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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 9

Today was a day off from distributions for us as it is Sunday and teachers are busy preparing for national exams for the children tomorrow. It was a day for us to enjoy the history, sights and sounds of Pune and the hospitality of the members of the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment. Rotarians Dr. Rajeshsee Kakde, Gayatri Tiwari and Farzana Limbdiwala were our drivers and tour guides for this enjoyable day.We first visited the Iskcon Temple where we viewed the deities and the reverence of people praying as well as enjoying the delicious food served.

After a Starbuck’s Coffee we went to the magnificent Aga Khan Palace and grounds and learned the history of this site and its role in Mahatma Gandhi’s Free India Movement and his imprisonment there during World War II. We had some fun walking the manicured grounds.

We then went to the Phenix Mall where we enjoyed live entertainment and refreshments followed by a traditional Indian meal at the Rajdhani Thali. The meal looked scrumptious and the tastes and aromas of spices, vegetables and sweets “warmed” the palate.

Following this we went to the home of Rotarian Dr. Nitin Shah and his wife for a delicious homemade High Tea. There some of us renewed old friendships, as Nitin shared his dedication to SCAW and Rotary and their shared desire to help children receive restful sleep to better meet their full potential.

Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Bangladesh, 2025: February 9

2024-25 Distribution Overview at a Glance

Target number of Bedkits 6000

Completed so far 5438 (91%)

Bedkits to go 562

Target date of completion 21st February

Resilient Bangladesh


"What an incredible distribution we are achieving in 2025!"

Despite facing political challenges within the country, 6,000 of Bangladesh’s most deserving children received their bedkits. Although this number was lower than last year, the unprecedented political shifts and severe flash floods in some of our target distribution areas added significant obstacles and opportunities to the process. However, undeterred by these challenges, the indomitable Rotary Club of Dhaka’s Sleeping Kits Distribution (SKD) team comprised of spirited, courageous, experienced, and innovative volunteers demonstrated remarkable dedication, ensuring that this remote distribution was successfully carried out. As always, thanks to the generosity of SCAW’s donors, 6,000 bedkits are being successfully distributed across 11 camp-sites in the southern, central, and eastern regions of Bangladesh. So far these remote distributions were carried out with remarkable precision, made possible by the dedication of our incredible volunteers. A heartfelt thanks to my fellow team members! Every child was documented through the required number of photographs, expertly taken by our core SKD team photographers—Rowly, Ranjan, and Nahar. As in previous years, each well-packed -10 kg bedkit included bedding essentials, summer and winter sleeping clothes, school supplies, and other exciting items. Additionally, all 6,000 children received snack food and drinks while waiting for their turn. Thanks to a favorable exchange rate, we could do more.

This year, we deeply missed the vibrant presence of SCAW volunteers, who were unable to join us due to travel restrictions caused by the political situation. Nevertheless, they placed immense trust and confidence in the Bangladesh team under the Remote Distribution Model, providing unwavering support and assistance to ensure the success of the distribution.


A Heartwarming Discovery at the Mymensingh Camp

At the Mymensingh distribution camp, our team was both overwhelmed and deeply moved by an unexpected discovery. Out of the 500 children receiving bedkits, 210 were physically and mentally challenged. What struck us even more was that most of them came from just two remote sub-districts in the Mymensingh region-places where hardship is a daily reality, and support for children with special needs is scarce. As we interacted with these children, we saw the resilience in their eyes, the joy in their smiles, and the quiet gratitude in their gestures.

Many of them arrived carried in the arms of parents who had traveled great distances, some walking for hours, just to receive these bedkits. For these families, the gift of a comfortable bed, warm clothing, and school essentials was more than just material aid—it was a symbol of care, dignity, and inclusion. One mother, with tears in her eyes, shared how her 10-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, “had never had a proper bed of his own," she said. "Tonight, for the first time, he will sleep comfortably." Her words reminded us why we do what we do.

Despite the challenges, this experience reaffirmed our commitment to reaching the most vulnerable children. The Mymensingh distribution was not just about numbers - it was about touching lives, restoring hope, and proving that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves comfort and care.


