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September 2010
The Bali Kids Educational Health
Program comes to Singaraja
We have been aware since the
Helen Flavel Foundation (HFF) first started that there was a great need for
medical and dental check-ups for the students whom we have been able to enrol
in our Sponsorship Program. We have recently enrolled our 700th
student.
We wanted to be proactive and
be able to give the children and their parents the knowledge to prevent many
illnesses. Because our sponsored student’s homes are spread out over the
entire North Bali region, to give them health education, we needed to find
someone willing to help us.
Brenton Whittaker from Bali
Kids and I have talked about the problems we face in North Bali with the lack
of health information available to our students. Brenton arranged for the Bali
Kids team of medical professionals to come to Singaraja in early June and spend
a day educating 200 of our students and some of their parents on general health
and hygiene issues, HIV, drug addiction and female health issues.
The team requested that any
student who was feeling unwell to stay behind at the end of the day to have a
check-up. Although the children were very shy, as soon as they saw a few
students form a line they quickly joined the queue. The sick students were
given advice and sent home with medication.
One of the students was in far
more serious condition than the others. Kadek, one of our 12 year old students was
brought to centre by his father who asked if the doctor would see him. Kadek didn’t
have any energy and he was very pale, the doctor didn’t hesitate and examined him
immediately. The doctor found Kadek had a very high temperature, a severe gum
infection, and many of his back teeth where in need of urgent attention.
The Bali Kids doctor was
concern about Kadek’s health and felt it was too risky for Kadek to go back to
his remote mountain village. He requested that Kadek be taken back to the Bali
Kids Clinic for immediate treatment.
Kadek stayed at the Bali Kids
Clinic for 10 days. His gum infection had to be controlled before the dentist
could work on Kadek’s teeth. Kadek arrived back home looking so much healthier.
He had put on weight and had colour in his cheeks and full of smiles.
Not only had he had been returned
to excellent health, he had the adventure of a life time. Kadek slept in a
comfortable bed in a bright clean room, had fun with the other children at the
clinic, and was excited about all the new sights and sounds he had experienced
on his 10-day trip away from home.
Our sincere thanks to Andrew
Foyster and the Young House, at St Peters College, Adelaide, South Australia
for sponsoring the Bali Kids mobile health service so the team could assist our
children. Without their kindness in donating all the funds required for the
day, this would not have been possible.
Two weeks later, the Bali Kids
team, which included a dentist and dental nurse, visited us again for two days.
During that time, 80 of our students, some of the parents, and our staff had
dental check-ups.
Many of the children had
toothaches and had to have their teeth filled. While others had to have teeth
extracted. For most families, little is known about recommended dental hygiene.
Many children have never owned a tooth brush. Not only did they have their
teeth attended to, they were also taught how to care for their teeth. Each student
was given toothpaste and a toothbrush, in many cases, their first.
In late August, 150 of our
senior students attended a lecture at our Functions Centre in Singaraja, given
by one of the doctors from Bali Kids. They learned much about health issues
relating to teenagers, and the question and answer time after the lecture was a
great hit.
The students were given a
health check-up, and they were all given a book which covered all the lecture
materials. We are extremely grateful to Bali
Kids for including our children in their Health Program. Their on-going
assistance will ensure our students will be much healthier!
Like the Helen Flavel Foundation,
Bali Kids also relies on the generosity of others to enable them to do this
valuable work. To help them raise much needed funds, they have produced a
beautiful calendar for 2011. If you would like to purchase one, they will be available
throughout September at Cheap As Chips stores in South Australia and Victoria (Australia) or through their Website (http://balikids.org) for only $9.95 each plus
postage and handling.
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May 2010
SUKMA HELEN FLAVEL FUNCTIONS CENTRE
SINGARAJA NORTH BALI
Our new Functions Centre has now been completed and the Blessing of the building was held on the 12th of March 2010. For those people who are reading about the new centre for the first time, I will give you a brief background as to why we needed this building.
Back in 2008, in the December Newsletter, I wrote that we would soon need to relocate our make-shift kitchen and laundry from land which was loaned to us back in 2006. The reason for this was that the landowner's son wanted to build his home on the land, and he expected to start the building of the home in late 2009 or 2010. We found ourselves in a very difficult predicament.
We had a few ways in which we could tackle this problem. The least desirable was to forgo a kitchen and laundry, without which we would not be able to care for the boarders. If we were to send our 33 boarders home to live in their remote villages, there were no secondary or High Schools nearby for them to attend school. These students come from very poor families who could not afford to pay to board their children close to a school in Singaraja. If they couldn't finish their schooling, they would have no option but to work in the rice fields or as labourers alongside their parents, and that is if they were lucky enough to find work.
Another option was we could look at raising the funds to buy a small piece of land and build a small kitchen and laundry which would solve our immediate problem. However, this idea was flawed, because within a few years, we would likely outgrow such a building. If we were to build, then we needed to plan for the future and build a sufficiently large space. Yet this created an even bigger problem, as we weren't ready to expand.
Since the beginning, we had moved much faster and accomplished far more than we originally believed possible. By December 2008, we had just reached the point where we intended to slow down and consolidate. All the team needed a well deserved break from the pressure they had been under for far too long. By “all the team,” I mean everyone! This includes the Bali team who does all the hands on work and the many people who spend so much of their time fundraising so the work in Bali can be carried out.
After talking all the options through, it was agreed that we had been given another one of life's many challenges. The foundation's core has always been the education of children, and we all felt that we could not turn away the existing 33 boarders.
