Letter from PASK

Just before Christmas,  I received this letter from PASK.  Ibu Esi had written it on October 28, 2012.  What follows is my translation of the letter.  I have done my best to be true to Ibu Esi's meaning and her words.  Below the translation you will find her original letter (Indonesian).   SYI has responded to this letter in the form of some relief and that relief is also outlined below. 

My Translation of Ibu Esi's Letter

Dear Christina, Chris, and Colby, 

Greetings to you in the form of this letter, until we meet again.  The orphanage children long to see you and your family. We are fixing a landslide in the well.  To pay for the repairs, we borrowed 2.000.000 rupiah.  The work started on October 22 , but is not yet finished (October 28).  Stones and cement to make it flat again.  (Note: These repairs are now complete!)

Our condition is urgent concerning food and money for school fees.   We have asked certain individuals for help with food.  There is no money from the social department of the government social. Their budget no longer exists.  We believe and hope that Ibu Christina and Pak Chris will see the children of PASK through this crisis.

We heard you are coming to Sumba? When do you come?

We wait for Ibu Christina, Pak Chris, Colby, and Colby's baby brother. Oh! Happy birthday to the  brother of Colby on October 26, 2012.

May the Lord grant his mercy with Ibu Christina's family and may they always have health.  The children of PASK and I are also healthy.  If you want to build a dorm in the Summer, I think the air is good (Note: Ibu Esi is referring to the weather).  We wait for a reply from Ibu about the plans.

We give ourselves to the Lord and his plans with Ibu Christina.  Thank you very much for all the aid for the PASK children.  May the Lord repay the kindness of Ibu. We pray for good Ibu quickly come to sumba. Thank you Ibu Christina.  You are always welcome.

Until we meet again.

Sincerely,
The Children and Headmistress of PASK

Theresia Ela Malo (Ibu Esi)

Original Letter

Ibu Kris, Pak Kris dan Kolby yang terkasih,

Selamat berjumpa lagi di lembaran putih ini. Kerinduan anak-nak panti untuk bertemu dengan keluarga Ibu dan Bapak sangat besar.

Kami sedang memperbaiki sumur yang longsor itu. Untuk biaya perbaikan kami pinjam uang Rp. 2 juta lebih . Mulai tanggal 22 Oktober hingga hari ini (28 Oktober) sumur belum selesai. Batu-batu dan tanah longsor telah ditutupi dengan semen dan batu gunung sehingga sudah rata.

Kondisi kami yang mendesak adalah makanan dan uang sekolah anak-anak yang SMP dan SMA. Selama ini kami hanya minta pihak-pihak tertentu untuk mendapatkan bahan makanan. Anggaran dari Pemerintah/Dinas Sosial belum ada.

Kami yakin dan percaya  Ibu Kris dan Pak Kris bisa melihat anak-anak panti yang sedang krisis ini. Kami dengar Ibu akan ke Sumba? Kapan Ibu datang? Kami menantikan Ibu Kris, Kolby dan adiknya Kolby. Oh.. selamat ulang tahun untuk adiknya Kolby tanggal 26 Oktober 2012. Semoga Tuhan memberikan rahmat-Nya pada keluarga Ibu Kris dan semoga sehat selalu.

Anak-anak panti juga sehat bersama kami pengasuhnya. Jika Ibu ingin membangun gedung dalam musim kemarau saya kira lebih baik udaranya lebh bagus. Jadi kami menunggu jawaban dari Ibu untuk semua rencana.

Kami pasrahkan diri kepada Tuhan dan kepada Ibu Kris. Terima kasih banyak atas semua bantuan untuk anak-anak panti semoga Tuhan membalas kebaikan Ibu. Kami doakan semoga Ibu cepat datang ke Sumba. Terima kasih dan selamat datang Ibu Kris. Sampai kita berjumla lagi.

Hormat kami

Anak-anak dan pengasuh Panti Asuhan Sinar kasih

Theresia Ela Malo-Ibu Esi

SYI's Response
SYI was able to send $1000 in December to PASK.  I wrote a brief note to Ibu Esi asking her to repay the debt for fixing the well, and urging her to use the money to purchase livestock - future food planning!!!  She compiled with my request.  She repaid the debt for fixing the well.  Purchased staples (rice, potatoes, etc.) that they so desperately needed, and used the remainder to purchase a breeding pair of pigs!

The upcoming Easter Egg fundraiser is designated for food.  Last year we sold over 350 eggs and made more than $1200 in profit.  This year we want to double that amount.  We are looking for people to help sell eggs and, of course, anyone who wants to purchase an egg or 10.  This year we are offering four filling choices: chocolate cream, coconut cream, maple nut cream, or peanut butter.  All eggs are $5 a piece.


To further address PASK's need for a sustainable way to provide food, we are considering adding plans for animal accessory buildings to Operation Dorm.  These plans will include alterations to existing structures as well as construction of small shelters for livestock such as chickens and rabbits.  These plans will first be reviewed by PASK before officially being added.  It is our intention that these additions will not add significantly to the cost of Operation Dorm (~$1000 addition), but will provide a much needed means of being more self-sufficient.

