Lenten Lunches

As posted on SNAP Perth, Community Events in Perth County.

Wednesday March 16th, 12-1pm
Location: Immaculate Conception Church, 50 Well St., Stratford, ON.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 9^th, until April 13^th there will be lenten lunches held from noon till 1 pm at Immaculate Conception Church. There will be different Speakers every day and lunch is available at $7 per person.

Guest Speakers are as follows:

• March 9th Matt Simpson- L'Arche
• March 16th- Lynda Weston- Spruce Lodge
• March 23rd- Suzi Higgins- Youth for Christ
• March 30th Doug Macdouglad- Sleeping Children Around the World
• April 6th David Straatsma- Christian School
• April 13th- Paul Kowtecky- Ontario St. Baptist.

Our Final Bedkit Distribution in Yellapur, India

As posted on Vagabondish, the Travelzine for Today's Vagabond.

By Tamara Kaftalovish

Our eighth and final distribution was located approximately two hours south of Hubli in a town called Yellapur. It is known for its two beautiful and natural waterfalls – Magod falls and Satoddi falls. The distribution took place inside of an Ashram. It was beautiful. The grounds were filled with rings of rich purple flowers, tall white historic buildings and old cobblestone paths. We all knew right away this was going to be a great place to deliver the last of our bedkits.

Spiritual leaders greeted us with flowers and a religious offering, took us inside one of the buildings where the meditation took place, and told us more about what went on inside of an Ashram. In essence, it’s similar to what Julia Roberts visited in Eat, Pray, Love – a beautiful and spiritual haven where people from all over the world gather to be with their thoughts for days, even months.

Following the information session, we were led to the distribution site. All 100 kids were lined up to get changed into their new clothes and receive their bedkit. Once all the kids were changed, they lined up in order and in the shade as they waited to get their picture taken. My duty of the day was interviews, which I was pretty excited about because it gave me a chance to interact with the parents again. One of the Rotarian wives, who also owns a copper piping factory with her husband, was acting as my translator. Right away, I knew I was going to like this woman. She was extremely organized, eager to help and a strong woman.

The first question I asked her was “where were all the parents”? Typically, we see hundreds of parents waiting outside to greet their children after receiving their bedkit. However this time around, I only noticed about 30 women around the grounds. This was because the majority of children receiving a bedkit lived one to two hours away from the Ashram and rather than the parents missing a day of work, they organized a bus to transport the children to and from the distribution site. Even more, the Rotarians fed the children a nice large breakfast when they arrived, followed by snack while waiting for their picture, and then ending off with lunch post distribution. Mind you, the distribution was 100 children, quite less than some of our other distributions on this trip, but regardless my team and I loved all the kind gestures, going one step further towards making sure the children had a special day and were truly cared about.

Back to the parents …

It was me, the translator (her name is Rajani), and approximately twenty mothers from very different yet similar living arrangements. Although most seem to still be married and have zero health problems in their family, we did meet a few mothers who were struggling just a little more. One woman lost her husband to stomach problems and another to diabetes. Two mothers had children who were sick – both children fell quite hard at one point and hurt their arms, which never fully healed.

I met this one woman who was taking care of not only her children, but her sister’s children as well – their parents both died not too long ago (their father died of alcohol poisoning four years ago and their mother died two years later as a result of stress).

I had a chance to meet the children later that day and although both were very shy, they seemed like happy children thankful to their aunt for looking after them.

We also met one eight year old boy who was a burn victim. Boiled water accidentally fell on top of him and now his entire face (and part of his body) is covered with burn scars. Despite the local Rotarians taking him under their wing and paying for his medical expenses, his burn scars are quite severe. Not only did the incident leave a mark on the outside, but also on the inside. I noticed throughout the whole distribution, the little boy kept to himself. No kid approached him and he didn’t approach them back. Luckily Tom, our resident surgeon on the team, had a chance to learn more about the case and has offered to investigate the potential of performing a surgery on the child here in Canada that would close to eliminate all of the boy’s scars.

We left the last distribution site feeling the same way we felt leaving every other distribution site: on a natural high after being surrounded by so many beautiful children and parents. But it was also a little bitter sweet, given that it was our last distribution and we were about to go home, back to our everyday lives. Part of me wanted to keep on going, join another distribution team and continue to hand out bedkits. I’m not gonna lie, part of me was pretty tired – waking up at 6:00 a.m., getting back to the hotel and 8 or 9:00 p.m., and sitting on the bus for hours on end each day and spending whatever free time I had, writing. But I wouldn’t have traded this for the world.

