
|
Newsletter
22nd
June 2008 - updated 23rd June 2008
|
A Million Mothers & A Million Children |
First of all I would love to thank to all who are now sending us articles and info about kids in Bali. Thanks so much for the support of our work and the network which is building up more and more. Please sent us your article about a Bali Kids issues and we will publish it in one of our next issues. This month issue is very social and brings stunning things you probably never heard off. Please read the full newsletter, as I put a long article on it, which I did not want to put on an extra page, you will see why...
Rain has fully stopped by now and as I just found out the other day, some of the wells are getting dry already. Please help to not waist water, no matter if you live in Bali or just spent your holidays here. Teach your kids to be aware of how important it is to save water. Each of us is just using far too much water! Join our movement: STOP WAISING WATER!
I was just receiving the newsletter of Bumi Sehat Birth Clinic in Ubud. They have got a list of needs which I thought I share with you, perhaps some of you might be able to help. Bumi Sehat Clinic supports gentle births and is for some poor women here in Bali the only way to have a save birth:

List of Bumi Sehat "Needs" - in order of priority:
*Maintenance of current services in operational funds for Bali Clinic, Aceh Clinic and Bali Youth Center. *On going medical supplies *Ambulance for Bali *Purchase land for new clinic (contract is running out for the old clinic) *Find sponsors to build the new Bumi Bali clinic Future (as soon as possible): *Build the "Ark" a warehouse for disaster relief supplies. *Consider opening a Bumi Sehat Birth Center in Timor L'Este where the maternal mortality rate is highest in Asia.
Additional.... Sometimes I just get blown away from the mails I am getting - soon it will be time to share them with you... - I got one here from an US Midwife - Katherine Bramhall - which just was making me saying: "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Katherine is a good friend of Robin Lim at Bumi Sehat Gentle Birth Clinic in Ubud/Bali which Bali for Kids.com is supporting as much as possible by publishing articles about there stunning work. The clinic needs to move and they need a new big place and so many other things... But where to get 1 Million Dollar from... until September??? Read what went on via mails between Katherine and Robin just a few weeks ago and what is going to happen:
ON BEHALF OF MIDWIFE ROBIN LIM, AUTHOR OF AFTER THE BABY’S BIRTH, AND THE BIRTH CLINIC YAYASAN BUMI SEHAT, PLEASE READ THIS TO THE END AND TAKE ACTION IF YOUR HEART MOVES YOU TO. THEN PASS IT ON… I ASK WITH HOPE AND HUMILITY… FOR THE MOTHERS ON THE ISLAND OF BALI.
A month ago I and Robin Lim was emailing me all weekend, telling me about the sudden increase in births at the clinic over the prior 2 months…there are now about 80 births/month at the Bali clinic, up from 50 last September. Between receiving babies that weekend she would email me, telling me that they had just birthed a baby on the massage table in the office, then again. It’s poignant and beautiful that her messages contain love for each mother and baby she receives, even when she’s panicked that she is out of room at the clinic. And way over-capacity. - Every day I receive a phone call from someone who has heard the news on radio or television about a tragic happening and wonder what it is that they can REALLY do to make a difference. The powerlessness is overwhelming for all of us when we are faced with the magnitude of humanity’s loss…in war, in natural and in manmade disaster. In profound, senseless illnesses. My response to these phone calls varies and has always left me with the question of what I can do to help people answer the call in their heart to help and REALLY KNOW they have made the difference that will answer that call in their heart.
