It all started again last Wednesday when, after much searching, we were ready to begin the job of filling them. The hold-up had been brushes and combs. A surprise. None at all in Macros so off to Matahari to be met with blank stares even with a sketch in the note book to help the language difficulties. No Brushes, no combs! OK. We're not beaten yet. Off to the Bintang in Seminyak.
Ah haaa. 13 small boys combs! Yes have more.
Out from under the counter came sets of brushes (1) and combs (3) in packs with a beautiful blonde Indonesian lady printed on the cardboard pack.
Check the price.
No wonder they were under the counter.
Hurried discussion.
OK. We'll take them because it will probably cost us more to go in to Denpasar to search there.
How many?
26. We'll break the packs down and some girls will get brushes and some combs and some boys will get ladies combs. They might not know the difference.
We had brought some with us and a few of the bags had come to us will some in them. 230 total now. Enough.
And it was a good job that we had brought face cloths with us because they seem to be an unknown object in Indonesia.
Wednesday the room at the Sinar Bali would have looked most strange to anyone coming in. First the bags were sorted in to boys bags on my side of the bed and girls on Hers.
Face cloths sorted to match the colous of the bags. Soap holders too as much as we could colour co-ordinaste. Combs and brushes likewise, then start filling asnd putting in to separate bags ready to hand out.
Thuirsday an early start to Negara and no stops along the way. Well, only a couple. Nature you know, or you will when you get older.
Checked out the 'best hotel in Negara', the Ratu. Superior roomswerre not but the deluxe was about 2* and OK for a night or two when we return.
Off to the orphanage, Panti Asuhan Alsa Kasih. We are remembered by the Pimpinan, Dalbadi, and his wife, Rini. Even some of the kids I think but numbers are down and some are new since our last visit.
Chuppa Chups all round for openers (would you expect anything else?)
Special presentation packs to them both (same contents but different packaging) and Dalbadi makes a great show of carefully combing his thinning hair. The kids divide and I hand out the boys and Herself to the girls. GREAT EXCITEMENT as those who are waiting crowd around those who are opening theirs. By the time the last come forward the real excitement is waning and its time for the next burst, the knitted woolen Teddy Bears and the excitement really reached fever pitch and all control and restraint was lost, even for the older boys who must be in their late teens. With no sense of embarassment they wanted a Teddy - and they got one.
It was a place and a time that you really had to see to fully appreciate. I had to stop and rush back to the car for no good reason except to wipe my eyes a couple of times.
Photos will follow on the web pages after we get home but our thanks must go to all who made up those bags and sent them to us and to the Commonwealth Police team who donated the Teddies.
We still have some bags left at home, enough fo the forseeable future visits, but having looked further in to the facilities I think that next time it will be pillow cases. When you see the photos you will understand why.
Thanks again and please pass this news on to others who may have helped but who will not get this message.
It was a day of mixed emotions, all of then very strong.