As we prepared for the end of our trip, I know I speak for the majority of the team when I talk about the mixed emotions we had throughout these past two weeks – there were the happy times when the children laughed as they were getting ready to get their picture taken or participating in one of many many games we played with them (mostly they were laughing at us for acting so crazy, which we were totally fine with).

Then there were the sad times, listening to the stories from parents, seeing a 12 year old boy maneuver himself in a clunky old homemade wheel chair with no legs, refusing any help and getting himself up to the area for his picture. One thing is for sure, no matter how each of the distribution trips made us feel, we left the trip a better person, thankful we were able to share these moments with each other and with the children.

I know this may sound like a bit of a cliché, but I hope I’ve sparked a little something in each one of you reading my blog, and whether or not its a SCAW distribution or some other travel adventure you’ve always wanted to do, life’s too short to just wait for these moments to come to you. Grab them now while you have the chance!

So many faces.

As published in the Stratford Beacon Herald: Monday, March 14, 2011.

Mike Beitz
Staff reporter, The Beacon Herald

So many faces.

Shy ones. Silly ones. Thoughtful ones. Proud ones.

There are young ones with smooth, unblemished skin, and older ones with wrinkles etched deeply into their weather-worn foreheads.

Almost all of them are smiling, with big, expressive eyes.

They look genuinely happy, despite the poverty that surrounds them every day.

Sue Orr captured hundreds of faces with her camera during a recent two-week mission to India with Sleeping Children Around the World, and that’s one of the things that stood out the most for her.

“They’re such vibrant people, and very, very gracious,” said Orr, who was part of a seven-member team that helped distribute 4,000 donated bedkits to children in some of the poorest regions in and around Belgaum, in southwestern India last month.

The $35 kits, which include things like a sleeping mat, blanket, clothing, mosquito net, school supplies, and a metal plate, cup and bowl, are delivered by volunteers in underdeveloped and developing nations like India, Africa, Nicaragua and the Philippines to fulfil one simple goal — to give needy children the opportunity for a good night’s sleep.

A simple goal, but a worthwhile one, said Orr, who has participated in three excursions with Sleeping Children Around the World now. The first was in Kenya in 2007, and then in Bangladesh in 2009.

Each trip convinces her of the importance of reaching out to the world’s most underprivileged.

“People’s lives are changed by these kits,” she said. “It’s like they’ve won the 6-49.”

At each of the nine locations where the bedkits were distributed, hundreds of eager children and their parents lined up, many walking long distances to do so.

They were happy, excited and overwhelmingly grateful to receive the modest gift, said Orr.

“I had women coming up to me, putting their hands together in prayer and saying ‘namaste’ (a respectful Indian greeting),” she said. “They were very appreciative.”

Some even kneeled and kissed her feet, which at first made her uncomfortable until the team’s translator explained that it was their way of saying thank you.

“Some days it would just bring me to tears,” she said of the experience.

Helping those who have very little — some of the people she met worked for 70 cents a day — was “very humbling,” and gave her an important sense of perspective that many people in prosperous countries like Canada seem to lack, said Orr.

“We just take things for granted here. We worry about the stupidest things,” she said. “They’re thinking about, ‘what are we going to do to get through the next day.’”

“But for them, they wake up and it’s a good day. They appreciate it.”

The hundreds of photos Orr took on the excursion — what she calls Faces of India — illustrate that spirit, and it’s something she keen on sharing.

In fact, it part of the Sleeping Children Around the World model.

A photo is taken of each child who receives a kit, with a card showing the donor’s name and sometimes a personal message. Those photos are then sent back to the donors to show how their $35 contribution has made a difference.

The organization’s website also features a blog with regular updates on the bedkit distributions written by the volunteers themselves.

And Orr chronicled the trip, with comments and photos, on her own Facebook page.

Her last entry: “Arrived home safe and sound ... 40 hour trip door to door ... Can't wait to do it again!”

More information about Sleeping Children Around the World can be found at www.scaw.org.

mbeitz@bowesnet.com

Pancake Supper for SCAW

Submitted by SCAW Volunteer, Laura Harper.

The children of St. Paul's United Church's Sunday School in Oakville hosted a pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday to raise funds for Sleeping Children Around the World, raising enough money for 24 bedkits.

The Sunday School superintendant, Sharon Holmes, as a Grade 13 graduate, had travelled as a SCAW volunteer and for the past eight years has promoted this fund raising event.