Robin Lim: SO ROCKY-CHARLOTTE-KATHERINE...(Robin ’s nicknames for me) with the numbers of births just skyrocketing... We will be in trouble soon... As there are legal limits as to how many can fit sideways in a room. Today I am draining the mosquito pond so we can find a way to build a temporary building in its place – extra birth room right there – I want to do it cheap and clean... As we must move ahead with every rupiah for the new, permanent clinic. Pray for the right piece of land. The guy who is selling us the rights to the road land is doubling the price. We are looking elsewhere, knowing in our hearts that the right place for Bumi exists in the heart of QuanYin and all of Gods that we are. It is just taking some time, and Sagittarius that I am, I want to fly ahead straight. Patience. Keep spinning. we have had some nice births. My cell phone went into the birth tub one too many times - terminal. I was bummed when Pastika forced me to get on the motorbike and go with him to pick out a new phone. But it’s pink and beautiful and I am actually able to use it. I still miss my old half broken one. Go figure. please help, Charlotte. Love, Robin
Dear Katherine... This morning we have a mom laying-in in our office on a massage table. Two in Each birth room. Two in doctor room, four in recovery that’s 11 in less than 2 days... We are clearing out three of four to go home early this morning... But it’s wild... And I am in constant stress that someone will get turned away... We had almost all first time moms yesterday – that was 6 in 14 hours. We rented Eka’s house for the new Australian Volunteers International midwife.... She has a one year posting starting in June and we get another one right away to replace her. We are working on that same deal for Aceh. Aceh – just about a baby a day now. Land... Working on it. some glitches but we know the perfect place is already in existence. I dropped my hand phone in the birth tub again. I miss you so darn darn much... It’s painful - love, robin
Her message was clear to me and it left me temporarily paralyzed: we are out of room at the clinic and we need the money for a new clinic NOW. I spent that entire weekend looking into ways to raise a million dollars for Yayasan Bumi Sehat. At the same time I couldn't’t shake all the voices of all the strangers and people in my heart who call and who acheto make a difference with exactly what they have to give. I found out that it takes time, resources and knowledge that I don’t have any of, in order to get grants, apply to foundations and talk to corporation-heads for contributions. It all takes too much and it is a “job” that doesn't’t feel true to me.
I headed up to bed knowing I had failed the women and families in Bali…that I’m not a fundraiser, per se…that I had failed Robin. That was 11:45 pm on a Sunday night 4 weeks ago and I was ½ way up the stairs to go to bed, having the words in my head—“I’ve failed” when this thought was given to me from some divine source-- “I just need one million mothers to give me a dollar!” The voice came with such strength and certainty (and not from me)! It stopped me in my tracks and I KNEW that was not only the answer to Bumi Sehat, but also to all of us who want to know that we HAVE made a difference, that we have answered our heart’s longing for helping others in a significant and very personal way. It would be a way for all of us to connect and create a divine army of caring and effectiveness which alone each of us, would never be able to affect.
I have spent the last four weeks setting up this new initiative and want to introduce you to our new “baby” —
A Million Mothers www.amillionmothers.com
The concept is simple, as the web site says — if everyone who receives this message donates one dollar, then passes it on to all the people they know, who pass it on… You get the picture. To date I have received almost $900 in envelopes from all over the country — in the name of their mothers, from mothers, in the name of their sister-who-is-a-mother…all full of a dollar, or a few dollars or a check. Many anonymous dollar-donors. From places like Wisconsin and Nebraska. I don’t know anyone in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Envelopes with little notes saying things that amount to: “don’t quit.” I have a large stack of envelopes which came to my home full of love and hope. All with a dollar in them. It is profound. And heartwarming. And I learned something I never REALLY knew before now--- Those of us who have committed to the Bali clinic REALLY make a difference to the families in Bali. To Robin.
