to Amboli where we would distribute just over 900 bed kits.  As we travelled through amazing terrain we arrived at a first rest stop, a school with smiling, singing children anxious to meet us.  I am truly amazed how children with so little could be so very happy. 

We continue on to our distribution site.  We are treated like royalty when we arrive; drums playing, children dancing, bells ringing.  You can’t help but notice the beaming faces of children that will be receiving a very special gift today.  They are so happy, so anxious and grateful.  I have tears well up in my eyes each day as I see these lovely, beautiful children.  I wanted to hug them all at once and let them know they are so truly loved!  Many photos were taken and many smiles were seen.  I met a special young boy today who was six years old.  He is going to be a teacher one day he informed our Rotation translator.  So eager to learn, so happy with the kit he received today.  He promised his mom he would not be opening his stationary kit until he was in school, as he did not want it to get dirty.

It was an amazing day, but it is not over yet.  We arrive at the Mayor of Amboli’s house for a traditional home cooked meal.  I felt honoured to be part of something special.  As we are about to  leave we look out over the horizon to see the sun beginning to set and feel an amazing accomplishment for today.  We have had the ability to change lives of many children today.  I can’t imagine how they would feel when they arrived home and recounted their memories of the day.  I am sure as they laid their head down on their new pillow and got cozy with their new blankets, the lovely dreams they would have of the day as they drifted off to sleep. Memories they would hold close to their hearts for many days, months and years to come.

I cannot put into words my experience thus far.  I am working with an amazing group of individuals who have hearts of gold, true angels really.    Would I want to experience this again… in one YES.  My life has been changed in so many wonderful ways.  I have been truly humbled with this experience.

Cheryl Warner  for Team Pune, India 2016
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Pune: The Rotarians

Wow! After 2 days of 900 bed kits per day and a 17 hour day yesterday, we were very glad to have a rest day today on one of the Indian national holidays. Today is a day to celebrate the harvests across the country.

Our Rotarians have been absolutely amazing on this distribution; not only has their organization of the distributions and volunteers been fantastic, their personal involvement and dedication to SCAW and all that we are achieving is inspiring. Today we had the additional honour of being invited to join them in their celebration of the holiday. Family and friends joined in to fly kites, play cricket and "throw ball", and to enjoy some tasty sweets. This was a multi-generational celebration and we felt very welcomed and enjoyed being called "auntie" by the younger generation at the gathering. This was truly a unique and special day for us. The relationship that we gain by working with the Rotarians adds another dimension to the great SCAW experience!

Jill Plasteras for Team Pune 2016
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Pune: Dhakani

Getting there was an adventure in itself.  The Dhakani region, a predominantly sugar cane arid area is situated 180 kms. from Pune, and is 3,000 ft. above sea level. This was to be one of the longest days of the 900 bedkit distribution, departing at 7:45 am returning at 12:45 am Friday. Circumventing switchback roads, and holding one's breath, we had great faith in our driver.  Passing many bustling villages, itinerant tent encampments, handmaking brick ventures, animals and humans sharing the roads, we finally arrived to a tumultuous welcome.  We were treated to a diverse showcase of entertainment.  The children performed with great enthusiasm, having spent much time in preparation for our arrival using a variety of traditional instruments.  Hundreds of children and families had been waiting patiently under the canopy.  What a sight, and so heartwarming.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child.  Today's distribution proved not only that concept, but also the one of inclusion.  Many grandparents accompanied the children, and we had much joy in having a group of blind children sing for us.  For many of the barefooted children it was the gift of shoes that spoke volumes.  They held them closely with such pride. An expression of thanks was a child bending down to kiss one's feet.  We allayed our discomfort once we learned the appropriate response - touching the child's head with your right hand.  From a quiet spot I simply observed the incredible logistics and interactions taking place before me between the kids, their families, the Rotarians, volunteers.  I was in awe of the sheer magnitude of this smooth and efficient distribution.  Such comraderie and teamwork.  We got the opportunity once more to experience using our right hand to eat at another communal dinner on our return trip.  It was a good exhaustion after a long arduous trip and successful distribution.

Jan Fine for Team Pune 2016
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Pune: Our First Day!!

This is my first ever blog, my first ever distribution and the first day of the distribution.  I am totally overwhelmed.

What a day. It began with a chaotic and crazy drive lasting about an hour from the hotel to a small village (100,000 people!) called Kopre, We suddenly came to a stop to find three carts being pulled by beautifully painted and and decorated oxen and it seems like the whole village had turned out to greet us. A parade had been set up for us.  We received ceremonial headwear called Pheta which looked a little like turbans and were led to the school by a children's band, followed by us sitting in carts pulled by the oxen.  We felt like royalty.

We were led to a stage in front of hundreds of children, who had traveled from various schools in the region, and treated to a wonderful floor show by the children.  After we set up the bedkits and were prepared for the children, the fun began.  To see hundreds of  smiling children waiting in line to have their photos taken, then go to pick up their bedkits, was a thrilling and moving experience to say the least.  These children were selected from a set of criteria, primarily because of their exceeding poverty and conditions they live in, and by their beaming faces,  one can only  imagine how these 6 - 12 years felt.  We know how we felt.   Pictures tell a thousands words, and the pics I have attached to this blog will hopefully convey some of our feelings.  We gave out 900 odd bedkits today, a day that has been a life changing experience for me.

Catherine Gayton for Team Pune 2016

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Pune: Bedkit Assembly

Well I thought it was a great idea in 2015 when I suggested to the our overseas partner, the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment, that I would attend Pune prior to the distribution in 2016. The purpose was to observe and assist in the process of actually assembling the bedkits for this years distribution. Arriving at 1:30 on Saturday January 11, I was able to grab a few winks and be at the assembly area with the Rotarians at 9:00 am.

The atmosphere had an air of excitement. Rotarians, their families and volunteers numbered over 150 people. 

Before long the manual process of assembling the kits began. The bedkits contains over 30 items. I am amazed at just how far a $35. Cdn. Donation can be stretched.

The items in the kit: from floor blankets, and a mosquito net, to school clothes and a back pack,  to name a few, are treasured by every child who receives these.

The volunteers have a bag for each kit and walk a loop in the assembly area collecting each item in the kit. The process goes on until all 4500 kits are assembled.  This entire process took place over two days.  Now the fun part...distributing the bedkits to the children.

Dave Morgan for Team Pune 2016
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