Sunday, 13Aug06

Highlights: volunteering in Bantul, helping idea

Not wanting to sit around the house sad, I decided to go down to Bantul & throw myself into some volunteer work again. They always need a hand down there, and I’ve got nothing but time…

I’ve been kicking an idea around in my head about helping a few more families down there. I’ve noticed that most families down there are sleeping on folded blankets on the floor; and with such modest incomes- going out of the house for entertainment happens rarely, so little things like TV, play-station, a radio that works and books go a long way to improving the fun factor around the house.

I did some looking around, and a new mattress goes for $80. A new play-station console also goes for $80. A radio with a cd player = $60. books, of course, are much cheaper. I’d love to be Santa Claus for some of the people I’ve met, but was thinking the giving spirit would be more meaningful and special if it came from a few people I know in the states. That way it’s not me,,, but “Americans” giving them a little something to make their lives better in a tangible way they can appreciate every day.

Anyways- if any of you feel like throwing a few dollars behind an effort like this to help a few Indonesian families directly, let me know through my e-mail: jonb_one@yahoo.com

I think it’ll be pretty cool.

Ok,, aside from that,,, I had the strangest feeling today as I was working with Dwi and his wife. I was imagining,,, to them I must look like the guardian angel of rubble removal. Ha ha. Well- I’m certainly not special, but it does feel good to swoop out of no-where, do some good for some people who really appreciate it,,, and not make them feel like they owe you anything. It’s just my way of paying it forward.

We cleared the front of the house of broken tiles & bricks. They have a yard again! ha ha

After about 4 hours, I called it a day & decided to do a little sight-seeing on my way home,,, as I was in no hurry to get anywhere. I cruised through Kota Gede, which is known as the silver-smith area of Yogya,,, and also the capital of the ancient Javanese kingdom of Mataram. I’d characterize it as a series of narrow, twisting streets lined with garage-size shops. It’s like being in a post-card.

I dropped by another strange sight,,, the village of Gadjah Wong. It’s a classic, under the bridge area, set next to the modern buildings and main road of Jl. Solo. Very humble bamboo & wood homes, next to a 4 star hotel (right), and a river (left). As soon as they saw I could speak bahasa Indonesia, the people I met there pulled all their friends & family out of their homes to come meet me & say hello (= very friendly folks.
No running water here, so they wash clothes & bathe in the river,,, same river with heaps of trash from under the bridge.