As soon as I step off the plane, it feels like Bali!
The all-encompassing warmth, the fragrant smells, the smiling faces of the locals, the unhurried pace of life. It’s everything the doctor ordered for a bit of R and R. But for me, it’s all of that and more. As Chairperson for AdoptASchool Association, it’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones and check out our latest chapter which sees the development of a local Management Committee. For the 6 AAS members in Bali during this time, it’s an opportunity to do some serious and valuable networking.
During my stay, I and others from AAS, visited some sister schools based in Denpasar and Singaraja. We went to SD1 Abiantuwung, SD Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri in Pemogan, SD4 Banyasri, SD3 Suwug and SD2 Pegadungan to meet students and teachers and see the progress of programmes being covered by AAS funding. On the way back from Singaraja we stopped in at the fabulous new TopDeck Restaurant at the Candi Kuning markets and had a tasty meal with old friends Moira and David Wedd.
Back in Denpasar, we spent a morning at SMA1 Denpasar, which is Bali’s top ranking school. They follow an International curriculum and are required to have contact with a foreign school so I’ll be trying to find them a sister school in WA so they can fulfill this criteria. We also had a very productive meeting with the Head of the Badung Education Department, Oka Darmawan, with the view to a teacher/student exchange next year.
Later we visited the Stikes Nursing Academy in Panjer and walked around this well equipped institution which provides an International standard for nursing training. They, too, are wanting to link with others in their profession in Australia.
On the social side, I spent a couple of days with my sponsored family taking in the delights of the kite festival in Sanur and Waterbom Park and visiting the village of Kalibukbuk for voting day for the new Governor of Bali.
And so, my stay in Bali was rewarding and satisfying and I can’t wait for next year when I’ll do it all again!
Susan Cromb
Chairperson
AdoptASchool Assn Inc
17-7-08
www.adoptaschool.org.au
AAS meeting at Sri Agustini’s home
Oka Darmawan, Head of Badung Ed Dept
receiving a gift on behalf of AAS
Sponsored family in Kalibukbuk to vote
for Governor of Bali
