The art of Paul Whitehead stands as ready proof of the old saying that "first impressions never last." The British artist utilizes a technique that catches the viewer off guard by employing visual puns that reflect his wry sense of humor. Deeper reflection, however, may reveal a more profound message. This is often posed as an unanswered riddle striking a perfect balance between whimsy and a self-effacing Socratic wisdom.
>Whitehead explores a wide range of perspectives in each of his paintings. In "Furniture" a bird looks at a tree and sees a nesting place; a small boy a tree to climb; the nature lover revels in the glory of nature embodied in a trees; while the businessman sees wood for furniture. The visual appreciation and the concepts generated by our minds are determined by our social conditioning, environment, values and precepts.
Born in a bombed-out suburb of southeast London at the end of World War Two, art has liberated Whitehead from the restrictions of his own social origins. Although he described his experience of studying art at Oxford as a disaster, he also calls it informative. His breakthrough came in London's "Swinging Sixties" when he established himself as a leading designer of album covers for musical artists like Fats Domino and the super-group Genesis in a classic post psychedelic style.
When asked to identify his artistic inspiration, he points to René Margritte's surrealistic painting 'Ceci Ce N'est Pas une Pipe' (This is not a pipe). "For me painting", he says, "is about questioning reality and challenging perceptions."
This is apparent in "Accident" - a work illustrating a fallen glass out of which white powder has haphazardly and somewhat miraculously tumbled out in the shape of the island of Bali. Similarly, perhaps Whitehead's arrival in Bali and current exhibition at the Ganesha Gallery should be seen as serendipitous.
A graduate of a phenomenal era, his paintings and antics are guaranteed to amuse, surprise and astonish art lovers this holiday season in an exhibition that runs through January 4, 2010.
QUESTIONS?
An Exhibition of Paintings by Paul Whitehead
Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
Open Daily, December 10, 2009 through January 4, 2010.

The Indonesian National News Agency Antara reports that Hollywood Star Julia Roberts may have had a hard time remembering her lines while shooting "Eat, Pray, Love" in and around Bali's cultural Mecca of Ubud.
Hadi Subiyanto, the actor cast in the role of a spiritual guru to Elizabeth Gilbert, the part portrayed by Roberts, told the press: "Julia Roberts often didn't remember her lines and did a lot of improvisation. This made me confused, because I memorized the last word of each line from Julia's dialogue so I would know when to begin my dialogue."
Despite Julia Robert's lapses of memory and a resulting large number of retakes, the Indonesian actor and music educator enjoyed playing opposite the Academy award-winning actress.
According to Antara, Hadi's acting skills received praise from both Roberts and Ketut Liyer, the Ubud-based spiritual healer he portrays in the film. 95-years of age and in poor health, Liyer told Had he liked his performance, saying: "Wow, you played the part very well . . .if I had to play myself its not certain I would have acted as well."
Hadi told the press that retakes were not always the fault of an actor forgetting his or her lines, but were also made necessary by strong winds.
Hadi said: "it was hard to do Ketut Liyer's lines because his English is not fluent. The Director said I could improvise, but I didn't want to do that."
In the film the 67-year old actor played the party of Liyer who is nearly three decades older. A committed actor, Hadi impressed many on the set with his complete memorization of his script, including the punctuation of each sentence. The actor whose age qualifies him as a senior citizen, revealed that he had to make a complete physical and mental commitment to successfully undertake the role.
However, when Hadi met with Liyer, he refused to memorize a specific mantra provided by the spiritualist, necessitating that Liyer's own voice be used in a prayer sequence at a local temple.
Hadi told of how Liyer presented him with one of his highly-prized mystical books depicting a four-legged man. Hadi says he attaches a deeper meaning to the symbol, reminding him that whatever challenges he faces in life he must be prepared to stand firm as though he had four feet to support him. Adding, "don't look at the world with only your head, but also with your heart."

