After reading about Helen's foundation here on the BTF I decided to sponsor a child. Helen forwarded contact information for Adi who knows the location in Singaraja and I made arrangements for him to take us on Saturday. Adi works at the Melia hotel Nusa Dua (M-F) and is now again working a full schedule..so my original Friday choice didn't work. I had also called Sukadana (the program coordinator) in Singaraja. Thankfully they were able to arrange for us to go to visit.
We were picked up at 7 am (drivers are always on time it seems) and headed out. His little car didn't have good a/c so we stopped at his father-in-law's in Denpasar to change cars..to a 4WD with good A/C..my husband was still not feeling so well so the more comfortable car really helped. We drove through the mountains..seeing many Bali dogs..and lots of chickens. It was nice to get out of the more crowded area to the country. Saw women dressed up going down the road for a wedding (at 9 am). Monkeys along the road. Enjoyed the drive..if a bit long. Arrived in Singaraja at Sukadana's house at 10:15 a.m. He explained about the program. Said we'd do paperwork later. Headed up to the village (not too far) and picked up Ayu, "our girl" ..who at nearly 10 years old is quite small. Turns out she had the smallest desk and is about the littlest child in her class..4th grade..and 26 students. (144 students in the school)
We took pictures in front of the school. Oh, on Sat. apparently school is out very early as they were finished already. So unfortunately we could not see the other children or the school in action. We met the headmaster and one teacher who kindly stayed to greet us..and with Sukadana translating they told us a bit about the school and we were able to ask some questions. My husband became quite interested, took lots of pictures. This had been my idea and he didn't really know anything about it before we left..so I was glad he took interest. The basic school is simple. We were impressed with the apparent devotion by the headmaster and teacher. They are very concerned about the children. The headmaster mentioned that they hope we will continue to support Ayu through her school years. They treat all the children equally and are careful not to single out the ones who need outside support. They work to give the children a strong cultural education..helping support the village. On the blackboard was a Balinese song that the teacher sang for us. They study from 7:30 -12:30 generally..no lunch at school. There was a badminton net set up in the courtyard. The classroom had short benches and tables for two children in various sizes..for different sized children. A stack of books were in the cabinet..apparently they don't have enough funds for books for all..they share two students to one book. Only one of the teachers was a woman..otherwise all men..in this elementary school, which is common.
Sukadana keeps in contact with the headmaster and the village leader..to keep track of the needs of the child. In the event that she might need a doctor he would hear from the headmaster and could provide funds for medical care.
We really liked being able to see where Ayu studies and what her life is like. Across the street is a village shop selllng candy and snacks with a pool table and people hanging around. A meeting place it would seem. Then back down the road we visited Ayu's house. She has two older sisters, one married already (20 years old) with a child..but she was there with her parents. Another elder sister (17 yrs) with mental disability..and a younger brother (6). We sat outside on mats on the porch. They gave us rambutan from their tree and some young corn..which thankfully my husband and Adi ate..I just couldn't ignore all the flies... They have a basic house with two bedrooms..double beds... few possessions.. On the porch was one light bulb and they are wired up to the neighbor's electricity..That's their only electric connection..most likely not paid for. No running water..they carry it from a well? nearby. No refrigerator. No ice for cold drinks. The "kitchen" had a place to cook food..and on the stove was ..the pig's food. Dried tobacco stalks provide fuel for cooking. Tied in the yard is their pig..wagging his tail and oblivious to his future. They had a palm tree log there on the ground ..and they hack off pieces..then pummel it..and cook it with rice..so taking care of that pig is quite an important part of life. They will likely sell it later. Near as I could tell , it was their most valuable possession.
There were two old school bags on a table , one for Ayu and one for her little (6 year old) brother. There was a fairly new bicycle ..of a size for her brother. That was the only new item ..seeming somewhat out of place in the dusty, simple house..otherwise there wasn't much..A battery operated clock on the wall. Very simple. Her parents thanked us and sent us away with two bags of rambutan from their tree..which Adi took home later. We stayed about 45? minutes.. They have the requisite Hindu alter? in front of their house..so that's a necessity. It is clear that they do not have extra. Ayu's father is an unskilled laborer and gets whatever work he can. We left with them waving good bye..and I could see Ayu's little brother digging into the sack we brought to see what was inside.
Back to Sukadana's place we filled out some forms for Helen's program..name/info. etc. We saw a young man staying with him and met his two sons. They have a computer and as his wife told me later they are trying to provide English along with computer classes for students in order to provide a better chance for future employment. She is hoping to add a small room for this purpose. They seem to be very generous and concerned people. (Sukadana's wife is a university instructor nearby.) I was certainly assured that the money we provided was well used and the close communication between Sukadana and the village was reassuring. I think they are truly doing a great job and are not wasting any funds with administrative costs..which is a concern to many. Sukadana took us to a restaruant at the beach not far away..a barbecue restaurant which a friend had just opened.. Fish, squid, spinach rice..beer for my husband and Sukadana and Adi had some drink which they poured a soda into..with pink syrup..very sweet. So they like very spicy and very sweet things. Basic lunch was only a little over 100,000 R for four of us.
AFter that we headed back to his house..and we left for our return trip. It started to rain..but it didn't last too long. It was a lot of driving for Adi that day and he is a good driver.. The roads are winding. On the way back we stopped briefly for a look at the lake..where people were boating and having a good time. We had originally planned to walk to the waterfall (Git Git) but my husband was still not feeling well so we skipped it. We did stop at a market where I asked Adi about vanilla beans. He asked around and we were directed to a lady in the back who had one bag with 20+ in a sack. She weighed them and asked 20,000 R.. I gave her a bit more..and was glad to have found them. This market had many baskets of cabbages and some other vegetables. The level of cleanliness left a lot to be desired. Adi bought a bag of fried bananas. We tried one ..it is not a strong banana flavor..tasted similar to the Japanese sweet potatoes that we have. He said he'd have some for breakfast the next day. We continued back and then we drove through the area where there are many stone carvers..many, many. Hard to imagine they can all sell so many carvings. Then we stopped in the silver/gold area..Celuk? I did buy 5 pair of earrings..but even with their 45% discount..not so cheap. I later found (Hardy's art market Sanur) the same earrings which I'd bought. In Celuk? they were 160,000 minus 45%..88,000..and later at Sanur the same ones were 78,000 minus 15% 66,300. So I think those shops really mark things up and you should start at about 33% then settle at about 40-45%..of their opening price.
We drove by Nusa Dua..and Sanur..and back to the hotel. Adi charged 250,000..but as we were gone much longer than 8 hours..I added another 100,000 R. Still wonder if it was enough. As he was recommended by Helen I don't think he was going to really say any more than she had told me..but it was a very long day and a lot of driving for him.
I think this was our best day out. We were able to talk with Adi..learn about things and see the little village. Very different from the few hours in Kuta. I had reservations about going after reading another post about the woman who had been contacted..but as we don't speak any Balinese nor Indonesian..that isn't a problem. I also wondered if it might not be easier for the parents to just know that "someone" was sending money. I am not sure about that..but they seemed glad to see us and I am very happy to have met Ayu. She will be told that she should study and that we will keep paying if she works. So maybe having met us, she will work a bit harder. So if you sign up for Helen's program, your money is being well used. If you visit a weekday might give you a better chance to see the school in session..or if you are staying at Lovina..it would be a perfect chance to go there. Sukandana spent nearly 4 hours with us ..and it was a good experience.