Team Bangladesh, 2025

Rtn. Sheikh Nahar Mahmud SKD Distribution Chair, 2024-25

Rotary Club of Dhaka 🇧🇩 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 8

Today might be a day off from distributions, but not a day off of SCAW promotion!

Our Rotary friend Sameer Rupani took us to the 17th Annual District 3131 Rotaract Conference. This is a two-day leadership development, learning and networking event for approximately 300 Rotaracts (18-30 years).

When we walked into the conference centre, we could feel the energy and enthusiasm of these young adults. The District Rotaract President, Drishti Singh warmly welcomed us.

Sameer had arranged that he and our SCAW team make a 40 minute presentation. Starting with our PPT (made into a video), we then had a fireside chat (Q&A) with Sameer about the work of the organization and our strong partnership with the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment and other area clubs. The presentation ended with a video of the bedkit packing process in Pune.

Our timing was great, as we also met and briefly chatted with the Honourable Minister of Women and Children, Aditi Tatkare. She is a young female politician who is working hard to make positive changes in her State of Maharashtra, India. She had a SCAW brochure in her hand before she left.  We also met Dr. Manesh Kotbasi, a recent Past Director of Rotary International.

After the session we enjoyed some fabulous Indian street food prepared by the Center.

This was a wonderful opportunity to engage with many of the Rotaracts and talk more about SCAW. I think we even convinced a few to join us later in the week for a distribution day!

For the children . . .

Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦


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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 7

Today, the team travelled to an agricultural village in a mountainous area north of Pune. This was our third and largest day of distributions so far. Over 700 children should sleep more comfortably tonight than they have in the past. 

The bedkit that has been put together in Pune this year has so many items, that logistically the only way it can be handled is by having a parent or other adult accompany each child through the various stages of the distribution process. I had the privilege of handing the bedkits out today. 

I have often heard other travelling volunteers say that the favourite thing about a SCAW distribution is the smiles of the children as they receive their very own bedkit. However, today, what struck me were the smiles on the parents’ faces. I think it could easily be thought of as “Sleeping Parents Around the World,” because I’m sure that many of the parents we saw today will sleep better tonight, knowing that their child has some very basic supplies in place. 


Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦


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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 6

Heading 90 km outside of Pune to our day 2 distribution site of Gohe, we met an unusual pachyderm at our rest stop. This robotic life-size elephant enjoyed the rural breeze by flapping his ears and brought smiles to Team SCAW and our partners.

After a drive of a couple of hours, we were met by a robust marching band featuring several drums and a creative horn player. Children and parents were excitedly gathered around in anticipation of the bedkit distribution. More celebrations ensued by dancing troupes from 2 of the 64 schools in attendance

After all the marching, dancing, and recognition ceremonies of the various partners necessary to create and accommodate the multiple aspects of a distribution were completed, almost 700 children and their families benefited from receiving SCAW bedkits today. All of the various gifts were well appreciated by all!


Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦



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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 5

This morning started with a 1.5 hour drive to our first distribution at Yavat, near Pune.

We quickly became aware that our overseas partners, the Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment, had created a unique situation in which the children chosen for this distribution were given the opportunity to receive the benefits of another charity. An eye hospital in Pune had sent staff to the distribution site to give eye examinations to all the children. If further investigation was necessary, or corrective eyewear or eye surgery needed then they would follow-up and provide these services free of charge. 


We at SCAW recognize how important restful safe sleep is to the physical, emotional and educational development of young children and good vision is also significant in their educational development. This seemed to be a winning combinations as the children chosen to receive the SCAW bedkit also received diagnostic vision care at the same time. 

The logistics for set-up and organization of such a distribution takes many volunteer hours of planning and adding the eye examinations efficiently to the service would have required extra planning. The eye examinations were done first and the children then proceeded through the regular distribution process of clothing sizing, picture taking and bedkit distribution. Their parents and guardians were able to follow along with them, all wearing proud smiles.

Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦



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SCAW Blog: Pune, 2025: February 4

Team Pune (Jeff, Kathy, Eileen and Helen) arrived safely in Pune on Tuesday morning, Feb. 4. Our pre-distribution meeting with the Pune Rotarians went very well with lots of discussion and planning for our distribution days. We’re off tonight to meet with the other Rotary Clubs that support this project. We’re looking forward to starting tomorrow!

