Saturday, August 20, 2011

NGO underlines need for good night's sleep for schoolchildren

As posted on the IPPmedia.com website, August 20, 2011.

Sleeping Children Around the World's Ted Swanston (2nd-R) hands over mattresses to schoolchildren at Kunduchi Primary School in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Looking on (R) is a member of the former organisation, Nancy Loveless. (Photo: Tryphone Mweji)
By Tryphone Mweji

Sleeping well is an important aspect in school children and has a positive impact on a child’s academic progress, the director of a Canada-based NGO - Sleeping Children Around the World (Scaw) – said in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

According to Scaw director Ted Swanston, the organisation made research some years ago and its findings have shown that children from six to 12 years old are doing well at examinations if they have comfortable night sleep. He said this at a donation ceremony held at Kunduchi Primary School in Tegeta area.

He said his organisation believed children who received comfortable sleep could learn better than those who did not.
“Scaw offers gifts to these children to make them know there is someone who cares for and gives them hope for a better future,” said Swanston when he was speaking to parents and guardians.

The Scaw in collaboration with a local organisation, Upendo Information and Counselling Centre, donated mattresses, mosquito nets, bed sheets, uniforms and other school supplies to needy schoolchildren from six primary schools in Dar es Salaam region.
Upendo Information and Counselling Centre director Wandoa Mwambu named the schools as Wazo Hill, Baneko, Pwani, Mtakuja, Pius Msekwa and Kunduchi.

Speaking on behalf of fellow parents and guardians, Sabina Gervas thanked both the Scaw and Upendo Information and Counselling Centre for supporting needy children. She said parents and guardians were hopeful that the donation would be used as intended.