Some charitable agencies have missions that are deceptively simple, yet globally effective. Sleeping Children Around the World is one such organization, and the recipient of a recent DRI Foundation donation. Its mission: provide every child with a good night’s sleep.
Created in 1970, Canada-based Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) began with founder Murray Dryden. On a trip to Pakistan, he witnessed children sleeping in the street and recognized that comfortable bedding could be a valuable resource to aid in their protection, growth, and development.
Today SCAW encompasses a global community of over 2,000 volunteers, dedicated to bringing bedding to children in extreme poverty. Just a few of the areas targeted for aid include India, Nepal, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya, and South Africa.
The bed kits provided to children ages 6-12 are manufactured or purchased by local organizations and individuals, adding benefits such as employment for dozens of workers, limited transportation costs, and strengthened communities.
To date, over 1.9 million children have received bed kits from SCAW. The DRI Foundation’s donation will go toward 50 such kits for children in West Africa. Foundation Director of Giving Sheri Aghlara will be part of the volunteer distribution team later this year, and will report back with her experience.
“With your help, by 2027 Sleeping Children Around the World will have given more than 2,000,000 children the gift of a good night’s sleep,” the organization writes. “Thank you to every supporter, past and present, who help us change a child’s life.”
The DRI Foundation is proud to provide support and vital financial assistance to such nonprofit organizations to aid their missions in communities where they are needed. Click here to learn more about how you can help.