Kenya: One Good Night Sleep at a Time!

Amazing teamwork today! A combined effort from the SCAW team,Rotary Club, school administration and teachers made for a smooth, well organized distribution of 600 bed kits!

As the van pulled up to the school gate - we were greeted by an impressive turnout from the local Rotary and community.  Very encouraging start😀

Once the last child  received his bed kit- the SCAW team was treated to a delicious lunch of homemade Kenyan favorites - prepared by the teachers and parents.

Alongside lunch came some  emotional words from the primary school staff- reinforcing what we know to be true ,and what becomes clearer everyday- SCAW is helping create brighter futures for children all over the planet -one good night sleep at a time❤️

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: Gratitude

600 Kenyan children will hopefully sleep more soundly tonight after our SCAW team's efforts at another Nairobi elementary school today! 

After a morning of helping make kids smile -  we were lucky enough  to be invited into the homes of families who had already received bedkits through SCAW; including single mother, Mary and son John and a second ,extended family with grandmother and grandfather at the helm of a modest one bedroom dwelling.

Everyone we met expressed such gratitude - amazed by Canadian kindness and thankful for their life- changing bedkits. So meaningful to meet our bedkit families and experience SCAW's impact on such a profound and personal level.

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Pathgram

Today 670 more bedkits were given to excited Bangladeshi children in the town of Pathgram, making the grand total of 3,380 bedkits generously donated by Sleeping Children’s supporters, and handed to the children by the dedicated Overseas Volunteer Partners from the Rotary Club of Dhaka and their many helpers. There are often as many as thirty volunteers at these sites.

Chris Hills working via SKYPE with Rotary of Dhaka.

The commentary below is courtesy of the members of SKD:

Day 5: 670 bedkits distribution at Patgram a two hours drive from Lalmonirhat town. It's a half an hour from the border of India. Both the countries are divided by a barb-wire fence. The social economic condition is very poor. The school children were lined up in a disciplined way and the children change into their new dress and waiting eagerly for the bedkits. During the war of liberation this area was all along liberated and Pakistani forces never dare to come to Pathgram. Sector 6 was fighting along the area on the 6th of December 1971 Lalmonirhat was freed. Pakistan Army surrendered to the allied forces and a new country came in to being.

I am grateful for the daily briefing from the core members of the Rotary Club of Dhaka. Their connection through Skype has come through crystal clear, and we’ve exchanged thoughts and ideas about the day’s events. My thanks to you all! 

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Bangladesh: Lalmonirhat

This fourth day of the Bangladesh SCAW distribution found the SKD team in Lalmonirhat (with the Dharla and Tista Rivers forming its boundaries), in the town of Audimari, where the site was located in the local sports arena, where under sunny skies, SKD again brought happiness to 670 local children.

Lalmonirhat is notable for its folk culture including rhymes, riddle, proverbs, Meyeligeet (song sung by women), Mantra, folk song, Palligeeti, Baul song, etc.

Masud of Rotary Dhaka sent this history of the area:

Day 4. 670 bedkits distribution at Auditmari, Lalmonirhat. Lalmonirhat is located northern borderline of Bangladesh. The previous name of the region was " Kamrup Kingdom." There were many myths about naming the region. Some historians believe that in the 19th century Bangladesh when Duras rail line was constructed, workers found red stone mining in the land of the area. Then it was named Lalmoni and later Lalmonirhat.

Some historians think that a farmer's leader along with Nualdin fought against the British soldiers and sacrificed their lives to establish the rights of the farmers in 1783. Then the region was named after her. With the passing of time Hat included with Lalmoni. During the war of liberation sector headquarters of the sector 6 was located here at Burimari, Lalmonirhat.

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Kenya: Nairobi Factories

Visited three Nairobi factories today to get a firsthand look at where some of the contents of SCAW bedkits are made. One of the day's brightest stars was Priscilla - a local, small business woman who makes school backpacks for SCAW. 

Her cottage industry has grown from an original staff of one to now six, today. She credits much of her success to the relationship with SCAW,that began some four years ago. It was all smiles as she proudly toured us around; so grateful for the opportunity SCAW has provided. 