The next step was to find a large piece of land close to the Learning Centre and start building for the future. It wasn't simply the future of the current boarders we were contemplating, but was also the many students who would be become boarders in the years to come.
In the first week of January 2009, we signed the contact to purchase eight Are (800 square meters) of land and the building plans needed to be drawn up. We also needed to ask people for their support in raising funds again. We not only had to find the funds to pay off the land and pay for the new building; we had to raise funds to finish off the Functions Centre. We wanted to buy good, long-lasting furniture and make the space pleasant and appealing.
There were so many extra things required which we hadn't given a thought to in the beginning. Once all the land was stripped of its original corn plantation and the building construction was completed, we had to purchase many trees and shrubs for the garden, which would give shade around the sports area and the building. For the safety of our students and the security of the building's contents, a surrounding wall also needed to be built. In the end, we have a wonderful building and surrounding space, but this was no simple task.
I won't list the name of every person who so kindly made this possible because I've done this in previous Newsletters. Not only did we have three major contributors, we had many people who arranged fundraising events or sent us money to help with the fit-out.
In addition to serving our own needs, the new building will also be rented out for small functions, such as weddings, birthday parties and meetings. The profit from this will help to cover the running costs of the centre, and it will give our senior students experience in the hospitality industry by learning restaurant and other skills.
Our previous make-shift kitchen and laundry
The Function Centre's Sports Area
Every plant including the tallest trees just beyond the wall were planted by our students.
The Blessing of the Function Centre
The Blessing was attended by 150 Balinese guests and members of the Do Foundation from the Netherlands. In the picture below, standing on the left is Nyoman Sukadana, MBA Director Peduli Sesama Helen Flavel Foundation, and on the right is Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Padmadewi, M.A, Director Sukma Helen Flavel Learning Centre.
Sukma Helen Flavel Learning Centre
It's some time since I have included any photos of the classes held at the Learning Centre. Below you will see the students enjoying their Computing and English classes, plus they are learning to have fun using the library.
The Learning Centre Boarders
The only luxury our boarders get while living at the Centre is excellent meals three times a day. The food provided for them is often much better than they would get at home, thanks to our wonderful Housemothers. Apart from this, our boarders have very little, and it always amazes me how happy they are, just like one very large, happy family. We even have children from the wealthy families asking if they can board with us.
All credit must be given to Sukadana, Dewi, the Housemothers and all the Bali team, for their love, kindness and leadership. All of our boarders know how much they are loved and respected. The students have no luxuries, not even proper beds. They sleep two to a mattress on the floor. They wash with cold water, and they only have one very small locker in which to keep all their personal things. At night, the mattresses are taken out of the storeroom and then returned the next morning.
Student's locker
Study time
Bedtime
Mendi the Elderly Mountain Woman
The response to the story about Mendi in my previous Newsletter was amazing and so many people offered their help to make her life more comfortable. In May 2009 we were told about an elderly woman who was walking the mountains for 12 months, picking up whatever she could find so that she had something to sell for food. We immediately went looking for her.
When we found this frail woman it was heart breaking. She had a bundle of small pieces of wood that she said she would sell to buy some rice. She was gasping for breath and it was obvious that she quite sick.
We went to where she was living and found that she had a bed base under a roof which had been used to give shelter to a couple of cows. The locals had tried to give her some protection by covering the sides with plastic and vegetation.
We asked her where her family was and she explained that her son lived nearby in her house and that her daughter in law didn't like her, Mendi was forced out of her own home. I was stunned to hear this and could not believe that anyone could do this to another person.
The local village people who were standing around when we were talking to Mendi confirmed to us that she was saying was indeed correct and that they all tried to help her whenever they could. Since ready about Mendi in our last Newsletter, one of our sponsors has sponsored Mendi and now pays for her monthly food parcel. Others generous people sent money to help us furnish her home. I'm thrilled to say that Mendi into her new home in early March this year.
From this in May 2009
To this in March 2010
It's hard to describe her happiness, but I have one photo of Mendi and me which explains her feelings far better than I could ever do.
On behalf of all the students, their families and the many other Balinese people who have received help from your kindness, we wish to say thank you very much.
Kindest thoughts
Helen and the HFF and PSHFF Team.
March 2010
Internship at the Peduli Sesama Helen Flavel Foundation Bali (February 17th – March 18th 2010)
My name is Inga Emrich, and I am from Germany. I am a student of South East Asian studies at the University of Bonn. Therefore, I also study Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia. When I found out that my studies require an internship in one of the countries of which we are learning the language, I immediately thought of Bali. So I started to look on internet for interesting places on Bali to do my internship and by chance I found the website of the Helen Flavel Foundation. I wrote an email to Helen 6 months ago and her quick and very positive response made me choose this place for my internship. On my first day I was picked up by Pak Nyoman. I was very nervous, but once arrived at the Learning Center I was warmly welcomed by Bu Dewi. She showed me around and then I met the other teachers Billy, Andi, Wika, Ririn and Sri. They made me feel at ease right away and I wasn't’t nervous anymore. At lunchtime I also met John, who took me to the villages in the afternoon to distribute beds and mattresses. I was amazed by seeing how much the Foundation is doing for the people in the villages. The next weeks I usually spent the morning in the Kindergarten class of Billy, trying to help him with the 26 kids and in the afternoon I did different things, such as helping with the preparations for the opening of the Function Centre or going to the villages with John. I even got real insights of the Balinese Culture as I was taken to temples, observing them praying etc. I also had the great opportunity to meet Helen herself while I was here, as she came for the opening of the Function Centre. I even had the chance to go with her to the villages and meet an old woman about who Helen cares a lot. It was so nice to see all the love she has for this old lady and in which way the Foundation already helped to improve her life. Helen is a wonderful person and it is amazing what she created. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend some time there and to meet her in person. The staff also is so very kind, so motivated, caring and inspiring. They made me feel like I am a part of the family and I think that all of them are doing a great job. I will miss all of them very, very much. I wish that I could have spent much more time at the Foundation. I am already thinking about how to get enough money to come back here as soon as possible and to spend even more time with these wonderful people, trying to help as much as I can. So I simply want to thank everybody for this opportunity given to me. I had such a great time and now I am even surer that after finishing my studies I want to do social work and help other people. I really hope that I will be able to come back in August and I would also like to sponsor a child myself as soon as I will have a real job! Thank you, again and again, to everybody for everything you did for me and for showing me what the Helen Flavel Foundation is about! I hope that you will never stop doing these amazing things!
