CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Helo Everybody,

this time I want to tell you a little bit about an event, we had last month...

BEACH CLEAN UP – Last month we had been teaching the  children about how to care for their environment, especially how to  deal with rubbish. We decided we needed to start this environmental  care at home. We explained to them about different kinds of rubbish  and how to handle it. As you may know, there are many beaches in Bali  contaminated with all kinds of plastic rubbish; people don’t have much  awareness about their environment. So we took the  children to one of the beaches around our area and we cleaned up  the beach by picking the organic and non-organic rubbish. We brought  the rubbish home and gave away the recyclable rubbish to the rubbish  collector next door and the organic stuff we used for compost to  fertilise our farm. We had fun that morning, picking up rubbish,  having a picnic but due to bad weather the waves were too big for us  to swim. The children were a little disappointed but as it was for our  own safety we decided to go home. After walking up lots of stairs, we  rested a bit and a couple of westerners came up to us and asked what  we’re doing and why. When we explained it, they were so amazed at what  we were doing and really thanked us. Then they went on to say that  they own a hotel on the beach and in all their time running the hotel  they have never seen any one come and clean the beach. The owner  then invited us to swim and have some snacks in his hotel.  The  children were screaming happily and kept saying, “This is amazing,  swimming in the pool is sooo much better than facing the big waves on  the beach and we can wash ourselves from all the sand”. When we’re  heading back home, the lady who owns the hotel told us, anytime you  clean the beach here…please let me know and you are most welcome to  hang out around my hotel for snacks and swimming.”

Doing good things isn't too bad...: )

Wish you all a very good start in 2010. All the best

Brad

OUR VEGGIE GARDEN

Hello Everzbody

Today I want to write a little bit about our Veggie Garden. We have started growing our own  vegetables, fruit and spices. It’s amazing how we can harvest some of  the veggies even before we got the fertile soil on the land.

South  Bali is famous as a dry part of Bali, it’s hard to grow fruit or  vegetables here and the soil of our front yard is full of limestone  and rocks but with prayers, hard work and the blessings of God, we  have harvested many cassavas, chilli, tomatoes, banana, basil, mint  papaya and much more.

Pak Eko is such a great farmer and was very  excited when we decided to get a truck of fertile soil to extend the  plantation so we can grow more fruit and veggies. Our children get to  learn about horticulture and also how to be responsible and work  together for their blocks of farm. Pak Eko has given groups of  children the responsibility to care for, nurture and harvest the fruit  and vegetables that are on their blocks. Our farm has helped us a lot  financially and it also healthier for the children. We are also hoping  to breed our own chicken, eggs & fish very soon.

So keep the fingers crossed,that our veggies will grow as good as possible...

All the best.

Brad

SHARING THE LOVE

Love is for everyday; and we celebrated it by visiting the children at the Disabled School and Dormitory that is not very far from Bali Life. The head of the dormitory was telling me that they needed cooking oil and sugar when I approached him few days before our visit.

Our children were a little bit surprised when we visited the school that day. We could see they didn’t really know how to act with children who have disabilities; they were trying to be as normal as possible, by being friendly and polite. Despite their uncertainty we could see that our children had a passion to serve the children.

On this Love Day they had the privilege to sing and dance for them. Our children sang one of their favourite songs ‘MAKING MELODY’ with actions and we were excited to see how the students responded to the song and actions; they were smiling and laughing. It was such a great time. Each of our children gave a flower and a block of chocolate to the students who were very happy and touched when they received it.

Our Foundation was able to give out 25 kg each of sugar and cooking oil according to their needs at that time. In return for our performance, some of the students wanted to perform for us. One boy shared the poem that he had written; he was the winner of the Province as an author for best poetry. Some students were singing, one of them is Cindy, she came second as best singer for the Province competition.

We were all very touched by them, and our children were encouraged to use more of their talents because they saw other children, with disabilities, show courage and a creative spirits. We also had the opportunity to watch some traditional dances from other children who were also keen to entertain the students. It was excellent for our girls who just started learning traditional dances at Bali Life.

I loaded up some fotos of this very special day. We are looking forward of sharing more love in the future. 

Sincerely

Brad