Philippines: New Sites!

After a stay at the hotel in Aringay near the seaside, off we go to our first distribution in the same town.  We were met at Carmen National High School by lots of smiles from the children and their parents and other family members.  The school site is also an assembly location for typhoon and flood evacuation, which is always a concern here in the Philippines. 

We distributed 300 bed kits to the wonderful children of Aringay, all of whom were happy to give us a high five whenever we put up our hands. All of the children and their parents were very appreciative and were very thankful to everyone in Canada whose donations made this possible.  After our distribution, we were treated to a fantastic lunch prepared by the local school parents. Before we left, we were given a lovely gift bag of local treats and a weaved tray to take home.

We boarded our van and off we went to our next distribution, two hours drive drive along the coastal highway in Luna.  We were greeted at Luna National School by the children and their families with cheering and waves.  The local Vice Mayor gave all SCAW a warm welcome speech and a sincere thank you for choosing his town and this school.  

We distributed the 300 bed bed kits and received the traditional blessing from many of the children by them taking our hand and touching their foreheads with it and saying "thank you po."  Very touching.

We received a nice gift bag and certificate of thanks from the Vice Mayor, then we were treated to a delicious afternoon lunch known as a Merienda.  After a brief tour of the magnificent cathedral in Luna, we drove to Laoag for the night.

Both Aringay and Luna were new sites for bed kits distributions and they each went very well.  Three cheers for the SCAW Philippines team and each local team for excellent planning and organization before we arrived to do the distributions!

Brian Barr for Team Philippines 2016

Post your comments here:

Uganda: Getting Underway in Uganda!

Today our team visited three factories that produced bedkit items - the mattress, bedsheet, children's clothing and school bag  - with our partner the Inner Wheel ladies.  We were impressed with the quality of all items, and the cleanliness of the factories.  All the bedkits are stored at the mattress factory, and have been counted and organized for each day of the distribution.  The team is excited to see the children and start the distributions tomorrow.

Ted for Team Uganda 2016
Post your comments here:

Uganda: The Team Has Arrived!!

 Greetings from Uganda.  The Team has arrived!

After a long journey starting in Toronto with a layover in Dubai, Team Uganda arrived at the Entebbe airport this afternoon.  We were met by several members of the Inner Wheel of Kampala our overseas partners.  We were so exited to see them and as you can see we are a very happy group.  We are now safely settled in at our home away from home in Kampala. Tomorrow will be a day of meetings and factory visits then Tuesday we will be off for our first distribution.  Stay tuned!

Ready and eager to start our journey from Toronto

sitting:  Nancy Loveless, Ted Swanston, Carol Swanston

standing:  jan Gayman,  Susan Sheremeta, Norma Rookwood, Jean McNab

Dubai airport. Just 5 more hours to go.

We have arrived!

Team Uganda 2016
Post your comments here:

Uganda 2016: Post Your Comments Here:

As a courtesy, please add your name to the end of your comments.

Zimbabwe: Meeting the Families!

Please meet this family of 5- Gogo (Grandma) and her 4 grandchildren ages 4,6, 8, and 15 (at school, so absent from the photo).  We had the pleasure of meeting the 6 year old at his school when we gave him his bedkit.  He was wiggling with excitement when we came to his home and chatted with his Gogo.  She was busy assembling his mosquito net, readying it to hang above his new bedkit. Her life has been typical, if a hard one- raising her grandchildren, living a hand to mouth existence by gathering firewood and selling it roadside.  They live on borrowed land, and there are many worries about the future.  Our discussion made us realize yet again how glad we are to be in this country, volunteering with wonderful, kind-hearted individuals who are working hard to improve the lives of children.

Team Zimbabwe 2016
Post your comments here:

Philippines: Daily Adventures!!

Today was another good day for SCAW Team Philippines. Thunder storms delayed our departure for Magalang but it did not impact the distribution too much, neither did the 91'F. Our first challenge was to get into the site.

A very tight squeeze but nothing our driver Lando could not handle. Three hundred smiling young faces greeted us. Well behaved but they were not sure what was about to happen. Siblings waited and watched the entire distribution waiting for brother or sister.

Some played, some talked to their friends, others horsed around until order was called. Our opening  started with the singing of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems, a greeting from our donors delivered by our team leader and then the distribution. Some were excited, others puzzled while others just wanted to go play.

We are becoming a well oiled team, from setting up labels, taking the photos, guiding the children to the next spot and handing out the bedkits And all along the way the lovely  interaction with the kids..

Today we did some interviews. An adult and child were pulled aside as they left the area with a bedkit. We asked if we could get their opinions aimed ar improving the bedkits. What was the best thing in the kit? What items was of limited use? What could we add to the kit? The answers were not too unexpected.  The mat was generally number one, though occasionally school supplies have been the most desired item. All through this, the child is beaming. 

Our lunch, a Filipino meal was provided by one of our hosts. Adobo, fish and other delicacies ending with Maria's Secret, a mixture of rice, ice cream and mango. More than enough to get us to Mabalacat.

And then the routines starts all over again. The children in this distribution were from an indigenous group on a nearby mountain.  They had to be driven a distance to the site, a park. Turns out we are into the start of the  wet season, luck held out though and the rain did not materialize.