Click photo to see it larger.

Sunday's Cause: SCAW

As posted on the you.is Network A weekly dose of global causes, March 13, 2011.

Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) donations provide bedkits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries.

No portion of a bedkit donation is spent on administration — 100% reaches a needy child. Each $35 donation (Canadian funds) provides a bedkit that consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Bedkit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs.

Since its founding by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970, SCAW has raised over $20 million to provide bedkits for over 800,000 children in 33 countries.

Kids Helping Kids

As posted on the Anglican Diocese of Toronto website.

Kids Helping Kids is looking for more ideas. We would like to include ideas, programs and events that will help children learn about, understand and help those in need. It will focus on people who need support within our congregations, communities, country and around the world. This page's goal will be to assist parishes in supporting our children in their growth to becoming good stewards of God’s resources both at home and abroad. Bishop Johnson has outlined his vision for our Diocese focusing on a need for us to be advocates in the fight against child poverty. A child's sense of compassion, understanding and honesty can be wonderful gifts when advocating for children in need.



Umtha Welanga - Get your Sunday School on board and support nurse Rachel Johnson. Nurse Rachel is helping children in South Africa who are HIV/AIDS positive. She is opening an AIDS treatment centre called Umtha Welanga or "Ray of Sun" through Keiskamma Trust (www.keiskamma.org ). South Africa does not have a health care system like Canada's so it costs each patient a large amount of money to stay. However, through donations and sound planning, the average cost for each patient in 2007 is $300. This amount provides full care, food and medications. Please email Laura at the Diocesan office kids@toronto.anglican.ca if your Children's Ministry program would like to support this worthwhile cause and help other children around the world.

Free the Children - Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world. Through the organization's unique youth-driven approach, more than one million young people have been involved in our innovative programs in more than 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations, and Oprah's Angel Network. Children of any age have an oppportunity to help other children around the world. http://www.freethechildren.com

Sleeping Children Around the World - This organization's goal is to provide relief from poverty to poor children in developing countries around the world by providing bedkits containing bedding, clothing, and school supplies. The wonderful thing about this group is that 100% of every donor dollar reaches a needy child. It is a great way for children in the Diocese of Toronto to help other children around the world. www.scaw.org

Touching Lives in Kolkata, India

As posted on the Raymond James website, March 6, 2011

A peaceful night's sleep is something every child should take for granted. But for many children in the developing world this isn't the case. That's where Sleeping Children Around the World comes in, they aim to change that. As the recipient of The Raymond James Ltd. Annual Holiday Card donation last year, now we too, are a part of that change.

The Canadian-based charity provides bed kits to needy children in developing countries. Each kit is made up of necessities such as a mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket, mosquito net and clothes. Basics items that mean so much to a child in need.

Sleeping Children Around the World is not only supported by Raymond James Ltd. but on a more personal level by our Vancouver-based Financial Advisor, Warren Wagstaff.

For almost 20 years Warren has supported SCAW by making Christmas donations on his clients' behalf. Last month Warren travelled to Kolkata, India to continue his work as a volunteer. "This was my fifth trip as a SCAW ambassador, this time I was travelling as a team leader which entailed a new level of responsibility."

In Kolkata, Warren helped distribute 6,500 kits containing 19 items intended to provide each child with a safe and peaceful night's sleep.

"Receiving the $10,000 donation from Raymond James was great, I was able to explain to the children who we were and why we gave the bed kits, it was a wonderful way to connect with the children," says Warren. "The city left a lasting impression on me. The people were open, warm and friendly - willing to share their culture and hospitality with us."

Kolkata Bedkit Contents

1.	Ground mat	11.	Sheet
2.	Mattress	12.	Mosquito net
3.	Umbrella	13.	Tin plate
4.	Flip flops	14.	Tiffin (lunch box)
5.	Boys: 2 shirts, 2 pair shorts Girls: 2 dresses and underpants	15.	Water bottle
6.	Backpack	16.	Jacket
7.	2 school books	17.	Ruler/Eraser/Pencil
8.	Dictionary	18.	Blanket
9.	Pillow	19.	Towel
10.	Pillow case

To read Warren's report on Kolkata visit; http://www.scaw.org/reports/kolkata/kolk11-01.html

Learning About Being Socially Responsible

Submitted by Laura Terpstra and Krista Roy, Upper Thames Elementary School, Mitchell Ontario

Our school board sets out a Character Attribute initiative each month. During the month of January, our students were to learn about responsibility. Within our Grade 3 classes, we decided to extend this learning, and make it a hands on experience. As we taught our students about the importance of being socially responsible, we developed the idea of donating bedkits to Sleeping Children Around the World.