A few last things (for now): MY IMMEDIATE GOAL IS TO CREATE SOME CHAOS WITH THIS—TO HAVE PEOPLE SEND IN THEIR DOLLARS DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 1. ON THE WEBSITE IS MY MAILING ADDRESS AND I’M HOPING TO RECEIVE 10,000 ENVELOPES IN THAT WEEK SO THAT MY POST OFFICE (THEY LOVE ME THERE) IS INUNDATED WITH ENVELOPES OF HOPE. THEN I CAN CALL THE MEDIA (THEY LOVE THAT KIND OF STUFF). WE WILL THEN BE ABLE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE EVEN FASTER AND FURTHER. I THEN HAVE VOLUNTEERS ALL LINED UP TO PROCESS THE ENVELOPES. Every envelope is logged with the amount of donation. Please see the web site for all the details to donate. Then send this email along to EVERYONE you know with a personal message from you, inviting them to send in their envelopes. You can also donate online. Please. I will be posting a UTube video about our initiative in the next couple of weeks…but for now a woman called and asked if she could do a “my space” thing about A Million Mothers. I don’t really know what My Space is, but here’s the link and it’s BEAUTIFULLY done: http://www.myspace.com/amillionmothers Please forward this to everyone you know with your own personal note. We all love and ache for personal. Please keep this alive. I will be posting updates to myspace and to the web site every week so that the initiative can be tracked. My goal is to have raised this money by September 1 so I can take it with me to Bali on the 18th. I will be in close touch with updates in the next weeks. Bless your golden hearts and thank you from the depths of mine. Yours in true, true love,
Katherine Bramhall
Okay, all of you, who finished reading the red text: We are in Bali - It is for Bali Moms! So please action! First of all copy this article into your mail (those who got our newsletter mail, have it already on the end of our Bali for Kids.com image) and sent it to everybody. By the way... why only moms? I got some really good male friends - they know I am thinking of them right now... - so grasp an envelope and stuff it with money and sent it to Katherine or the Bumi Sehat... Summer Holidays are coming, Bali is full of people who spent money easy. Get your children making a box for donations. Restaurants and Warungs: Put up a box next to your cashier. Everybody with free time, get yourself organized and drop the money at Bumi Sehat. Make all very clear with papers people can put their names on. If you not in Bali sent Katherine the money. Schools! This is a real humitarien project - no mater where you are... If you want to do like Katherine contact her and do it yourself. I believe it really does not matter where and how. Most important: 1 Million US Dollar latest 18th September ready for Bumi Sehat. Thanks so much!!!
Bali Summer Holidays for Kids!
Holidays are on the go and we still putting more and more action into our Bali Summer Holidays page. Umalas Stables has a Horse Riding Camp with Miriam, Desa Seni is coming up with lots of kids classes, Scoobi-Do has special holiday plays open for kids from 2 years to years. Bali Soda School of Dramatic Art has put up a special program and their regular classes. The Shaman Healing Workshop in Ubud is stunning for kids and parents. I wish all of you lots of fun with the action to come... and still more places and events to come. Check the page regular. Action is on the way... Join the events with your kids to get classes going and honor the effort people making for kids! If you got a kids thing going on, please contact us on info@baliforkids.com
HEALTH
CORNER
Even we are having a very social issue this time, we decided not go for an health corner article matching, rather than focus on something which is important for parents to know before going off for holidays with their kids. Holidays on the beach are great, but it can be also quite dangerous if you are not aware of the reality we have to face. Read Ni Zain's article is about a save day on the beach with your kids, so you really can enjoy your holiday, without that your loved little one is grasping something nasty... Read Ni Zain's article for the July edition:
GOING TO THE BEACH WITH KIDS
Special Note from Ni Zain: For all those who think the idea of curing Autism is far off read my article: When things went wrong - Autism, Behavior Problems and other stuff... And also check out this article: http://www.cnn.com/mccarthy.autsimtreatment We have stunning results on our program... Why don't you let your autistic or behavior problems child join??? Too busy? Contact me at: nizain@nizain.com
YKIP PROJECTS IN BALI - LUMINA CHILDREN’S HEARING PROJECT - Article by Rucina Ballinger from YKIP