Inga Emrich
December 2009
IODIZED SALT
Iain Mcpherson, one of our sponsors, came to see me in Bali while I was there in early October 2009. During our conversation he talked about how important Iodized salt is in keeping a healthy body. I asked him if he could do some research when he returned to Australia. He not only did this, he was joined by a business colleague Christine Clark, to have Iodized salt delivered to our Learning Centre in Singaraja. I've asked them to tell their story. A very special thanks must go to Arthur Tanudjaja from ” Cheetham Garam” Jakarta, who sold Iain and Chris a pallet of salt at cost price. Arthur then arranged for it to be freighted to Bali and trucked through to the Learning Centre in Singaraja. With-out his kindness and help, we would not have been able to manage this ourselves, and the project would not have become a reality. The Salt Project is well underway with the Bali Team holding large meetings throughout the remote mountain villages. They explain the need to used Iodized Salt and everyone is given a bag or two to take home. This is a special story and one worth reading. I’m still amazed at how Iain, Chris and Arthur managed to put this all together so quickly and efficiently. Thank you very much for caring. Helen
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This is Iain's story
One of the amazing things about going on holidays is that you just never know what you might encounter, or how it might alter your perception of the world, and your place in it. My family and I sponsor two children through the Helen Flavel Foundation for many years now. Through this sponsorship we have had the opportunity to visit the Learning Centre in Singaraja were the foundation gives free after hours tuition in English Language, Computing and many other subjects to the children from the poor families in the region. We have also visited the children and their family in their home. On our last visit when we arrived at the family's home there were members of the extended family and neighbors there to say hello to us. We had an interesting and enjoyable time while we were with them. My wife, however, noticed that the aunt's children did not look well. We asked John the Deputy Director of the foundation as to the state of their health. John thought we were asking about the aunt. She was wearing a neck scarf, which she removed to expose a great weeping sore on her neck. Although I am not a medical doctor, my years of studies in agricultural science have exposed me to related symptoms. I suspected that what we were seeing were the results of iodine deficiency. We learned that the village "healer" attempted to remove her enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). Upon closer examination, it became evident that her two girls had the classic symptoms of iodine deficiency. They exhibited hairlessness, scaly skin, dull eyes and lethargy. As it happens we traveled to Flores the next day for a week. During this time our guide asked "Iain, what is that lump in the woman's throat?" When I explained that it was most likely a goiter from iodine deficiency, he reported that half of the woman in his village also had these lumps. After my week in Flores, I returned to Bali for another week, where I was lucky enough to meet with Helen Flavel for a few hours. Because of what I had seen, I was curious to know what programs exist for iodized salt. And from what Helen told me, it appears as if there are few formal programs in Bali, nor any of the Indonesian Islands; resulting in dire consequences for many Indonesians, particularly those in the isolated mountain areas. Efforts to introduce iodized salt are not impacting in certain areas, possibly to do with limited funding and insufficient personnel. On my return home, I could not get the image of the two sponsor children's aunts' neck out of my mind. I was struck that iodized salt is such a simple solution to such a complex health problem. That for lack of organization, based on what the guide in Flores discussed, large numbers of people are suffering unnecessarily. I did some research over the internet on iodine deficiency in general, and Indonesia specifically. Research shows that iodine deficiency syndrome is the world's leading preventable cause of brain damage in children. Website I recommend: http://www.iodinenetwork.net/countries/Indonesia.html. I had my tax return check come in, and decided to spend it on iodized salt for the foundation. I had a problem in that I cannot speak Indonesian and have no contacts in Indonesia, and no idea where to purchase salt. This is Christine's storyIain rang me and we discussed the above. We worked together to organize a delivery of iodized salt to the foundation. I found the contact to purchase salt from (Cheetham Salt), and they arranged for delivery. For the salt and the freight the cost was just over $500 Australian Dollars for 1000kgs of salt! A very small cost, for such a large quantity of salt! I felt that this was a worthwhile cause, and that we knew exactly where the money went, so I split the cost with Iain. Our employers were so impressed with this project that they have volunteered to cover the costs of the next pallet of iodized salt. I am amazed at what the foundation has done! Not only did they organize the salt to get to villages in the mountains, they also educated the children and parents. We are planning to make this a long term project, purchasing iodized salt and delivering it to needy villages. A promotional brochure is available, which we will be emailing to our contacts in Australia to keep the funding going. The Foundation Website: http://www.helenflavelfoundation.org. Special Thanks to:Nyoman Sukadana - Peduli Sesama Helen Flavel Foundation.Arthur Tanudjaja - Cheetham Garam Indonesia.Helen Flavel - Helen Flavel Foundation.Mrs. Beate Helga Charlotte Mann - Volunteer Pediatric Nurse.
