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

You may have to scroll down to find the link to "Post a comment."

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

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

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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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