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This Hindu orphanage of 33 children is run by Pak. Nyoman Suantara and his wife Ibu Made Suwili.
BCF was approached in October 2007 regarding health issues, hygiene and lack of funds at this institution. On initial inspection, the children had severe skin disorders, insufficient food and poor living facilities.
Our initial work involved a quick renovation which included:
- Connecting running water to the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas
- Painting and refreshing accommodation areas, replacing all bedding (it was vermin infested) and providing new sheeting, pillows and curtains.
Once hygiene and nutrition improved, the children’s skin disorders disappeared and their energy levels elevated.
Through generous donations from Go Study Norway and The Wheelton Foundation, adjacent land has been purchased and upgrading has continued.
Works over the last year include paving the public area, replacing the well, building a water tower, buying 18are of land, establishing a kitchen garden and removing asbestos from existing buildings.
The students have shown a dramatic turnaround in their manners, confidence and ability to interact with visitors. Go- Study Norway provides a minimum of two interactions per semester with the students. These have included bringing the whole orphanage on a weekend trip to Lovina, with dinner, concert, dolphin safari, animal circus etc. We’ve had two great ‘’play’’ days at the Go-Study campus in Seminyak. Sanatana Dharma students have hosted their Norwegian friends at Negara. Both groups are very interested in music and performance. A couple of Norwegian Idol finalists have entertained us all, while the SD Boys Bongo Group (Dharma Drums) has been a huge success at each and every outing. Melaya, Negara is very remote with spoken English levels amongst the children at a low level. An English project at Sanatana Dharma is a priority for 2011 school year.
In April 2009 we commenced building a new accommodation block for students. This project was a direct donation from The Wheelton Foundation. In May 2009 we started a full renovation of existing facilities supported by Go-Study Norway (Click here). During June, all existing buildings were renovated, the girls toilet and shower area upgraded, we installed an additional bathroom and toilet wing , extended and upgraded the kitchen/cooking area and completed the library/ computer room. This work was completed in time for the new school year commencing July 2009.
Once the bricks and mortar issues are resolved we’ll put our energy in projects. Projects currently in planning include music and dancing, art, English (as already mentioned), computer classes and a recycling program with an organic fertilizer aspect. This will enable us to expand the kitchen garden project.
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