SPONSORSHIP
Since the foundation started in March 2004, we have been able to give over 600 students a sponsorship to continue with their education. Not all of the students that we have enrolled over this time were in Elementary School, many were in Secondary or High School. All of these students were unable to continue with their education because their parents were not in the position to pay for their fees, so the children spent their time working in the rice fields or as labourers with their parents. Over the past three years we have seen most of the older students graduate from High School and obtain good jobs. When this happens it's a great feeling for the sponsors, and the foundation, to know that the students have a far better chance in life than they would have if they had not been sponsored and given a good education. Although we call it a sponsorship, in Bali the children are told that they have been awarded a Scholarship. We have found that the students are so proud of the Scholarship that they study very hard and they are all in the top 10% of their class. We have had some students who have decided to "drop out" of school. When this first happened I took it very much to heart. It took some time for me to come to terms with the fact that not all of our students would have the ability or interest to continue with their schooling. When we are told by the family that their child will not attend school, we have two or three meetings with the student and their parents to try to change their mind. When this fails then we have no alternative but to walk away. Thankfully this does not happen very often.
THE LEARNING CENTRE SINGARAJA
Between 300 and 400 students attend the after school free classes in English Language, Computing, Animal Care, Dance, Drama, Music, Sewing and other courses. Our teachers make these classes enjoyable and we have found that the students learn well when they are exposed to laughter and smiles instead of being regimented into silence. The 33 boarders have a wonderful life, they see each other as their extended family and are thrilled to have so many brothers and sisters. They have two very special House-mothers who cook three very nutritious meals a day for them and help them with their laundry. Like all families, the boarders have their rostered jobs. Some tend to the vegetable garden where all of their vegetables are grown. Some help prepare the meals, while others are rostered for general kitchen duties. What amazes me is that the students do these jobs without a complaining and always with a big smile.
FUNCTIONS CENTRE SINGARAJA
We were told in December 2008 that we had to vacate the land, on which we had built a temporary kitchen and laundry, by early 2010. Hence, we were faced with a massive problem. Should we close down the Boarding Program and send the boarders back to their mountain villages, where they would have no alternative but to work in the rice fields, or should we take on another massive project like the Learning Centre, and buy land and build? These students all come from isolated villages where there are no Secondary or High Schools. This is one of the roughest decisions that I have ever had to make. If I closed the programme, I would ruin the opportunities of a bright future for 33 teenagers. If I decided to keep the programme going, I was about to put all the people who fund raise for us under a great deal of stress to find additional funds. After discussing the situation with Melissa, our Deputy Director and Frank the Director of the Do Foundation in the Netherlands, it was decided that we would proceed with this new project. If you wish to know the back ground of this please have a look at our August Newsletter. The building will have a kitchen, laundry, toilets and dining area. The dining area will also be used as another class room. The Bali team feel they will be able to hire the centre out for small weddings and other functions, which would help with the costs related to running the centre. We would also offer excellent catering, and the older students would be trained in food preparation and as waiting staff. We also have a group of very good young musicians and Balinese dancers, so we would be in the position to offer a complete functions package should it be needed. I can see that this new building has a lot of potential and we can use it to teach the students skills in the hospitality industry. Construction of the Functions Centre is nearing completion as shown in the photo below, and so far we have been able to raise A$4,400 in donations to fit-out the centre; - we need to buy tables, chairs and fully equip the kitchen. Because we have purchased 8 Are of land, there is enough room to add a sports area for the students. We still have to raise a further $3000 to build a fence around two sides of the land for security. The building work has been done voluntarily by a very large group of men who have a child sponsored by us. These men were not asked to do this, they came and volunteered their time as soon as they heard about the project. They all have given up a day’s wages each week to work on the centre. When I spoke to them in October and thanked them for their help, each one said the same thing to me. It is the only way they had to show how grateful they are for the help the foundation has given their family.
Taken 7/12/2009 |
ELDERLY WOMAN IN THE MOUNTAINS
Earlier this year Sukadana told me about an elderly woman whom he had heard was walking the mountains picking up whatever she could find so that she had something to sell for food. I immediately ask if we go and find her. When we found this frail woman it was heart breaking. She had a bundle of small pieces of wood that she said she would sell to buy some rice. She was gasping for breath and it was obvious that she quite sick. We went to where she was living and found that she had a bed base under a roof which had been used to give shelter to a couple of cows. The locals had tried to give her some protection by covering the sides with plastic and vegetation. We asked her where her family was and she explained that her son lived nearby in her house, but her daughter in law didn't like her and she was put out of her own home. I was stunned at this story and could not believe that anyone could do this to another person. The people standing around when we were talking to her told us that this was true and that they all tried to help her whenever they could. We acted immediately. Firstly, two of the team took her to a doctor where she was diagnosed with Pneumonia and given medication. She is now on our monthly list to be given a check up by the doctor. Her son would not allow her back into the house because of his wife, and we knew it would take a lot of negation to be able to sort this out. So the team bought some building materials and set about making "her home" more comfortable. Although it looked very basic when they had finished, it did allow for more protection against the wind and the rain. The roof was full of small holes which had to be fixed. Once they fixed them, they ran an electricity line to the shelter so that she could have light at night. We went shopping and bought her a new mattress, sheets, pillows, clothing, kerosene cooker and kerosene and a rice/ food parcel. In a matter of a few hours her life had improved so much, but not as much as we would have liked. We don't have a lot of surplus money so we can only do so much. We put her onto our monthly food distribution list so that she does not have to walk the mountains anymore to feed herself. The village people report to our area "frontline man" if she has any problems. And when I saw her in October, she cried and smiled as she told me how much better she felt just knowing that there are people who care for her. So far Sukadana hasn't been able to get a positive outcome from her son and daughter in-law. I am hoping that after the Function Centre is completed, we may be able to raise funds to buy a tiny piece of land and build a small house for her. We would keep it in the foundation's name so that in years to come it could be used for others in need of emergency accommodation. If anyone would like to help this gracious woman, I would love to talk to you.
