With Christmas and 2013 behind us, we have launched into a whirlwind of planned events,projects and activities for 2014. Bali Children Foundation had a really productive year with many new projects and additional sponsorships. | Approximately 285 guests attended this year’s New Year Party in the Kayu Putih Village Hall. Attendees included village officials from six communities, BCF Board members, staff and guests. After the welcoming celebration, students who received high grades in the Computer in the Village and English in the Village classes were awarded Certificates of Achievement and prizes. |  Puspanjali dance | BCF students presented some highly professional entertainment which included the Cendrawasih dance, Mekidung, Modern dance and Joged Bumbung (the flirting dance). These talented and passionate students are all part of BCF’s Village Clubs, run by the students for the students. |  The dancers from Dencarik waiting to perform Modern Dance | | To finish the New Year Celebration, the children all received new school shoes. Bali Children Foundation hopes to include many more children in our education programs during 2014. |  The Margaret Bracelet | Buddha to Buddha (BTB) is an international jewellery and accessories company that uses some of the best Bali craftspeople to create their innovative and exquisite designs. BTB recently introduced the “Margareth” range (after our founder and CEO Marg Barry) with a percentage of profits going to Bali Children Foundation. | BTB currently sponsor 50 students from four communities in the Dencarik region. | A team from BTB spent a day at BCF’s northern projects to film the communities and capture how their donations and support have contributed to the local children and their families. After presenting the children with new school shoes, the team visited the English in the Village and Computer in the Village classes. | BCF children were interviewed in their homes where the team observed traditional basket weaving and received baskets from the children. Founder, Batul Loomans was particularly touched by Indah's special basket with "Buddha to Buddha" woven into the basket. | BTB later conducted an art competition in the Village Hall for over 80 children on the theme “What I love the most in my life”. All children received an art pack to create their images which will be put on display in Holland. | Buddha to Buddha certainly live up to their motto “Be Aware and Share”. To see their range and find out more about this wonderful company, visit their website | Congratulations to Ketut Nadi who graduated after successfully completing a Diploma in Computing at LPDA (Lembaga Pendidikan Dibia Amerta). Ketut specialized in Office and Applications Computing. |  Graduate Ketut Nadi with Chairman of the Campus, Pak Mangku and Wayan | | Ketut is our first graduate from Negara where the Norwegian GoStudy students currently support 26 children at the Sanatana Dharma Hindu Children's Home and the education of 127 disadvantaged children from the surrounding communities. Thank you to GoStudy who have supported Ketut throughout his education at the Children’s Home, including his tertiary education. Their support is vital to, and very much appreciated by, Bali Children Foundation and the children of West Bali. | Our BCF supporter, Clare McAlaney, author of Things you need to know about Bali, has just published a new book entitled “bali soul journals™”. This book, seen through the eyes of locals, allows you to travel deep inside to learn about Bali’s spiritual heritage and to hear some of the heart-warming stories that help to create the Bali we know today. | Two of the 14 inspirational and thoughtful journals featured include Chandra Dewi ‘s journey with BCF from school student to Engineering student and Marg Barry’s journey along the path of education for the disadvantaged children in Bali. These two journals provide a greater insight into Bali Children Foundation's purpose here in Bali. | The stories throughout this beautiful book are illustrated with over 200 stunning photographs. To order the book, please go to the Bali Soul Journal website.. For our Australian supporters, if you order before the 1st of March, deliveries within Australia will be postage free - just select Bali - Free Shipping in the Shipping field from the order payment section. |  Bali Travel Guide | Clare has also produced a series of online books for anyone coming to Bali for their first visit or for those regular visitors who wish to discover even more of Bali’s hidden secrets. Things you need to know about Bali is available to download. Please click on the image for more information. | In torrential rain that only Bali can provide, BCF held a BBQ at the Seeds of Hope Children’s Home in Denpasar. The BBQ was attended by BCF Board members, supporters, staff and four young men (Clinton, Ivan, Michael & Ryan) from Camberwell Grammar School on their “alternative schoolies”. | While the food for the BBQ was prepared, the 60+ children sat patiently singing Christmas carols and other songs. These were the most well behaved young children we have encountered, a real credit to Sandra and Tommy who run the Children's Home. | After distribution of icecreams (a rare treat for the children) the night ended with Clinton presenting a keyboard for the children of Seeds of Hope on behalf of their school. | Our thanks to Ibu Sandra, Reverend Tommy, the children of Seeds of Hope and our BBQ volunteers for very happy, if a little wet, evening. |  The children of Bali Kids | | As part of their week in Bali, the boys from Camberwell Grammar School also visited YPAC Bali and Bali Kids Children’s Homes. At these two inspirational centres, they witnessed BCF projects that included the dental clinic at Bali Kids and the fantastic loving and caring environments that have been created by exceptional, caring people for those less fortunate. Once again, the boys presented keyboards, on behalf of their school, to the children at both centres. |  Ypac Bali Children's Home | | With the increasing number of sponsored children, we have introduced “Village Open Days” to minimize the interruption to scheduled classes in the villages and at the Children’s Homes. If you would like to visit your sponsored child or see some of our projects, please check the planned Open Village Days listed on the website. | 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. | | |
