I have finally left Indonesia, so much has happened that I feel like I should sum them up in brief paragraphs:
Firstly, the Jodie O'Shea Orphanage is an amazing place, they have over 50 children at this point with the youngest being one month old (born there) and the oldest being twenty. many of these kids are abandoned by their parents because they simply could not afford to take care of them, but certain cases show just how evil people can be. the one month old baby they currently have there was dropped off by the mother. The father left the family when he found out his baby would be a girl, and so the mother decided to give it up for adoption. two days before she gave birth she came to stay at the orphanage, and as soon as the child was born and she was fit to walk, she left. Stories such as these truly illustrate the tragedy of the situation for many children in Indonesia, and around the world. Discarding unwanted children based on gender is not an uncommon practice in Asia and parts of Africa. the two biggest things they are lacking are steady volunteers (people who can physically be there with the children a set number of days and hours per week to play and bond with them) and Milk. Aries, a local Muslim woman who spends her day wanting the unwanted tells me it takes roughly 25 liters of milk every time they want to feed the kids calcium. Whilst she would like to give them milk every day, at this point in time she says they can only afford to do so twice a week at best, and many of these kids are very young and in need of vitamins and calcium.
Next on the list is the ACBEP, now changed to the CBEP. the change is simply aesthetic, according to my notary adding 'Amed' to the title would severely limit the work we could do in the future, should we ever choose to move on. Also I am officially not allowed to start a Yayasan in Bali because I don't have a Kitas, and so I must leave the commencement of the project in the hands of those who can. The Notary will still be dealing with me directly, and I will still be consulting with the boys, but as far as being a founder, I need to sit this one out. And to be honest it does not bother me at all. This project isn't about inflating one's ego or acquiring fame, so it doesn't matter
Thirdly, I would like to address all you foreigners who travel to Bali, here is a word of warning... don't be an idiot. The amount of debauchery evident in places like Kuta puts all of you and your countries to shame. the drink driving, no helmets, disrespect to locals and customs, the littering, the drugs, the overall humiliation you bring not only on yourself but on this beautiful island... It has to stop at some point. 1,000 people every year die because of vehicle related accidents in Bali, 450 of which are caused by motorbikes. You get drunk, drive without your helmet, speed down Kuta narrowly avoiding the rest of the traffic (a feat you neither dare perform back home, nor do you possess the skill to do so safely in Bali), bribe cops when caught and then have the audacity to think yourselves innocent when you are caught for drugs? Puuuuhhhhhlease!
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