From mattresses and knit sweaters to t- shirts and backpacks - very encouraging to see SCAW's strong impact on economic development in Kenya! 

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Chilmari

The Rotary Club of Dhaka moved efficiently through their third day’s distribution with 680 bedkits handed over to the children of Chilmari.

The quotation below is from Masudul Alam accompanying his pictures from the day in Chilmari.

Day 3: 680 bed kit distribution at Chilmari. Once it was a major railway junction. Railways come from all over Bangladesh and the passengers crossed Bhrammaputra by ferry to connect to northern Bangladesh. River erosion had destroyed all the establishments including the river port. People are the poorest of the poor. Even 15 years back this area was net food deficit area. People were dying of starvation. There was only one crop a year. Now with the support of the government and improved irrigation produce 4 crops a year and the scenario has changed totally. If you look left and right it is lush of green everywhere. This area is still the poorest in Bangladesh.

Bedkit items:

• Groundsheet
• Pillow
• Pillow case
• Raincoat
• School bag
• Water bottle
• Flip-flops
• Boys/girls: two sets of clothing each
• Towel
• Blanket
• MOSQUITO NET

Team Bangladesh 2017
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Kenya: 1200 More Children Sleeping Well!

Spent the morning delivering 600 bedkits to a primary school in one of Nairobi's largest slums that is shockingly home to over 1 million people. 

We were greeted and treated to a number of powerful songs and performances from the students - so inspiring - especially considering their difficult circumstances.

 After a short break we carried onto another extremely vulnerable elementary school where we successfully handed out another 600 bedkits!

So 1200 bedkits in all today! Looking forward to visiting factories tomorrow - interesting to see how and where all the bedkit contents are made! SCAW team is dusty, tired and pleased after another great day of helping give Kenya kids a better night sleep!

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: 592 More Bedkits Distributed!

A day of miles ....and a day of smiles! Traveled from  Makindu to Nairobi and a second successful distribution of 592 bedkits!

Treated to lunch hosted by the Rotary Club of Nairobi  who expressed deep thanks to SCAW donors. Shared that they were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of SCAW and the supporters who make lives better for their children. A great day indeed.

Team Kenya 2017
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Kenya: Meeting Previous Recipients!

An early departure from Mombasa and we were on the road back to Nairobi! Stopped halfway at Makindu where we had a great chance to meet with kids who received SCAW bedkits last year. During a short Q and A it was soon clear -SCAW bedkits were a big hit! When asked if they liked getting and were still using the bedkits - students' hands shot up waving "YES!"

Said goodbye to a sea of smiling faces and were welcomed overnight at a Sikh Temple - thanks to our generous host Darsi Lotay! Ready for another day of helping change the lives of children in Kenya😀

Team Kenya 2017
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Bangladesh: Ulipur!

The Sleeping Children Overseas Volunteer Partner team followed on their wonderful start by moving the distribution to the town of Ulipur very close to the border with India, which is just to the east across the Brahmaputra River.

Here I’m quoting from Mohammad Khaliquzzaman (Khaliq) the SCAW team leader for this distribution.

Day 2, 680 bed-kits distributed to children of far flung river shoals where mankind almost abandoned them and the nature is often hostile, the total homestead are eroded overnight by the mighty Brahmaputra.

There is a long and harsh history to this area, with crop failures, constant flooding, and starvation amongst the people who call this place home. Recent times have brought better conditions. Action by the Bangaldeshi Government, with improvements in cropping techniques, have increased crop yields. This is highly important here as agriculture supplies the highest source of income at 70% in the Ulipur district.

The children receiving bedkits were drawn from a large area, many being delivered to this central site by boat from their “island” homes in the Brahmaputra.

The daily conversation with the SCAW team of Rotary Dhaka via Skype has worked exceptionally well. The day went smoothly, with no unforeseen emergencies, and a steady stream of 680 happy Bangladeshi children eager to finally get that bedkit they have been patiently waiting for (four months must be an eternity for a small child!)

Many thanks again to Rotary Club of Dhaka for their great dedication and enthusiasm; and of course for these wonderful pictures.

Team Bangladesh 2017
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