Before
After
Taken on the first day that we met her
This photo was taken in November. She looks much healthier and happy now.
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PAYPAL
We can now offer PayPal if you prefer to pay on line or if you live overseas. There is an additional A$5 fee charged for every A$140.
DONATIONS
Over the year, many people taken clothing, medical supplies, books and office supplies to the foundation in Singaraja; and many others have sent money to the foundation with requests to buy bedding, food parcels, bikes and other things for their sponsor family. In November, a family took 50 gift bags to the Learning Centre and handed them out to the students. The team and I are very grateful for this extra help. Whenever we are given money that can be used at our discretion we put it aside to help people like the elderly woman in the mountains. When we first started the foundation to sponsors children, it never entered our heads that we would be faced with so many people living in such extreme poverty. The Bedding Fund is a project that we believe will have no end. There are so many people sleeping on the ground that it will take years to supply them all with a least one bed per family. Here are a few photos of donated gifts being handed out:
ROCKY
For those who have followed Rocky's story over the years, they will remember the dog that was skin and bone and tied up in the sun with no water. Slowly we educated his owners and we feed him nasi goring three times a day to bring him back to health. Now he is never tied up and he has appointed himself to the position job of our Security Manager. He is the most delightful dog, and no matter how many times he sees me each day when I am there, he always comes up and gives me a kiss. Rocky is always on the pay roll, his wages are very low. All he needs is his Vet bills paid for when he feels sick, or we feel he needs a check up. We thank the Bali Street Dog Fund Australia for the $3,000 that they donate to us each year to help with teachers wages. One of our core subjects at the Learning Centre is Animals Care and all the students love it when Rocky comes to their class room for that subject.
September 2009
SUKMA CHARITY RETREATS
My name is Nikki and along with my hubby Brendan, l have travelled to Bali many times since 1989, doing the usual tourist things etc, but a few years ago law was reading a blog of another traveller called Filo, he was an amazing man, who with his wife had spent many years helping the people of Bali and especially the children in the many Orphanages they visited, with his help l headed to Negara orphanage on my next trip with supplies and donations. It was an experience l will always remember as the start of my journey to do whatever l could to make life a little better for these beautiful children, on returning home we decided sponsorship was a good option and that led me to the "Helen Flavel Foundation". After contacting Helen, we began sponsoring 2 children, one an 11yr old girl, the other a 6yr old boy, on our next visit to Bali we had decided we would go up to Singaraja and meet them, many people are unsure about this being the right thing to do or not, well from my personal view it is something l'm so glad we did, as after visiting the Learning Centre and meeting the children and the wonderful staff it was off to meet the first family. We arrived at her home where we were greeted by mum, dad, Nenek, her elder sister and brother, her twin and baby brother, we spent an hour or so with them and John as interpreter, l was so glad we came and had the opportunity to hear the things they wanted for their children and new that the encouragement to learn would be given. After a recent conversation with our sponsor child, she proudly told me that she was 9th in her year and added with a very cheeky giggle that her twin was 11th... We then headed East to a small village, where our other sponsor child lived, after rally driving for a bit we stopped at what was literally the end of the road, standing there waiting was our sponsor child and his father, after introductions were made by John, we headed off on foot down a dirt path and as we walked l noticed Agus had taken my husband’s hand and was smiling up at him, On closer inspection l could see how moved my husband was by this gesture, and believe me it takes a lot, at home he is affectionately referred to as the Dalai Lama, mister nothing ruffles his feathers. We arrived at the family compound and were made so welcome once again, while there, we learnt that the Foundation had just recently provided them with the materials to build a house, of which they were most proud and wanted to show us everything, at first l was dismayed at the grass mat on the floor of Agus's room that was his bed, l then learnt that he had spent the first 6yrs of his little life sleeping on a mat in the dirt, without walls around him and only thatched roof for protection. On returning to the Learning Centre we had the opportunity to spend some time with Helen and discussed some of the needs of the centre and sponsored families, and so my fundraising journey began..... my first concern was the bedding of our sponsor family, so we organized for mattresses and bedding to be supplied for them, law then started to think what can l do to raise funds for mattresses/bedding etc as after my talk with Helen l realized that there are so many other children and families just like them. So after some thought l decided why not do what l love, as an Art teacher l had many opportunities to discuss with students the plight of these families, so after enlisting the help of my wonderful friend Corinna...that has never been to Bali l might add, we decided to hold a Craft Retreat, we then set about organizing a venue, the local Baptist Church offered use of the hall, we contacted suppliers, made up samples and posted flyers.........The response was fantastic. The projects included Beading, Papercraft, Altered Art and stitchery, a whole day full of fun, food and much enthusiasm for another one!!!!!!! As the girls all know that the proceeds go to the kids and they still get to benefit in projects they take home, it gives all concerned a good feeling. And so the Melbourne "SUKMA CHARITY RETREATS" were born......since June 08 we have run 4 retreats and have a "Vintage Christmas" theme planned for early Nov. The reason l'm writing this, is one l hope that those people unsure about visiting their sponsor child will see that in most cases it's a wonderful thing for all involved, and as l had no idea how desperately lacking in the basics that we take for granted they are, l'm glad we went, as now l get to do the things l enjoy and raise much needed funds at the same time. My hope is that by sharing this it may inspire even one person. Anyone interested in attending one of the "Sukma Retreats" or would like more info on how we run them, can contact me via email on the Foundations Forum. Nikki and Brendan.