We learned about this wonderful organization through Laura’s family. Each year, her Grandparents donate bedkits for Christmas presents for their family. Her Uncle has travelled to Bangladesh twice now to distribute thousands of bedkits, and has learned firsthand how far each dollar goes.

Our goal was to create an eagerness in our children to help less fortunate children, and show them how truly fortunate they are to have the life they have.

Our goal in each classroom was to raise enough money to donate 5 bedkits each. Instead of just asking their parents for the money, we decided that our students would complete chores for their family and earn this money. This would further their learning about being responsible children. The generosity of our students was overwhelming as they willingly shovelled snow, took care of younger siblings, and helped clean up after supper. Their focus remained strong as they understood that each dollar raised was going to help another child have a good sleep.

Doug MacDougald (Laura’s uncle) was able to come to our school and share with the students what an actual bedkit looks like. They gained a better understanding of what they were working so hard for. Thirty-five dollars goes a lot further in other countries than it does in Canada, so they were thrilled to see how many essential items each child would receive. Doug shared stories of his experiences in Bangladesh, and shared his photographs of what homes look like. He explained that these children
are no different than each of our students. They are children, and all they want is to play, laugh, and be safe.

Our students (Pictured above. Click to see larger image.) made us so proud when our total between our two classes was $700. We were able to buy 20 bedkits! As teachers, the most rewarding experience came when our students truly understood what it means when people say that it is better to give than receive. Our students are thrilled with their accomplishment. Because this was such an amazing experience, we look forward to doing it again next year with our classes.

By: Laura Terpstra and Krista Roy,
Grade 3 teachers,
Upper Thames Elementary School

The Ladies of Belgaum, India

As posted on Vagabondish, the Travelzine for Today's Vagabond.

By Tamara Kaftalovish

Our largest distribution took place in the city of Belgaum, population of approximately one million people. We handed out 1,000 bedkits that day and believe me, it wasn’t easy organizing 1,000 children and their parents, but it was done and done smoothly, thanks to the local Rotarians and their families.

The Rotarians are some of the most well-respected men in town. They are factory owners, they are doctors, they are IT developers and they are engineers. Their wives are just as educated. I spoke to one woman, Sonal Dhamankar, who is an obstetrician. She and her husband each own their own private practice in Belgaum and they have one daughter.

She explained the three kinds of medical facilities in India to me. First there was private, which is the best that medicine in India has to offer, however it is quite expensive.

Then there is public, where although it is free, you are almost guaranteed not to see a doctor. For instance, one doctor may be on staff at any given time however there are hundreds of people coming through the hospital at once. How is it physically possible to tend to all these people? Well, the doctor doesn’t, leaving the majority of patients to be cared for by the nurses and other staff instead.

Lastly, there is what Sonal refers to as the “quaks” – medicine doctors if you’d like to call them, providing locals with herbal and sometimes illegal treatments for spiritual reasons or because they can’t afford to see or get to anyone more qualified.

I asked her about population control as there are so many people living in India and so many of the people are poor. Why are poor families having so many kids if they can’t afford to properly take care of them? Today, the average lower income class family has three to four children. If they had any less, it would be looked down upon by the rest of the community.

Wives whose husbands belong to the Rotary Club of Belgaum. These Rotarians have been our main contact in planning and preparing for this two week distribution.

However, if you asked this question five or ten years ago, the number of children per household would be much greater, so slowly but surely the number is going down to a more manageable number of children. In addition, birth control is free in India, but it is the sole responsibility for the female to protect themselves. The men aren’t required to do anything. The only problem is no one teaches these women how to use protection so things tend to fall through the cracks.

I also had a chance to talk to some of the children of the Rotarian families, specifically 13-year olds Revati, Nikita and Ashana. Each one of these girls are the kindest, friendliest and curious bunch of girls I’ve ever met. We took turns asking each other questions about our life and what it was like to grow up in the different countries. Each one of the girls value the connection they have with their families, spoke perfect English, and had read and seen all the Twilight series films/books. Nikita plays guitar, Ashana is into fashion, and Revati is a badminton player. They are still a bit too young to think about college, but they all want to go and grow up to be Engineers or Interior Designers. We connected on Facebook that night so we could keep in touch.

