SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 25

Tears and rainbows.💖

Thoughts of the day:

During the bedkit distributions we all have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the children's parents. This helps us to understand their environment and home life. It can be a very emotional time and tears are often shed.

On one occasion we were interrupted by a lady requesting bed kits for her school (where the children were all orphans). Unfortunately this was not possible this year, we explained to her. But if she left us her contact details, we would pass them on. On hearing what the lady from the orphanage was saying, the mother that I was with, immediately offered to give up her child's gift in order that at least one orphan would have a bedkit. Despite having very little herself, she was willing to give up her gift.

This truly was a "rainbow moment" showing friendship and compassion (an example for all of us).

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 25

We had two small distributions today - the first just 180 kits and the second 320 this afternoon.  We were warmly welcomed to both sites and entertained by dance routines by some of the students.  The two pictures below show a grade 3 classroom. 

The grade 3 teacher and a few of her students.

The last bedkit presented today.

Team Sri Lanka, 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 25

A Special Celebration🌺

At the request of Mama Wandoa, we started our morning honouring the memory of Dave Dryden. Mama wants everyone to know that she and her family miss him very much.

Another successful day with lots of wonderful interactions with our children. As always our Upendo volunteers work very hard alongside us.

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Lala Salama,
Team Tanzania 2024
Upendo🇹🇿 + SCAW🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 23

Today we did a distribution of 984 bedkits with the Jaffna Rotary Club, at St Patrick’s College in Jaffna, located in northern Sri Lanka.

The students from 9 different schools who received bedkits today are a reflection of the Hindu faith of this particular community. The area around Jaffna is in the process of being rebuilt after a 30-year civil war between the Sri Lankan government and Tamal extremists ended in May 2009.

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After the distribution today, the Jaffna Rotarian president organized lunch at Ammachis, an outdoor venue made up of individual kiosks where women who are struggling financially are able to rent the spaces from the government. Each woman serves a different menu, keeping the profits for themselves.

In the evening, we attended a dinner hosted by the Jaffna Rotary Club as a thank you to SCAW for the bedkits distributed to children in the community.

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Jaffna 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 24

Today we visited a school with a population of 3444 kindergarten to grade 7 students that included 31 totally blind and visually impaired students who live at the school during the week and may go home on the weekend. 

Team Tanzania, 2023: Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

 The staff were amazing and very accommodating to our group. 

 At the end of the day we enjoyed some fun with the level 7 class of 384 students who were in an outdoor class studying for their high school enrolment exams. They were outside because there simply was not a classroom big enough for them. 

We taught them the Hand Jive and they sang us a song called I Love my School. And although we were hot and tired we left revitalized and satisfied that 750 children including the 31 visually impaired children would have a better sleep tonight. 

 Thank you SCAW donors. 

 Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 23

Yesterday the team arrived in Vavnia, where we completed 2 distributions. We were welcomed with beautiful smiles and then presented with flower garlands to wear around our necks.

After the first school distribution, we traveled a short distance to visit a home of one of the children.  It was a modest home with 2 rooms: a kitchen and a bedroom. 

The entire family of 5 slept in one room on the concrete floor.  We saw that the family members use mats and blankets similar to the ones that we provide in the bedkit, to make their sleep more comfortable. This visit was a very humbling experience for the team as it showcased the importance of this work which supports healthy sleep for these children and their families.

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 23

I feel privileged and blessed to be part of the SCAW Tanzania 2024 team. Being a new volunteer with SCAW, I have learned much and been thoroughly impressed with the distribution process in Tanzania.

On each of the two days to date, 750 mattresses and backpacks were unloaded, the site for picture taking was set up and a short meeting held with parents to explain the importance of sleep and how their children will get the bedkit items. Then the children were guided by team members and volunteers through the process, which meant having their names called and being registered, lining up to have a picture taken in front of a displayed bedkit with a label displaying the donor's information.

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The amount of the donation determines how many children are in the picture.  Volunteers organized the children in appropriate sized groups and ensured they were placed well for the photo. A photographer took the picture, the label was removed and the donation number recorded by a team member referred to as a checker. Next, the children were guided to where they were each given their mattress and backpack which was filled with items. Backpacks were color-coded for size (big/small) and ones for girls were identified with colored ties. The flow of the distribution  process was truly impressive; but that wasn't all!  At both distributions to date, we ended with a perfect count ... 750 children's pictures taken to match 750 donations made and 750 gender-appropriate bedkits for 750 children.

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As a newbie to SCAW I am not sure what I expected, but the ease of flow and the accuracy of the distribution process have exceeded my expectations and were truly impressive. I am glad to be part of this team. Way to go Team Tanzania 2024!!!!!!

Lala salama,

Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo🇹🇿 + SCAW🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 22

And so it begins … Day 1 of the actual distribution saw 750 children heading home for a good night’s sleep. 

Mama Wandoa’s son Benjamin, who flies to Tanzania every summer to help, explained to the parents in Swahili, interpreting what the team leader was saying about the contents of the bedkit and what their child would be receiving, emphasizing that every item presented to them would be in the bedkit for their child. He was very specific about the importance of sleep and the benefits it provides for their children, especially during the school day. 

