Welcome to our first newsletter for 2012! A year which will bring some major changes and challenges at Bali Kids. First off the rank our logo. Note it no longer says ‘a special place for orphans’ but ‘a special place for disadvantaged children’. This wording is more in keeping with the Bali Kids of today. Our project not only servicing orphanages but villages and centres for disabled children. To present our new logo we have a new website thanks to the boys of Mindshelf UK. Thank you so much to Ross Smith, Joko and Rahmat for all their hard work. Michael Major too from Michael Major Media. The site is now ‘live’ and your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Penny Runge & Family join Eka to explore the new Medical Centre
11 year old Eka Purnawan arrived at Bali Kids following the passing of his father in 2004. Eka the youngest of his family, comes from a poor village in Bali’s North. Despite humble beginnings Eka embraced all Bali Kids had to offer. School did not come easy to Eka but he proved to be a quiet achiever. When Dr. Paul Hicks (Headmaster) and the School Board of Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne recently offered a three year scholarship in Australia, Eka was the obvious candidate. Camberwell Grammar is one of Australia’s finest private schools (http://www.cgs.vic.edu.au/) Their kindness has brought such an amazing opportunity for a boy who was destined to a life of hardship and poverty. It shows out of a family tragedy can come hope. Eka’s courage and determination is to be admired. SPECIAL thanks to Dr. Paul Hicks Headmaster, Ms Rachael Falloon Deputy Head, Mr. Peter O’Connell Registrar, Mrs Penny Runge Head Of Indonesian, Ms. Elizabeth Board Director Of Development and all at Camberwell Grammar. BIG thanks to Eka’s host Mother, Rosanna White and Eka’s AFL advisor Mr. Paul Wheelton of Bali Children’s Foundation. Eka was only off the plane for less than one minute and was attired from head to toe in Hawthorn Colors! Courtesy of Paul!
Final Call for Eka Purnawan (centre) with Dwi Anggayani (left) and older brother Kariawan (right).
Widi’s House undergoes a transformation!
Most will remember Widi from our last newsletter who lives in Marga with her Mother and 4 year old sister Winda. In July 2011 the family were left shattered after Widi’s Father committed suicide. For many months the family remained in a deep depression until a significant donation from Ros Worthington’s Love Angels Foundation brought the building contractors to their doorstep. Slowly their run down home has been transformed and next newsletter we will show you the end result! Special thanks to Carry For Kids Inc. who have funded a water supply for the family. Currently they have to walk kilometers for a single bucket of water. Thank you one and all for your donations!
During this period our new health education book was launched. The program teaches children about Child Abuse and Bullying. The fact abuse can come from a man, woman or child. A family member, friend or stranger. From an Indonesian or foreigner. To support our program our staff have undergone special training and a hot-line number established for children to call. We hope this program will help children to know their rights and educate them to protect themselves from harm. Our sincere thanks to Bali Bundar Holland for supporting us in this valuable program.
Three years before Eka Purnawan set off for school in Melbourne, Komang Sani Asih was packing her bags to fulfill a three-year scholarship in Melbourne attending Mater Christi College. Now a successful Year 12 graduate returns home to Bali to pursue her dream of becoming a Flight Attendant. We asked Sani a few questions about her experience in Australia and would like to share these with you!
Yes. Just being in Australia was like a dream come true! I never imagined I could study in Australia. I’ve learned so much. I have made a lot of friends both Australian and international students. It has allowed me to know more about Australian culture and its people. I can see the different surroundings by myself not just from a story. I feel more confident about myself now.
Yes, because the subject I learned is international level and I have a better understanding for both culture and economic in Indonesia and Australia.
Being homesick! Even though I have a lot of friends here, I still miss my friends in Bali. I missed my first niece especially. I missed the hot weather too!
I can share my experience with them. They are happy because I had the opportunity to study in
Australia.
I received higher education, which will lead me to get a better job so I’ll be able to support
my family too.