We need volunteers!  If you or someone you know would like to help SYI, we would love to have you.    Please email me today, and we can discuss the numerous ways you could help make a difference in the lives of the children at PASK.

                  

Welcome 2013

Greetings!  A quick update to get the year rolling.....

2013 will be a big year.

• Operation Dorm is still in full swing.  We are almost at the halfway mark thanks to so many generous donations!  I have one church already lined up for a presentation this year, but I have room in my schedule for more.
• Do you know of a church or organization that would be interested in hearing about SYI?  Please email me.  I would love to tell them about PASK.
• I have a letter from Ibu Esi (headmistress at PASK) that I will post by the end of the month.  
• Most importantly.....

• EASTER EGG SALES will begin Feb 1st.  Get your order in early!!  
• Peanut Butter
• Coconut
• Maple Walnut
• Chocolate

As always, I am looking for willing volunteers to expand SYI and help us reach our goal.  Please contact me if you would like to help.  We could use help in the following areas:
        1.  Keeping this website updated!
        2.  Compiling financial records and double checking the books.
        3.  Marketing - getting our name out.
        4.  Mailings
     

A story from Jois

Some friends of SYI's and the orphanage in Sumba have been interviewing the children living at PASK about their day-to-day lives and their dreams.  I hope to share at least one with you each month.  

This is the story of Jois.   I met Jois in the summer of 2010.  She is one of the PASK children that led me to start SYI.  Her name is appropriate.  She is full of more Joy than I thought possible in such a tiny little body.  I took this photo of Jois one afternoon 2 years ago, while she was playing in our yard.  She loved posing with Colby's sunglasses!

Martha Hebi, a wonderful volunteer at PASK, has written up the Indonesian version of Jois' story.  Below you will find my translation of her story.  I attempted to stay true to their words.  

“Saya Ingin Jadi Perawat”

“Saya ingin jadi perawat, biar bisa merawat orang”, ujar Yosefina Malo. Jois, nama panggilannya sudah tinggal di Panti Asuhan Sinar Kasih sejak berumur 2 tahun. Saat ini Jois bersekolah di SD Mata kelas 5. Dia adalah anak keempat dari 5 bersaudara. Mamanya sudah meninggal dunia.

Di Panti Asuhan, Jois memiliki aktivitas rutin. Bangun pagi jam 05:00, Jois mengatur tempat tidur, menyapu rumah. Bersama teman-temannya, Jois berdoa pagi. Setelah berdoa bersama, Jois bersama teman-teman pergi ke mata air. “Sebenarnya kami punya sumur, tetapi sumur longsor jadi untuk sementara, kami timba air di mata air,” kata Jois yang lahir pada 1 Desember 2000. Jois menuturkan, sekembalinya dari mata air, mereka sarapan bersama lalu bersiap-siap ke sekolah.

Jam 12:00 atau 12:30 sekembali dari sekolah, Jois makan siang lalu mencucui piring. Kemudian tidur siang selama 1 jam.  Jois yang senang sekali menyanyi dan menari, selalu riang mengerjakan pekerjaan rumah bersama teman-temannya. Bersama teman-temannya, pernah menyanyi dalam acara gereja, Pesta Paroki. Di sore hari, Jois membantu menyapu rumah dan timba air. Jam 17:00 Jois belajar bersama.

 Di Panti, Jois juga membantu masak. Karena cita-citanya ingin jadi perawat, Jois sangat peduli jika ada temannya yang sakit atau sedih. “Saya juga suka urut mama dan papa kalau mereka cape”, cerita Jois dengan mata berbinar-binar. (Martha Hebi, Volunteer Panti Asuhan Sinar Kasih)

Translation:

"I want to be a nurse."

“I want to be a nurse, so I can treat people,” says yosefina malo.  Her nickname at Panti Asuhan Sinar Kasih is Jois (pronounced Joyce.) She was born on December 1, 2000.  She has been living at PASK since she was only 2 years old.  Currently, Jois attends elementary school and is in what we consider the fifth grade.  She is the fourth of five siblings, but her mother is no longer living.

At PASK, Jois has a very active routine.  She rises each morning at 5am,   Her morning chores are to make her bed and sweep the house.  She then says her prayers with her friends.   Before the well was complete at PASK, Jois and her friends would then walk to the springs to draw water.  Once they have collected water (now from the well), she eats breakfast and get ready for school.  At 12:30, she returns from school to eat lunch.  After washing the plates, Jois takes a nap for 1 hour.  In the afternoon, Jois helps sweep the house and draws water.  At 5pm,  Jois studies together with her friends.  Sometimes in the evening, Jois also helps to cook dinner.

Jois delights in singing and dancing, and studying with her friends.  Sometimes Jois and her friends sing at church.  Jois is passionate about becoming a nurse and cares very deeply if her friends or neighbors are in pain or sorrow. “I would also love to have a mommy and daddy if they can,” says Jois with the dreamy eyes.

