| | One happy little boy
By Helen Flavel 
I ask to be taken the next day to see baby Kadek and his family, when I arrived at the family compound I was staggered to see their living conditions, they were indeed very poor . This little boy had hardly any top lip, his palate was far from perfect. Many babies with CP would be very thin and sickly by this age, but not this little man, he was perfect, chubby and smiling, his Mother has to be commended for her patience and loving care. I knew I had to do something, so for the following 90 minutes back to my hotel I sent text messages on my mobile phone to everyone I knew explaining about the plight of this baby and his family and hoping for donations. I received many messages back, but to my disappointment everyone kindly wished me luck, but no one offered to help in financial way. I was getting very despondent when I remembered a few phone calls and emails I had over the previous year with a Rotarian living in Perth Mr Noel Allen, I madly penned my thoughts on paper, then sat down and emailed him from my hotel. I had been in my room about 15 minutes when my mobile phone rang and it was Noel telling me that Rotary would be only to happy to help. Noel ask me to contact Mr Jo Rosarius from Nusa Dua Rotary and to give him all the details. I phoned Jo and explained the situation, 20 minutes after our conversation he faxed me with an appointment time the next week for Kadek to see the Head of the Plastic Surgery Department at Sanglah Hospital.The day arrived and the family had been given transport in a mini bus to come to the hospital, Kadek looked so handsome in his spotlessly clean yellow fluffy rug and matching hat. Once the specialist examined Kadek he stunned us all by saying the Kadek was to be admitted immediately and he would operate the next morning, he said all credit had to be given to Kadek's Mother who had done such a wonderful job of keeping the little boy well and healthy. 
The rest is history, Kadek's first operation was an outstanding success, he now has a full top lip and while I was in Bali in August he had his second operation, his third and final operation will be when he is 6 years old. My husband Ron and I made a commitment to complete Kadek's family home, hopefully the workers will have the floors and the ceilings finished soon and Kadek will be able to crawl around without harming himself. My heartfelt thanks go to Noel Allen, Jo Rosarius and all the Rotary members for the work they do to help people in need. I know there is now one more family in Bali , who have Rotary to thank for their happiness. If any readers would like to help a family or child in Bali I would be delighted to hear from them. You can reach us via the Contact Us link. | |
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Kadek's Story
