On June 6 Chris and I will travel to Bali for the umpteenth time for a four-day trip. This trip will be like no other we have taken, as this time we will be returning with Komang and his Parents. For those who haven't heard about Komang, our organization Southern Cross Bali Association is bringing this child to Perth for a life enhancing operation to correct his clubbed feet. (His picture can be seen on our web-page www.scrossbali.com) We first heard about Komang 18 months ago, but at that time we were very busy fundraising for a few kids with cerebral encephalitis, who needed shunts placed in the brain cavity to drain excess fluid from the brain. These kids came first as did a few other cases we had on the books so our finances were being stretched. (Which is nothing new) We searched high and low for a surgeon, who could travel to Bali and perform the operation only to be told it had to be a teaching surgeon. As you can appreciate there are not too many of them, let alone one who was willing to travel to Bali, with all its problems at that time. So the committee decided that we would bring Komang to Perth. Fundraising started with a raffle with $1000 being the first prize and we continued to run the Friday night raffles at the local pub, Sherlock's in Alexander Heights. We asked for x-rays of Komangs feet, and this in itself was like a relay. John Twine was in Lovina at the time and picked up the x-rays for us, he passed them on to Roo-Ted, who passed them to Linda (scully) who passed them on to me. I hawked them around work RPH and gave them to a group of surgeons I didn't know. They kindly took the time to look at them and told me the way to go. We left the instructions with Linda, and Chris and I returned to Bali, in March this year to meet Komang for the first time. The meeting took place at Hi5 rehab in Lovina, a place run by our very good friend Merieke, who looks after kids with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. We have looked after some of her needs for about four years now. When we first saw Komang we knew we had to do what ever it takes to give this kid a decent shot at life. We fell in love with the fire in his eyes and his fighting spirit. We took photos of him and his parents, and while we were there the news came from Scully in Perth that she had been given the name of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who was willing to provide his services for free. To say we were elated is an understatement. We sat down and had three meetings with the family of Komang, and answered all their questions trying to put to rest any fears they had. These people had never left Singaraja never mind visited another country. We agreed to bring out both parents with Komang and to provide for the other three children while the parents were away. We came back down to Kuta high as a kite, but very much aware of what we had just taken on. It was going to be a monumental task. While in Bali we met up with Cracker and Rae whom we had met once before. Down at Sammy and Suzie's one evening, we showed them the photos and they at once said they would hold a fundraiser for Komang. The raffles at Sherlock's were going to take ages to raise the funds needed. So in the last few days of that holiday we, Ted, Jean, Cracker, Rae, and Smudge literally knocked on doors in and around Kuta asking for donations of accommodation and meal vouchers. The response was overwhelming. The gig at Crackers bar in Mandurah raised over $4000, an incredible effort when you consider that about 120 people attended it. I am forever in debt to Cracker, Rae and the people who gave so generously that night, and to the People in Bali for their donations. We now had the funds, the hospital, and the surgeon. There was now the paperwork to be done. This is were Smudge came into his own. Merieke had arranged the passports, and Smudge collected them from her. He has arranged the visas, the parents x-rays and everything associated with the authorities in Bali. In the meantime back in Perth we were arranging flights, Garuda gave us a huge discount on the family's airfares, and Nicky from Allround Travel in Mudgeerabra Qld waived her fees and gave Chris and I a great deal. The Indonesian Embassy is to provide an interpreter service free of charge. Apparently all such procedures like this need an official interpreter so that's the way we have to go. Many thanks go to Ibu Nusi Putri for her help and guidance and to the many people who volunteered to interpretate for us. But as it was pointed out it has to be done officially, because we have a duty of care to these people. Insurance was another headache, because Komang has a 'pre- existing condition' any claim will be argued and fought against, and the prices they quoted!!! Thanks again to Nicky we have overcome that problem. Komang's room is ready, he has his own bed, and toys, his parents also have their own bedroom, and room to move. This will be a huge learning curve for us all, but having come this far I'm sure we'll get over whatever obstacles come our way. Chris and I have adjusted our work hours to make sure one of is with the family at all times. I am working Sat and Sun to be able to take the family to and from appointments, and Chris will work during the week and be with them Sat and Sun. Komangs first appointment with the surgeon, Dr 'Don' Johnson will be on June 14, with surgery set down for June 21 at St John of Gods in Subiaco. Then its physiotherapy, and the hard work for the little fella. There's going to be a lot of tears sprinkled with a lot of joy when the little man walks like everyone else. We were told in the beginning he was 3½-4 yrs old, we received a copy of his birth certificate via Smudge, and he's only 2½, which makes him even more special. The stage is set, the show will soon start and when it's over we as a community and team of all round decent people can take a huge bow. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to get it this far, and we will try and hold a function before the family return to Bali, then we can all see the results of all the hard work. Komang is the first, as we all know there's a lot more like him that need help in Bali.