Jack De Lissa, a Director of Bali Tours/Bali Travel Service died in hospital in Australia on Friday, November 13, 2007, after suffering a massive stroke several weeks earlier.
A true pioneer in wholesaling Bali travel to the Australian travel industry and general public, helped found Bali Tours/Bali Travel Service more than 35 years ago in Sydney before eventually moving the company to Melbourne. De Lissa also operated Bali Travel Service located in Jimbaran, Bali.
A familiar and popular presence among hoteliers, travel professional and the royal household of Tjok Gede Putra Sukawati in Ubud - De Lissa was known for his passionate commitment to Bali, promoting the island in both time of feast and famine.
Jack was the beloved husband of Chris and loving father of Michael, Emma and Peter and very much loved grandfather of Josephine.
A Service of Thanksgiving for Jack's life was held at the Chapel of the Innes Gardens Memorial Park Crematorium in Port Macquarie, NSW on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

NusaBali reports that the Denpasar District Court has sentenced Esti Yuliani (also known as Julie Edmond) 41, to two years imprisonment after finding her guilty of embezzling at least Rp. 25 billion (US$250,000) from her foreign clients whom she attended from the now defunct Kantor Kita operation in Bali's Sanur district.
The presiding judge at the trial, Nyoman Sutama, handed down a sentence that was one year less than the three years sought by public prosecutors.
The former owner of PT Kantor Kita was found guilty of violating 378 KUHP - the criminal statute for criminal fraud that carries a maximum penalty of four years.
The judge ruled that based on the corroborating nature of the testimony given by former clients of Yuliani - including H. Don Worthington, Lucky Christian Pua and Mark Vernon Tuck; the testimony rendered directly by Yuliani; and documentary evidence presented to the court he was convinced of the woman's guilt.
Repeating her behavior exhibited at past court sessions, Yuliani began the sentencing phase of her trial by again proclaiming her innocence and asking the judge to release her.
Ignoring her pleas, the judge said he could find no mitigating evidence that might excuse Esti Yuliani's actions. In considering a suitable sentence the judge cited the substantial losses suffered by the defendant's clients as the result of her criminal acts.
During the course of the trail, it was revealed how Esti Yuliani misrepresented herself as a practicing attorney in the rental of a 10 hectare parcel of land and enticed her victims to entrust Rp. 25 billion to her "safekeeping."
The Public Prosecutor in the case, Agung Kusumayasa, expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the judge rendered a sentence one year less than he had requested from the court.

NusaBali says that the government of Buleleng, is beginning to scrutinize the villa building boom in North Bali by issuing an initial set of 12 summons to owners of villas suspected to be illegally operating on a commercial basis.
A local official, Nyoman Pastika, said, "We will eventually summon all villa owners, regardless if they hold permits or not, in order to make an accurate inventory of villas operating in our area."
Villas in the district of Banjar are among the first scheduled for review. Officials feel that there are a large number of villas operating without commercial licenses in that area, a suspicion strengthened by the fact that there are individuals registered as the owner of multiple properties.
In the past, the villa owners have insisted to officials that the villas are used exclusively as private residences, when in fact many of the villas are offered for rent to the public. Commercial lets of villas and hotel rooms in Bali are subject to a 10% VAT tax.
Pastika said that the local government has met with success in collecting the yearly land and property tax (PBB) applied against all property in Bali. Buleleng has managed to collect Rp. 8.5 billion (US$850,000) in land and property tax, a total that exceeds their stated target of Rp. 7.6 billion.
Pastika admitted that tax notices for buildings and land in Gerokgak, Sukasad and Tejakula have been delayed for administrative reasons. The delay in sending out these tax bills is due solely to administrative delays and will not result in tax penalties for those affected. Taxpayers have 6 months from the date of issuance of the Building and Land Tax bill to settle their payment with the government.

Shambhala Retreat Uma Ubud, Bali was the only Indonesian operation honored in the AsiaSpa Awards 2009 held at the Armani Bar in Hong Kong on Thursday, November 12, 2009.
Launched in 2005 to give recognition to exceptional spas in the Asia region, the AsiaSpa Awards is among the Asian spa industry's most anticipated annual event. The awards give recognition to the outstanding efforts of individuals, companies and products.
The 27 winners are selected by a panel of 28 handpicked judged, all experts in the field of spa healing and beauty.
Bringing honor to Indonesia and Bali in being named "Spa Retreat of the Year" was the COMO Shambhala Retreat in Uma Ubud, Bali which was cited for its “unique retreat concepts designed to guide guests towards radical lifestyle change."
Since its opening, in recognition of Bali's powerful spirituality, Uma Ubud has developed a substantial COMO Shambhala Retreat, designed for guests seeking greater health through Yoga and related treatments. The open-air pavilion for group and private Yoga practice has the best views in all the resort. There is also a meditation bale, a reflexology area, steam, sauna, gym, four treatment rooms and a 25-metre jade green pool.
The Asian-based therapies provided at the resort range from specific body treatments to facials, to sophisticated massages, including the COMO Shambhala Signature Massage, delivered by experienced practitioners.
COMO Shambhala's innovative position in the global spa market continues to expand. The company's Board of Advisors, made up of experts in holistic health, help direct the company's evolution. members include Dr Robert Thurman, Yoga teacher Rodney Yee and Donna Karan.
Book a Stay at the Uma Ubud
[Uma Ubud Boutique Resort]

