Publshed on the website for the Newmarket Era and Banner in Vaughan on Nov 14, 2007
By: Meagan Bowden
Sleeping Children Around the World is helping dreams come true.
Using $30 donations, the non-profit organization has delivered kits to children in underdeveloped countries since 1970.
This year, the organization travelled to the Phillippines and team leader Kettlebly resident Ken Graham, led the way.
“I give the people credit for the attitude they have,” Mr. Graham said, speaking of the thousands of people who lost everything during the catastrophes in the Phillipines.
After an eruption of Mount Mayon in 2006, followed by a vigorous typhoon just months later, the citizens of the Bicol region were left with almost nothing.
All waterways were blocked and coconut production, a staple industry in the Phillipines, was left in tatters.
Since these events, the group has delivered thousands of kits to children in the Phillipines.
“It’s unique that 3,000 of the 5,000 bedkits went to people who lost everything from the volcanic eruption and the typhoon,” Mr. Graham said.
For this trip, bedkits included clothing, school supplies, a toothbrush, bath towel, mosquito net and bedding, among many other household necessities.
“When the kits (are) handed to the children they smile. They take your hand and put it to their forehead as a way of thanking you,” described Mr. Graham.
The children are also photographed along with their bedkits which is sent to each donor.
“The No. 1 main purpose is that they're able to go to school,” said Graham.
He also emphasizes the country has improved over the past 10 years since the increase in employment and industry.
But there is more room for improvement.
Mr. Graham recounts people building shelters under mango trees after their dwellings were destroyed.
“The basic philosophy is that education is probably going to do more to improve their own standard of living,” Mr. Graham said.
The organization will return to the Phillipines early next April.
For more on the project, go to www.scaw.org