One of my favourite things about traveling is learning about the people. If I had a choice of whether or not to visit a local museum or have tea with a person currently living in the community, I wouldn’t think twice about skipping the museum. Each one of the people I met in Belgaum gave me such a wonderful perspective of what it is like to live in a city not as large like Mumbai but not as small as Ashanti.

I thank them all for taking the time and giving me a small glimpse of what it is like in their world – and a special thank you to one woman for making sure I was taken care of and fed after a little mishap that morning.

The young humanitarian of Harugari

As posted on Chic Savvy Travels, A Backpacker's Guide for Grown-ups, March 1, 2011

By Tamara Kaftalovich

Our third distribution was in a town called Harugari, approximately three hours from Belgaum, where we distributed 150 bedkits. We had such a great time at that site — we’d high-five the kids as they ran across the room to change into their new clothes. It was also the only distribution where all the parents and kids stayed until the very last bedkit was handed out to thank us and say goodbye.

There was one girl in particular that stuck out in my mind that day. Her name is Veena Benti. (Pictured at right with Tamara at the SCAW distribution site in Harugari, India. Photo by Tamara Kaftalovich) She’s 22 years old and originally from the town of Harugari, but is now going to college in Bangalore, working toward a degreein business administration.

Veena comes from a privileged family. Although she grew up in a very small town, her father was a prominent politician. Veena’s father has since passed away, but her mother still lives in this town. She also has two sisters who are married and live elsewhere.

More often than not, the children receiving a bedkit do not go off to college. Instead, at the age of 16 or 17 they graduate from public school, which is paid for by the government (the families only need to provide school supplies), and they go to work to help support their families.

Veena’s former principal invited her to attend our distribution at a local school so she could witness first-hand what it was like to execute an event like this and learn more about what we do, so she could apply it to her studies and later, her work. Once she graduates, she wants to work abroad and receive hands-on experience in social work so she can later use that experience toward helping the needy people in her home community of Harugari.

Her optimism, selflessness and kind-hearted nature are what I remember most about her. She’s appreciative of where she came from — her family, her people, her home — and despite her privileged upbringing and getting the opportunity to study and work abroad, she is still choosing to eventually return home to help her community.

At the end of the visit, and before we said goodbye, she took off one of her rings to give to me as a sign of friendship. I was so honoured. I gave her one of my bracelets in return. I look forward to keeping in touch with her and learning about all the wonderful things she does in this world.

6000 bedkits distributed to Chennai children by Rotary Club, Canadian charity

As posted on the Forecast Front website, February 28, 2011.

By Eileen Rademacher

CHENNAI: In February, “Sleeping Children Around the World” (SCAW) travelling team had the privilege of working with The Rotary Club of Ambattur in Chennai, India. SCAW is a Canadian charity, founded by Murray and Margaret Dryden, which gives bedkits to needy children in underdeveloped and developing countries. They believed that every child should have the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Only then would they be able to function well in school and in their daily lives. This was first accomplished in Poona, India in 1970 with the distribution of 50 bedkits.

Bedding, clothing, school uniform, school supplies, a school bag and a mosquito net make up the contents of the bedkit. The SCAW team distributes the bedkits and takes a photograph of each child to send back to the donor.

SCAW is operated by volunteers from the processing of the donation to the distribution of the bedkits. One hundred per cent of every bedkit donation reaches a needy child. Each bedkit is valued at $35 CAN.

Silver jubilee of Rotary Club-SCAW association

The Rotary Club of Ambattur and SCAW celebrated 25 yrs of working together in February 2011. In that period of time nearly 80,000 bedkits were given to impoverished children in and around Chennai. This year Chennai received money to finance 6000 bedkits for distribution by the Rotary Club.

The purchasing of the bedkit items and the venues of the distribution are looked after by the Rotary Club SCAW committee. They are responsible for selecting and identifying the children from economically challenged families, who range in age from 6 – 12 yrs old. Food and transportation for the children are also provided by the Rotarians on the distribution day.

Sleeping Children Around the World, the Rotary Club of Ambattur and most of all the donors continue to fulfill the mission of “giving a child a good night’s sleep” to the less fortunate children of Chennai.

Eileen Rademacher for the SCAW Team to Chennai 2011

Kiwanis member founded SCAW

As published in the Barrie Advance & Innisfil Journal, February 28. 2011.

Just some further information on Donald Potter’s letter about Sleeping Children around the World (SCAW) – this very worthwhile charity was established by Murray Dryden, a 40-year member of Kiwanis.

