SCAW Blog: Chennai, 2025: February 26

Last evening was a felicitous evening, a celebration for the successful completion of the delivery of 5000 bedkits. It was heart-warming to be present at a ceremony thanking everyone in the room for their volunteer participation. The project leader, who had just completed his 39th distribution, spoke graciously, fully naming each participant and asking them to rise and be recognized for their contribution. In turn, the District Governor was very appreciative of the project leader’s selfless determination to make this distribution happen.

This distribution was precedent setting as it was the first in the community since the beginning of Covid. There were so many hurdles to overcome to get permission for our distribution. Many volunteer hours were needed to make it happen. They volunteered because they believe SCAW’s tenet that every child deserves hope and a good night’s sleep. It was wonderful to be part of such a group and to celebrate with them.

Team Chennai, 2025

Rotary Club of Ambattur 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Chennai, 2025: February 24

Today was our last big distribution.  We started out at 8 o’clock and made it to the site in approximately an hour. It is interesting to notice the difference in the morning traffic compared to the traffic later in the day. In the morning our van is surrounded by motorcycles going in both directions. Later in the day cars and Tuk-Tuks fill the streets and help make the traffic incredibly slow.

Before we started giving out the bedkits we were served a lovely local breakfast, hosted by the owner of the school as well as the principal. The principal told us joyfully that she has a 2 week-old grandson in Medicine Hat.

Today the heat was bothersome for all of us. For the first time we distributed the bedkits in a location that was not completely in shade. The lack of shade and the humidity made us drink gallons of water.

However, we managed just fine and are ready to hand out the last of the 5000 bedkits tomorrow.

Team Chennai, 2025

Rotary Club of Ambattur 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Chennai, 2025: February 21

Our day 6 distribution is in Trichy, a six hour drive from Chennai. This distribution ends our 5 days of distributions outside of Chennai. We are approximately at the half-way mark in the distribution.

Again 600 children were delighted to receive a bedkit. It is amazing to watch their reaction to receiving the gift of a bedkit. Many process it quickly and understand it is all for them and they will get to keep these most prized gifts. Some get even giddy!

When discussing the items that are most prized the notebooks and the pens are quickly identified. That being said, the yellow caps were a hit with all.

It is heart warming to see so many happy faces thanks to the generosity of SCAW donors .

Team Chennai, 2025

Rotary Club of Ambattur 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Chennai 2025: February 17, 18

After a hiatus of four years, SCAW has returned to Chennai, India. We are looking forward to our first distribution with great anticipation.

In preparation for a distribution of 5,000 bedkits, the SCAW team lead by Sue Small met with representatives of our OVP, the Rotary Club of Ambattur. 

SCAW and OVPs - the Rotary Club of Ambattur

Following the planning session, the team travelled to a building donated by the Hyundai Service Centre in the Ambattur Industrial Park to witness the assembly of the bedkits.

The bedkits for this distribution consist of:

  A jamakkalam

   A quilt

   Two blankets

   Two towels

   Fleece blanket

   A pillow with two pillow cases

   Mosquito net

   Pajama set

   Formal shirt, shorts and cap

   8 note books

   10 pencils, 12 colour pencils with erasers and sharpeners

The SCAW team was very impressed with both the quality of the contents of these bedkits, the efficiency of the assembly process and the spirit of all involved.

 The bedkits were being assembled by a team of women on the second floor of the building and then dropped from a window for loading on trucks for transport to the eight separate distribution sites, the first of which will take place at Maduravoyl tomorrow morning.

The Rotary Club of Ambattur was our host overseas partner and we were greeted by many helping hands of all ages.

The venue for this distribution was a new facility and great efforts were made to have beautiful canopies erected to provide shade.

Children from outlying areas were bused in from 28 other schools, some bearing the gift of plants from their gardens.

All of the children went home with great smiles on their faces.

 SCAW Blog: Chennai 2025: February 18

Our second day of delivering donated bedkits went very smoothly. The children were wonderful and we were pros at making everything work.

We are in Puducherry, an old French settlement where a lot of city streets have French names. Walking through old city streets one can frequently see a French influence in the architecture.

It surprised me when during an interview with two bedkit recipients I was told that their favourite topic in school was French.

Today there were more than the usual volunteer helpers. The distribution was held at a school or teachers’ college. These students took a day from their studies to volunteer.

The female students wore beautiful saris and the males wore blue shirts and black pants.

The Rotarians here in Puducherry have given us the royal treatment and when we leave tomorrow after finishing one more distribution we will be sad to say goodbye.

Team Chennai, 2025

Rotary Club of Ambattur 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