Team Pune, 2025

Rotary Club of Pune Cantonment 🇮🇳 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Bangladesh, 2025: January 28

In the initial blog post we ended with “stay tuned” and this is what comes next.

We have successfully completed our first 800 bedkit distribution at Bhola. Bhola is an Island close to Barisal and all the children are from deserving families. Soon, we hope to be able to send you an initial blog with some photographs. We are now getting ready for next camps, planned for 16th (Ramgonj-1), 17th (Ramgonj-2), and 18th (Fazilpur) January.


After about a week we received the following note from our OVP:


Following the distribution in Bhola, we have successfully completed an additional five distributions:

  • Ramgonj-1 (600 bedkits)

  • Ramgonj-2 (600 bedkits)

  • Fazilpur (600 bedkits)

  • Goila (600 bedkits)

  • Gournadi (600 bedkits)

This brings the total to 3,800 bedkits distributed so far. Overall, the distributions have been carried out to our satisfaction, despite some predictable challenges along the way. Due to back-to-back distributions in five different locations we could not find time to write a proper report for a blog post. However, we have some photos that were taken at different centers.

Team Bangladesh, 2025

Rotary Club of Dhaka 🇧🇩 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Bangladesh, 2025: January 14

In July 2024, violent protests began in Bangladesh. Although the violent clashes largely ended, the situation remained volatile with potential changes in politics and government.

 

The Canadian government placed a Travel Advisory in effect which essentially grounded the Canadian team that was scheduled to fly to Bangladesh.

 

After much discussion with our very capable overseas partners, The Rotary Club of Dhaka, the decision was made to proceed with the distribution “remotely,” with a team leader in Canada monitoring and overseeing the distribution.

 This distribution is underway and we are very confident that at the end of a two-week time frame, 6000 children will have received their bedkits.

Stay tuned. We expect to receive updates from RCOD soon.

Team Bangladesh, 2025

Rotary Club of Dhaka 🇧🇩 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 30

Excerpts from The Himalayan Swing . . . Golfing for Good.

The journey began at a tournament in Bangladesh, where The Rotary Club of Dhaka introduced Sleeping Children to participating golfers from Nepal. Recognizing the potential, Rtn. Bhai Raja Panday and Rtn. Prabesh Phuyal took the lead to gather quotes from local vendors and identify suitable bedkit items.  They visited sites in Dhunbeshi and identified nine schools and 1500 children. The project was finalized via several Zoom conversations and emails.

"This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and the positive impact that Rotary and SCAW can have on communities in need. Together we are providing essential resources to children, enabling them to pursue their education and dreams with greater hope and confidence."

Following are some scenes from our last dinner together.

Namaste,

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 30

The last distribution day is always bitter sweet.  There are mixed emotions of exhilaration and sadness as we complete our mission with our new-found SCAW Nepal family. We will miss the beautiful scenery, the energy of the Rotaractors, the support of senior Rotarians and most of all, the children.

As we were having breakfast, we noticed a stream of heads going by the window. To our amazement, we realized that sand was being moved from the front of our inn, up several flights of steps, across the compound and down a steep slope to the terrace below our dining area.

As we headed back to gather our equipment for the day, one gentleman effortlessly carrying a heavy load, got off his cell phone to wish us "Namaste".

Assembly

A hillside view

Getting organized

Rotaractors bundling bedkit contents

Landslide of 2015 destroyed water supply to school washroom

Bedkit on its way home

Rotaractors celebrating the completion of the bundling of the bedkits.

Now we await the arrival of the very last group of children.

And so concludes the 2024 distribution of 1500 bedkits.

The list of those who contributed to the success of the mission is extensive, but it starts with our caring and generous donors ... they make it all possible. 

Namaste,

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 28

The first question you are asked as a foreigner is, "Where are you trekking?" That gives us an opportunity to share the SCAW story.  There is always interest and gratitude in response.

We are having a wonderful time! The people are warm and hospitable, the children are beautiful, the scenery is spectacular.

Packing equipment.

The team that made it happen. We are in a place called Lyakhlungfedi - gorgeous spot but hard to spell.

A bedkit on its way home.

Moving bedkits from storage to exit! Worked like a charm!

There is no doubt we reached children experiencing poverty today.

