In Reply to: Orphanages posted by washann on Sunday, 16. January 2005 at 10:41 Bali Time:
Don't go to Bali with empty suitcases....PLEASE CARRY FOR THE KIDS
Most airlines will even allow a baggage excess if you let them know that you are taking stuff in for the kids.
OK..... 1st go check out this website: www.carryforkids.org
it will give you all the info you need about needy kids in Bali regardless of religion etc......
On our last Bali trip in July last year we visited the PANTI ASUHAN SALAM orphanage.
The address is:
JALAN RAMA Gg.1/No. 9
TABANAN BALI
PH: 62 361 810 086
DIRECTOR: MR GUSTI KETUT SUARDANA
To the north-west of Ubud, en route to Tanah Lot Temple you will find Salam orphanage. The orphanage is currently home to 28 boys and 17 girls aged from 6-18 years of age.
Because of its small size we felt that with the few donations of clothes, toys and school items that we took up with us we "touched" each and every one of these kids... (a bit harder to do at places that have hundreds of kids).
We had made arrangements first thru the Carry For Kids contact and when we arrived the Director and his wife had all the kids seated and waiting to greet us. We were given refreshments and we were treated to a Balinese song sung by the kids which we enjoyed.
If you can please help....... this is a small orphange run by a very dedicated couple who need help as they do not get government assistance like some of the larger orphanges.
The region is very poor and the orphanage would like to be able to accept more children but are limited by funds and space. The children enjoy table tennis, music and limited access to television, which is a new addition. They especially like top 40 music and a CD or tape of the latest chart hits will be very well received! The children were very happy and spirited. Thrilled to see visitors from overseas taking time out to visit. A visit to Salam orphanage will remind you of the things that are really important in life and how a little love and understanding can go such a long way.
The orphanage is very happy to receive visitors at anytime however an appointment is preferred. Please contact Carry for Kids at least 4 weeks prior to your departure date from Australia if you would like to arrange a suitable date and time. They will need your flight details, address and contact in Australia, place of stay in Bali and any transport requirements if needed although the driver we hired had no problems finding the place.
CASH DONATIONS
As a group of 7 we donated 500,000 rupiah in cash to the Director as a parting gesture. Whilst that only represented about AU$10 from each of us you would have sworn that we gave him a million aussie dollars, he explained that an average well paid tour guide for example only received 250,000 rupiah per month in wages so our donation was the equivalent of 2 monthly incomes for the orphanage.
I say this because as much as donations of clothes and odds and sods are very much appreciated, just like the rest of the world "CASH IS KING" and our cash donation would help the Director to pay for repairs to the orphange, pay an account or buy supplies other than that which is donated.
We only spent about an hour or so with the kids....a small detour on our way to watch the sunset at Tanah Lot Temple.... but I still recall a glance around our van at all our teary eyed faces as we drove out the orphange gates with kids running behind all smiling, waving and cheering still gives me a lump in my throat.
Every bit helps.......
Don't go to Bali with empty suitcases....PLEASE CARRY FOR THE KIDS
"LET THEIR JOY BE YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL REWARD"
REGARDS
DON