TO BALI, WITH LOVE FROM CANADA
The island of Bali is located off the coast of Java in Indonesia. The island is tiny and can be crossed in 3 hours driving north to south and about 4 hours east to west. Although the majority of Indonesians are Muslim, Bali has retained its original Hindu religion and ceremonies – making it a truly remarkable part of the world to visit. On February 3, twelve of us flew to Bali – some for the first time and others, like Dave and I, returned for the fifth or sixth time. This was Lona Lineham’s sixth trip, Anne Granberg, Marg Newby, Linda Thomson, Jackie Holmes, Leslie Dewald, Deb Splinter, Inez Lehne, Wally and Carol Maurice were all newcomers. Our 2-week itinerary included a stop on the northern shore of Bali, near Singaraja. Lona Lineham, her bridge group and Anne Granberg currently sponsor 2 children at the Helen Flavel Learning Centre located near the city of Singaraja - so it was with great anticipation and enthusiasm that we planned our visit to the Helen Flavel Learning Centre. The Helen Flavel Foundation was initiated by an Australian woman, Helen Flavel, to address the educational needs of children in the Singaraja Regency, which is an extremely poor farming area of northern Bali. The Learning Centre in Singaraja was completed in 2006 and provides accommodation for 33 students as well as classroom space. Many students’ villages are too far from the LC to commute each day so they live at the centre and attend local Secondary and High Schools during the mornings. Each morning, the Learning Centre operates a Kindergarten for paying students. The money is used to help cover the costs associated with the Kindergarten as well as operating costs of the Learning Centre. When the Kindergarten finishes at 10 a.m., all afternoon classes offered to the school aged students are given totally free of charge. The Foundation’s web site states, “The Learning Centre is an after-hours educational centre for the underprivileged children to obtain knowledge in the core subjects of the English language, Computing, Music, Dance, Drama, Cross Cultural Studies, Animal Care and any subject that they may be struggling with at school. All classes are run by fully qualified Balinese teachers. The Foundation concentrates on helping children who have a parent or parents who struggle to literally put rice and vegetables on the table each day. In most cases these parents can't afford to even send their children to school. The monthly educational costs for just one child, represents more than the parent would earn working in the rice fields for a full month, 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. For $106.00 per year per student, we will cover on your behalf, all schooling fees, uniforms and school books. Where possible we will also endeavour to pay for medical costs for the students where needed.” At the Helen Flavel Learning Centre, no more that 15 cents of every dollar donated is used for costs related to the up-keep and expenses for the Learning Centre. Donated funds go directly to the area’s most in need at the time. Children’s sponsorships are always available and vital to the success of the Learning Centre programs. One of the Learning Centres’ special projects is the Bedding Fund which was started in December 2007. Helen noted, “We were aware of thousands of people sleeping on a concrete or dirt floor or a hard bed base and decided that we would try to make a difference for them. To sleep this way is not by choice, but due totally on the inability to have the funds to buy a bed or a mattress and many families have no basic furniture." Our group contacted the Black Diamond Lions Club about giving a donation for the Learning Centre. After listening to a presentation about the Foundation, the Lions Club generously chose to donate $1000.00 to the Learning Centre’s Bedding Fund! Our group was thrilled to bits. We arrived at the Learning Centre on Valentine’s Day and were each presented with a silk rose tied with red ribbon and heart. The school was electric with excitement as news of our arrival spread to the top floor. Our welcome was truly Balinese, warm and full of grace and ceremony, making us all feel very special and important. The school’s courtyard was an endless sea of smiles. Before we left for Bali, our group collected items with the Canadian flag or maple leaf insignias – pencils, erasers, stickers, fridge magnets Canadian pins and flags – and we all carried bags full of these Canadiana bits to Bali. Over 100 Canadian flags were distributed to students, students’ families and staff who waved them endlessly throughout the ceremonies and presentations of the afternoon. We distributed our Canadian gifts of pins, stickers and flags which we received from the local MLA’s offices. We were one big happy group – even though we couldn’t speak the other's language! We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the offices of MLA's George Groeneveld and Ted Menzies for their very generous support of our 'Canada Day' program. Our group was dubbed “The Happy Canada Team” and we participated in the school’s English classes, judged an art competition, and listened to the Indonesian national anthem being performed by a proud group of students. We sang ‘Oh, Canada’ and told stories about Canada’s snow, our neighbours, things we do and stuff we eat. Midway through the afternoon, Lona, Ann and I presented the Lion’s Club $1000.00 donation cheque to the Directors of the Learning Centre, Dewi and Sukadana. These funds have been donated to provide bedding for the Learning Centre’s Bedding Fund. Each mattress costs approximately $35.00 with the bed frame and covers being another $35 so the $1000.00 will provide comfort and warmth to for those who need it most. On behalf of the Learning Centre and the people it reaches, our heartfelt thanks go out to the Foothills Lions Club for their generous donation of $1000.00 to the Helen Flavel Learning Centre in Bali, Indonesia. Happy Team Canada explored Bali for 14 days– and our introduction to the Helen Flavel Learning Centre certainly gave us all food for thought and a much greater appreciation for everything we have. In Third World countries like Bali, education is life-changing, not only for the student, but the entire family. Unfortunately, schools are funded on a 'user pay' basis and the majority of Balinese cannot afford to send their children to school. Helen Flavel has directed her efforts towards the education of the very poorest of the poor of Bali's people - and her success radiates in the smile of John Widiarta, who has recently graduated from University with a degree in education and has returned to the Helen Flavel Foundation as a teacher and Foundation Director. Our most recent endeavour is aimed at raising funds for the Learning Centre's kitchen. At the moment, there is no kitchen and meals are prepared at a private home next to the school. Dave and I brought 34 paintings on canvas back from Bali with us. These will be stretch mounted and displayed for sale at Art in the Park in Turner Valley on Saturday, August 8 from 10:00am - 5pm. All funds raised from the sale of the paintings will be applied directly to the Learning Centres' 'Kitchen Project'. Muriel Knowler
August 2009_2
My name is Jennie and my husband Dennis and I have been sponsors through Helen for 5 years. Over the years we have built a couple of houses through the Helen Flavel Foundation, for two extremely poor Balinese families. Although I had never run a fund raiser before, I wanted to help buy furniture for the new building and I decided to try my hand at my first event.