There are often gaps during the distribution as we understand some of them are walking as many as 3 hours on rocky paths to reach the site.  Rotary has tried to find centrally located schools.  We marvel at what they have accomplished in this terrain.  

Namaste,

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 25

Today’s distribution was at a picture postcard site! 

Children walked 2 - 3 hours down the mountains to reach the school located just behind the mill about a 2 minute walk further up the path to the left.

There was very little space, but with many bright and energetic Rotoractors to keep a now practiced eye on the various steps of the distribution, it all worked out!

Bedkits are stored in the yellow building. 

The entire distribution process had to be completed in this space with the families arriving and departing on the path to the left of the mill.

Faster than using stairs!

Tracking station

Registration Station

Finishing touches

All set up and the fun begins.

Ready for photos.

Yay! In spite of the challenges, the children made it back up that stony path.

After another 2 -3 hour hike to their homes tonight they will be tucked in on a mattress under a fluffy comforter and ready for a good night’s sleep.

Namaste,

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 24

Today is our first ever distribution in Nepal!

We began with a hearty breakfast at 7 a.m.

We hit the road at 8 a.m.

Bedkits ready for their new homes.

Rotoractors in action.

We are supported by a brilliant group of young people who quickly grasped the flow of a distribution day.

Registration desk with clothing arranged by size to be handed to the child upon entry.

From the 3rd floor of the school building we could view lush terrace farming.  Look closely and you will see a bedkit working its way home to the top of the hill.

We were a very happy group celebrating a historical first distribution day in Nepal.

We can't say enough about the bright and energetic Rotoractors who supported the process from start to finish and our new Rotarian partners who pitched in and kept a sharp eye ready to resolve any challenges.

A truly wonderful day!

Namaste,

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 22

Over the past few months as we collaborated with, and guided Rotary towards this pilot distribution, we were concerned whether or not $40 CAD would be sufficient to produce all the items that constitute a bedkit. 

Due to brilliant negotiating, Rotary has managed to get huge discounts on items of high quality:

  • A heavy-duty foam mattress

  • Comforter

  • Sheet/pillowcase

  • Mosquito net

  • Backpack

  • Top quality track suit 

We ended a perfect day treated to dinner by our new Rotary friends high in the mountains with the promise of viewing Mount Everest in the sunset.  Unfortunately, Mt Everest, locally called Chomolungma, meaning "Goddess Mother of the World", was blanketed in mist. But the dinner did not disappoint!

Namaste

Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2024: November 21

As we close this first ever distribution in the West African country of Cameroon, we thank our Overseas Volunteer Partner, the United Action for Children of Cameroon, for all their hard work and effort to bring the gift of sleep to 500 children. These photos capture a few special moments . . . mercis beaucoup . . . au revoir Cameroon. 


Team Cameroon, 2024

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦


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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 21

Yesterday we met our team in Nepal, the Rotary Club Himalayan Golfers.

The meeting was led by their President Mr Bijay Badadur Shrestha. We were all introduced as well as all the club members present.  We discussed the upcoming distribution and answered questions back and forth.


We then went for coffee and ended our meeting with Linda and Carol going on a site-seeing tour of Kathmandu, and Michael and myself playing a round of golf with Bijay and his golf teammate Daman Bahadur Ghale, next year’s Rotary club president. 

The golf was fun but the Himalayan team trounced our Canadian golfers. Fun was had by all.


Team Nepal, 2024

Rotary Club Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2024: November 19

We are literally and mentally on top of the world for the first distribution in Nepal. Bhairaj Panday  (Rotarian) and Piku (Rotoractor) welcomed us warmly at the airport.

We begin at 8 tomorrow morning with our pre-distribution meeting when we will meet members of Rotary, see the bedkit items and learn more about the distribution sites. We have been bombarded by “namastes” since arrival. Here it means, “The divine in me honours the divine in you.”


Namaste from Team Nepal

Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦


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SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2024: November 18

💖Sunshine and smiles 💖

The cattle quietly roam past the hotel as is usual every morning, holding their heavily horned heads high until they find a morsel of sparse grass.

Today, after so many overcast days, it is sunny and the sky is clear - a perfect day for our last distribution at Bomona Gare.