Jois poses with a drawing she made of PASK. (~Aug 2012)  

And the winner is...

Sunthorn Pon-Tor!!!  Mr. Pon-Tor is now the proud owner of a handmade quilt.

As you can tell, he is very pleased with his prize.  Congratulations Thorn! 

SYI would like to say a big Thank You to LaChresia Bogardus for making this fine quilt and donating it to us for the raffle.  We would also like to thank everyone who participated.  We made $300 for Operation Dorm.  

*****Please check back in the next two weeks as I have just received several stories written by the children of PASK.  I will post the stories as written (Bahasa Indonesia) and my mediocre translations.  Also, several donations have made their way to us.  As soon as I have them all entered in, I will update the totals in the sidebar. ***** 

Handmade Quilt Raffle

 First, a few important updates:

1.  The children of PASK send big hugs and warm hellos to their SYI friends.  They have asked me to let you know that they completed school this past year with flying colors.  Each one was able to return to school this year (starts in July in Indonesia) and is excited to see what they can accomplish! 

2.  Operation Dorm is plugging along.  Look in the sidebar and you will see donations are over $2,000!  There are donations and pledges being made almost daily.  I will update the total raised as often as possible. 

3.  I am currently scheduling talks at churches and organizations.  If you are interested in having your church or group hear about Sumba, SYI, and Operation Dorm, send me an email and we will schedule a time!  

Now for the main attraction!

Earlier this year, LaChresia Bogardus completed this gorgeous handmade quilt and donated it to SYI.  The quilt has dimensions of 107” X 69” is pictured on a full-sized bed.  SYI is holding a raffle for this beautiful textile! 

To purchase or sell (Bless You!) raffle tickets, seek out an SYI volunteer or send me an email (sumbayouthinitiative@gmailcom).  I will arm you with information about SYI and pictures of the quilt.

  

   

Operation Dorm Begins!

SYI is launching a new campaign and we are calling it Operation Dorm.  My little friends at PASK (say hello boys....)

need our help with a significant project.  The boys need a new dormitory.  There are currently 20 boys at PASK (41 children total), and they sleep in the room pictured below.  

Except for the youngest boys, who sleep in a bed with the girls.  All of the children sleep 3-4 kids per twin-sized bed.  Most of the bunk beds were built out of scrap wood by the headmistress.

The girls dormitory is in good shape.  It could use a fresh coat of paint, but there is relatively adequate space for  the girls.  The dormitory for the boys was originally the kitchen.  The boys moved as the orphanage grew.  The "kitchen" is now a three-sided structure made of bamboo mats and grass and they cook over open fires.  

SYI experienced great success with Operation Dig (the campaign to build the well), and the benefits to PASK are innumerable.  The children have clean water for free, and they have put in a vegetable garden.  These two alterations have freed up funds for better quality food (meat, tofu, rice) and for new clothes.

With the well under our belts, we want to take on a more ambitious project.  Operation Dorm is a campaign to raise $16,000 to build a ~20' X 30' structure pictured below.   

Note: WC = bathroom and Dapur = kitchen

PASK has the land necessary to build this structure and Waitabula, Sumba has the necessary supplies and the willing workers to accomplish this project.  We are missing the funding.  Many fundraisers are actively occurring in areas around willing volunteers.  A raffle fundraiser will be underway in a few weeks.  A campaign letter is going out by email and US postal mail.  Look for it in your inbox and pass it on to your family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances!  There is also an information page about the campaign that you can reach by the link above this post.  

Please consider making a donation to help us reach our goal using the paypal button to your right.  Also, if you would like to help with an on-going fundraiser, have an idea for a fundraiser, or would like to help in some other way please email me or leave a comment.

SYI can't make this happen without help and support from you.  Together, I know we can do anything!

Easter Egg Summary

This year’s Easter Egg fundraiser made a profit of $1238!  Mom and her team of volunteers made over 300 eggs.  Deliveries were made during the week leading up to Easter Sunday.  Mom had several last minute requests for eggs during those days and was unfortunately unable to accommodate all of them.  If you were one of those rare unlucky few, be sure to get your Easter Egg order in early next year!

The money from the Eggstravaganza was/is earmarked for food.  Now that it the funds have all been collected, and the calculations all made. I am sending $1000.00 (the transfer limit for one transaction) to PASK this afternoon.  They will use the money at their discretion for meals.  I will send suggestions to purchase small livestock (chickens, rabbits, etc.), but that decision will be left up to the headmistress.  I will update the blog with a list of their purchase once they are complete! 

The remainder of the money will stay in the SYI account here and will be sent along when the total again reaches one thousand.  If you would like to contribute to the PASK food fund, please click the paypal button in the sidebar.  Remember $250 is enough to sponsor one child for a year!  This sponsorship works out to be only $21 a month.   

THANK YOU!!