Mr. Dryden, in his wisdom, established criteria whereby all donations went to fund bed kits. The preparation and distribution of the bed kits is handled by volunteer organizations rather than government agencies. Hence, many different service clubs and volunteer organizations around the world have contributed their time and money in meeting the needs of over one million children.

In 2010, Dave Dryden, who now heads SCAW, accepted the Kiwanis World Service medal at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas. He explained that all donated money goes to purchase and distribute bed kits.

This is possible because his father established a foundation (Pinehurst Club) to pay all administration costs of running the charity. This foundation is also volunteer run. I salute Mr. Potter and all the other Canadian volunteers who have paid their own expenses to go off to areas in the world such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to name a few.

These are people who are really making a difference in the world. I encourage everybody to visit the website at www.scaw.org and consider purchasing a bed kit.

John Hamilton
President – Kiwanis Club of Barrie

Local Member Wins International Competition

As posted on the Trib Local, Downers Grove, IL, February 27, 2011.

By SEASPAR

SEASPAR Aktion Club member Bridget Brown, of Darien, ( Pictured at right with her award.) won first place in the International Aktion Club Speech Contest. The Aktion Club is a unique community service club for adults living with disabilities, formed through a joint sponsorship of the Downers Grove and Lombard Kiwanis Clubs and SEASPAR. The Aktion Club has more than 200 clubs in seven nations. The theme of this year’s speech contest was “How Are You a Hero in Your Community.” To reach the international level of the competition, Bridget had to place first in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District. SEASPAR Executive Director, Susan Friend, stated that “Bridget is a talented young lady and delivered an exceptional speech. She is a speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. The club is very proud of her accomplishments.” Six other members competed in the speech contest. Over the past four years Aktion Club members have won first place three times in the International Speech Competition, and also received a second place.

The Aktion Club also won first place in the Annual Scrapbook competition in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District. The group compiled a scrapbook highlighting activities in their year, with sections about community service, SEASPAR (their sponsoring agency), and published media about their club.

Another program taken on by the Aktion Club was their sponsorship of the Winter Wonderland Dance, with the purpose of raising funds for community charities that the club selected. Recipients of the funds included Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, local food pantries, Senior Home Sharing, and PADS. The group will be presenting checks to these organizations in the near future. Seventy-five people attended the dance, and $1,200 was raised. The dance was held at the Clarendon Hills Park District.

Other service contributions by the club in the past few months include the sponsorship of a Downers Grove Township family at Thanksgiving, adopting a Downers Grove family at Christmas, purchasing books through Anderson’s Book Shop Book Angels program, and the purchase of three bed kits for Sleeping Children Around the World (an International Aktion Club Project). They are also supporting Samaritan’s Purse with donations.

Those interested in learning more about the club should contact Susan Friend at SEASPAR, 630-960-7600.

A 360 Degree Moment in Rural India

As posted on Vagabondish, The Travelzine for Today's Vagabond.
As posted on Chicsavvy, A Backpacker's Guide for Grown-ups.

By Tamara Kaftalovich

Our two days of touring are officially over. We took a flight from Mumbai to Hubli and then drove to Belgaum, our home base for the next five days as we drive in and out of some of the most rural parts of India.

Neighbourhood near Belgaum, India. From Belgaum 2011

The first thing we did when we arrived was visit some of the homes that received a bedkit from past distributions. We did this for a number of reasons. Not only is it good to make sure the bedkits are getting into the hands of families/children that need them most, but we also want to make sure they are using them appropriately and they are equipped with what the child needs most – mosquito nets, clothing, mat/bedding/pillow, school supplies, kitchenware, shoes, backpack and a towel.

I’ve been to very poor communities throughout the world so I prepared myself in advance for what I was about to see. But no matter how much you prepare yourself, it doesn’t seem to matter. The families live in the tiniest of houses – if you can even call them houses. A typical home is about 10X10 ft broken up into a kitchen and a sleeping quarter. One of the homes we visited slept 15 people in one room, which is common. Luckily the families we visited had running water nearby. Of course there was no electricity and families cooked out of fire pits in or just outside of their homes. The families had no real possessions and food was something they never could rely on having. One great thing about the children SCAW reaches is they all go to school, so the contents of the bedkit help that child get a good night’s rest so they can be ready for school the next day – the motto SCAW prides itself on.