BeritaBali.com says that a loose gas line to a hot water unit caused a fire that destroyed a single villa unit at the luxurious Komaneka Resort at Tanggayuda just north of Ubud, Bali, on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.
The fire was first detected by an employee of the Resort, Astari, who was working at the Terrace Café, not far from the affected unit #104. Astari immediately raised the alarm by notifying the front office, causing hotel staff to rush to the unit to remove the belongings of Japanese Tourist, Yui Sugana. Sugana was having breakfast in the hotel at the time of the fire.
The fire service arrived at the scene to discover the fire had been contained but the single villa had been destroyed.
Operations of the popular resort remain uninterrupted by the blaze estimated to have caused some Rp 50 million (US$5,000) in damages.

On a recent drive from Denpasar to Ubud, a group of large motor cycles appeared in the rearview mirror of an unsuspecting motorist, the bike's appearance heralded by the unmistakable deep-throated roar produced by high bore engines. Onboard the bikes were overweight men, trying in vain to arrest the inevitable march of time through middle age, who sounded sirens, commanded traffic on both side so the road to pull over to ease their passages and, in one instance, even landed a large boot into the side panel of a car that failed to immediately give way.
Such abhorrent lack of road etiquete is repeated in various locations across the island every day - suggest why these oversized bikes and the men who drive them have beend less-than-affectionately dubbed as "road hoggs."
The Big Bike Fraternity
Such bad behavior is among the factors increasing pressure on Bali's police to bring big bikes and their owners into line.
In a recent investigative story published by NusaBali, it was revealed how many of the older largest motorbikes traveling Bali roads are unregistered vehicles operating illegally under the "protection" of motor cycle clubs amd sympathetic members of the police. An anonymous source close to Bali's bike scene told the paper: "Usually these motor clubs establish close relationships with ranking police officers and operate under the guise of community service. Just check, see how many of these clubs have police affiliations."
Past efforts to clean-up the large number of smuggled motorbikes through an amnesty program have failed. The program which would allow unregistered bikes to be registered, also required that customs duties equal to 100% of the bike's purchase price be paid. This discouraged most from trying to get their paperwork in place. The illegal bike owners chose instead the less expensive route of arranging an illegal license plate through their respective big bike club.
The anonymous source said big bike drivers have little to fear as police seldom inspect the paperwork of such vehicles in routine road side paperwork checks. The same source said the illegal use of unregistered big bikes on Bali roads would only stop when bike clubs refused bikes without complete paperwork from being listed on their membership rosters.
Police Reluctant to Take Action
Surprisingly, Bambang Sugeng of the Bali traffic police freely admitted that unregistered motor bikes formed into clubs escorted in convoys by the police are virtually guarateed to be safe from any law enforcement measures.

Bali's worsening rabies epidemic was scandalized further last week when it was discovered that both the human vaccine and canine inoculations that are supposed to be provided free-of-charge by the government were in fact being sold in the north Bali regency of Buleleng.
The confirmation that human vaccine was being sold for Rp. 188,000 (US$18.80) and canine rabies inoculations for Rp. 3,000 (US0.30) in Buleleng has so angered local parliamentarians that lawmaker have threatened to turn the matter over to the police.
The head of Animal husbandry in Buleleng, Putu Ardika, denied that canine inoculations were being sold, claiming the Rp.3,000 fee was being used to purchase snacks for those providing the shots.
According to NusaBali dogs without owners to pay the "snack" fees are being eliminated.
Meanwhile, people reporting to the Buleleng General Hospital with dog bite victim were being told to purchase "out-of-stock" vaccine from the local drug store for Rp. 188,000.
The Head of the Bali Health service, Nyoman Suteja, has ordered an immediate end to the practice and that any money paid for human vaccine be refunded immediately.
The public relations spokesperson for the Governor's office in Bali confirmed that Governor Made Mangku Pastika was alarmed to hear reports of vaccine being sold and ordered health officials to immediately investigate the reports and set matters right immediately.

