JBR - Distribution Day 15 August


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Posted by Balibabe on Sunday, 7. September 2008 at 14:25 Bali Time:

Friday 15 August
Today was the day I had waited all year for. Today was Distribution Day in Bontihing for the Educated Smiles Project. As usual I was up early and ready to go. Made picked us up from Rambutan at 8.30 am and we set off for Singaraja so I could purchase a new bike for his younger sister, Ketut. I had bought one for her last year but unfortunately it was stolen. Ketut had been very upset about this so I decided to replace it for her but also to have a lock attached to the bike. I also wanted to pick up 3 bike helmets, one for Ketut and 1 each for the 2 children we sponsor. They had also received a bike last year so I thought it fitting to give them bike helmets to go with it. I also picked up 2 bike locks for their bikes so they would not be stolen also. Made negotiate prices with the shop owner while Renae and I stood out the front. At one stage we were quickly ushered into the shop by a neighbouring shop keeper. We had no idea what was going on but it was quickly identified that the Buddhist monks were doing their rounds and apparently it is disrespectful to be standing on the footpath in their way.
From Singaraja we finally headed to Bontihing to Made's parents home to await the arrival of the Rotarians from the Bali Sanur Rotary Club. http://good-timesDOTwebshotsDOTcom/album/565797073aPzUaR We were greeted by Made's mum with big smiles and hugs and kisses all round. Made's family have adopted me as their own over the years and we have develop a very strong bond even though they speak little to no English and I speak about as much Indonesian. We were quickly ushered into the loungeroom and Bali Ibu plied us with copious amounts of chocolate as usual. A few years ago I purchased a fridge for her and now every time she knows I am coming she fills it with Aqua and soft drinks especially for me. This year she decided I had become a Bintang drinker and had even stocked up on supplies. I was offered an extremely cold Bintang first up but when I expressed no desire for this due to the busy day ahead we were quickly supplied with equally cold cokes and aquas to quench our thirst.
It was not long after that the Rotarians arrived and we headed off to the village hall to begin the Distribution Day. http://good-timesDOTwebshotsDOTcom/album/565654723LfOjJL On the way some of the kids who were waiting patiently for our arrival spotted me in the car and proceeded to chase the car cheering and singing all the way. Renae was overwhelmed with the response we received to our arrival. Once out of the car all the kids (as usual) fought to get close enough to shake our hands and introduce themselves. First port of call was to the office of the Chief of the Village to meet with him. For anything to happen in the village and for use of the village hall the approval needs to be obtained from the Chief. Luckily for us he was very excited about today's activities and welcomed our plans for the day.
The truck full of supplies for the day was backed up to the hall, which is more like a stage with a verandah over the top, and it was quickly unloaded with the assistance of many parents. There was a slight wait for the children from SD3 to arrive in the truck we had arranged for them but once all the children were there the day kicked off. All the children were then instructed by the 4 head masters to line up in their school groups. As I had bought over 650 hats it was decided that the first thing to do was to hand out the hats to all the kids and several of us, armed with black textas, proceeded to assist with writing the children's names on the front. I swear I wrote on about 300 hats as the kids all wanted their names written by me. This did take a little time but seeing the joy on the kids faces made every second worth while.
The next order of the day was to get the children involved in some fun games. The first game was tug-of-war so the 4 headmasters choose 10 children from each of the schools to represent their school. Each school challenged each other and the winning teams then went into the finals. The winning team of 10 children were then presented with a puzzle and a pencil box as prizes for their achievement. There were many parents attending this year who cheered on all the children with great excitement which was great to see as many had threatened not to allow their children to attend as they were not yet sponsored. We had to assure them that their children would be just as involved as those who were sponsored and that we were working hard towards finding sponsors for all of the children in the village eventually. After tug-of-war it was onto a more traditional game of what I call "greasy pole". I was told the Indonesian name for it but unfortunately cannot find where I wrote it down at the moment. I consists of a 4 metre bamboo pole with a ring of prizes hanging from the top. The prizes included puzzles, pencil boxes and envelopes with Rp 10 000 inside. The children then have to work together as a team to reach the prizes at the top. Renae and I had a great time watching this progress and believe me the kids are like monkeys getting to the top of those poles. We commented on the fact that there was no way the kids here would do this. They would probably give up and decide it was easier to go to the shop or get out Dad's chainsaw and cut the pole down. With all the prizes obtained and distributed amongst the kids who assisted it was time for everyone to have lunch. We had organised for lunch to be supplied to all 600 odd kids, the Rotarians, teachers and Renae and myself. The lunch packs consisted of rice, babi guling and some other local dishes that I was not sure what they were but they tasted great. The kids all found it quite entertaining watching Renae and I eat with our fingers like they did. They were nudging each other, pointing and laughing at this site. Renae was amazed to see that after lunch many kids still had their lunch packs and had not eaten at all. I was used to this from last year as many of the kids will save it to take home and share with their whole family. We also supplied the kids with Aqua throughout the day and after lunch each child received an Indomilk to give them a little calcium. Milk seems to be a delicacy in the village and the kids don't often get to have it so it was a real treat.
With lunch completed it was time to hand out the school packs to the sponsored children. Each pack consisted of a school bag, a pair of school shoes, a few pairs of socks, a school uniform, a sport uniform, a scout uniform, a hat, a tie and belt for the boys, school books, pens, pencils, rulers, eraser and all other stationery required for the next 12 months. In February the children then receive a second pair of school shoes as well. I had also arranged for a bin for each school as I want to educate the children about rubbish disposal however the bins the Rotary organised were not exactly what I had intended. Next year I will organise big metal drums for each of the schools. With all the items distributed it was now time to sit down with the Chief of the village, the headmasters and Rotarians to discuss plans for the next 12 months and enforce what information is required to be supplied to me. We have been wanting school reports for each of the sponsored children that we can forward to the sponsors however to date this has been no existent. The Chief of the village was very adament that he will be fully supporting the project and will be visiting with each of the schools to ensure that all information we are seeking is supplied in the very near future. Gee I hope this is the case.
With the Distribution day all wrapped up it was back to Made's parents home for a cold drink and a chance to see Ketut and one of the kids we sponsor. To Ketut's surprise I presented her with her new bike which had Bali Ibu in tears. The gifts for the other children were given and after some time catching up with them it was time to head back to Lovina for a well earned rest.
Upon arrival back at Rambutan Cottages we found Hools and Jo by the pool and sat with them talking about the day and showing them the many photos we had taken. We then decided to join them for dinner which was followed by a couple of drinks at a new bar across the road "The Oldies". http://good-timesDOTwebshotsDOTcom/album/565797080VkWwah It was then time to retire to bed for a much needed sleep.

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