Following last week’s post of the Balinese orphanage we visited, a fellow blogger, Seana Smith left a comment asking about the specific details of its location and how we organised the trip.
When we were planning for our holiday, we discussed the option of bringing a suitcase of the twinlets’ old clothes and handing it over as a donation to an orphanage or hospital.
Unfortunately, chaos and disorganisation ended up overriding any chance of cementing our plans. With it being our first family overseas holiday, we were lucky that a lost wallet was the worse that happened in getting our shizz together at the international terminal.
Arriving in Bali, we still wanted to make a contribution, no matter how small.
Half way through our holiday, we asked our hotel concierge at the Bali Hyatt in Sanur to suggest a place for us.
He came up with a couple. When we asked how he went about finding and choosing them, he shrugged and replied, “I just Googled them”
And while that seems like a blasé answer, I think it perfectly sums up the prevalent issue of child poverty and homelessness in Bali.
There are over 70 orphanages on the Island of the Gods, housing several thousand children. And as I mentioned in my previous post, only a small percentage of them are actual orphans. The majority are children of unmarried mothers or have mothers who have remarried with partners who can’t afford to or don’t want to support them. Some have migrated from other parts of Indonesia with their family who can no longer look after them.
In the end, we decided to visit Dharma Jati II located east of Denpasar. Hindu-based, it has been privately run for over 20 years by a man named Wayan Nika.
The concierge gave him a quick call to let him know we were on our way and a taxi was also immediately organised for us.
Our taxi driver was a champion of customer service and spoke next to perfect English (When I asked him where he got to be so fluent he said, “From hanging around tourists at the beach…” As you do…).
It took us a little over half an hour to reach our destination. Our poor driver was a little nervous as he wasn’t actually sure of the exact location and we had to ask a few locals along the way.
If getting through the diabolical traffic in Indonesia wasn’t a challenge enough. Figuring out the scattered building numbers was like doing a sudoku puzzle.
We finally found the place and after some formal introductions, we sat in the courtyard with the owner, Mr Nika and briefly chatted about the daily routine of the orphanage.
We began chatting in a mix of Bahasa Indonesia and English. But luckily, our driver had followed us in and discreetly took over on translation duties. This made the conversation run a lot more smoothly and intimately because he was speaking to Mr Nika in the local Balinese dialect.
There are many orphanages in Bali that welcome foreign tourists to drop by and make a donation of clothes, educational supplies or money.
In hindsight, the way we approached Dharma Jati was perhaps a little risky. We hadn’t done any of our own research and unfortunately there are many stories of places being a scam.
Although, I do feel that my strong connection with Indonesia and its people will always steer me to what’s sincere and honest.
We can all remain sceptical about where our money goes and how it’s actually used. But why stay dormant on a dire situation that needs our immediate attention and support ?
Linking up for IBOT with the fantabulous Essentially Jess.
70 orphanages?! My goodness! That is so sad, 🙁 I can’t understand mothers leaving their babies/children because they re-married. It really makes me appreciate the life I have.
How can we help orphanage from here Grace?
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It is heartbreaking, isn’t it?
We’re going to send over some parcels of used clothes over. Just google “Bali Orphanages” or “Children of Bali” and they have listings of orphanages they support.
If you don’t feel comfortable sending money, you can send over clothes or educational supplies. All of that will be put to good use x
please visit : https://baliorphanage-nj.blogspot.com/
thanks
Gosh Grace, that just breaks my heart. 70 orphanages?! do any of them ever get adopted? Such a different culture, I can barely begin to comprehend.
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There’s only 10% who are technically orphans.
The orphanages will help, support and shelter the kids until they’re self-sufficient (ie get their own jobs and incomes). It’s definitely a very different world to the one we know…
I want to know more about the kids and how they responded to you. Did you get to spend much time with them? What were the conditions like? How was their mindset? How long do they get to live in care?…..So many questions!
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Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay too long (had to get back to the twinlets at the hotel…) but we had a chat with most who were there. They’re all in good spirits, just getting on with the day. They seem to be used to meeting visitors.
While the conditions are modest to say the least, it really is much better than being out on the streets.
They stay there until they’re pretty much able to be self-sufficient, working and getting their own income.
I’ve heard that particular orphanage that you visited uses their children as slave labour, they often work up to 9 hours per day building the temple (they would’ve hidden this part from you), and schooling is only held at night (when the children are then too tired to learn), very sad, you have to be extremely careful as to what is ‘real’.
absolutely heartbreaking… i love that you decided to do something, regardless of who it meant asking for help x
#teamIBOT
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I spent a lot of time bogged down in “where the money goes” issues with orphanges and charity in general. It wasn’t until I went to orhphange in Uganda for Aids orphans that I “got it”. Seriously, if 5 cents in your dollar gets to a kid it’s a good thing. If your really concerned do some research first but the important thing is to do something!
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well done Mama Grace. Sometimes I do feel there’s a lot of fluff and propaganda involved in “charity work” nowadays where some do it for recognition… but there’s always those that sincerely need help and no matter how small, a little helps a long way.
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It’s lovely to read about people being so generous with their time and money. I’m sure you got a lot out of it also, so everyone wins!
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Thanks for sharing this story, Grace. Glad it worked out despite the ‘lack of research’. And that the driver followed you in! How lovely!
