Mrs. Darsinni & Family Visit

Nov 25, 2008

Indra and his family/friends who are barely making it on their own, yet care/provide for six other children and four staff, and give whatever they can to those who have nothing. The times of our shear laughter and playfulness are often met with immense compassion and humbleness. We visited a family north of Ubud in a mountian village today to assist to their needs. They are a family of four with three kids aged 3, 8 & 9 y/o. They live in shacks with dirt floors, no toilet, no fresh water, no utilities of any kind, minimal clothes/blankets, no money to farm their land...NOTHING. Despite all of those hardships, the mother has been cripled since birth, she has absolutely no use of her legs so she crawls/drags herself around the shacks taking care of kids, cooking on firepit in a side shack (kitchen) that also houses a dirty, empty chicken coop. I will never complain about WHAT I HAVE or HAVE NOT ever again.

We ended the visit by assessing their immediate needs and making plans to provide farming necessities, water & food so they can start an onion field and a separate family garden. We finished by having a group prayer with everybody. We'll visit again in a week to check on their progress. It was a bit of a tough day. Dan has been all over the world helping unfortunate people, and he could not help from weep on the way home. We all talked and reflected with a positive outlook and a strategy to get the family established. I knew this would be a humbling experience and the most significant Thanksgiving ever, but one can never expect, nor take for granted what they have.

Ubud Culural Art & Jewelry search

Nov, 25 2008
We headed away from the coast and into the mountains to Ubud today to visit another orphanage and preview cultural art and visit a wholesale silver jewelery-smith to prepare to ship back items to support the non-profit fundraiser in May. Iphoto-documented tons of beautiful jewelry/art and we bought a sizable sampling that I'll bring back and give to Steve & Anne. The young girls who worked there gave us full reign of the shop since they are friends of Jemmy's. We had a lot of fun and the girls modeled the jewelry too, so cute.. they were very shy and bashful. I missyou all dearly and look forward to my return. I bought everyone lunch and wetook some great group photos.

Arrival in Bali, Project Kick-off !

In the first 36 hrs, I endured three midnights back to back via a 12 hr layover in South Korea! I'm glad the long travel part is over, it took me forever to get here! I must say, that I'm having an amazing trip so far!! Dan and some local friends Indra and Tao picked me up from airport Friday at midnight (15 hrs later than So. Cal time), and took me to my cool little hotel, Lumbung Sari in Legian Tengah near Kuta. Dan was so generous to give me a cell phone with his and all our local contact numbers in it!

The next day, I had a nice breakfast at hotel then the guys picked me up and we visited one of AHFC's orphanages to schedule time with kids in the coming days. We then visted Dan's newly leased house in a "local's" neighborhood on the edge of Kuta . It just so happens that his new neighbor/friends Indra and his wife have two young girls and operate a small christian orphanage from their home just a few doors down the street. We are all the best of friends now, and they are likely soon to be supported by AHFC and the project! I met all of the volunteer support staff and the eight kids at their home. We then watched the intro/hello video I shot with Steve and Anne of AHFC last week. Dan spoke on our behalf while the father interpreted to the kids about AHFC and my project. I videotaped that too and took pictures during. Afterward, all the kids and staff sang while Indra played the keyboard. It was really beautiful! They further welcomed me to their home by making us all an awesome Bali style lunch.

After lunch we went north to the Jimbaran fish market because they wanted to have a big seafood BBQ Saturday night to celebrate my arrival. How cool is that?! They have taken us into their family so kindly and generously. On the way home, I bought them some new guitar strings so they can play and sing tonight. One of the fellows named Teo is an amazing singer and guitar player! He has actually been a runner-up on 'Indonesia Idol' a couple times. I intend on playing back his music during the project exhibits and Dan and I are discussing about flying him to So. Cal in May for the big AHFC fundraiser. What an experience and it's only my first day!! Much more to come, miss you all!! -Kurt

Fundraiser Success!!

Thanks to everybody who participated and contributed to the Fundraiser on Sun Nov-16. We met the goal amount to cover the costs of nearly all the kids photo equipment. A sincere thanks to the ladies at Salon Salon who donated their time, wages and even their tips! The kids looked great and the parents were very happy with the results and the cause. Thanks to all for the very generous tips, contributions and additional proceeds that were raised from the rafflle participation. The raffle will be drawn for a personalized photo from the kids upon my return in December. I leave tomorrow night and will be updating the blog with entries and images as I go. Thanks again for all your support!!

Update for Image-In Fundraiser Sunday, Nov-16

A sincere thanks to all of those booked to date, the generous contribution of the hair stylists and Salon Salon hair studio's support. We have confirmed booking of nearly thirty kiddos so far! That's about halfway to the goal of 50-60 total. We've added another hair stylist for a total of six to accommodate the goal. If we surpass the 50-60 participant count, we can add additional stylists to accommodate.

Steve Williams of the non-profit, A Heart for Children (AHFC) will be at the event to speak on behalf of his organizations vision and support of the project. We have also received some tax deductible donations and welcome more. On another note, I was interviewed today by the local newspaper 'Coast News' and they will be running an article in the Thursday Nov-13 edition promoting the fundraiser.

All of the digital cameras, printer, paper/ink, batteries and associated equipment have been ordered and will arrive next week in time for my Nov-20 departure. Again I must express my gratitude for everybody's overwhelming support and contribution of the project and the vision of AHFC. Thanks again! - Kurt