Bali is abuzz with activity this month including the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit of the 21 member nations around the Pacific rim. Australia’s new Prime Minister Tony Abbott was there to meet with other world leaders. Denpasar’s airport has been undergoing major redevelopment with the aim for completion in time for the summit. The international arrivals terminal now has 20 Visa on Arrival counters, 26 immigration counters and seven baggage carousels. Along with the new toll road to the airport, this should mean a much faster and improved start to your next visit to Bali. |  A very happy Marg with the Yak Award | | Each year Bali’s leading lifestyle magazine, The Yak, conducts an on-line survey to awards prizes for the best of the best in 15 different categories. With huge competition, our Margaret Barry and the Bali Children Foundation won the award for Best Community Service. Fantastic result. Congratulations to Marg and all of our BCF supporters. To keep up-to-date with the latest Bali happenings visit Yak Magazine’s website |  The Margaret Bracelet | Buddha to Buddha is a Dutch based jewellery company that uses some of the finest jewellers in Bali. Their innovative and exquisite jewellery range is much sought after worldwide. Buddha to Buddha has established an alliance with Bali Children Foundation and created some wonderful pieces to help evoke positive thoughts. To this end they have created two ranges that includes the “Margaret Range” of bracelets, rings and necklaces and the Menasa Collection. A percentage of all sales of these items goes to Bali Children Foundation who have gratefully received a cheque for AUD 8,800 from Buddha to Buddha. This will cover the first semester costs for 57 Scholarships in four villages in North Bali. To see the range and find out more about this wonderful company, visit their website |  The old facilities | Many of you have visited the Widhya Asih III orphanage in Bali and seen the progress, over the years, with building, educational and sporting amenities that BCF and our supporters have funded. These improvements have all made such a huge difference to the children. Our latest project there includes the redevelopment of the girls and boys toilet blocks and laundry area. Work is well underway with expected completion by the end of October. |  The new washing and shower areas | | Our thanks go to Mark Whately and Denise di Marchi who have funded a large part of this much needed project. | Robin Dougherty recently joined BCF as a permanent volunteer and is based at our BCF Kerobokan office. After completing her year as President of Rotary Seminyak and taking a well-deserved break in Australia, Robin is now ready to take up her role at BCF. Robin has prepared a comprehensive PR and fundraising plan for BCF to follow from our Bali base. This will significantly raise awareness of the Bali Children Foundation. |  Rotary of Box Hill President Vincent Lim, Robin and BCF Chairman Paul Wheelton OAM | | Robin recently addressed the Rotary Club of Box Hill, Victoria and gave an excellent presentation about BCF and our vision to provide an educational pathway for disadvantaged Balinese children – a journey leading to growth and long term sustainability. Robin received a cheque for $1,500 from the International Committee of Rotary Box Hill. | Our first two Tertiary students have just graduated from the Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha. Ida Ayu Putu Fitriyani (Fitri) successfully completed her three year Diploma in Information Technology and now works full time in our BCF Banjar Office as Field Data Manager. With her IT background and engaging personality, Fitri is a real asset to BCF. |  Fitri, in traditional Balinese dress, and Suarsana with Wayan proudly showing their Diplomas | | Putu Suarsana successfully completed his three year Diploma in Bahasa Bali and now begins study for a Bachelor’s degree. This multi-talented young man works part-time at the Singaraja Museum, part-time as a BCF teaching aide and leads the BCF opera and drama clubs. It is an honour to have him in our BCF program. Both from challenging backgrounds, these two students have achieved wonderful results due to their hard work, dedication, support from family members, teachers and BCF. We are so very proud of them. | In September, Board Member Mike Dolbey, Wayan and Rick Olarenshaw (from Surfers in Suits) met with local dignitaries and the families of the 55 children selected for BCF scholarships in the Kayu Putih banjar hall. |  Scholarship BCF children, their families and BCF staff, teachers and graduates | | Kayu Putih is a small, remote village situated 90km north of Denpasar, near Lovina and 5 kms from the scenic northern coastal road. |  Wayan, Mike, teachers and graduates address the enthusiastic group | | BCF teachers and several BCF Tertiary scholarship students from Mike’s SET Club (his inspirational initiative to practice conversational English) addressed the visitors and explained how BCF scholarships and support had changed their lives. They received enthusiastic applause from the children and all adults attending. Mike is very generously funding the Kayu Putih project for the first 12 months. | At a recent gathering of Mike’s SET Club, the group had a surprise visit from Cinta Laura, an Indonesian singer and actress famous throughout Asia. Cinta generously posed for photos with graduates, students and teachers. |  Cinta Laura with Suwartini, Osy and Suardipa | | Mike was mentoring the students for their application and interviews for John Hardy Internships. The John Hardy company creates exquisite jewellery for adults and children. They offer a “Job for Life” program born out of an effort to support disadvantaged Balinese children. Read their story and see their superb jewellery on the John Hardy website. Happy shopping! | Rick Olarenshaw is a gifted former AFL footballer, successful businessman, promotional agent, media presenter, public speaker and all-round great guy. His connection with BCF began following promotion of KETUT, the smooth Balinese waiter in the well-known insurance advertisement. A Balinese based charity was sought as a recipient of fundraising activities and Rick and Surfers In Suits began to actively raise money to support BCF projects. To date they have raised significant funds to help with the rebuilding and refurbishment of The Seeds of Hope orphanage. |  Rick delights the children with some entertaining English lessons | | Rick recently visited Banjar to meet the BCF children in the English in the Village and Computer in the Village classes. Rick was a great success with the students as he joined in singing and listening to songs (via his iPhone), playing games and giving some impromptu English lessons. | The GoStudy Norway students hosted their annual Fun day for the children from Bali Children Foundation, Bali Kids and Jodie O’Shea orphanage at the Canggu Club on 29th September. Always one of the highlights of our children’s year, the success of this event is down to meticulous planning and hard work by the GoStudy Students and staff at the Canggu Club. |  Painting takes great concentration! | | Guest included Marg Barry of BCF, retired AFL players Rick Olarenshaw and Mark Sicoski, WA soccer player Nick Ward with Siobhan Peteki and volunteers Amee Stuart, Peta Johnston and Lisa Simonetta. |  The children were divided into groups to take part in 8-10 games | | After the usual excellent lunch, the children from Sanatana Dharma performed the Rajapala drama and traditional dance. Following an assortment of games, activities and Zumba the children headed home with their meal boxes. Thank you to Hanne and Paul McKinley and the GoStudy and Canggu Club team. A wonderful day. | There are three exciting fundraising events for BCF in October and November. | This week (Friday 18th) we have the Golf Day at Victoria Golf Club (thanks to Lindsay and Rosie for all their fantastic efforts to ensure this will be a great day). You can play as a team or individually. To join in the golf tournament, Details of Golf Day Tournament For those who would like to come along on the day, have lunch and listen to Marg speak about BCF, see full details here. | Then we have the fabulous, sparkling Divas’ Lunch on 31st October at Cocoon Restaurant in Bali where the theme will be "Halloween". Finally the Melbourne based combined lunch for the ladies' “At Our Table” and the men’s “Wildebeests” groups at the end of November. For full details of these events visit our website section: What’s On. | Our sincere thanks once again to everyone involved with BCF and our aim to improve the life of disadvantaged Balinese children. We have achieved a lot, we have much more to achieve but with your generosity, kindness and support we are able to bring more children to education under the BCF banner. | If you would like to donate to the Bali Children Foundation to give children like these an education that will transform their lives, please click on the Donate button for full details on how to donate. | | |