The Head of the Animal Husbandry Department for the Province of Bali, Ida Bagus Alit, has warned Bali's several tourist attractions and religious sites that are home to wild monkey populations to be on guard to prevent a species jump in the current rabies epidemic from dogs to primates.
Quoted in Kompas.com, Alit called on all traditional villages in Bali, especially those that are host to monkey populations that mix with local residents and visitors, to join the effort to stop the spread of rabies by preventing stray dogs from mixing with the primates.
A number of areas in Bali are well known for their wild monkey populations that share their environments with tourist and local populations. Among the most well known areas are Sangeh, Pura Uluwatu, Alas Kedaton, Bedugul, Ubud Monkey Forest and Pulaki.
Alit has also warned Bali residents to mindful of the fact that rabies can also easily spread to Bali's domestic and feral cat populations.
A lot said: "Hopefully careful supervision by officials at each tourist attraction will prevent dogs from having contact or fighting with local monkeys." Budi Prasetyo of Bali Agricultural Quarantine Office in Denpasar warned: "If monkeys become infected with rabies, the problem (of rabies) will be come much more difficult to resolve."

Beritabali.com reports that the traditional chief of Serangan island, Made Mudana Wiguna, has firmly stated his disagreement with the purported recommendation of Bali's governor Made Mangku Pastika to the Forestry Department that a yearly quota of 1,000 turtles be set aside for ceremonial sacrifice.
Mudana feels that the governor's recommendation is not in keeping with efforts to conserve the turtle population. Moreover, he sees the use of turtles for sacrifice as flying in the face of efforts to restore Serangan Island's branding as a "turtle island."
Mudana told the press his rejection of the governor's recommendation is in keeping with the commitment of the people of Serangan Island to protect turtles and repairs Bali's negative reputation as an island that destroys turtles. "This reflects our commitment to eliminate the trade in turtles and restore Serangan island's name as a ‘turtle island' like it enjoyed in 1974," he explained.
Mudana pointed to the inclusion of turtle conservation rules into local traditional laws in force on Serangan island as proof that the people of his village are genuinely concerned with protecting turtles.
Mudana underlined that any recommendation to set aside 1,000 turtles for ceremonial purposes is not a recommendation from the people of Serangan, what's more the recommendation is for the sacrifice of 1,000 green turtles and not olive ridley turtles.
According to Mudana, the endemic species of turtle on Serangan island is the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and not the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).
WWF Joins the Debate
The World Wildlife Fund for Animals (WWF) is urging the Department of Forestry to reject the provincial government of Bali's request for 1,000 green turtles be set aside each year for ceremonial purposes.
WWF considers that if the Bali government's recommendation is accepted it will open up the door for the resumption of the green turtle trade in Bali which officially ended in 2003 when the use of turtles for ceremonial purposes was outlawed.
The coordinator of WWF programs for Indonesia, Creusa Hitipeuw, told the press gathered on Serangan island on November 20, 2009, that there are efforts by certain parties to re-open the turtle trade in Bali through using religious ceremonies to camouflage their true intentions. WWF warned that such tactics, if successful, will have a negative impact on Bali's tourism industry.
Said Hitipeuw: "the need for turtles is not for religious ceremonies, most will be sold for consumption (as food). If, in fact, the turtles were for religious purposes we could devise a mechanism."
Creusa Hitipeuw, the coordinator for WWF Indonesia estimates that 500 turtles are sold illegally each year n Bali. Most of these turtles come from Sulawesi, Maluku and Sumatra.

Officers from the Bali Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA) moved in on an empty warehouse north of Bali's capital of Denpasar on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, where they seized 15 trengilling or Pangolin scaly anteaters destined for eventual slaughter.
The protected animals are highly prized for the large scales composed of Keratin and their meat, both thought to delay aging and serve as an aphrodisiac.
The police have arrested the owner of the warehouse, Ketut Dharma, who will be charged with commerce in a protected species, acts punishable by a Rp. 100 million (US$10,000) fine and five years imprisonment.
Working on information provided by a neighbor, police placed the warehouse under surveillance for a week before undertaking the raid.
The pangolin is often confused with the armadillo. While similar in shape, lifestyle and diet, the pangolin is specific to Asia and Africa as opposed to the armadillo which lives only in the Americas. The pangolin "shell" is comprised of leaf-shaped scales comprised of keratin while the armadillo "shell" is made of bone. Both animals resemble a reptile when, in fact, they are mammals.
The illegal trade in pangolins can fetch up to Rp. 1 million (US$100) for one kilogram of their meat and Rp. 9,000 (US$0.90) for each of their many scales.

