More photos from Mt Hope

Had a walk around the campus with the project manager, Craig, this week.  There is so much land, still in jungle form that Mt Hope owns, that can be developed at a later stage.  Their dream and vision is big, and includes tertiary education, a hospital and shops.  The buildings are all made of concrete to withstand the extremes of weather they have here... bucket loads of rain, and high temperatures.  The concrete blocks are all made on site in their factory, and used for buildings, walls and waterways.

new hostel for the  boys in progress

the girls hostel, home for just under 70 girls

my guest house

my room

worship team

Under the Sea

It is pretty cool both using a bit of creative thinking and getting to put it into practise, and helping to inspire kids with art and transform a blank canvas into something that brings a smile to people's faces.  When we put this up yesterday before dinner, the teacher Tabitha, was literally jumping up and down on the spot with excitement.  It will be priceless seeing the kid's faces next week, when they get to view the finished product of their work.  Took a bit of effort, but hey, it was so worth it!!!  ...........

and what a great teaching point!!   We can accomplish something by ourselves, but working together as a team we can accomplish so much more!!! 

Colour and creativity on the wall transform a classroom

Watch this space!!

Happy Kids

Under the Sea class mural created by Mt Hope Grade 2

finished the fish,, onto the coral

the team effort

Tabitha and me surveying our masterpiece!

Today's Excursions

Today was a good day to venture out the gates for the first time since arriving, not once but twice! 

A drive via the local market to pick up groceries, then off to drop off some guests at the border.  A bunch of bobby bananas for just 34 cents sounded a good buy to me!!!

Then off to a local village to an Indonesian wedding.  We packed into the bus in the heat, never mind the windows that didn't open and the fact there was no air conditioning, and travelled nearly an hour down the local roads that need some serious attention, over a wooden bridge I held my breath on as we went over, (phew made it!!) to one of the village houses.   The actual ceremony had already taken place earlier in the morning, and the couple sit all day on a dais with an open house policy for visitors to come.  It is customary to greet the happy couple, have some food, then give them a monetary gift as you leave.  It is wonderful to see family, honour and community, of great importance  to the people of Indonesia.

Mt Hope Wedding Guests

Bride and Groom on the porch Dais

Path to the Wedding House

Main Road from Balai Karangan

Entikong Border Checkpoint

Road to Village

Regina, one of the staff from Mt Hope all dressed up and looking beautiful!!

Visiting Teams to Mt Hope

It is great when groups come in and give their time and skills to do something different with the children.  We had a group from Singapore come and take a music seminar with keyboards and an Indonesian percussion instrument that comes in different keys.  There was also a soccer clinic and a hair cutting teaching session.
A team also came from Malaysia to take a seminar called "No Apologies" for teens about sexuality and making wise choices.

Music Seminar

Soccer Clinic

Welcome to Mt Hope, Balaikarangan, Kalimanten

A 4.15am start, 3 flights, 6 airports, I arrive at Kuching, Sarawak, on Borneo Island 17 hours later..... it was a long day!!  An overnight stop and off to Mt Hope after a shopping expedition picking up supplies.  A border check, another visa into Indonesia, and off on the back of a motorbike up the road to a street cafe to enjoy Bak So for lunch, then into a van and off we go.  Was a relief to get out of the heat and into my new temporary residence ..... here for a month at Mt Hope Training Centre, home for 150 Dayak children from poor families in the jungle areas, and school for 400.  Check out their website for the wonderful work that they do......

my home away from home - ah, airconditioning in my bedroom what luxury !!!!

Kindergarten where I had fun with six year old's teaching 

"5 little monkeys up a tree" and "the wheels on the bus" and playin "What's in the bag"

Kindergarten class colouring pictures with English words.. sock, shirt, hat...

Primary School 6 classes - year 1-6

Junior High - Year 7-9

One of the little cuties here - baby of one of the staff
 (haven't managed a cuddle yet)

Farewell Lombok

Well, ten days have past, and it is time to move on to another place and another adventure.  Lombok is indeed a beautiful island and worth a visit to just kick back and relax, as well as take in a bit of exploring. On one of the last few days I managed to join in on a Hash Harriers Run up into the hills.  There I found subdivisions going up with horrendous looking driveways, but with massive 180o views of the coastline.  And there the gap between rich and poor could be clearly seen with mansions built 50 metres away from simple huts.  Something we just don't see in the same context in New Zealand.  We cry from the rooftops "injustice", but here as westerners have settled, it has become a way of life.

Goodbye Lombok, thank you for the wonderful sunsets; I look forward to visiting you again!!

The home of the rich

The home of the poor

A Days Outing to Kuta, South Lombok

While the heat here in Lombok can seem to be unbearable, at times, where sweat sits on your skin and clothing remains damp, the thought of missing out by sitting inside an airconditioned room somehow seems the safe and convenient option, and adventures just don't happen without taking a little risk and putting up with a little discomfort.  So I headed out with my new friend Anne today, to see the south side of the island where I had heard the coastline was breathtaking, with a visit to Annan's pottery shop at Banyumulek village and to the Sade traditional Sasak village along the way.  To learn and experience culture requires one to step out of that comfort zone and at the end of the day, you can sit back, reflect on the days events, check out the amazing photos and know you have grown as a person by doing something you haven't done before.  Thanks Anne for a fantastic day, your knowledge and company were a true pleasure, and the Ashtori hilltop cafe overlooking Kuta, South Lombok was a great choice for lunch. 

Sade Traditional Village, Rice drying room

Spinning cotton into thread at Sade Traditional Village

Sade Traditional Sasak Village

Wallowing water buffalo

Kuta Beach Coastline

Surf Break overlooking Kuta

Seger Beach, Kuta

kuta beach south lombok