Zoie and the GERO Crew's visit to Komang

In May this year I went with three friends to Bali on our annual sojourn. I thought this would be a great opportunity to visit my sponsor child Komang. After consultation with my friends we decided to go and visit Komang and his family so arrangements were made and we were off to Singaraja.

We went first to the Learning Centre and were fortunate to meet Helen personally. She gave us a conducted tour and we loved and admired what we saw. Then Helen arranged for John at the Foundation to accompany us to Komang's home.

Before we left we asked Helen what she thought was appropriate that we took with us. So she said of course Food. We then under John's guiding hand went to the local market and bought various food staples plus some luxuries incense soap etc.Back into the car Rice sacks under our feet and the car packed to the hilt with food. Well after maybe half an hour of driving we arrived at Komang's house. What we felt defies description.

Upon entering the family compound we could tell that they had virtually swept the dirt to make a grand entrance for us. We have all been to Bali many many times and have seen poverty however this was different this very proud family was making us feel very welcome and we all felt extremely humble and blessed to be a part of it.

John said to Komang say thankyou to Zoie for her sponsorship, I said stop right there I am the one to thank Komang for allowing me to be a part of his family and their journey he didn't ask me to do this I volunteered. Komang lives with his Aunty Uncle and four girl cousins. So I came home to my husband now knowing that we will take on the five children if the need is there.

The Friends I went with have each made a silent commitment to Komang's family to help in any way they can. Donating Food Clothing etc.

This experience changed our lives we felt lucky to have the lives we have, and happy to be blessed to be a part of this family's humble existence. We all left with Red Eyes and Red Nosed and very grateful for this experience. We also feel that what Komang's family was lacking in material goods was certainly made up with a good healthy dose of Love and Caring.

Thank you Helen and the Foundation for making that life changing visit possible.

The great outcome of that Visit was that we decided that we wanted to do something to help so we started thinking of how we could Fundraise. The next Month there was a Psychic Expo being held in our town by all the local Healing Practitioners. So we busied ourselves getting a Raffle together. We enlisted a few more ladies to help in our great quest and put together a beautiful Pamper Pack of donated goods to the Value of $250.00. We sold tickets at the one day Fair for $1 and at the end of the day we had raised $600.00 towards Mattresses for the new Hostel.

We are now in the throes of organising another Fund Raising Event so we hop we can contribute a sizeable amount to the Foundation for the ongoing support the Hostel will need. It has been so much fun and it has bought a lot of like minded people together doing something worthwhile for so many that have so little.

Once again thanks to Helen for this life changing opportunity. You can count on us for continued support a great relationship has been forged.

Zoie and the GERO Crew (Geraldton W.A.)

(Susan,Sonya,Rose,Katie,Judy)

Robyn's visit to Kadek

After visiting Bali in 2002 I wanted to do something for the island that has given us so much pleasure. I was thrilled to learn about Helen's foundation. What appealed to me was the effort taken by the Foundation to ensure the money is used in a sensible way. The families weren't looking for handouts but sincerely wanted their child to benefit from an education and the fact that Helen and her team bear the cost of administration.

In 2004 we returned to Bali and were able to visit Kadek's school in Singaraja. We talked with Nyoman Sukadana the (Director of HFF) and we were able to discuss the Foundation and the selection of children for the scholarships. He told us that the parents of the children must be as committed as the child and the sponsors needed to be committed too. He showed us where the learning centre was to be built and organised for his wife Dewi to pick up some resources for Kadek's school as we were not sure what would be appropriate.

We met up with Dewi and an array of school officials, had a very grand signing over of the resources session, all the time little Kadek seemed quite overwhelmed, and then it was off to the class room.

The whole class welcomed us with a 'Good Morning to You' song, to show off their English. The boys were delightful and cheeky and the girls sweet and shy. We played a quiz game so that they could further show off their English skills. The school has about 170 students and 8
teachers. They have only just been able to afford an English teacher (one of Dewi's ex- students). English is on the curriculum from Grade 4 but Dewi and I agree that it would be better started earlier. After the game the boys all gather around to practice English while the girls look on. There are 4 children being sponsored through HFF at the school and we are the first sponsors to visit.

