As always the months seem to have slipped away and it’s already July since our last newsletter. We so much good news to share with you all!

 

NEW ARRIVALS

We are happy to welcome , Yunus, Frans, Njong, Niki, Otnil, Rince, Arianto, Umbu, Casandra, Martini and Las Melu into our ever growing family at Jodie O’Shea. There is much to be done getting the children settled and into schools. In the long term we of course endeavor to create a sense of security and help these children to go on to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

Fun in the pool at Yanto and Alison’s house/Dental clinic visit our home. Thanks to everyone involved and Patricia Jamieson and BIWA.

ALISON VISITS SUMBA

As many of you are aware we have several children in our care from the island of Sumba a land of extreme contrasts. During my stay I visited some of our children’s families in the village of Lewa. Although I was already aware of the extreme poverty that these people endure I still found myself amazed at their graciousness and dignity. There are so many families who can barely afford to buy rice let alone educate their children. The conditions they live in are unimaginable, there is no water supply, it is a harsh and barren land and farming can only be harvested during the monsoon season and the rest of the year they live hand to mouth. The importance of nurturing their roots and maintaining a healthy relationship with their families is essential.   Therefore we continue to encourage regular visits to the home by bringing family members to come and spend quality time with their loved ones and in turn having the children return to their homeland.

INTRODUCING JULIE

I am so happy to have my dear friend Julie “on board”. Julie is now a part of our team and is assisting myself and Yanto with daily running of the home and the needs of the children. I simply was not coping with the enormous workload of both the orphanage and our kindergarten project in Jogya. Yanto and I cannot thank you enough Julie!

COMPUTER  LESSONS

One of the projects Julie is very keen on setting up is the security of the children’s futures as they proceed into adulthood. Her first step has been to organize extra curricular computer lessons for some of the children. May we take this opportunity to say thank you to the Australian International School in Bali for giving us the use of their computer lab twice a week to facilitate these lessons.

BBQ FOR THE CHILDREN AT ALISON AND YANTO’S HOUSE

Last Sunday all of our children came and enjoyed a fun filled afternoon swimming and playing in Canggu. As the BBQ that Brian and Mansur so kindly purchased for us has been such a huge success and we hope to hold these BBQ’s on a regular basis. The continue to amaze us by how much they enjoy their barbequed sausages and most of all SALAD!

THANK YOU

As always we would like to thank everyone who continues to support the children of Jodie O’Shea. Although we do not always thank you individually we are eternally grateful for your visits, your generosity and your kindness.
It was wonderful to once more have a visit from Andrew and Caroline Farr and their children James, Maddie and Will, we cannot thank you enough!
Gill Gunn and her husband Jon and friends Peter and Ester visited our home for the first time this month, thank you for all the wonderful goodies you brought for the children and a huge thank you to all your friends who so kindly supported us.
It was also wonderful to meet John Martin (albeit briefly) when you were in Bali. Thank you John, Noelene and Vanessa from Southern Cross Bali Association for your support. Simone sorry we didn’t catch up this visit, hopefully next time round! Thank you Lindy Pickersgill and Susi Young lovely meeting you this week, we’ll master this computer saga eventually!Pak Hasto thank you for all the computer lessons.

Thanks to our dear Merill, our lovely Stephanie and our darling Beukuss for your constant support.
Last but not least Maudi (our wonderful MFNF)!!!

Alison & Yanto

“May we continue to bring light into the lives of our children”