We held a Trivia Night on the 21st August to help raise funds for the new kitchen/dining facilities being built at the moment for the boarders and the day students from the Learning Centre. For all that attended the Trivia Night, I am sure they would agree that the trivia night last night was FANTASTIC!!!!
The response we have had for the night was incredible, we are so excited with the outcome. I was hoping that by putting this information in the Newsletter, I might be able to encourage others to "have a go" and try some kind of fund raising event also.
I would be more than happy to give anyone any kind of information on how we have run the night if anyone is interested.
Maybe we can start some kind of challenge and see if we can have annual fund raising awards.
Everyone that attended did so in such a great spirit and the fun and games were great entertainment!! We even found some new talent in the crowd with some amazing singers and performers (and some who would like to be)
The night raised an amazing $1437.10 which will be a fantastic help for the building which has been called the Multi Functions Centre. The building will also double up as an extra classroom and there is a sports area there too. It will be a wonderful addition for the students.
Thank you to everyone who came and made the night so successful, some photos below.
Jennie
Hi, my name is Shane and my wife Louise have been sponsoring for 4 years now and I would like to tell you of my story on fundraising and how it can help.
I started a simple fundraising venture about 4 years ago bagging mixed lollies and selling them at work. What started out small back then seems to have turned into a project that has me bagging about 4 nights a week. In the past 4 years I have bagged about 30,000 bags of chocolates and lollies which I sell for $1.00 each and the proceeds have helped to fund many projects.
The first was only small buying a new TV for the learning centre and a large tape deck ghetto blaster for the school at which my sponsor children attended and the rest was given as a cash donation to the learning centre as our time had ran out and we had to get back to Kuta.
Next was a toilet and kitchen for my sponsor family as I had already renovated there house after my first visit.
The next project was to build a house for a widow and her children who were living in what I would describe as a chook house, she now has a house with 3 bedrooms and toilet and some basic furniture.
Next was a new extension on another house putting and extra room/kitchen/and toilet on. A motor bike for my sponsor father to enable him to travel further to obtain work, and last was a donation of $4500.00 to assist in the cost of the new kitchen/laundry being built at present for the boarders at the learning centre.
When I wanted to start a project I simply rang or emailed Helen with my idea and she had things on the move within days, costs/time-frames it was all too easy with the great support and help from Sukadana/John/Billy and the rest of the staff from the learning centre.
Photos are before and after Widows house:
Not long ago I had an email from Tina Gale, she explained to me that the Melbourne Bali Enthusiasts had another get-together and they wanted to donate $176.80 from the proceeds raised on their special day. They have donated to us before and we are always very grateful for their support. We needed to buy the new boarders some after hours clothing and this money would help a great deal.
When a new student arrives to live with us, they bring their best clothing with them. The clothing is always very clean but in very poor condition. We try to buy them clothing and shoes so they that will fit in with the other students in the area.
Only a week before Tina's email, Kaz a very generous supporter donated $300 towards clothing for the boarders. I decided to put the money together and as soon as the team had their other commitments completed, it was time for them to go shopping. The students were very excited with their new clothing.
They have a green Learning Centre shirt to wear for group social outings, after hours clothing, sneakers, socks, undies, bath towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and the list goes on, a dollar goes a long way in Bali.
The students and our team wish to thank Kaz and the Melbourne Bali Enthusiasts for their kindness.
This is Tina Gale's story about the Melbourne Bali Enthusiasts Group
A group of Melbourne Bali Enthusiasts have been meeting once or twice a year for the past 9 years or more. We usually have a night time dinner. We used to make a point of eating Balinese, but over the time have found it's our company and common interest that's most important. We can talk and eat and drink anywhere. We had enjoyed each other's company at a park over lunch too, encouraging families with children. Some gatherings, we have chosen to raise some funds, not always, sometimes we just meet and talk and talk and talk. The group has changed over the years and a number of newies seem to join us, some stay and become regulars, some don't. Posters from a number of Bali forums come along. I have found if I contact hotels in Bali where I have stayed, restaurants and spas, once they understand what I am asking for, they are more than willing to donate a voucher or two. I like to encourage them to offer a two for one, so they collect some Rupiah on the day as well as donate. I explain with my request, where we intend to donate some of the takings. We raffle some donations/vouchers and auction others. Some of our raised funds have helped provide basic cooking needs for an elderly lady in Singaraja area, we sponsor a girl for her education needs, some bikes for school children and basic water needs at some schools. We have provided more adequate school desks for a school in Ubud and an oxy viva set for midwife/health nurse. How special we have found many fellow 'Enthusiasts" to be and a number have become great long term friends. I see it as win win, win, win. We have a great night out and enjoy the company and the chatter. The businesses giving vouchers get some promotion (whether they need it or not). The groups and foundations that help Balinese disadvantaged people can use the funds we share. Some diners win vouchers and plan to visit areas which they otherwise wouldn't venture too. We all feel very lucky to have these gatherings.
