Thread: Personal Stories and real people

Hi Stu and Ayu...Lovely story and a wonderful memory for you. It's amazing how doing something so small (to us) can bring such an abundance of joy to others. Good on you and thank you for sharing.

This being November and all I thought you would have some stories to share. Yes...no???

Driving from Bali to Bromo recently.... after 7 hours of driving and being stopped at a red light in Probolingo there was a busker who came up and sang a song beside the car, I then gave him only 1,000Rp which made him so delighted he started jumping up in the air waving , so his other busking mates could see. I guess people in Java are quiet a bit poorer, or more appreciative, as that would certainly never happen here for only one thousand Rps.

Richard, it's great to have you on this forum. Please be sure to share some of your photographs with us on the Bali Expat Pictures site, link upper right.

We were just up your way last weekend for the one year "oton" for the Helen Flavel Foundation. Helen is still on Bali, but hopefully when she returns to Adelaide, she will write a full report. Some pictures can be found here...albeit not very good ones. A tough day for the camera (and the photographer...bright sun and dark shadows!

http://www.sundream.com/~majapahit/imag ... lights.jpg

Hi Roy... Yes its good to be here on a forum that is not just talking about the price of massages. Pity you didn't drop in while you were here, would love to meet you, so next time drop in and have a chat.

Yes when I have time I will have at look at putting some photo's i have on the page you were talking about.

Thanks for the invite Richard. As it was, we had our pembantu, driver and all three boys with us, so it was tough to do much of anything else except the ceremony for Helen.

If you are headed to Ubud in the future, drop me a line and let's get together!

Ok will do but don't get down that way often

I have read Roy's post about the Helen Flavel Foundation's big day to celebrate our 1st anniversary. Roy wrote that he hoped I would write a report. This was taken from the "online diary" of our Website.

February trip to Bali

Monday, March 07, 2005

February trip to Bali
Home again after 17 days in Bali, this was indeed a trip to remember. The team decided we should have a party to celebrate the 1st year of the Helen Flavel Foundation. We arranged for all the children on our books to be invited. Also 1 parent/guardian, the Principals from 30 schools, 1 Hospitality College and 1 Higher Learning College. On paper this seemed like a normal party to organize, I wasn't at all prepared for the emotional roller coaster ride I was about to take.

I was totally overwhelmed by the sight of 154 children with big smiles, lined up to meet us, as we walked into the school grounds. I must have looked a sight, smiling like I had just won the lottery, yet not being able to stop the tears from rolling down my face at the same time.

Thank you to all the sponsors for making this dream a reality. It's only through your kindness that these children have been given a chance to get an education and hopefully a better life.

The party went for 4 hours and consisted of a few welcoming speeches, Balinese dancing from the young girls, loads of games and much fun. Finishing off by sharing lunch together and then the children went home with lollies, balloons and an exercise book each. All the principals spoke to me with glowing reports about how well the children are doing at school. The children are told they have been given a "scholarship"which fills the student confidence and much pride.
They all throw themselves into getting the best grades they can.

The house that we pulled down before it collapsed, has been rebuilt. This is home to a 84 year old woman, her 40 year old widowed daughter and her 10 year old grandson. The home looks so good, for the first time in their lives, they actually have a toilet, bathroom and a kitchen area. They have planted many Marigold shrubs which are in full bloom, these flowers are picked and then made into little offerings and sold to the people from the village. This family can make enough money to buy a little more food.

I visited the Rehabilitation Centre for the Bali Society for the Protection of Animals and I was amazed at all the new kennels and the improvements made to the place. Congratulations to Luca and Meita for all their hard work and funds they have invested in the place. Over the years I have seen a great improvement in the health of the Bali dogs, but I wasn't prepared for the sight of 8 Doberman's though. These dogs all around 18 months old, were breed by an expat who found that his dogs were all sick with parasites. On finding this out he decided to have them all killed. Luckily he took them to the vet that cares for the Rehab Centre and their lives were saved. They are so affectionate and now in great condition, 2 have already been placed with new loving families. All the dogs have beautiful natures and really good with children. Their new families and the homes offered are checked out before the dogs are allowed to leave the shelter.I hope to be able to add some photos to this site later. When I find out how to do it:-)


We visited Wana Sraya, the aged care home we care for. We found everyone in high spirits and full of news. It seems that some kind hearted tourists are now making a special visit during their stay in Bali, to help with money and goods. It's wonderful to see the difference this kindness is making to these elderly people. One group even bought the home a new washing machine. I took donations to the home from "The Indians Volleyball Club" in Victoria and the Lions Club of Balnarring Hastings Victoria. This money was used to buy drying racks, bedside tables, chairs and much need hand rails for the bathrooms.

If you have any questions you would like answered please email me helen@flavel.com.au

A CHRISTMAS DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET 2004
I hadnt been asleep that night , after a long walk back from Double Six along the beach I stopped and chatted with a guy from Jakarta , he was on Holiday with a group of young friends and only too happy to chat about life.......Well back to the Hotel in Poppies 1, it must have been about 8:30am... to bed or breakfast.....was leaning towards bed but for some reason decided breakfast was the go..If was a great morning as usual, sitting at the breakfast tables were a couple with there small child, another guy, and myself......What was that?, there were some muffled noises from the pool area which was out of sight, everyone glanced across in that direction at the same time. There was a old Balineese lady sitting weaving some baskets smiling, just kids playing the other guy said......I stood up....then..