At the outset, I must apologize for the length of this report, but it's hard to leave much out, although there is a lot I haven't mentioned.
What a huge shock to the system it is to be back in the office this morning with rain and temperatures around 16 degrees. It was similar when we left Perth almost 3 weeks ago.
Air Paradise looked after us very well in both directions. With the larger plane there was plenty of room to spread out. Food was fine and the drinks just kept coming all the way.
Once again we stayed at the Santika in Tuban and, as is always the case, we found nothing to complain about at all.
This time we had several groups of friends come up with us. Never again! Although, to be fair, one couple had never visited Bali before. They have traveled the world but had no desire to visit there. Only wanted 5 days but couldn't get a flight out to Singapore and had to stay a whole week. At the end of the week they didn't want to go home & are already talking that next time will have to be at least 2 weeks. Another convert.
Tourism is going great everywhere we saw. Numbers are apparently higher than pre Oct 02. A lot of Europeans.
Caught up with JulieK, TinaG, Trevor & friends at Ma Joly's. Nice meal, great service, superb location, 28 out of 10 toilets according to Trev's ratings, but overpriced in my opinion for Bali.
On Saturday 20th we took a group of interested people to visit the schools in Sobangan as I was already heading out there to resolve the final details for the Distribution Day the following week. Those of you who were at last years big day, you may remember a little retarded boy with spidery legs and arms who looked about 5 years old, although is actually 10. Previously he hadn't been able to attend school and hardly ever talks although he can surely smile and laugh. He has a fabulous nature and soon took the heart of one of the visitors who immediately wanted to sponsor him. Unfortunately he is only on trial attendance for one semester at this stage.
The new roof at SD 3 Sobangan is now finished. In fact they rebuilt a lot of the walls at the same time, replaced most of the windows and retiled the floors, so it looks brand new. More of the playground has also been paved.
I also talked with the teachers from SD 1 Sobangan which is being sponsored by another Rotary Club who simply provide money for the school uniforms. They are feeling very jealous of SD 2 & 3 because of the regular Saturday sponsors visits which they don't get, subsequently missing out on the extras that these visits provide in the way of sporting equipment, candy and the opportunity for students and teachers to practice their English. The differences are quite noticeable.
Saturday 27th was the big Distribution Day and it was a real buzz to drive down the approaching roads and seeing rows & rows of kids all wearing the special tee shirts we printed for the day. All the kids, teachers and parents had them on. 1000 of them. These were all paid for by the Rotarians, Rotaractors and a number of companies who agreed to assist. In fact every one was provided with free lunch, drinks and cakes courtesy of these same companies.
The schools competed in a variety of relay races, egg & spoon races, tug-of-war and greasy pole climbing competitions for all ages including the communities. Over 200 prizes were given on the day. There was also a ‘Bali Idol' section and it was great listening to them singing songs like John Denver's 'Country Roads' Their English certainly got a workout.
The Australian Govts Mobile Eye Clinic was there to check anybody's eyes and performed 6 cataract operations on the day with people encouraged to sit in to watch. The doctors are proud of what they are doing and happy to provide a running commentary during the operation. One of the old gentlemen had been blind for over 20 years and his grandson carried him into the mobile theatre because he couldn't see to climb the steps. His eye covering was removed the following day & he saw for the first time in 20 years.
Other medical groups, including the Blood Bank were in attendance providing free health checks for all and sundry.
While a group of us were sitting there a little girl, Eka Melissa that many will remember from last year as the cute winker came and joined us. She obviously heard the name Karon and thought it was her sponsor Mum (actually Karen Mitchell). When her Dad came over we worked out the misunderstanding. He had her younger sister with him and she has just started school this year. She is just as cute and was understandably sponsored on the spot. The two girls are now sponsored by Karen and Karon.
At the end of the festivities, all of the schoolchildren got their supply of goodies for the year. There will be another minor distribution in January for the kids who join in between now and then, plus all the children will get their second pair of shoes for the year.
Another trip took us out to Amed where we inspected two schools where we helped build a toilet block in one of them and provided clean water and taps to both.
While there we went to a village way up in the hills. Poor old Gusti, our driver for the day, was not experienced in mountain driving and there was no way his vehicle could make it all the way, it was simply too steep and rugged. We had to walk the last couple of kilometers on foot in the rain leaving Gusti squatting at the side of the road trying to recover with a smoke. Seeing Geraldine hack a banana leaf off a tree for an umbrella using a rock to cut it was a sight I didn't think I would ever see. The area is truly the 'real Bali' people speak about and few ever experience. Near the top of the climb was a totally out-of-character school. How they constructed it up there, I don't know. However, we are looking at constructing tanks, etc, to provide water for them. This high up they should receive sufficient rainfall & runoff from the school roof. The school has 40 students and 6 teachers - out of balance to the ones we looked at earlier in the day with 80-odd students and, in one case, only 4 teachers. The money for this project is being provided by the great generosity of TinaG's Melbourne fundraiser & ‘Travel About Bali'. As it progresses further I will keep you all informed.
We also met with a semi-retired Dentist who is establishing a clinic there to assist the local children and intends taking his dental chair to the schools to help educate the children in dental health. Contact has already been made with suppliers of tooth paste & tooth brushes and these will be given to the children free twice a year with instructions from Hans. The cost to provide a brush and paste will be 15cents (AUD). Supposedly there are 600 children in the area, but reality says there are probably 1000. Total cost per year to help these kids is $300. A lot of us can spend that in a day or so.
We saw and did just so much in such a short time, it is amazing that we also had a holiday, and met up with so many fabulous forumites I would be scared to try and mention them all by name because I'm sure to forget some.
Joe, the table tennis tables are organized but are waiting for you before delivery.
I will try and get my photos up on Webshots shortly. The Denpasar Club are also sending down a disc of photos from the Official photographer for the Distribution Day together with the footage taken by the TV crew from BaliTV.
On behalf of the schoolkids, I sincerely thank all of the sponsors for the continued support you give these children, they really do appreciate it. Your help has ramifications far beyond the education which was the primary aim of the Bali Schoolkids Project.
Cheers to all.