From Team Philippines 2016

Post your comments here:

Philippines:650 More Kids Will Be Sleeping Better Tonight!!

After a brief but torrential rainstorm overnight, today was hot and humid. Our first distribution was inside a basketball court in Angeles, Pampagna, where 300 enthusiastic, cheering and clapping Filipino children greeted us. With SCAW Philippines and local volunteers working alongside the Canadian team, the day went smoothly.

The afternoon found us in Porac, where Aeta children had been brought by a variety of transportation to the local sports arena. These children are from indigenous families living close to Mount Pinatubo. The Aeta children brought high spirits and enthusiasm to a new level!!

The proceedings began with a traditional dance from four bedkit recipients lead by an Elder from the local Aeta community. Of course…..our team was invited to join in!

Chris Hills for Team Philippines 2016
Post your comments here:

Philippines: Day Three!

Well we hit the road today, leaving the hustle and bustle of Manila and our cozy hotel to head north. Our first stop was in a Plaridel where the children were seated in bleachers waiting patiently to receive their bedkits. It was nice to the whole group together and see all the 350 smiling faces together.  I was lucky enough to be on bedkit duty so was fortunate enough to hand the kits to all the kids. (the best job of the day)  The children were so polite and excited to receive their kit making it always a pleasure to give them their gift. 

The local volunteers do an enormous of work getting things organized on the site before we arrive. From setting things up and having the bedkits ready to preparing a lovely meal for us to enjoy together after the distribution.  

After the morning distribution we continued on to Arayat arriving with a police escort! The parents and children were waiting for us to arrive and we ended the distribution with ice creams cones which was a great way to end a very hot day.

Jenny Simpson for Team Philippines 2016

Post your comments here:

Zimbabwe: First Experiences!

Fun with the kids today on our small, start up distribution!  One of the kids told team member Elizabeth how excited he was, not only for the bedkit, but because today, for the first time in his life, he had met a white person.  Many new experiences had by all!

Team Zimbabwe 2016
Post your comments here:

Philippines: Marilao

We arrived at Marilao to the sound of the school band playing and cheerleaders twirling flags and stepping to the music.  What a welcome!

To get here, we drove 50 km north from our hotel in Quezon City to Marilao in Bulacan Province.  Little did we know our hosts were up before dawn clearing the school courtyard of mud and water from floods caused by heavy rains the night before, and transporting some of the children by boat through the flood waters to the school to make it on time for our distribution.  These are people who deal with hardship every day, but do so with a big smile on their face.  

Before we distributed our 350 bedkits, we were treated to a spirited singing of O Canada by the chldren.  Thanks to excellent organizational work by Dr. Ito's SCAW Philippines team, the local team from the school, and our own Canadian team, the distribution went very well.  We were then treated to an excellent lunch, including delicious Filipino papaya.  

After lunch we were invited to visit three homes of families whose children received bedkits today.  They showed us around their modest one or two room homes of 300 to 400 sq ft housing sometimes three generations of 7 or more family members -- always with pride and warm smiles.

How would I sum up our experience with the children of Marilao?  Maganda, which means "beautiful" in Filipino!

Brian Barr for Team Philippines 2016

Post your comments here:

Zimbabwe: We Have Arrived!

We have arrived Zimbabwe and had a wonderful day preparing for distribution with our Zimbabwe partners.  We visited the bright and busy manufacturing facility of the clothing for the children.  We were also able to meet with some of the Interact (young Rotarians) who had been busy helping out by packaging the items for the bedkits.  One of our partners, Elizabeth, noted how the SCAW distribution has given her the opportunity to meet many new people, make many new friends in different occupations.  SCAW broadens our world, all the while making it seem smaller- an awesome contradiction of sorts!  

Debbie Will-Dryden for Team Zimbabwe 2016
Post your comments here:

Zimbabwe 2016: Post Your Comments Here:

As a courtesy, please add your name to the end of your comments.

Philippines: Antipolo

Today was an exciting day as it was our first full day in the Philippines and our first distribution.  After an early start, we boarded our van and headed to visit the warehouse and assembly location for the bedkits.  It was interesting to watch the assembly of the kits and even be put into action assembling a few on our own!  After seeing how this is done and the kits prepared for transport and distribution we were fortunate to enjoy a traditional lunch and get to know our partners on the ground a little better.  

From there we headed off to Antipolo which was the site of our first distribution.  We met the children at a school and quickly set up for handing out the bedkis.  The children and all the local volunteers were so excited to see the bedkits coming of the truck!  

Quick local facts:  it is very warm and humid!  They love to take pictures and then more pictures! They love to eat and share their food!

It was a very successful and heart warming day for all of us and we're excited to see more children tomorrow!

Joan Hatcher for Team Philippines 2016
Post your comments here:

Philippines: The 2016 Team Has Arrived!!

The team arrived in  Manila a 4:30 this morning following an incident free flight from Toronto via Shanghai. The warmth of the early morning made us fully aware we were in the Philippines. Jess Navarro gave us an equally warm welcome and with the ever-skillfull Lando at the wheel we were soon at our hotel. After a much needed rest we will be off on our first distribution tomorrow. Can't wait to see those smiles!

Team Philippines 2016
Post your comments here:

Philippines 2016: Post Your Comments Here:

As a courtesy, please add your name to the end of your comments.