Held each year to coincide with World Travel Mart in London, the 16th World Travel Awards were held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Grosvenor House in London.
Cited by the Wall Street Journal as the "Oscars" of the global tourism industry, the awards are given to those judged to be the “best of the best" in a whole range of travel industry companies with nearly 3000 travel companies nominated for recognition in over 200 categories.
At this year's awards, Graham Cooke, President, World Travel Awards commented: "The past 12 months have brought several challenges, namely the economic downturn and the outbreak of swine flu, which has impacted travel and tourism worldwide; today's winners have remained focused on their long term objectives, and continued to deliver above and beyond the call of duty, setting an industry example."
Bali Winners at World Travel Awards
The Bali travel companies winning recognition in London were:
• Ayana Resort and Spa Bali - Asia Leading Luxury Resort
• Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort - Indonesia's Leading Golf Resort
• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan - Indonesia's Leading Hotel
• Samaya Seminyak - Indonesia's Leading Resort.
Related Sites
[Complete List of World Travel Award Winners]
[Ayana Resort & Spa Bali]
[Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort]
[Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan]
[Samaya Seminyak]

The coordinator of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ngurah Wijaya, has called on the people and law enforcement agencies in Bali to take a firm line in the fight against pedophilia in order to safeguard Bali's future.
Speaking to the national news agency ANTARA, Wijaya said: "The people should be especially vigilant against these violations of the law. Don't hesitate to report cases and perpetrators. This is not just about preserving Bali's tourism image, but also about protecting the nation's future.
Bali has experienced a number of high-profile cases of pedophilia, some committed by international tourists who have found Bali convenient for their criminal acts.
According to Wijaya, while tourism makes an important contribution to Bali's economy, it is not correct to label pedophilia a negative excess of tourism, as pedophilia offenses also occur within the non-tourist sectors of society.
At the same time, Wijaya said that it is well known that pedophiles often utilize international networks to exchange information on potential targets. Moreover, such criminals will go to great lengths to devise means to provide them access to their victims, including finding employment opportunities that put them in close proximity of children. "In this instance, law enforcement can take a large role with immigration publishing black lists of known pedophiles."
Separately, the General Manager of the Hotel Nikko, Jean Charles Le Coz, said most pedophiles perform their criminal activities outside of hotels. "We urge the public, particularly parents, to pay attention to the children. This involves the coming generation," Le Coz warned.
Le Coz also explained how hotel staff safeguard the hotel guests. He explained that if a hotel as a children's play area or a child care center these areas will always be supervised by hotel staff.
Le Coz also warned that issues with a Western taint are sometime not seen objectively by the public who fail to remember that many pedophile case involve perpetrators from the local community.

On Sunday, November 15, 2009, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, and the Minister of Law and Human Right, Patrialis Akbar, conducted a snap inspection of the visa-on-arrival (VOA) procedures at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport.
During the inspections the two cabinet ministers had a close-up look at the immigration lockets used for VOA and the long lines that occur when several flights arrive at the same time.
When the ministers reviewed the 26 immigration desks in operation they found a number with faulty equipment, including 6 lockets with broken computers.
The Minister of Law and Human Rights told NusaBali that his department would work to increase VOA services to tourists in order that visitors are not disappointed. He promised to replace broken computers and other non-operating equipment to improve service.
Patrialis Akbar promised to increase services for those obtaining a VOA in order to eliminate the long lines. He told the press that Bali is an important part of Indonesia's tourism reputation in the eyes of the world and he is committed to do what is necessary to avoid disappointing Bali visitors.
"Bali's victories are Indonesia's victories. Because of this, we must give the best service. As the person responsible for immigration I will continue to make improvements with my team," explained Akbar.
Improvements, he said, will not only include repairing broken computers, but will also make sure that immigration has a stock of stand-by computers. He also promised that the number of immigration lockets will not be a mere doubling of the current number, but a tripling of service lockets.
Akbar added, "There may be problems with space (for the new lockets), but I will discuss this with the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) to use areas set aside for a VIP terminal."
Jero Wacik used the surprise inspection to interview several arriving tourists who reportedly related that immigration lines are a problem in many destinations, not only Indonesia, and that despite the problems at Bali airports the passengers said they had only been waiting 15 minutes.
Wacik has called for the new immigration lockets and computers to be put in operation as soon as possible and that 15 minutes from disembarking an airplane until boarding an airport taxi become the new target.
Separately, the General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura, Heru Legowo assured the press that once the current renovations are completed, Bali's airport will be able to handle 20 million passengers each year. The current renovations are expected to be completed in 30 months.

