Belgaum: Harugiri

Today we headed deep into farm country. We passed plot after plot of corn, rice, bamboo, and wheat along with other vegetables to arrive at Harugiri and 400 waiting boys, girls and parents. They were really pleased to see us and two girls sang for us. When they saw what was in the bedkit they became increasingly excited.

Both children and parents were some of the most thankful and appreciative that we have experienced. They were quick to indicate how much the bedkit meant to them. 

At the end of the distribution we were very fortunate to be able to visit the homes of two of the children who had received bedkits.  The first had only one room and the second two small rooms. Both homes had dirt floors and virtually no furniture.. The families were happy to host us and were proud of their homes.

We ended the day by visiting a Belgaum swimming pool built by the Rotary who had 200 handicapped children taking free lessons when we arrived. 

Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: Nipani

After a restful and informative morning visit to a Hindu ashram we drove two hours to be greeted by 400 delightful children and their families from a very poor rural setting.  

Both children and parents were very appreciative of the bedkit. One of the mothers interviewed said that there was not a single item in the bedkit that her family could have afforded. 

We came home late tired and tremendously uplifted by their enthusiasm and joyfulness 

Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: It's a long road to Athani... it's a long road we know...

And so that long road took us to our first distribution  this Saturday morning. That long road of 140km took us a good 3 hours each way. But the distance was well worth the wait as we were greeted by 300 excited children and over 30 willing members of the Rotary Club Of Athani.  

It's always a thrill for the 4 experienced SCAW volunteers and somewhat overwhelming for the 2 newbies to be greeted with such enthusiasm as seen in the picture below. 

More exciting is to see the children in their new clothes and excited to receive their new shoes.

With many smiles and thanks we are off to a great start in enriching the lives of 5000 children in and around the city of Belgaum, India.  

Team Belgaum 2017
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Belgaum: Pre-Distribution Meeting

We met with the SCAW Trust for a pre distribution meeting at the Belguam Club last evening.  The meeting was hosted by Dilip Chitnis, who outlined the itinerary for the 2017 distribution, provided us with an overview of their process for selecting recipients including the principals followed, gave us a preview of a PowerPoint presentation that they will use for orienting new sponsors and presented the 2017 bedkits.

I was impressed by the value for money the local Trust was able to achieve, the sweater alone would easily retail at the Bay in Canada for $35.

Today, we visited the homes of some of the 2016 recipients.  The visits started at their schools.  After presentations by the children, we visited selected homes, one group in a rural setting and one in a very impoverished section of Belguam. The living conditions in the rural area were by any measure spartan, but clean and reflected a sense of pride.  The area we visited in Belguam was very crowded, but the children were well taken care of and it was obvious that the teachers in the school were strong advocates for them and making every effort to move them out of poverty.

Tomorrow, we will be making our first distribution.

Team Belgaum 2017
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Pune: Morgaon - That's a Wrap!!

Our grand arrival in Morgaon, Karen leading the Procession on Horseback. 

Horn player announcing our arrival in the tent.

Students dressed in Sarees doing tradition dancing for our entertainment.

Having fun with the children while they are waiting for their picture to be taken.

Happy child receiving the Back Pack filled with goodies. 

Team Pune 2017
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Pune: Indapur

Indapur is our most distant distribution at about 120 KM from Pune. Thus this day was among our longest days at just over 14 hours. Leaving at 7:30AM and arriving back at our hotel at about 10:00PM.

It was a long but rewarding day. The pictures I have attached show a young girl running from one pick-up point to the next anxious to get her next part of the bedkit.

The second and third pictures show parents, kit receivers and siblings loaded down with the bedkit and being transported home.

Team Pune 2017
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Pune: Dancing!

Yesterday, on our leisure day, we were treated to a classical Indian Dancing Festival. 

Today, we had a Pune City distribution of over 900 kits. We were entertained with dancing before beginning our setup and distribution. The children and parents were enthusiastic throughout the day about receiving the bedkits.

Thanks to all the Rotarians and volunteers who helped Sleeping Children Around the World for making this such a successful day.

Team Pune 2017
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Pune: The Importance of PJs!!

Our team had a lot of assistance from the local Bhigwan Rotary Club, along with the our Overseas Partners, the Rotary Club of Cantonment, and numerous other volunteers to hand out 800 bedkits.  We sure couldn't have succeeded without everyone's help.

Here is Irwin handing out a bedkit to a smiling child. 

Back packs were much appreciated by all the children.  Jill is handing out a back pack to a most appreciative child. 

On our way home in our van, one of the Rotary Club of Cantonment members spotted a little girl who had pjs on, that looked like the ones we had just distributed earlier in the day.  We stopped and asked her and she said yes, she had just received them today.  Here she is modeling her new pjs. Many children in India wear their day clothes to bed, because they have no PJs. 

Team Pune 2017
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Pune: Daund

The Pune team set out on a mission to distribute 800 bedkits in Daund. After a fairly smooth drive and a tasty masala-tea break along the way, we arrived at Daund, where we received a warm greeting from the Daund volunteers. The distribution was hosted at a beautiful school, which opened its doors to the many children from the surrounding area to come to receive a bedkit. The local school girls were excited with our presence. 

Shortly after arriving, our heads were ceremonially wrapped in beautiful yellow and gold Pheta head pieces. To a pounding drum beat, with a stick and chain percussion instrument in hand, team leader Karen was at the head of the pack as we followed behind a procession of traditional Maharashtra dancers. As we danced down an aisle, we passed through the smiling groups of children and parents who had been anticipating our arrival.  We were escorted to a stage overlooking the huge crowd of children, parents, grandparents, siblings and other family members. David assisted one of the overseas partner volunteers in displaying each item in the bedkit during a very animated description of the items. 

The efficient use of the space and a well prepared set-up facilitated a smooth flow of the distribution activities. Dave’s bunny ears were a big help in eliciting a nice “HASA” (smile) from the kids. In spite of the oppressive heat, it was a seamless distribution. We enjoyed a lovely local meal with the volunteers before heading back to Pune City.

Team Pune 2017
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Chennai: Mission Accomplished!

The final day of distribution was at Ambattur School which is funded by our special Ambattur Rotarians. This year is their golden (50^th) anniversary.  

Over 700 glowing children from a 100 km radius received bedkits today which brings our grand total to 5000.   Ten top students received a scholarship sponsored by Ambattur Club on behalf of Murray Dryden.

It has been joyous for veteran and novice volunteers this Chennai experience!

Team Chennai 2017
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