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Gosh Grace, that’s so heartbreaking. Good on you for going, even if in hindsight it was a little risky.
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You truly have a great heart Grace-ie!
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You have a huge heart, Grace. The dodginess also puts me off some outreaching- you just never know. But I do hear you- and at least with clothes and educational items, you know they will be put to good use.
You are amazing.
How many people spend their days saying “I should do that”? You actually did it.
Over 70 orphanages! That is so heartbreaking
Grace I agree you can’t stay dormant, you just have to do what your heart says. I was in Bali when I was 21 (a long long time ago). I went with a group of people from a church I used to belong. We visited the local,jail, where I imagine the Bali nine are now languishing, along with an orphanage. I also attended a reburisl ceremony after being asked by an old man to attend; that was probably a bit naive to just take off from ubud but a friend ended up accompanying me and it was all good. You just have to go where your heart takes you, and as I’ve grown older, your wits 🙂
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OMG, I’m shocked that there are 70 orphanages. Thanks so much for posting this Grace, now I feel I would know how to get started. Well done you for following through on your idea and having it in the first place. I’m sure you are really savvy, and you know you can trust your heart.
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Because there are so many of them, it’s easy to find them, Seana. Also there are some wonderful organisations that help out (ie Children of Bali, Bali Kids and One World). So, if you don’t feel sure about contacting the orphanages directly, these charities can be your first point of contact.
We went to an orphanage in Kupang and I’ll never forget it.
I think the fact that you did something is incredible Grace, and no one can take that away from you. xx
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Wow, Jess! What an experience! I’ve always wanted to go to Kupang, my cousin was a dentist for the Ministry of Health over there for almost a decade. Lots of poverty…as you would already know x
As I said last week, I think it is fantastic just the fact you actually went and visit an orphanage. I’m sure your gesture was greatly appreciated.
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My daughter Jordan spends time at a mothers clinic when she goes to Bali – only 18 and going on her 3rd trip. Spends her mornings caring and giving attention to babies and children and the ret of the day shopping and having a great time. A little y to give back.
Oh, that’s just a gorgeous story, Annaleis! I love hearing about young Australian kids taking an interest in Indonesia and going over there to help out. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a lot of orphanages! I think in the end you have to trust your gut and hope for the best when it comes to supporting people in need. I prefer to believe in the goodness of most people. There is definitely room for a little healthy skepticism, but not at the cost of doing nothing.
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Thanks for sharing both posts. Reading them is like turning on that switch on my heart, making me remember yet again that we can always help others less fortunate no matter how big or small a contribution.
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There was a comedian who said he was going to give money to a homeless man and he stopped and thought “Why should I? He’ll only use it on drugs and alcohol!” then he remembered “That’s all I’m going to use it for. Who am I to judge?”
That sticks with me clearly. We can give the money because we can, but we can’t insist on how it is used. Better to give and be scammed once than not give at all, I say.
It is so sad to think that these children have families that can not support them – must be desperately sad for their mothers. Do they keep in touch?
xx
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So sad. I agree with you Grave about the donating part. Often when there’s a disaster, I hear people declining to donate because money will not go where it is supposed to etc. I believe it’s better to be optimistic, make the donation and hope it does help – even a little. The way I see it, you’ve then done your genuine part to help, what happens after that is out of your control.
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this is heartbreaking
so good of you to go and take your twins
perhaps if we all changed our perspective a little, and helped just a little
xx
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We go to Bali at least once or twice a year, and each time I take a suitcase full of the kids’ clothes and toys, and other stuff I’ve picked up along the way. We try and take it to a different orphanage each trip. I love Bali, it’s like my second home. Such lovely, gentle people.
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Gosh, I knew it was terrible over there but I just didn’t realise there were quite so many. Which is silly really because now that I stop and think about it you are not the first person I know that has gone over there to help out in this area. In fact it was only a short weeks ago in a local store that the owner was telling me of her plans to go and set up a new school in an orphanage. Good on you for sharing your experience and having a look in the first place.
Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses
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What a great thing to do Grace. I’ve visited lots of orphanages, in many different countries, & every single one of them touches me in a special way. Sometimes it’s much better sending things with material value rather than monetary, your so right, there are many corrupt organisations out there.
Prue x
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So sad that there are so many children in a situation where their families cannot afford to look after them, or just don’t want to look after them.
Stories like this make me realise just how lucky Ned and I are and it actually me feels guilty that I don’t do enough to help kids in need. This is something I really want to start thinking about where I can do more to help. Maybe not by giving money but by volunteering for a kids charity here in Sydney. Too many children here in the ‘lucky country’ suffer in poverty and at the hands of uncaring parents as well.
Thanks Grace for bringing this issue again to the forefront of my mind.
V.
PS I love your writing style. So touching without being condescending.
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You were lucky to have the driver that you had – it was fate. You guys are amazing to do this – on a family vacation, no less.
Thank You. I actually looked up bali orphanages and it led me to this blog. I read threw it & will give the 3 legit orphanage a try. I am visiting Bali in summer, with an advent surfer from cronolla! HA, I use to live in Sydney, but I am American…we are connecting in Bali & I must seek work, and do whats been calling me for years, seeking a legit orphanage were I can offer my services. My grandmother use to be in an orphanage in Ohio.
Sincerely
Sandy
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