August 2009
First, I do apologise for the length of time between the last Newsletter and this one. I wanted to have something new and interesting to write about. I have been mindful that people don't want to read about the same things which have simply been put into different words.
Distribution Day
The students went back to school this week, which is the start of the school year. During the last two months things have been really hectic for our team in Bali, the massive job of buying all the uniforms and shoes, all in the correct sizes, plus the school books for each age group, is such a demanding task for the team. Once these items have been purchased, then every student's pack has to be made up with their name on the pack.
These packs are handed to the student on a special Distribution Day. Because we have so many sponsored students, we had numerous Distributions Days spread over four weeks to cover the extensive area where the students live and go to school.
University for Luh
Recently, there was much excitement amongst our team and our senior students. Michael Ballinger, the Founder of Education for the World , contacted me a few months ago. He was impressed with our sponsorship program and that we have sponsors who generously supported some of the poorest students, enabling them to go to school. Michael enquired if we had a female student finishing high school in June of this year. He said that Education for the World was interested in sponsoring a girl who dreamed of going to University, but due to her family's poverty couldn't fulfil her dream.
The successful applicant was Luh Sri Widnyani. Luh has been an outstanding student right through her schooling. She was sponsored by Lisa and Michael Bates for the last five years and has asked us to thank Lisa, Michael, Taryn, Monique, Renee and Michelle Bates, for giving her such a wonderful start in life. Without their help, none of this would be possible.
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Luh will study for four years to gain her degree in teaching. During this time she will be a boarder at our Learning Centre. This will give her the extra opportunity to attend all our afterhours classes, use the computer room for her work, and gain teaching experience from our own talented teachers.
Mike Ballinger and Scott Edmundson, a current board member and former President of Education for the World travelled to Bali early in July, to meet Luh, her parents and the team. After talking with Luh, they realized there would be quite a lot of travelling time involved for her and that due to the very unreliable transport service, something better was needed. They most generously arranged to buy Luh a motorbike which will make life much easier for her.
Report Cards
Some of the sponsors have asked why we don't supply the student's report card, which is a reasonable question. During the first 18 months of operation, we tried very hard to get copies of the reports cards for each student.
Unfortunately, it proved far too difficult for us. It would seem a simple task, and for one student, it would be; but multiply the task by the 150 different schools and 400+ students, and you can see that this is a huge undertaking.
In addition to the sheer numbers, the foundation deals with an extensive geographic area. Furthermore, when we were attempting to do this, the reports would often not be ready when we arrived to retrieve them. Thus, repeated trips were required in an attempt to procure these records.
Ultimately, it was deemed far too time consuming for our Deputy Director, John, to even attempt. We simply do not have the time and resources to carry out such an endeavour.
Multi Function Centre
In my last Newsletter, I wrote about the foundation purchasing eight are of land (20 metres x 80 metres) where we intend to build a new kitchen, laundry, drying room, toilets and an open pavilion area. This is a result of us having to vacate the land which we have been using for the last 3 years, which is where we have a make shift kitchen and laundry to cater for our 33 boarders and our day students.
Melissa Devellerez and the Western Australian committee have been busy with their fund raising events. The money raised from these events have gone straight on the land payments. In December 2008, the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union in Western Australia, gave us the most wonderful boost with a donation of $10,000 to help us pay off the land which cost us A$40,000 to purchase. We hope to have the land fully paid off within the next six months. The Architect's quote for the new building was A$28,000. The Do Foundation in the Netherlands has donated A$24,000 through their country's different grant systems.
Shane and Louise Heawood from Tasmania donated A$4,500 to help us find the extra money needed. We are overwhelmed by the generousity of all the people who have given their time and their money to help us. Without their help, none of this would be possible.
Three weeks ago, the land was cleared and the priest's blessings were done. The labourers have been busy preparing the foundations and retaining walls. I will add more photos of the progress as they come in. We hope that the building will be completed by November.
My gratitude and thanks must go to all our sponsors and supporters for their help during this very difficult time. The World Financial Crisis has affected everyone. I know that to find the extra $120 per year to continue a sponsorship has been difficult for many of our sponsors, so finding a way means all the more...
Kindest thoughts from Helen and all the team.
March 2009
Can you please help us?
In our December 2008 Newsletter, I wrote about the need for the foundation to buy land near the Learning Centre. This was brought about by us having to vacate the land which was loaned to us for our make-shift kitchen and laundry. We must leave the land by the end of the year. To enable us to continue with our work we must start building by September at the latest.
Our fund raising is well underway and some exciting events are planned by the Western Australia Committee who handle our fund raising. The Do Foundation in the Netherlands has been successful in raising part of funds needed to start building. Also some of our sponsors have already decided to do hold fund raising events to help us.
Unfortunately I'm not in the position to run any events myself, the day to day running of the foundation it's about all I can manage. What we really do need are more people who would be willing to hold fund raising events for us. If you could help us in any way we would be extremely grateful.
Kindest thoughts
Helen
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