YKIP – Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi or the Humanitarian Foundation of Mother Earth – was established six days after the 2002 Bali bombings to assist the bomb victims. Since that time, YKIP has expanded to work on health and education projects on Bali. We will be spotlighting one of our projects in every newsletter. YKIP and ALF (the Annika Linden Foundation) have been working with the Lumina Hearing Center in Renon, Denpasar since 2004. Lumina is a commercial entity which tests hearing and sells Siemens brand hearing equipment. Lumina Hearing Center gets pro bono consultation by Canadians Vikki MacKay B.G.S. (Hearing Instrument Specialist licensed with the Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants of British Columbia, Canada); Nick H.L. Liem: P. Eng.:(Mechanical Engineer, Canada) and Jim Renshaw (Biomedical Technician and Audiometric Equipment Specialist, Canada), all of whom have helped in similar projects in Uganda and Zimbabwe and Dr. Eka Putra Setiawan Sp.THT. Lumina has already provided donated audiometric testing equipment and used hearing aids to the program. At Lumina, there is a trained Hearing Instrument Specialist, Kadek Yuliarti, who assesses the children, while technician Alex Susanto calibrates audiometers and Nyoman Kumala Dewi helps administers the Sushrusha Playgroup. Lumina works closely with physicians at Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar to facilitate the treatment of any children identified with medically treatable problems. With funds from ALF, we have been able to supply the four SLBB (Special Needs Schools) with sound booths and audiometers so they can do their own testing as well as supply many of their students with hearing aids and their maintenance. Beginning in July 2007, the Sushrusa Playgroup opened its doors at LUMINA. Funded by ALF, this pre-school for 3-6 year olds provides classes three times a week as well as private speech therapy classes. Consultants from the SLBB in Sidhakarya, I Made Pujana, SpD and Sri Aemi, SpD have trained a teacher Putu Indrawati and teacher’s assistant Made Raka Witari in the Total Communications Approach for the playgroup. For the first year of enrollment, parents only need to pay a portion of the fees as ALF-RESET has funded the school in its entirety for the first year. In July 2008, 16 of the playgroup students will go on to our new kindergarten on the same grounds. If you know of any children 3 -6 years of age with hearing problems, please send them to Sushrusa for an assessment and an opportunity to go to school (Jalan Mohammad Yamin No IV/No 5, Renon, phone 262025). Lumina Hearing has received a very generous donation of a critical piece of hearing testing equipment that will enable the accurate diagnosis of hearing disability in infants and young children. These units – GSI Audera ABR/OAE (BERA) System were was donated by VIASYS Healthcare of the United States. Lumina is very excited to have this very advanced piece of equipment – the first of its kind in the island of Bali and the only other one of its kind in Indonesia – because it means that we can now identify and provide hearing aids for hearing loss in babies and toddlers. This will greatly increase their speech and language development potential. Giving a child the use of whatever level of hearing they may have - even if that hearing is severely damaged, is a wonderful gift. It will enable them to understand that sound exists, and that it has meaning. It will allow them to realize the function of their own voice and let them use it - even if just to learn the names of their families or to call for items of basic need. It will greatly enhance their ability to interact with the normal hearing world!
For more information on YKIP, please go to www.ykip.org or email info@ykip.org.
ADD-KIT
Please
read all ADD-KIT articles on our add-kit-page...
HARRIS
RESORT KUTA - HOLIDAY GATEWAY PACKAGE 2008
Enjoy a Simple, Unique and Friendly Holiday Gateway Package at Harris Resort Kuta that offers you comfortable accommodation and service to make your stay a treasured one and feels like a home away from home. Holiday Gateway Package only Rp. 2,838,000 net inclusive of 3 Nights 4 days including breakfast for 2 adult and 2 children below 12 year old and 1 x free entrance to Waterbom Bali for 2 adult and 2 children below 12 year old, free mini ice cream at waterbom bali for 2 children and shopping voucher Rp. 25,000 / family for all waterbom bali official merchandise. Come and enjoy with Harris Resort Kuta to fulfill your children happiness and joyful on their Holiday season. Other condition apply and book now at res@harris-kuta-bali.com or Direct call to 0361 753868, fax 0361 753875.
BALI SODA - SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS has now started to operate in Denpasar. Bali Soda has presented in March the High School Musical with good success for their first show to produce in Bali. Bali Soda is now already teaching many of their High School stars and is open now to children, teens and adults from the age of 4 years. Dramatic Arts, Ballet, Jazz Dance, Piano Lessons are just a few classes Bali Soda is offering. I personally believe Bali Soda has the potential to educate a lot of people here in Bali about show business. Even for adults and kids who are already in TV or movies, Bali Soda will be the place to get further and deeper education and training. In July and August the new Auditions are starting for Bali Soda's new show: Scheherazade - A tail from Persia... David Verrall, an ex-children star, actor and photographer from Australia with direct the show this time. Around 5 adults and 50 kids are wanted for the new show. In December the show will go on stage. But even if you just want to have your kids learning some basic skills, Bali Soda is with it big space the right place. Good luck for Bali Soda and their students! We will keep you updated about their auditions and Bali Soda's classes... Find more details on our Education Page.
