Sleeping Children Around the World

05/29/2026

Sleep is not simply “rest.” While children sleep, their brains are actively supporting growth, learning, memory, attention, and emotional health.
Learn more about the science of sleep:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep

05/27/2026

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom comes from A. T. Ariyaratne, the Sri Lankan educator and social activist known for founding one of the world’s largest volunteer-based community development movements.
“There is no joy equal to that of being able to work for all humanity and doing what you’re doing well.”
At Sleeping Children Around the World, we are grateful for the volunteers, donors, and partners around the world who work together so very well, 100% for the children so they can begin each day with hope through a good night’s sleep.🩵

05/26/2026

One of the things that makes Sleeping Children Around the World unique is our commitment to our 100% model.
When someone donates toward a bedkit, 100% of that donation truly goes directly to the child’s bedkit items. Every penny.
How is that possible?
Our operating and administrative costs are covered separately through our Legacy Fund that was originally established through the generosity and vision of our founders, Murray and Margaret Dryden, and now is supported in part through fundraising initiatives such as the Pinehurst Club Breakfast.
This model allows donors to know that their bedkit donation is doing exactly what they intended: helping provide children with the items they need for a better night’s sleep and a brighter start to their day.
We invite you to view our audited financial statements and learn more about how our model works.
Here is the link to our audited finanical statements on our website: https://www.scaw.org/about-us/

05/25/2026

In 1970, Murray and Margaret Dryden self-funded 50 bedkits for children in need.
What began as one simple act of compassion has now grown into nearly 2 million bedkits delivered to children around the world — with Sleeping Children Around the World set to distribute its 2 millionth bedkit in 2027.
From 50 bedkits to 2 million+ dreams. And we're not stopping there! With the support of donors, volunteers, and partners around the world, we will continue growing beyond 2027, helping even more children start their day with hope through a good night’s sleep. ❤

05/23/2026

You may have seen yesterday’s blog from the Philippines, including this reflection from one of our newer volunteers. We thought it was worth sharing again for anyone who may have quietly wondered what it’s like to join a Sleeping Children Around the World distribution team.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with us, we’d be happy to connect. You can call our office or fill out our inquiry form and someone from our team will get back to you. Here is the link: https://www.scaw.org/contact-us
One of the most meaningful parts of SCAW is the community it creates- people from around the world coming together to support children, build friendships, and be part of something hopeful and practical.

05/22/2026

A really lovely and thoughtful reflection from one of our new volunteers on Team Philippines: "Our last day of distributions (18 & 19) in the Philippines dawned with an early morning bus ride to the famous Talisay area. The Taal volcano sits in a lake in a very mountainous area. The backdrop was stunning as we prepared our site as a now experienced team. Excited smiles beamed at us despite the heat. The children were polite and treated us to a rousing chorus of the Philippine national anthem. We have all taken this tune into our hearts now.
Over a lunch that included refreshing whole coconuts we learned that Talisay had been the victim of devastating land slides just two years ago. Many of the children from today’s distributions were living in government-sponsored resettlement camps. These families that had lost everything were truly grateful to receive a bedkit. We saw many bedkit bundles being transported home up the steep road.
Talisay skies treated us to a spectacular sunset display which felt like a celebration of our long weeks of work. A quiet and contemplative team rode back to Manila, having been strangers just a few weeks ago. I’m grateful to now consider them a special kind of family and can vouch that the SCAW volunteer experience is a life-changing one."
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

It's a wrap in the Philippines! Thank you to all our donors whose generosity has helped provide bedkits for another 6,000 children in the Philippines, giving them the foundation for a better night’s sleep.
Our volunteer partner in the Philippines, World of Sweet Dreams Inc., worked alongside our Canadian volunteer team to ensure that donor funds were used exactly as intended, reflecting one of SCAW’s core commitments: 100% of bedkit donations go directly to the children’s bedkits.
To follow the journey and see the teamwork behind these distributions, please visit our blogs at www.scaw.org. The updates from our volunteers in the field offer a special glimpse into the collaboration and care that make these distributions possible. ❤

05/18/2026

It is true teamwork at the bedkit distribution site! Here's the latest blog from the Philippines. "This is the best job for me: passing the bedkit from my hands to the hands of a child who needs it. When I say, "This is for you" ("Ito ay para sa ayo") our eyes connect and smiles widen as fingers eagerly stretch out to find the most comfortable area to grab and hold on to the bedkit.
The jobs were the same at each site. Our team leader would assign our responsibilities for the day, usually the night before or in the morning on the way to the site. The jobs were: tracker, line up duty, seating person, marker, floater and bedkit deliverer. Since there were seven persons in our team, the floater was created to oversee the whole process. If everything ran smoothly, the floater would have interviews with parents and children and then write the blog for that day.
We gave bedkits to children ages 6 to 12. Many 6-year-olds have small hands and so our kind Philippine volunteers were eager to assist in holding the bedkits as the children reconnected with their families.
The bedkits were also quite heavy for many younger children to carry. This year, they contained a long mat, a mosquito net, school supplies, pajamas, a matching top and short pants, a blanket, a small face towel, flip flops, a pillow, and a long hug pillow. We know some items are more useful than others, depending on the areas where the families live and also on the recipient's age and size. The families were extremely happy for the generosity of our donors and they share items among themselves, neighbours, and friends.
At times we met children with special physical needs which tugged at our hearts. A parent would accompany each one and say with deep gratitude: "Thank you so much", in perfect English."
Team Philippines, 2026
World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦

05/18/2026

A final wrap up party and review with our wonderful partner in Uganda, the Inner Wheel of Kampala: "We would like to thank all of our donors. Your generous support has changed the lives of 7,000 children! We safely arrived back in Kampala on Saturday night, thanks to Michael, our wonderful driver.
Our day started with a sleep in before Petra guided us through a local market. She has been a wonderful SCAW Chairperson for the Inner Wheel this year. What a pleasure it has been to get to know her better.
At our closing meeting we reviewed the distributions, celebrated all the successes and put our heads together to look for recommendations for any areas where we think we could improve our efficiency. The children are always top of mind. How can we make this the most positive experience for them? We then headed to our closing party. A great time to socialize and thank our Overseas Partners - The Inner Wheel of Kampala. This year was extra special as we also got to celebrate Leslie’s birthday."
Team Uganda, 2026
Inner Wheel of Kampala 🇺🇬 +SCAW 🇨🇦

05/17/2026

From donors to drivers to the many local and international volunteers who help make it happen, behind every successful distribution is a whole team of people working together, all for the children: "We were welcomed again with music, dancing and songs by excited parents and children. They helped unload the truck and set up the site while the children changed into new clothes.
After the last children received their bedkits we were treated to a lovely meal organized by the head teacher of the school and entertained by mothers singing and dancing.
We leave Uganda with wonderful memories of warm hospitable people who truly appreciate the generous gifts of bedkits for their children. Our home visits to recipients made us realize how helpful the kits are for the whole family. Thank you donors!
These distributions would have been much more challenging without Michael, our driver extraordinaire, who has navigated a bus load of ladies though challenging roads and rain as well as spending long hours loading our bus for the trip to our last distribution and the trip back to Kampala. Thanks Michael."
Team Uganda, 2026
Inner Wheel of Kampala 🇺🇬 +SCAW 🇨🇦