We left the school with grins from ear to ear and head down the hill to meet Kadek's family. Kadek's father greeted us with fresh coconuts to drink. There was a heart rending moment when I met Kadek's mum. Whilst we couldn't speak many words, the look in her eyes conveyed everything of her love and hopes for her beautiful little girl.

When I asked Kadek what she wants to do when she finishes school, she promptly replied "Guru" (teacher). As a teacher myself I felt a little burst of pride and I guess I can look forward to HECs fees from Bali in the future!

When I returned from Bali, Nyoman organised for some of his uni students to contact me via the email to respond to questions for their Cultural Studies program. They asked all sorts of interesting questions about marriage, divorce, parenting, jobs, government etc. I hope that at some time in the future I will be able to return to Bali for an extended period in order to do some teaching at the Learning Centre or at Kadek's school.

Regards, Robyn

Maureen Massey and John Fortune visit Putu

Saturday 9th June 2007. This was the day we got to meet our sponsor child and family for the first time.

The driver Made, arranged by Helen Flavel, picked us up at 8am and off we went for our long drive. We found Made to be very nice and extremely helpful. We arrived at The Learning Centre and were shown around by a lovely young man named John. The Centre is very well set out with an extensive library, all donated by sponsors etc. There is a kindergarten with stacks of toys, paints, books etc and 4 new small tables and chair sets. We were also shown a classroom that had a few computers and other suitable furniture. Obviously the Centre is very focused on furthering the children's education and we were very impressed with all that we saw.

We had taken some books on Australian animals, picture dictionary's, pens, pencils, chalk and other learning equipment, which they were very grateful for. There was a class of older children in session so we showed them on the map where we were from and answered a few questions. They gave a big clap when I spoke to them in Bahasa Indonesian, of which I know just a little.

From the Learning Centre we went to our sponsor child's home along with Made and John.

We stopped at a local market as we wanted to take some rice etc for them. The system there was a great idea, you just told the stall holder how much you wanted to spend and they make up a suitable batch of rice, eggs and spices, great idea.

We got a very warm welcome from the family, our sponsor child Putu is a 7yr old girl and is such a sweetie, but of course just meeting us was a little daunting and she was a little shy. These wonderful people who obviously have very little, had a plate of grapes and bottles of drinking water ready for us. We were invited to sit on the only thing they had in their tiny lounge area, which was a small straw mat. We were extremely humbled by their generosity and thoughtfulness.

We had taken a bag of toiletries and personal gifts for each member of the family, also a suitcase of clothes, linen and home wares for all, these were things that I had cleared from our cupboards at home and some I bought quite cheaply. For our sponsor child we had a bag of school stuff plus toys, hair ties, backpack etc. We looked at the things that we had taken for the little one with her, and left the family to go through their things in their own time.

Unfortunately some of the clothes we took for the child were too small, so we said to give them to whoever needed them in the village. Mum and Dad were ever so grateful and shook our hands many times. We did not want our first visit to be too awkward so after an hour we said our goodbyes.

As we were staying in Lovina for the night we called back into the market the next morning and chose a few outfits for Putu, including one that was suitable for ceremonies, we did this because most of the clothing we had taken was too small. On our way back to Kuta we called into the Learning Centre as we knew that Putu would be there and passed on the clothing for her. We were amazed at how many children were present, from ages approx 5yrs to teenagers, all gave us a cheery "Hello". I can't wait to visit again, hopefully next year.

Upon our arrival at home in Australia I found that The Helen Flavel Foundation website had been updated and noted that some children living in the outer regions were known not to be able to carry on their education past yr 6, as there is no secondary school. The only option for them was then to work in the rice fields.

The Foundation had stepped in and arranged for these children to be accommodated in the Centre with mattresses scattered in the classrooms, then at least they could have a reasonable education, which is something that Australian's feel is every child's right.

