Couldn't but help notice a bit of commontion further down under a topic by funksoul titled "money for orphans day out!!!!!". Now seeing Gwenda mentioned my name in her last response have decided to do a late JBR for Gwenda, funksoul, anyone who may be interested and hopefully, most of all, for the children of Jati 2 orphanage.
Last year researching and planning a trip to Bali came across a post by 5Gwenda about an orphans day out. As we were going to be in Bali at the same time (Sept), enthusiastically made contact with Gwenda wishing to be a part of it.
We had the most wonderful day and would have to be one of the highlights in my travel memories. My friends and I met Gwenda for the first time a few nights before to make arrangements, although Gwenda (who has done this on occasions in the past) did most of the organisation.
Have to say that my friends who are not as trusting as me were initially a bit reluctant prior to meeting Gwenda, and all my enthusiasm and talk seemed to push them away even further. To be fair to them they had never been on the BTF etc. and were wondering what they were letting themselves into. Although Gwenda is 100% trustworthy they were more comfortable to offer to pay for things on the day (such as ice-creams, drinks etc)rather than hand over money to someone they had never met before and that worked out just fine.
When Gwenda told me that there would only be about 5 or 6 of us taking out 70 orphans, aged between about 5 and 16 to the beach I went into panic mode. Even more so when I heard that many of them could not swim. (apparently some who were from the mountains had never even seen a beach before). I'd only just arrived in Bali, had not yet time to unwind and I remember saying to Gwenda "I can't even manage my own child half the time, how are we going to do this, what if someone drowns etc".
Gwenda had it all under control. We met up on the beach near the Inna Kuta Hotel along with another couple from the BTF (Karen and partner) and later in the day also Danny and his partner (of Reflections restuarant).
Gwenda had her own little army of helpers (locals) who had been involved before and were there to help as well. These included the tourist police (as their office was right there) the lifesavers to name a few. Also some of the beach sellers Gwenda knew provided drinks etc all at cost price as their way of wanting to help and contribute.
Three colourful buses arrived with all the children, heads hanging out the windows, arms waving, excitement that was contagious.
Many who had met Gwenda before huddled around her wrapping their arms around her for a much needed cuddle. It was very moving. Others were more reserved and politely lined up and shook hands with each of us as they introduced themselves.
It wasn't long before half of them were in the water squealing with laughter as they played and took turns slipping off the body-boards we had hired. I'd brought some water bombs which were a hit for the little ones who preferred to not venture out too far. A few of the older ones took it as their responsibilty to keep the children between the flags.
Gwenda was up on the sand under the trees most of the time having organised games with the other half of the children. She was up there getting involved in wheel-barrow races, three-legged races and God only knows what else she came up with for they all had so much fun and never tired of her games.
My girlfriend Sandy noticed a few children sitting alone under a tree looking a bit sad. When she asked what was wrong she found out that they really wanted to go swimming but only had jeans that they did not want to get wet. No problem as Sandy said she would buy them shorts. As they were choosing shorts, before Sandy knew it other children started joining in. Sandy chuckled as she said to me (half expecting all the 70 children to want new shorts)"What have I let myself in fo here"? Was not to be the case though and we were so pleasantly surprised that in all only about 10pairs of shorts were asked for and the children chose the cheapest ones (which were sold at cost price)and some of them even took turns sharing the new shorts. (a good lesson for my son I hoped (lol)).
A popular item we brought along for the day were soccor balls as the boys are keen soccor players. My son also brought a rugby league ball and it was really quite hysterical to see the looks on their faces as they examined this strange shape, even more so when they started playing with it and seeing the way it bounced. Frisbees they had also not seen before and enjoyed.
Towards the end of the day the children performed beautiful traditional songs and dances for us. My friend Sandy then suggested we all perform one of ours for them. The 'Hokey Pokey'. We were in a big circle with the children who joined in as best they could. The song was punctuated by fits of giggling and laughter from the children especially when we got to the bit that goes "you put your backside in and you shake it all about".
The buses arrived at about 2.30 to whisk the children away and there were some sad farewells.
Later in our trip we visited the children at their Jati 2 orphanage. We took along some donations and the children remembered us and were very excited to see us again. As at the time, there were about 140 children at the orphange (because of the numbers) only about half had been able to attend the day out at the beach. This next trip Gwenda is organising (depending on how many helpers join her) will no doubt include all the ones who missed out last time.
Some people from the BTF had sent Gwenda some money to put towards the orphanage and(as I mentioned in a previous post)the director of the orphanage proudly showed us 4 new toilets waiting to be installed that Gwenda had used this donation to buy. Prior to this they only had one toilet for an orphanage that at the time housed 100-140 children and was growing every day.
These are just some of my memories from this wonderful day which was a also very enriching experience.
Gwenda and Karen (from the BTF) please feel free to add any of your memories.
With best wishes Lolita (Kathy)