followed Sukadarna( the husband of Dewi who is the Director of the Learning Centre )on his bike to the centre which has just recently opened in Singaraja. Had a quick look around and then took Sukadarna in Mades car to find our way to our sponsored childs house.
Sukadarna pointed out where some of the kids live and how far they have to walk to school ,Hannah was quite amazed at that thought as it was certainly quite a distance.Especially even when we walk to school prob. takes 7 mins.
arrived shortly after parked the car loaded up with the bags containing pressies for Ketut Dana and clothes,toiletries fistaid bits etc for the family. Sukadarna directed us down a narrow path and felt a bit like the pied piper with neighbours,friends etc joining on to our line, very eager to see what was happenening with western visitors in their village.
Wasnt sure what to expect really. We had actually dropped in at the school on the way but due to all their ceremonies coming up school was out early so hoped Ketut Dana was at home.
Wandered in to their quite bare dirt yard to be meet with smiling faces who were all very quick to offer greetings in Balinese some of which i understood and the rest of which was kindly translated for us by Sukadarna. The extended family was gradually joined by the friends and neighbours and their young kids.
The little girl we had sponsored seemed a bit in awe of the whole situation probably due to the fact that no english is spoken .Wasnt sure what her family called her so asked the mother and was told "Septa". Septa who is 6 was still in her navy and blue school uniform and compared to Hannah who is 8 prob just half the size.
Shortly after, the mum disappeared in side, to reappear with our photos that Helen had taken over prior of which were now in a frame and had just been taken from their wall. The mum explained this was a reminder on how lucky her daughter was and how our pictures were Septas incentive to try harder at school so she may have the chance to have a better life and future than what they had..
Thought i was holding it all together well after already being thanked a hundred times by this stage. Sukadarna indicated to give the pressies etc to Septa and her mum of which we did. Have some beautiful pictures of her with a dressed bear Hannah had made from a kit.Think she was totally overwhelmed like our kids at Xmas time.
Felt a bit mean that all the other kids onlooking didnt have anything so asked Made to bring in another 'just in case bag' i had in the car with bears cars etc and just luckily had enough for all so everyone happy.
Just couldnt stop those tears from happening when the mum hangs on to my arm looks me straight in the eyes and says; that she wants to say thank you and it comes from deep in her heart and she never dreamt that this would ever happen for her family and she would pray for us ,which was all said in Balinese and then translated . Not sure why but hannah ended up crying too so very emotional to say the least.The appreciation is just so great cant believe how much this $120 sponsorship means to them. Being an unskilled laborer the dad was out trying to get some work and an apology given for him not being present. Apparently the mum gets up really early to make a porridge type food of which she trys to sell around the village whilst the grandmother watches the 18 month old as well.
After photos of everyone it was time to leave and of course accompanied back up the path to our car by a trail of people. Said the goodbyes with many thanks given again and headed off to the learning centre, very pleased we had decided to sponsor a child through Helen Flavel and just how much small things can make a huge difference to someone elses life...
Cont... Judi