Greetings from Pantai Lembeng, Bali
This morning we took a trip to see the Bali Baby Home. It's our second visit.. last time was in February, 6 months ago. Actually I wanted to meet the founder of this amazing project. A guy called Burhan.
What I didn't appreciate on the first visit is that this is a relatively new venture.. only two and years old and in the last 6 months has done amazing things. What they do is create a safe space for young mothers who have been ostracized or run away from their families because of a pregnancy. Burhan told me that on average one baby is abandoned somewhere in Indonesia everyday. Left on the side of the road, in rubbish bin or sometimes left outside his home. Indonesian society especially in the rural areas and remote islands is so unaccepting of pregnancy out of wedlock, and abortions are illegal in Indonesia, so young girls often run away and sometimes to the comparatively liberal island of Bali.
Burhan told me they have saved over a hundred babies in the last two years that otherwise might be dead. And he and his team work hard at reuniting babies and family.. he will go to remote village find the family of girl - negotiate the safe and loving return of girl and baby. 43 babies have been successfully returned to families. Part of the process is that every baby has an Instagram account, so that grand parents can see how cute their kids are and hopefully melt hardened hearts.
We arrived just as Barham also returned from a four day trip to Java where they are setting up another home, the house where we met is the toddler place and all the little ones were excited to see him crowding round and calling him papa. They have volunteers come from Europe right now two girls from France, the mothers who are here all pitch in and local ladies help, you can see how they are all devoted to the energetic and charismatic Burhan. I sat with him and he told me the whole story..
On behalf of Ancient Wisdom we offered our help, there is a large house next to the existing home which last time we came was clearly over crowded. It belongs to a Japanese businessman who has agreed to rent it to the charity, so we agreed to cover the rent and some extra for services. Also a lump sum big enough to do meaningful work, and pay off debts.
He told me that they are not short of nappies and baby food, tourist arrive everyday with boxes of supplies, in return for a tour of the building. They have so many donations that he sends a truck every month to Java for use in the other two homes he has set up.
You can find out more here: .Bali Baby Home.
Our plan is to develop a product line from Bali, where a chunk of the profit can on that line goes directly back to the home. In this way you can help support what I believe is a super worthy cause.
So Angels and Babies..
Regular readers will know we have a children's home in India we have supported for many years.. You can read about it here.
Our plan is develop relationships with on-the-ground people in all the areas we do business in. I hope you are coming along for the ride. And help us to support more people.