The Tour D'Indonesia bicycle race got underway in Jakarta on Sunday, November 22, 2009 in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta and will travel across the entire islands of Java and Bali in 10 stages before ending in downtown Denpasar on December 3, 2009, some 1,514 kilometers later. The Jakarta "start" was in the form of a 12 kilometer team time trial in downtown Jakarta before the 20 participating teams are shifted to Badung, West Java for the actual start of the grueling race across Java to Bali.
Sponsored by Speedy Broadband Access, the participating teams include the Philippines (2), Japan (1), Iran (2), Australia (1), South Korea (1), Malaysia (1), Kazakhstan (1), Russia (1) and Indonesia (11).
Tour D'Indonesia Schedule
• Jakarta, Nov. 22, 2009, Time Trials.
• Bandung (Lapangan Gasibu) - Tasikmalaya (Plasa Telkom) Nov. 23, 2009
• Tasikmalaya (Plasa Telkom) - Purwokerto (Alun-alun) Nov. 24, 2009
• Purwokerto (Alun-alun) - Semarang (Balai Kota) Nov. 25, 2009
• Semarang (Bali Kota) - Yogyakarta (Balai Kota) Nov. 26, 2009
• Trikora (Plasa Telkom) - Madiun (Alun-alun) Nov. 28, 2009
• Madiun (Alun-alun) - Surabaya (Taman Bungkul) –Nov. 29, 2009
• Surabaya (Taman Suryo - Kantor Walikota) - Surbaya (Taman Suryo - Kantor Walikota) - Nov. 30, 2009
• Probolinggo (Alun-Alun) - Banyuwangi (Kantor Bupati) Dec. 1, 2009
• Gilimanuk (Port Entrance) - Denpasar (Lapangan Renon) Dec. 2, 2009
• Denpasar (Lapangan Renon) - Denpasar (Lapangan Renon) Dec. 3, 2009.
Related Link
[Tour D'Indonesia 2009 Wesbite]

The 7.6 earthquakes that struck Padang and West Sumatra on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, claimed more than 1,100 lives. The quake devastated the once proud and picturesque provincial capital of Padang, leveling homes, offices, hotels, hospitals and schools.
Now, some 2 months after the natural disaster only 40% of Padang's school-aged children have managed to return to the classroom, many of those in makeshift structures not wholly suitable for education.
"This is an important sign that life will return to normal for children affected by this tragedy," said UNICEF Country Representative in Indonesia, Angela Kearney, "Many children I have met amidst the shattered buildings of Padang expressed their fears for the future. They are worried about more shocks, about losing their homes, and about never going back to school again," added Kearney. "Today, children can see that schools will be re-opening, and that they will be able to continue their learning. It's a first step towards bringing the comfort and reassurance that these children so desperately need."
More supports and efforts are needed, not only to provide kids with suitable formal education, but also to make them find their childhood back; meeting friends, sharing stories, playing, and having fun. These are tremendously important to help them deal with the trauma.
Bali Kids for Padang Kids Charity Event
You can help gets the kids back to school in West Sumatra by attending a sunset cocktail and auction at the Gado-Gado Restaurant on the beach in Seminyak on Thursday, November 26, 2009. Running from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm the evening will be festive with music by Padang native Oppie Andaresta, songs by Bali Soda kids, salsa & jive by The Dance Company & Davis, ethnic Sumatran dances by the Bali Padang Community, auction, plus door prizes and much more!
Beautiful paintings by the children of Padang will be auctioned off during the course of the evening by guest auctioneer, Jack Daniels of Bali Update and www.balidiscovery.com.
You can give to the kids by enjoying a three-course meal prepared by Chef Quib for only Rp. 400,000(US$40) or purchase meal-less entry Ticket for just Rp. 50,000 (US$5. Proceeds for the evening go to rebuilding Padang's Elementary Schools and purchasing book sets for the children.
The event is supported by Gado Gado Resturant and Rotary Seminyak. For tickets and bookings e contact Nikken on++62(0)8124661198 .