The following day was our first distribution day. We visited two communities – Athani and Nepani. Both were located approximately two-three hours outside of Belgaum. Driving to each distribution reminded me of driving through parts of Africa – very rural, lots of crops growing, huts at the side of the road, workers building small cemented homes, people pushing cattle up the road, and lots of small store fronts representing pocketed communities.

Volunteers and SCAW working together in Nipani, India, to distribute 100 bedkits (From Belgaum 2011)

Both distributions took place in community buildings. One was a local auditorium, the other, a primary/high school. Local Rotary and Inner Wheel organizations (along with the Rotary Club of Belgaum) were instrumental in putting on the distribution. These groups, headed by doctors, entrepreneurs, factory owners were responsible for selecting the families to receive the bedkit, purchasing the content of the bedkit, assembling the bedkit and organizing the festivities for the day. Really our (SCAW) job was the easiest part! Our job was to ensure all the bedkit contents were accounted for, that each child selected received their bedkit, and that a photo of each child in their new clothes (from the bedkit) was taken so it could later be shared with the original donor. In a nutshell, and in a perfect/ideal setting, here’s how a bedkit distribution day works:

• SCAW arrives and is greeted by Rotarians and volunteers – all the bedkits will have arrived and have already been assembled ready to be given to the kids
• The parents and children arrive and are separated – so as to not cause confusion or chaos, depending on how large the venue is, the parents may not be present during the actual distribution
• SCAW sets up and the distribution begins:
  • Child checks in with a ticket given in advance of the day and receives their clothing
  • Child changes into their new clothes and proceeds to a line for their picture
  • Child gets their picture taken
  • SCAW marks the bedkit off their list
  • Child receives the remainder of the bedkit
• Following the distribution, there are often lots of photos and “thank you’s” exchanged amongst SCAW, the Rotarians, Inner Wheel and volunteers

Obviously there is much more that takes place in between, including all the fun interaction we have with the children (the BEST part), but this gives you an idea of what’s involved and how organized everyone has to be to get the job done, and done right.

We gave out 450 bedkits out of the 4,000 total bedkits we are delivering on this trip.

This was my first time participating in a bedkit distribution. I had a feeling of what to expect based on what I heard from other traveling volunteers as well as from what I knew about the charity, but nothing prepared me for witnessing it firsthand. From the curiosity and smiles of the children receiving the bedkit and their parents, to the team work between SCAW, the local rotary clubs and volunteers, and to the support from the donors back home in North America, it was really a 360 degree moment for all.

Kolkata: Trip Reports Posted

The donor newsletter for the Kolkata 2011 bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website.

Kolkata 2011

Photos are available in the Kolkata 2011 Photo Album. You can view them by clicking the link above.

If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.

Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.

Eileen's Kids

Submitted by Eileen Rademacher, February 22, 2011.

I recently returned from the Chennai distribution of 6,000 bedkits. These are the children who received the bedkits from the proceeds of my art sale.

They were very special.

Thank you so much for your support.

Eileen Rademacher

Touring Mumbai: A city of contrasts

As posted on Chic Savvy Travels, February 18, 2011

TAMARA KAFTALOVICH, Guest Blogger

I’ve been to many countries around the world, but nothing could prepare me for the contrast I was about to see in Mumbai. I say contrast because of two extremes — the tall, modern skyscrapers, BMWs and businessmen roaming the streets, to extremely poor people hanging out by the railroad tracks, begging for money, performing any job they can and eating whatever they can find. Sure, there is definitely a middle-class, a very large one in fact, but given Mumbai’s large population, it was a lot easier to see the clear division of social classes.

Duncan, our Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) team leader, arranged for us to spend the first two days of our trip touring Mumbai with Amin Sheikh, a local tour guide he’s worked with quite few times. (Pictured at left.)

Amin grew up in the slums of Mumbai. He left home when he was young, after being beaten several times by his stepfather. He then lived a tortured life on the streets, falling victim to prostitution, hunger and abandonment.

One day, he was approached by a nun and brought to a nearby orphanage called Snehasadan where he turned into the most optimistic and kindest 30-year-old man I’ve ever met. He now lives with his mother, sister and 13-year-old niece, and prides himself on his car — for without it, he wouldn’t be able to take people like me on tours of his city, which he is so proud of and humbled by.

And let me say, he was the best tour guide ever! In less than six hours, we did more than I could have imagined. First, we visited the home Gandhi grew up in. It has since turned into a museum (no admission fee required), and the third floor is home to a room filled with small puppet displays depicting Gandhi’s life and historical moments in time related to freedom and liberation.