We set out along the bumpy road following two trucks, one piled high with brightly-coloured mattresses and the other full of the rest of the bedkits - backpacks that are yellow, orange, blue and black croc style shoes and numerous other items.

Upon arrival at the school, which normally had over 700 children, we were delighted to find lots of space outside, and since it was Saturday no-one else was there. We had time to play with the children.  There was lots of laughter as well as giggles, jumping and diving to retrieve the frisbee. We also took  a few goofy photos of the team.

It was a beautiful area and once we had set up, the distribution went very quickly.

Before we knew it it was over. Everyone was so enthusiastic and helpful, always welcoming and warm-hearted. We will miss the friendship and love.

Thank you to each and every one who made this distribution possible. 💖


Team Cameroon, 2024

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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SCAW Blog: Cameroon, 2024: November 15

Today is our third day in the country and our second day of distribution. We are starting to see a pattern in how the time works here. For example, when they are planning to get us at 10 they actually arrive past noon because of the traffic. So, after 2 hours resting time in the lobby, we hit the road to meet the kids at Yato primary school and, what was supposed to take around 30 minutes, finally took us over and hour and a half since we had to wait while our driver and his partners got the driver’s license check point solved and then we had to wait for the numerous herds of cattle wandering the highway. 

The school is located just in front of a rubber tree plantation. It was like being home in an old-style sugar shack, but the sap of the trees looks like thick marshmallow.

The trees are very big and majestic which created a very nice feeling of order and peace. 


We had to walk the last 500 meters of the road as our car couldn’t go further.

What a nice welcome we got from the kids when we entered the schoolyard!  They gave us a lot of help to set everything up and, in no time, we had the 150 bedkits distributed. Before we left, Charles played some soccer with the kids.

We came back to the hotel without any surprises and discussed with our OVP about how the day went and what we should do tomorrow.

 

A good shower before dinner made our day a complete joy and, as things change often here, we had 3 plates of chicken and 2 fish because they didn’t have a third portion of fish available. We were lucky they had 3 chickens 😊 

Notre troisième jour dans le pays et deuxième distribution. Nous commençons a comprendre comment le temps fonctionne ici… Lorsqu’ils prévoient venir nous chercher à 10, ils arrivent passé midi… le trafic étant le responsable de ces longs délais. Donc, après 2 heures à nous reposer dans le lobby de l’hôtel, nous avons pris la route pour rejoindre les enfants à l’école Yato, école primaire. Mais, le trajet qui devait nous prendre 30 minutes nous a pris plus d’une heure trente car nous avons dû attendre que notre chauffeur et ses collègues règlent le dossier de la vérification des permis de conduire…et, les nombreux troupeaux de taureaux qui se promenaient près et même sur l’autoroute… 

L’école est située juste en face d’une belle plantation d’arbre à caoutchouc. L’endroit nous a fait penser aux entailles des érables dans nos belles cabanes à sucre tradionnelles. La sève a l’apparence de guimauve épaisse, ce qui est très diffèrent de notre sirop! Les arbres sont très majestueux, tout en rangées et matures…. Cela nous fait sentir en paix et en tranquillité d’avoir passé du temps dans cette forêt!

Nous avons marché le dernier 500 mètres puisque notre voiture ne pouvait pas se faufiler plus loin entre les arbres. Nous avons eu droit à un chaleureux accueil des enfants dès notre entrée dans la cour d’école! Ils nous ont bien aidé à tout préparer et, en un rien de temps, les 150 ensembles de lits étaient distribués. Avant de quitter, Charles a pris le temps de jouer un peu de soccer avec les enfants pour leur plus grand bonheur! 

Nous sommes revenus à l’hôtel sans surprises et, nous avons discuté avec l’équipe locale qui nous aident de notre journée et avons planifié également notre prochaine distribution qui aura lieu demain.

Une bonne douche avant le souper nous a apporté beaucoup de joie et, comme tout change souvent ici, nous avons eu 3 plats de poulet et 2 de poisson car, ils n’avaient pas le troisième poisson qu’ils nous avaient proposés… nous sommes heureux qu’ils aient au moins une portion de poulet pour le remplacer 😊


Team Cameroon, 2024

United Action for Children of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and SCAW 🇨🇦

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