The biggest difference was the education system. In Australia it is very clear what is expected of you when starting a subject. I would recommend to the Indonesian education department to make things clear at the start of the year/semester. To give students some direction. We need more government support in Indonesia in relation to poverty (mainly in the housing and medical support)
| Food : | Australian is lucky to have different sorts of food from around the world. (BBQ, Vege bake) |
| Anima : | Koala and platypus. They are adorable! |
| Place to go : | Philip Island, Deniliquine, Sydney Opera house. |
| Experience : | Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, water skiing and our School Retreat |
| Season : | I love Spring. The whole place is colorful. The leaves and the cherry blossom are my favorites. In the morning I can smell the fresh air and it just makes me happy! |
| Food : | Vegemite! |
| Anima : | I got lost because I caught the wrong bus. It was supposed to take me 5 minutes to get home but it took me 40 minutes. |
Mater Christi is a big school, which offered all the necessary facilities to support my study. Everyone
was so friendly and helpful. At school we have our own space. (e.g. silent room, free tutor). I admit
that I’m a bit shy sometimes but with all the support that I received it helped me a lot.
The system here amazed me because everything was so clear and simple. They gave me direction,
explained to me clearly what I would study and what we were expected to know for an exam.
Everything is so well organized. I always knew what lay ahead.
Yes, Natthisa is my best friend from Thailand.
We would like to send very special thanks to Mater Christi Principal Ms Mary Fitz-Gerald and the many College Staff who supported Sani in so many different ways during her stay at MCC. Big thanks to John and Keryn Begg & their family for hosting Sani throughout her three years in Melbourne and being wonderful, supporting parents to Sani. Sani would not of had this opportunity without the Beggs kindness. Congratulations to Sani. We are all so proud of her achievements!
In close proximity to our Clinic and new center a sad sight awaits. The local Abian Base Soccer Field. Surrounded by polluted, blocked drains, our field is littered with rubbish and surrounded by weeds. The Goal Posts and Nets look like ruins from a lost civilization. Despite this all the local Schools, Soccer Clubs and our own children look past the problems and set about enjoying their favorite sport Soccer! However the field itself supports a serious health issue for our community. Due the blocked drains our field is constantly flooded during the wet season and a perfect breeding ground for Dengue and Malaria carrying mosquitos. We have decided something needed to be done to address the issues and provide our kids a decent facility. This year we hope to renovate the drainage system, install rubbish bins, replace the goal posts and employ a local Groundskeeper. Down the track provide a shelter, storage room, fencing and seating for the field. Once complete however there will be rules and players and their Clubs will face tough penalties if they continue to throw rubbish and disrespect their new field. It is all about educating Balinese children and their Role Models about the Environment and how it affects our Health. Help create our Field Of Dreams and donate to this worthy cause! To Donate go to http://www.balikids.org/ways-to-help-by-credit-card.php
Kadek Redi awaits your help so he can become the best Goalie in Bali!
It has always been part of our plan to reach out to more children and other worthy projects. This year we forged an agreement with Bali Children’s Foundation to assist village children registered in their program. Bali Children’s Foundation provides children in Bali opportunities in Education through scholarships and plays a very important role in the community. See their work at http://www.balichildren.com/. Through this relationship and by working together we can achieve so much more to help the disadvantaged children of Bali. We salute the team at Bali Children’s Foundation and welcome our opportunity to help their children. Special thanks to Margaret Barry, Paul Wheelton OAM and Angela Young for their cooperation and support.
This boy from Bali Children’s Foundation is in safe hands despite his concerns!
Despite most of our children being practicing Hindu’s, who does not like a party and a present? Enter the wonderful Alex and James Lush who with their own children brought so much joy to our children on Christmas Day. A traditional Balinese lunch, fantastic presents, face painting and friendship were all shared on the day. Thanks to the Lush Family, Janet Molloy and the amazing staff of Warung Sobat 2 for a special day! On return to Bali Kids Evelyn Redden came to visit laden with more presents. Much appreciated Evelyn! The following day Rachel Plecas had a big box of toys and beautiful books delivered for the children. This included two guitars. Bruno Mars beware! You now have competition! Last but not least Adrian and the staff from Colony Hotel collected over fourteen million rupiah from their foyer Christmas Tree. The funds will go towards our new building for the children. Thank you one and all. Santa and his reindeers were last seen having a swim at Kuta and then downing a Pocari Sweat on the beach!
Adrian (left) and his team from Colony Hotel make new friends at BK!
Until early May our best wishes and sincere thanks to all who have helped our project along the way.
Another email will follow with information on our next event. Raising funds and awareness for Bali Kids
and KOTO International! Sincere thanks to Mindshelf, Melia Bali, Bali Advertiser, Bali & Beyond, The
Jakarta Post and KOTO Team! The poor children of Bali need skills, opportunities and jobs! KOTO is
the perfect solution for the street kids and other disadvantaged children of Indonesia. Please book early,
as seats are strictly limited.
Take good care! The Bali Kids Team.