This of course means extra finances would be needed to buy the necessary bedding, food and everyday needs. We felt that this was such a noble cause and immediately sent some funds to assist, it wasn't a great deal of cash, but every little helps in these circumstances.
Thumbs up for the Foundation and all the hardworking volunteers who support it, they are doing a fabulous job.

Maureen Massey and John Fortune.

Rod Reynolds & Justin Harding visit Wayan

Our association with Helen Flavel and the Learning Centre began just over a year ago. Whilst trawling through the Bali Travel Forum website we chanced upon someone talking about their experience sponsoring a child through the Foundation. From there we checked out the Foundation's website and was very impressed with the work that they do. We contacted Helen and organised to sponsor an 11 year old boy called Wayan.

Wayan lives with his Mother, Father, Sister and Grandmother on virgin land just outside Singaraja. The family is allowed to live on the land in return for doing odd jobs for the owner of the land. Wayan's father is an unskilled labourer, who is blind in one eye and thus has limited employment opportunities. To make some money he climbs palm trees collecting coconuts. The family live in a makeshift 2 room bamboo hut which offers only limited protection from the elements. They have no basic amenities and cooking facilities are limited to a few pots and pans and an open pit fire.

In August last year we went to Bali for 2 a week break and while there took the opportunity to travel to Singaraja to visit Wayan. We arrived at the Learning Centre with bags of donated goods we had brought from Australia. A special mention must go to a couple from Nedlands in Perth, Western Australia whose names escape me at this point. They donate a lot of stuff to various people and charities in Bali. We got in contact with them before we headed over and they gave us heaps of towels and other goods to take with us. Thanks goes to a number of other friends who gave us donated goods to take over as well. It was all very much appreciated.

When we arrived at the Learning Centre Sukadana and Padmadewi greeted us and showed us around the Centre including its library, pre-primary school and computer room. We were introduced to the lovely people who volunteer their time as teachers at the Centre. After that we travelled to a market in Singaraja and purchased food and goods for Wayan and his family. We spent RP570,000 which is about AU$85. This gave the family about 3 – 4 months worth of food staples and hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste.

We had a great time with Wayan and his family and the one thing that struck me was that while they struggle in their day to day lives to afford a simple existence, they seem happy. We "Westerners" could learn a lot from those beautiful and humble people!

After leaving Wayan and his family we travelled back to the Learning Centre. We met the students there and participated in a question and answer session which was great fun. The laughter and the smiles on the faces of all the kids at the Learning Centre are a memory we will cherish forever. Their happiness was infectious.

The whole experience was very humbling and we were actually quite embarrassed to arrive back at our hotel fit for a king whilst these people made do with a hut made out of bamboo sticks and mud.

Helen, Sukadana and Padmadewi and all the volunteers running the various facets of Helen Flavel Foundation need to be congratulated on the absolutely wonderful job they do. The value of their service to the Balinese is beyond comprehension.

In future years, and as finances permit, we would like to increase our commitment to our varied philanthropic activities. We have a special love for Bali, as do a lot of people, and we’d like to do more for its beautiful people. A good start will be increasing our contribution to Helen’s Foundation.

Leonie, Glenn and Stacey visit Komang

Our visit to Lovina and Singaraja was to meet our sponsor child. We had never been there before but it will now be on every visit to Bali's agenda.

We first visited the Learning Centre that has been set up and the children go there after school for extra learning. From kindergarten through to higher school. It was much much better than we expected it to be and can see why the children would love to go there every day. The set up and the books and facilities (including computers and fans) were fabulous. We took a large hard back illustrated book on Australia but discovered that we could have taken our story books and encyclopaedias etc too. Very heavy to cart but if there is 2 or 3 of you then a few slipped into luggage shouldn't make a huge dent. We weren't sure if they could read our story books and rhymes but they can and they enjoy.