Benjamin speaking Swahili to inform the parents/guardians.

Although the temps were hot and the day was long, our team of 5 felt so satisfied that the 750 children today would not only sleep well with their new mattresses and mosquito nets but that they would be well prepared for their next days in school. 

Contents of bedkit

 Stay tuned for more adventures from our Tanzania team!

Lala Salama -Sleep Well

Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 21

WE ARE READY TO GO!

Such a special day to go to Mama Wandoa’s house and to have our team all together. Here we are at the end of our Pre-Distribution meeting celebrating fellowship and a promise that 7500 children will be sleeping better because of our hard work over the next two weeks.

WE SALUTE MAMA WANDOA AND UPENDO🇹🇿

Today was very special as we spent the afternoon at Mama Wandoa’s home hearing her talk about her history of working with Sleeping Children for 24 years. Benjamin, Wendy and Nathan explained how the cottage industry put together 7500 backpacks starting back in January using rooms for cutting patterns, sewing and ironing, all in Mama’s home.

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You really have to see it to believe what an incredible feat this is. Ten tailors worked diligently to ensure that the children will receive quality clothing, covers and kangas. The children will receive 16 items in their backpacks and you will hear more tomorrow about the contents after Day One of our distribution.

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All the backpacks are stored in her bedrooms right now and starting early tomorrow 750 backpacks will be loaded onto Mama’s truck.

We are very excited to be working so closely with Upendo as we view ourselves as one big team.

Tonight we go to sleep early as our van leaves at 7:00 am.
Lala Salama.

Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 21

Our team thought we'd share just two of the many heartfelt messages we received from children who received your bedkit gifts.

The first handwritten note was read aloud by a girl at the school to kick off the distribution. Though her voice quivered, she was so proud of herself for delivering the sentiments in English. She was happy to share this message with you all.

The second note came from bedkit recipients. The teachers had students of all ages write a variety of adorable thank you notes which they presented to the Rotary Club of Kelaniya and the Sleeping Children team. 

There have been so many moments of sincere gratitude from the kids, parents and teachers. Thank you to all our supporters!

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 20

We have arrived safely in Dar and all our luggage made it too. 👍🌺

Wendy and Benjamin met us at the airport and we are now at the hostel getting settled. The team is coming together nicely.

Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 20

What an incredible fun-filled day! The SCAW team was up early to begin a long journey to a distribution in Dompe. Here we were met by welcoming children, marching bands, dance performances and smiles everywhere.

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After the distribution the Rotarians provided us with a delicious meal of authentic Sri Lanken food! What a feast!

Then we were off to another distribution in Kekanyia. What can I say, another warm welcome! How lovely to see the happy children receiving their gifts from SCAW. Thank you to the Rotarians here in Sri Lanka who are organizing these distributions. Bravo!

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024, July 19

The SCAW team had a productive get-together with three of the key members of our OVP, the Rotary Club of Kelaniya. The 2024 Sri Lankan bedkit with fourteen items was displayed. 7,000 needy children will be delighted over the coming weeks.

Our dedicated Rotarian Partners 🇱🇰 and our SCAW 🇨🇦 team

The purchasing process for all the bedkit items was outlined, demonstrating the time and effort our OVP puts into getting the most value from SCAW’s donations. Our heartfelt thanks for your dedication.

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Sri Lanka, 2024: July 19

Our team arrived safe and sound in Colombo, tired but excited to begin another distribution. Today we have a pre-distribution meeting with our partners, the Rotary Club of Kelaniya.

We are looking forward to working with our partners to give the gift of sleep to 7000 little ones. Stay tuned.

Team Sri Lanka 2024

Rotary Club of Kelaniya 🇱🇰 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: Tanzania, 2024: July 10

GETTING READY

All the preparation work for our distribution of 7500 bedkits is taking place right now in Mama Wandoa’s house. Mama’s son Benjamin, along with her wonderful Upendo volunteers, are in the process of putting all the items for the children into backpacks. They will be stored in the bedrooms of her house until we arrive.

The team from Canada 🇨🇦 is getting very excited to be travelling to Tanzania next week.
Asante Sana Upendo.🇹🇿 (See you soon).

Team Tanzania, 2024

Upendo 🇹🇿 + SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2024: June 1

We went to Masakhane Tswelelopele Primary School in the community of Zandspruit, a crowded settlement of 30,000 people, on three separate days. This no-fee public school has over 1,000 students, or learners as they are called. The poverty and overcrowding was a shocking contrast to the gated middle-class communities just a few kilometres away. The school is overcrowded with many portable classrooms so there is no place for the children to play. 

The school’s cook, who lives in the community, led us on a walk to visit two homes of bedkit recipients. The first home was comprised of two small metal shipping containers, separated by a concrete walkway.  One container belonged to a 27-year-old mother of four children aged 3-10. The home consisted of a room with a double bed, a small stove and wash basin and a wardrobe. Her youngest children sleep on the floor or on her bed and the older children sleep on the floor in her mother’s house, the second shipping container. The bedkit mattress wouldn’t fit in the room, so the older children in the grandmother’s house will use it. Across the road is a community bathroom and water station that the family uses, carrying water back to the home to boil for drinking and washing. Two of our team members have 27-year-old daughters, so the contrast between our daughters’ lives and the challenging life of this young mother was stark.

