In Reply to: i agree posted by helenb on Monday, 19. May 2008 at 13:13 Bali Time:
It is very hard to describe the outrage I feel at your post. What a cold, hard person you seem to be.
I think it's a good thing for posters here to report on the less pleasant side of life in Bali. It is part of a third world country, one of the most corrupt nations on earth. There is no Government safety-net of benefits for orphans, widows, the maimed, seriously ill etc & their carers. No free education or medical care. They rely on the meagre amounts they can earn & gifts given through kindness & selflessness.
Very little of the wonderful work done by the various ex-pat fronted charities is ever mentioned. For Western tourists to take time from their well-earned holidays to take donations, food & money for & to those in need is wonderful. To report on their experiences may give them a warm glow, & so it bloody-well should but I think their main feelings would be of humility & frustration at being unable to do more. And I bet for every mention of an orphanage trip there are at least several not reported.
But most importantly, the posts serve as a reminder to the rest of us that we can do something even in a small way, to make life a bit better for some people born into less fortunate lives. Besides, the kids at the orphanages always seem absolutely thrilled that someone from far away cares for them - I reckon that feeling of being cared about is the biggest gift.