INNER SENSE
became over the last year one of the health suppliers in Bali... Colloidal Silver is their magic remedy and they are producing it up in the mountains of Bali with pure spring water - clear enough to make a fine Colloidal Silver. Inner Sense' Colloidal Silver has help many people over the last year since their add in online on Bali for Kids.com. I often hear the comment: "I got a bottle of Colloidal Silver at home now. Just in case!" Colloidal Silver helps many families now in Bali to stay much more healthier and to overcome sicknesses much easier. Check out more details about Colloidal Silver on our Colloidal Silver Page "The unknown (real) wonder medicine!" and read where to find Inner Sense Colloidal Silver on our Health Page
SCOOBI-DO has moved in a new location, closer to the Canggu Club. The new space has lots of green space, fresh air and the kids already love it. Scoobi-Do is now offering playgroup for kids from 2 - 5 years and a special holiday program. Check out our Summer Holiday Page and the Scoobi-Do add on our Play Page....
ANAK BALI -<ANAK» means «CHILD» in the Indonesian language. Anak Bali is helping and supporting the education of children in need from very poor families through a system of “Godparent” sponsoring the annual cost for his/her Godchild. Enable families to support and maintain their children in school, but also to participate in action projects such as purchasing school needs, books, renovating school facilities, improving and helping with health and hygiene concerns; One of their goals is to organize and develop functional children’s and people’s organizations for them to effectively manage and sustain their own programs/projects; All these actions and activities are done with the help and advice from Indonesian friends to act properly in accordance with Indonesian customs and regulations. Anak Bali works in several villages in the very poor dry areas in the North East of Bali island Let us continue to bring free education to an increasing number of poor children and help them out to get out of extreme poverty and have a decent future!! Find out more about the work of Anak Bali on our Social Page

EVENTS
Coming
Events:
Bali Kite Festival in Sanur from the 10 - 13 July will be a big hit for all those who love kiting. Master kiter from several countries will show their kits and skills at Padang Galak Beach, all dressed in Bali traditional clothing... Get flying! More info on our Event
Calendar
Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar has always great events. Unfortunately I never could figure out when and where, but perhaps next year. Check out there web site or our Event
Calendar
Bali Soda School of Dramatic Arts is hosting a Dramatic Summer Workshop for kids and teens from 6 years. Acting, dancing, fun and film all under one roof here in Bali. Check out our Summer Holiday Calendar for more details...
Shaman Healing with Vinod Solluna at Villa Gaia, Ubud: July 2008 - Shamanism is an earth-based system honoring and harmonizing with the Natural Laws of the Universe. Learn the grounding and support of your medicine animal, the grace of your spirit guides and the depth of your own natural healing ability. Discover that your empowerment awakens from your center and that true power is born out of joy. The organizers say it is really great and awaking for kids! More info on our Event
Calendar
Regular
Events:
*
Desa
Seni in Canggu has many classes each day of the week. A Kids Yoga Teacher has added to the wide program of Desa
Seni and it's lovely to see them doing their yoga exercise in the open
Yoga Studio on Sundays now. Check it out on the Event
Calendar
* Kudeta in Seminyak has every Sunday Family Dayze - big fun for the whole family
- games, sun, food and pool in a wonderful location. Come and see by yourself
- find more info on our Event
Calendar
Check out our Bloo Lagoon - Padangbai page for cultural events in Karagasem regency. A big bunch of ceremonies to see the real Bali culture, make sure they are really in time...!
and
many new events on the biggest Event
Calendar in Bali and its regular updates. Please sent us
your event!
Please
feel free to contact us at any time and subject:
info@baliforkids.com
Da
Da! What a great issue we got this month with the help of ALL of you out there... Thanks so much and until August!
NI
LAH – Editor
of the Bali for Kids.com Team
If
you contact Bali for Kids.com, please resent your mail if you did not
hear from us within 5 working days. There are so many problems with sending
and receiving mails here in Bali and nothing we can really do about it.
Please be patient and just try again. Make sure that you put Bali for
Kids.com on your save sender list. We
look forward to hear from you and hope you will join and enjoy our site!
Contact
us:
info@baliforkids.com |