Our daughter spent an hour at the learning centre after school with the kids and they all enjoyed even though they were all shy including our daughter. From there we travelled with them to the school and I can't tell you just how exciting this was. I took 2 more large Australian books to the school and because we took lollypops....we did a quiz with them. We were to ask them questions and when they answered they received there prize. We asked them such things as name 5 fruits, name 5 animals etc and they answered and wrote on the board in English. And we were to say if it was correct etc. We loved this interaction with the children of Komang's class as much as they did and pretty soon we had little heads from the whole school appearing from every nook and cranny all very relaxed eating their lollypops.

Glenn took photos of the whole school and it wasn't easy to get them all together in the frame but he did it. What lovely shots, we were very impressed with how professional the teachers dressed and looked and they enjoyed us being there, said we were special via visitors. We certainly felt it. From the school we all travelled to Komang's parent' warung. It used to be on the front of their house but wasn't getting enough business so they relocated them to the main road corner which made for a 2 kilometer walk I would think but they are busier. The father is an unskilled labourer and this is their only income.

We met with her parents and I bought up rice in banana leaves and drinks and was delighted that Komang herself made me the avocado and chocolate drink that I ordered. The mum had made us a gift of black rice in pretty little flower moulds, made with love I could tell, and they were delicious. We then travelled with Komang and her father to their house. The mum had to work the warung. My god was all we could think.......

Glenn took a look and then walked back outside stunned. We knew it would be bad but not this bad. They slept on a bit of rag and bamboo mat on the floor. We couldn't have this and immediately asked Sukadana how much 2 mattresses were. The price for 2 beds (1 for the 3 girls to share) and (1 for mum and dad to share) with the 2 mattress, 2 bed frames and bed heads, 4 pillows and 2 bolsters was 1.3 million rp or about $177 Aust. For the lot so off to the ATM we went. To us now, Bali is not about just going to have a holiday, it has taken a new turn with having this family to help and we will never again go for the soul reasons that we have before. The father was so skinny and with not many teeth and looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and when he knew he was gong to have a bed for the first time in his life and some food for a month he must have shaken Glenn' arm for an hour straight. He was so lovely.

We took him back to the warung and then we took Komang to the local Singaraja markets and put in an order for rice and spices and onions and coffee, toothpaste, soap and supplies and this will have lasted the family a month. This means that any profit on their little warung hopefully will be 100% for that time frame. This cost us 350 000rp ($50) and you can buy more but we were buying the beds and we wanted to buy some more things for Komang. She had never owned a traditional outfit before and so when the school has a ceremony ....and every 25 days there is one for a full moon, the children wear their Kabaya/sarong etc. Komang has never been able to and has just changed her top.

We bought her an outfit and some sparkly shoes to go with it. Sukadana said that for once she would fit in with the classmates and this was a dream for her. We then bought her some new black school shoes and 2 pairs of socks and some underwear, an umbrella so she wont get wet when walking to school, Some pretty lilac and white rubber thongs and all this for about $30. The people at the markets here have been told about us sponsor families coming in to buy supplies and they agreed to give any of us that come special prices. Works for them and the families and for us.

On our way back to the warung from the markets we bought Komang her very first ice cream if I hadn't thought it to be too rude, I would have taken a photo of the delight on her little face as she was eating it. What a treasured moment. Funnily enough she chose coffee over chocolate. We were to all enjoy lunch at a little warung and for the 7 of us(including our driver)for food and drinks the total was 50 000rp ( $7),and we really enjoyed the outing with them. We gave mum a bag of clothes and a bag of bras and a pair of aussie thongs and dad a bag of clothes...he has said that he would like a shirt....we were thankful that we had given him a bag full. We also gave him a pair of aussie thongs. We gave the 3 girls a bag of clothes each...some new, in pretty pink supre bags and a few little toys and they clung to them like they were never letting go, especially the soft toys. We put Komang' in a special pink princess backpack with a few other treats like hair brush and clips etc seeing as she was our actual sponsor child. We didn't want to over do it for fear of upsetting the neighbours etc but Sukadana said the neighbours were very happy that we were helping them. We gave the neighbours kiddies pencils and I am sure any outfit too big or small will be shared. We also bought from their warungs as they all seemed to have them. I wish I had realized that the things really needed were sheets and pillowcases and towels and plastic plates and cups etc, basics that they just don't have or have enough of. Their house was a box and the bathroom to match. Next trip we will bring more of these items. We were really pleased to be able to see their house and gage what is needed. Sukadana told us to come at 9am the next morning on our way back to Legian to see the new beds as they would be there. The 3 of us couldn't sleep with the excitement. We went to the beach and purchased 2 double woven throws to take for the beds to keep clean. They can lie on them or under them up to them but a solution to sheets quickly.