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The second home housed a family of seven. It was slightly larger with a shared kitchen/sitting area and shared toilet outside.  We were shown the thin blanket that they put on the floor for the children to sleep on. The family were thrilled that the children now had a mattress of their own to share. The father repeatedly shook our hand, said thank you and expressed how happy they were with the gift of a bedkit. He said that the children had had two good nights of sleep on the mattress. 

Some of the community have jobs at the school one or two days a week.  We spoke to two security guards who had children who had received a bedkit. One father couldn’t stop smiling.  He said he got a good sleep for the first time in years as there were no kids in his bed. It was the first time I had thought of the impact of a bedkit on the quality of sleep of the entire family.

 We also spoke with the school’s principal.  She remarked, ”These children have never had anything.  I see happiness in their eyes now.  If they sleep, they can learn”. The principal commented that many of the parents told the school staff how happy they are with the bedkits. They feel that someone cares about them. 

 As we were saying our goodbye, the cook hugged each of us and physically lifted us up, which we learned is the ultimate sign of thanks. Our team thanks the donors of Sleeping Children for the gift of the bedkits that touched 1,500 children and their families so profoundly. 

Team South Africa

Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2024: May 30

What a fantastic day!!!  We went back to two of our sites from our first two days where there had been a number of children absent and we were able to finish distributing the remainder of the bedkits at both of these school locations.  

At Zandspruit Nooitgedacht Primary the children in grade one received bedkits.

It was a struggle but this little guy managed to get his bedkit all the way to his waiting parent.

The little girl off to the left needed a little help in the end.

Then we were off to our final location - Vosloorus-Mampudi Primary School. This is a school of over 2000 learners. Bedkits were distributed to children in grades 1 to 6. Here is our final young lady receiving her bedkit. A celebration took place with high fives and a hug!!!

Success!!!!  1500 South African children have received the gift of a better night's sleep.  South Africa is a new country for us and we are very pleased with the hard work that our Overseas Partners have done to be able to reach this accomplishment.  A special pat on the back for the club president, Sanette Mostert.

Team South Africa

Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2024: May 28

We had a successful distribution at the primary school with all kids, labels and bedkits accounted for.   We had our share of cars coming in during the distribution due to the space being shared as a voting poll station.

The parents waited outside the gates and some kids had transport waiting for them so everyone left with huge smiles on their faces.

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The parents were happy to share stories of their one room homes that have never had a mattress to sleep on and no kitchen.  Some of these homes had 4 to 6 family members in the space. 

Since the team completed the distribution at 2 pm we took the time to travel to Sandton Square to  see the sculptures of Nelson Mandela.

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Team South Africa

Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2024: May 27

The South Africa team has been blessed to be staying in a hotel in Johannesburg with all the amenities close by. You really feel like you could be in Canada with the mountains in the background.

This morning’s distribution was only 5 km away and when we were arriving the team noticed the change in the atmosphere through the district.  Now there were clay roads, pot holes (more like sink holes) and clothes hanging all around. The ambulances were in the area but were clearly escorted by police.

The school site was crowded from the onset, but this is more due to fact that there will be an election on Thursday and this is a pre-voting site. 

We completed photos for 382 donors. This is the entire first grade class.  With the time spent in between while we waited our team is practicing yoga with the kids and singing their hearts out.

Team South Africa

Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦

SCAW Blog: South Africa, 2024: May 27

Like Canada, South Africa is a vast country with a diverse population. We experienced this fact in Johannesburg. The sprawling city, South Africa's largest, presents promising opportunities and daunting challenges for its residents. Our distribution at the Rock of Hope Ebenezer Hannah Home for Children gave evidence of how some of these daily challenges can be effectively addressed at a community level.

Pastor Thomas and his wife Shirley founded Rock of Hope on the site of a former fruit farm in 1992. Besides caring for orphaned children, the organization houses the elderly and runs an array of businesses, providing income and work skills for residents, plus operating revenue for the organization. These include a bakery, sewing and pottery divisions, and a chicken farm. The center also relies on outside contributions: cash and in-kind donations like our bed kits. 

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Rock of Hope currently houses 120 residents of various ethnic backgrounds, including 58 children. There is a nursery, pre-school and aftercare open to resident and non-resident children, and even a fully-equipped mobile kitchen dispensing sustenance for non-residents. Private citizens and businesses hold functions at the home to feed the community and pay operating expenses for Rock of Hope. 

We were impressed by residents like Julie, an octogenarian who is blind and has provided advice and guidance to the children for more than a decade.

Rock of Hope is living evidence of how a community can come together to serve its most vulnerable residents, young and old, and offer hope for a troubled world. 

Team South Africa

Rotary E-Club of Eagle Canyon 🇿🇦 and SCAW 🇨🇦