May 31st, 2009
All right, this might be a little unusual but i hooked up with an Australian traveller from an online backpacker community and found out she has been in Bali for the past 4 months, volunteering in a children's home.
I was already bruised from all the shock wave of surfing and i thought, y not?
Just bring me to this orphanage.
Where is it? Denpasar.
At the back of my head i was mentally preparing myself to face a bunch of poor unhappy kids.
How am i gonna react, or respond, or even communicate. I don't speak indon.
And if you think Bahasa Indon is similiar to BM, think again.
And give credits to your indon maid for boogling her mind trying to make sense of what we're ordering them :-p
Ok meet the cooks for today. The children in Seeds of Hope shares responsibilities, follow systematically their duty roster, takes care of each other, play together and of course inevitably experience the brunt of each other.
The big sis flashing the V is the permanent cook. She supervises whoever comes into the kitchen.
"Today we have 60 people so we're suppose to fry 60 eggs before dinner...
then i'm gonna fry rice. If we get lucky, we'll have chicken for dinner tonight,
orelse not everyday we can have meat."
Showing my 2 liltle sis here which part of the map they belong to and where i came from.
Oh btw they all actually speak English to a certain extent so we clicked instantly.
Now i gotta say these children loves visitors, not for anything material but more for companionship.
And please excuse me if i can't recall these precious ones' names..i'm blogging about something i left behind 10mths ago..Heck, don't ask me y am i only blogging bout it now :-p
Back to the kitchen again...
The children here are brought up under the christian upbringing of
Pastor Tommy and his wife Sandra, who has never seize spiritually caring for them ever since he founded Seeds of Hope in 2001.
Praise God for His constant shower of blessings in many ways, 1 of them being financial aids from various individuals and organizations around the world,
Seeds of Hope Children Home has perched itself to be a safe sanctuary and dwelling place
for these not so fortunate children.
Lets not forget the rare individuals who had selflessly sacrificed time and money to be beacons of hope and strength to the children who so essentially needed role models or some1 to look up to.
And God has made them His angels and ambassadors from heaven to spread His love.
The girls enjoying their fun afternoon time watching soap.
Since Bali, i started having d perception that every girl in Indonesia desires to be a movie star.
Anyway, where did these children come from?
Some never knew their parents since birth, nevertheless some came from their mum who were divorced and dumped them for a second marriage simply because the 2nd husband didnt want them..
..and thats even sadder.
These are the boys of Seeds of Hopes.
They're crazy about soccer and support particularly Manchester United.
And yes, they have posters of Christiano Ronaldo pasted in their room walls.
Hmm, what else do they like.
They looovvveee swimming. Especially the small girls, who would begged Amy
(the Australian who brought me here) to bring them for swimming. Their sad and disappointed face
would instantly make you feel sorry.
The currents craze for the boys are kites. They make their own and fly their own.
Others: They are talented musicians at a tender age.
They play Christian songs on various musical instruments for morning worship services.
the Seeds of Hope soccer team lifting the "trophy" and basking in glory
When you look at them, hardly any1 wallow in self-pity.
In fact they're happy and grateful for where they are, what they have.
I see so much energy and potential pending inside just waiting for the time to mature and explode.
All of them are unique and gifted in their own way that given a nudge in the right direction
in their journey of self-discovery, soon they would know which dream to follow,
and having being able to persue that, i believe, would bring them joy and purpose in life.
The boys fixed up a kite, and its time to fly it on the roof top.
A fun loving bunch of children who simply know what to do for the camera, its hard to get them all together for the shot though
This is the roof top, another playground for the kids. Playtime is from 2-6pm.
Thats when the visitors are allowed to mingle with them.
So we spent time with as many of them, changing "departments" in order not to miss out any1, cleaned the aquarium, sing and play guitar, fly kites, mini soccer game, interact,and pay interest in whatever they're doing etc etc.
The roof top as the boys' common playground
This boy here has bilateral congenital deformities of his feet. No op was done and he
wears only boots to move around.
And thats it for the day. The children gathered around to wave us goodbye with heavy hearts.
The older ones took it well in their stride, probably has done it a hundred times.
Here's a link to find out more of Seeds of Hope Children's Home.
Its a facebook page founded by Amy Rorke from Perth (the fine lady sitting nxt to me in the pic).
If you're planning to go Bali, do drop by and bring some cheers to the children,
I believe they can eventually make you feel at home.
Here we are, the volunteers for the day chatting over dinner.
Special mention to Amy Rorke, without her we wouldnt have had a truly unforgettable experience.
Until now the faces of the children are still embedded in my memory not so much because they are orphans,
but because of their unity, exuberant energy, character and strength.
Amy has been a good role model and inspiration to the children,
she told me her dream was to establish her own children's home 1 day.
Well Amy, all things are possible. You go, girl!!
All year round surfing tournament - " Rip Curl's Grom search 2009"
On a different matter, i'm leaving Bali and have managed to do the 1 thing i was so crazy about before coming, so no regrets going home. Only qualm is when would be the next time i hit the waves.
As you all already know, surfing in Bali is hot. Surfers from all over the world fly to this small island in eastern Indonesia to test its wave.
Bali has always been on the map of many international surfing tournaments.
Needless to say, surfing is what made Bali famous.
Pics of international events held in Bali, never shy of the big playas
The bright colourful billboards in busy Kuta Square. A must visit for avid shopaholic.
the Billabong shop. 3 storeys of clothes, bags, watches, bikinis, accessories, surfboards etc etc.
the Rip Curl shop.
Personally i would prefer RipCurl for its slight edge in fashion and designs.
For ladies wear and accessories i recommend Roxy.
Here's 1 of the reasons why Bali is known as a surfer's paradise.
Surfer's brand for kids? :_l ..Wow..i wore my cousins' passed-over clothings
All rite before i conclude my Bali blog series, here are some pics of great surfing
to captivate a lil' of ur wild imagination:-)
Mick Fanning, Australia
double ASP World Champion 2007,2009
Born June13, 1981
at the Billabong Pro, Tahiti 2009
Started his pro career in 2001, taking a wild card entry and winning the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.
Suffered a complete hamstring tear in 2004 which had to be surgically repaired.
Then made an incredible comeback in 2005 to become 1 of the best surfers on the ASP world tour.
Find out more about Mick Fanning the 2009 ASP World Champ
click Micktory
Mick and wife Karissa at Laureus World Sport Awards 2010 Abu Dhabi.
He is Laureus World Action Sportperson of the Year- Men.
Stephanie Gilmore, Australia.
2x reigning and 2009 ASP World Champion
Born Jan 29, 1988
Born in 1988, began her surfing life at 10yrs old by standing on a bodyboard.
Burst into the scene at 17yrs when she won the Roxy Pro Gold Coast 2005 as a wildcard.
Went on to win the coveted ASP World Champ in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Recently awarded the Laureus World Action Sportperson of yr 2010.
..and that won't be the last of her.
3x consecutive ASP World Champ
Stephanie Gilmore, only 22 yrs old.
find out more about SG
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Thats all for Bali, folks.
Hope to return again to that mystical place 1 day.
Might have future blog entries on surfing..we'll see.
Anyways hope you guys had a fun time following me and if you're up for adventure...I say just
Go For It!!!
Don't let youth pass you by~~
Bye bye:-)
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