Next morning as we travelled past the warung it was empty (we were told there would just be John and the dad at the home) hmmmmmm. When we arrived they were all there waiting, Sukadana, John, mum, dad, grandmother, the 3 children and all the neighbours. When we walked in and saw the 2 beds we almost cried with joy. How smart they looked and how proud they were.

We were told that the father' health will now improve as he is up off the floor and he and the mum will now get private time together. The three girl' eyes were nearly popping at their great grand sparkly bed. They couldn't stop thanking us and we couldn't stop smiling we were so excited for them. This memory will forever remain with us.
All the kids were dressed in clothes we had taken them and Sukadana said that after we had gone the previous day they had excitedly emptied all the bags. The middle girl (6 years) had Komang' new lilac thongs on and when I asked where hers were I was told she had none. A quick trip down to the neighbour' warung and I bought her some. Now everyone had their thongs and as mum had new aussie ones she gave her old ones to Nenek (granny) as she was barefoot and had none. We waved goodbye as we drove off but all we could think of was somehow getting enough money saved to go back again. (should be this coming December 2007). We have since sent enough money to the foundation to buy a bag of rice for our sponsor family and also one for the boarders that are going to be at the learning centre from July. We will endeavour to do this whenever we feel we can. We thank Helen and all the team for allowing us to be a part of something so wonderful.

Leonie, Glenn and Stacey Radalj.
Perth WA.

Shirley and family visit Gede

Our sponsor child's name is Gede and we have been sponsoring him through the Helen Flavel Foundation for 2 years now. Although I have known Gede since he was born

When I found out that the Helen Flavel Foundation covered the area where my Balinese friends live, I approached Helen and ask if this family would fit within the foundation's guide lines. After Sukadana the Director and Helen met with the family, Gede was enrolled. Now we can help him through the foundation. This is good for us, because I wanted a formal structure when paying for the school fees and that is all done by the HFF team in Bali.

Dede, is Gede's father and he used to work at a hotel where we stay in Bali, his mother worked at KFC. When they had there second child, they went back to their village in Tambling, to breed a few pigs and live with in their extended family. They were hoping to breed chooks, but didn't go ahead because they worried about the onset of Bird Flu. Now Dede does odd jobs for his extended family and other people in his village to support his wife and two children

We always take some toys for the kids, and two, 25 kilo bags of rice, some coffee, sugar, a box of noodles, eggs, cooking oil, powered milk and biscuits and a few other things

On our last visit we went to see Gede's school and took exercise books, pencils scissors etc, also some sports toys like large balls, tennis balls, puzzles etc. It was a wonderful visit to the school and we were given special treatment. We met all the school children and we were even invited to share morning tea with the teachers.

We really enjoy sitting around with the whole family talking and eating what we call “real Balinese food” home cooked and delicious. The family have taken us to see a few big waterfalls, they have told us not many tourists would get to see, it's good to see Bali through their eyes.

It takes 3 hours to get to the mountain area where they live, so we can only stay for about 3 hours before the return drive back to our hotel. Last visit we broke the trip up and stayed overnight in Lovina, it was good not to have rush and much better than feeling tired after a very long day of travelling.


Gede is now eight and in grade 3, he is a very nice cheeky fun loving boy and they are our Bali family.

From Shirley and family.