About The Charity

The recipient charity for 2016 was Sleeping Children Around the World.

If someone were to ask me what I have to be grateful for, I would probably answer “my family, my health, my home, food on my table and a warm bed to sleep in”. Having these blessings for myself and for those whom I love, humbles me.

Unfortunately, I also know that these blessings are not universal and that there are many who don’t have enough to eat and a warm bed to sleep in. Many children around the world lack the most basic necessities that they need to thrive; footwear, a blanket, a simple change of clothes. While we can’t change the whole world, we can try to improve the lives of a few. Our recipient charity for 2016 is on that path. By handing out bedkits to one child at a time. It is our hope that this gesture will help to change the lives of youngsters and give them hope for a brighter future.

Sleeping Children Around The World (SCAW) was founded in 1979 by Murray and Margaret Dryden. SCAW is a 100% charitable, global community of volunteers and partners who have transformed the lives of over a 1.4 million children. SCAW’s purpose is crystal clear, give every child the opportunity to have a good night’s sleep. With sleep, the promise of a better tomorrow is realized.

The consequences of deprived or interrupted sleep are well documented. It is a fact that poor sleep leads to long term issues, especially in young children. Sleep has tremendous effects on health, memory, emotions and academic potential. No child should ever be deprived of a peaceful sleep.

SCAW distributes bedkits to children in a ratio of 50% girls and 50% boys, who are aged 6 to 12, and are from any culture or religion. The contents of a bedkit vary from country to country, but always contain: a mat or mattress/bedding; a mosquito net to combat the threat of malaria & other vector-borne diseases; schoolbag and school supplies; clothing and footwear.

Bedkits are manufactured or purchased overseas by trustworthy organizations and individuals who use their local knowledge and expertise to pick the best bedkit items for the children living in that area. All bedkits are assembled in the country of distribution to eliminate shipping costs and to stimulate the local economy.

Every year, hundreds of SCAW trained volunteers of all ages travel overseas, paying out of their own pocket to ensure the delivery of these precious bedkits.
Volunteers in the country of distribution select children who would most benefit from receiving a bedkit, organize the manufacturing of bedkits, choose distribution sites and help travelling volunteers during their distribution excursion.

Each Bedkit costs $35. From inception, Sleeping Children Around The World will have distributed over 1.4 million bedkits to children in 34 developing countries this year.

Visit the Sleeping Children Around the World website for more information.