Coincidentally, one of Mumbai’s annual art festivals, Kala Ghoda, was in town and we spent some time browsing local artists’ work. It was a great way to see some of Mumbai’s cosmopolitan flare, straight from the artists themselves.

Amin also took us on a walking tour of the slums. We started off at the Banganga Tank (Pictured at right.) — filthy, but considered holy water where people go to worship the dead — and finished off at Dhobi Ghats, an open air laundry facility where people hand-wash hundreds of pieces of clothing and linens each day.

In addition to making a quick stop to see the Taj Hotel and Gateway of India, we capped the day off with a delicious late lunch at the bustling Leopold’s — a bit of a tourist attraction, but the food was pretty tasty. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!

Oh, and a word to the wise: Never take your eyes off the people you are traveling with while walking along the very busy streets of Mumbai. As we left the restaurant, I turned my head for a moment, and when I turned back, my group was gone. I started walking one way, thinking I would catch up to them, but they were nowhere in sight. Luckily, I turned around and there they were, on the opposite side of the street. Phew! Because if they weren’t, I could have gotten myself into a little bit of a situation…

Also check out Tamara's previous blog post on Chic Savvy.

Also blogging at Vagabondish.

Thornton News

As posted in The Innisfil Scope, February 16, 2011

Thornton News
by Cathie Miller
...
The Essa Historical Society is holding its regular meeting on Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m., at the Thornton Library. The speaker is Frank Best, and he will discuss Sleeping Children Around the World. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call Olive at 705-458-9971
...

Also listed in Community Events

Paris photo exhibit on display at Coffee Tree

As posted on Inside Toronto, February 11, 2011.

Escape the winter blues at the Coffee Tree Roastery this month with photographer Carol B. Jones' exhibit 'Glimpses of France.'

This exhibit features images taken in late summer in Paris, the Loire Valley and Claude Monet's Giverny. Explore new places through Jones' photographs. The exhibit is on display until Feb. 26, on Monday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Treat yourself to a hot beverage at the Coffee Tree, 2412 Bloor St. W. (just east of Jane Street) while taking in the exhibit. Ten per cent of sales from this exhibit will be donated to the non-profit organization Sleeping Children Around the World.

Leaving on a jet plane… to India… with six strangers

As posted on the Chic Savvy Blog, February 10, 2011.

TAMARA KAFTALOVICH, Guest Blogger

In just a couple short days, I’ll be embarking on another travel adventure. See, whenever I plan a big trip, I always want to make sure it has some kind of purpose — not necessarily because I want to get the most value out of the money I spend, but rather because life’s just too short. It’s important to sprinkle it with meaningful adventures, whether that’s taking yourself out of your comfort zone, experiencing something breathtaking, learning about other cultures or the way other people live in this world, or giving back to society.

Bedkit distribution in Togo with SCAW.

So what did I decide to do this time? I’m traveling to the rural parts of southwest India with six complete strangers to give 4,000 children in need a better night’s rest as part of a volunteer bedkit distribution trip with a Canadian charity called Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW).

Here’s how I got to this point…

I work for a PR agency called Maverick PR. Four years ago, our president (Julie Rusciolelli) told us about a charity we were going to offer pro bono services to. She told us it was founded by the Dryden family (the parents of NHL legends Ken and Dave Dryden) and that it raised money and distributed bedkits (typically consisting of a mosquito net, mattress, school supplies and clothing) to children in need in underdeveloped and developing countries. That was all I really needed to know before I knew I wanted to help out in any way I could.

I knew I would one day go on a distribution trip with the charity; however, different variables always got in the way, whether it was timing, money or just plain life.

Fast track to today…

A team of seven volunteers (yes, we’re paying our own way — SCAW is a 100 per cent charity so every cent of a donation goes directly to a bedkit/child in need) are traveling to Belgaum, India to distribute 4,000 bedkits. A donation of $35 to the charity pays for one bedkit. SCAW then works with third-party rotary clubs in the designated country to organize and assemble the bedkits and source children in need to receive them.

A traveling team of volunteers (us) then travel to that designated country, hand out the bedkits and ensure a smooth transaction — we even take pictures of each child receiving their bedkit and send them to the donor upon our return. To date, the charity has raised more than $23 million to provide bedkits for children in 33 countries.

Much more will be said about my adventure to India in my blog posts to come, so until then, I have two more days to wrap up work, pack and tie up any other loose ends. The next time you hear from me, I’ll be in India! Hope you follow along…