Bangladesh: Barisal

This is our 6th distribution day and the city is Barisal where we will be spending the next 5 days in the Barisal District distributing bedkits.  The economy in this area is mainly farming and fishing. We travelled 5 minutes to the enclosed site at the Barisal Club. There was a large hall sectioned off into change rooms with lots of room for the moms and the kids.  Everyone was so excited when the first group of little girls came out in their pink polka dot dresses, the mothers cheered and cheered. This is a very important day for all these families and it is so special to have the mothers and fathers here to celebrate with their children. During the afternoon, I was lining up the children and 2 beautiful girls smiled and said "selfie".  I was so surprised and found my phone and we took a few pictures. They were so happy and came back for a visit (and more pictures) after they had received their bedkits.  It was a perfect day and we took pictures of these 500 children with lots of smiles. "Good night children and sleep tight."

Judy Snobelen for Team Bangladesh

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Bangladesh: Bhola

After our rest days in Dhaka we had to travel to Bhola.  We started the day disembarking from an overnight launch (a Bangladesh river ferry) from Dhaka

During the day we traveled by our mini bus, speed boat and ended the day in the back of a mini city taxi

This was our largest distribution of 1000 bed kits the weather was beautiful and the children were excited and well protected under canopies from the sun. It turned out our host for the day was a Bangladeshi man from Bhola who was also a successful Canadian businessman.

We were treated to a sumptuous lunch of lobster, rice and Bangldeshi sweets.   

1000 bedkits and 1000 smiles another perfect day.

George Foster for Team Bangladesh 2015

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Bangladesh: Saidpur

An extraordinary distribution today. Six hundred bedkits successfully distributed in Saidpur. Saidpur is a northwestern village in the Division of Rangpur, Bangladesh, approximately 330km north of the capital city of Dhaka. This being my first experience for Sleeping Children around the World, I have acquired a deeper understanding as to how many individuals and groups of people, such as the Rotary Club members, local officials, SCAW volunteers and the donors, that are needed to make a distribution successful. 

Before the bedkits were distributed today, the children were able to see what a bedkit consists of which raised their level of excitement and anticipation. Six hundred children and families of incredible poverty will have the comfort of a bed kit in their homes this evening. It is hoped that these children and their families will have a good sleep for many years to come and thereby increase the chances of a positive and successful day in the fields or village where they work, or in schools where they learn.

During this distribution today, I was given the privileged of completing interviews with the moms of the children receiving bedkits. A local nun from a nearby school, Sister Celine Baroi, assisted me in the translation of the questions and answers. When asked, which item in the bedkit did the mom believe will have the greatest impact for their child and family, they unanimously answered the mosquito net. Each of the moms interviewed today wished to pass on a message to the donors, that they will pray to Allah to bless the donor and to say thank you. 

Neil Chopp for Bangladesh Team 2015

Bangladesh: Days of Rest!

I woke this morning to the first Call to Prayer, and enjoyed its haunting and peaceful tones.
A fine way to start a day!

To date, in our four days of distributions, 2,400 Bangladeshi children have received a bedkit. These are children exactly as our own - funny, daring, shy, excited, timid, wide-eyed, full of promise - and last night each of them would have gone to bed with gifts from our SCAW donors that might ease the way to their becoming more of the people they already are.

After our last distribution when we returned to our hotel, the Canadian Bangladeshi team and many of our Rotarians and Rotaractors ventured out to a neighourhood tea shack. It was the perfect end of a day! It was a cozy spot with an inside table for 6 or 8, and of course, lots of road space outside to stand and talk.
It had a hand pump well for the water, a fire of pressed rice stalks under the kettle, fresh ginger and other condiments ready, and honestly, it was the best cuppa ever!
Good tea and good company! It gets no better!

We have completed the northern districts of Bangladesh for our bedkit distributions and will be leaving on an in-country flight then take some rest for a couple days.  We will then move to another part of Bangladesh where we will visit 7 more districts in another part of the country to complete the remaining 3,600 bedkits. 

Mary-Jo Lang for Team Bangladesh 2015

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Bangladesh: Lalmonirhat

Today's distribution was organized by the Rotary Club of Lalmonirhat along with the support of 3 other Rotary clubs from the surrounding area. We had the pleasure of doing the distribution on the grounds of a cricket arena.  Of the 800 bedkits given today, 200 were given to the very needy children from the "enclaves" which are small pockets of land on India's bordering territory where the actual nationality of the people is Bangladeshi.  The outfits included with the bedkit consisted of a lovely fuscha dress with polka dots for the younger girls aged six to nine and a salwar kameez in turquoise with polka dots for the older girls.  The boys aged six to nine are dressed in beige shorts and orange shirts while the older boys are outfitted in beige pants and a light blue shirt.  There outfits create a wonderful splash of colour in the photos that are taken.  We did a special photo with 100 children seated in the shape of a company logo.  A special thanks to all the donors for making this possible. We could have not done this without your support. 

Theodora Nandy for Team Bangladesh 2015
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Bangladesh: Mithapukur (Day 2 Afternoon)

On the afternoon of our second distribution day the team visited a new location, a school in the village of Mithapukur. Four hundred children already dressed in their new summer outfits greeted us as we pulled into the school yard...not to mention some goats and cows! Not only were the children looking great, their mothers were all gathered together to watch the activities and they made quite the impact in their colorful saris.  

Many of the older children demonstrated the English they have learned.  Every time they were asked "how are you" they never failed to respond with a "very well thank you how are you" . One of our Bangladesh Rotary Club partners explained today how far they have come in the health and education of their children, especially girls. In one village they have achieved 100 percent literacy. Mother's are now registering their children for school 2 years ahead of their start date.  I'm sure getting a good night's sleep is a big part of this accomplishment.

Debbie Stellzer for Team Bangladesh 2015

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Bangladesh: Pairabandh

On our bus ride this morning we passed many beautiful green rice fields on our way to "Pairabandh" the first site of today. The children were arriving at different times and were so excited to change into their new clothes. We started with some large groups, rows of children in their bright colours, blue, orange and pink. What a sight! They were so happy to help hold the bedkit items. We distributed 400 bedkits this morning to some very needy children. Lots of sweat and tears.today but what a privilege to to be here.  

Judy Snobelen for Team Bangladesh 2015

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Bangladesh: Day 1 - Jaldhaka

First thing this morning, we had an in-country flight with a small distribution of 200 bedkits on the way to our overnight lodging.  This was a small distribution but a great way to start. We were so pleased that the children were all dressed and prepared for our arrival. Their greetings of singing was much appreciated. The children were extremely well behaved and polite so this allowed us to complete the distribution quickly.  After a delicious lunch served by our hosts we were able to continue onto our overnight stay with our still jet lagged team. 

Mike Foster for Team Bangladesh

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