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Smudge's report on the visit to Tianya Barat 24th June
A convoy of three vehicles went to Tianya Barat on 24th June with clothing, food donations and first aid equipment. I ( Smudge ) was in the lead with Made to act as interpreter. Nurse Linda, a Southern Cross Bali Association member, the sister of Munti's Banjar leader, Rebecca and Graham both paramedics followed in the second vehicle. Peter, also a Southern Cross member, followed in the third vehicle.
We handed the clothes out at a Holy man's house in Tianya Barat to people who had heard we were due and came in from the surrounding district. The need is so great that the villagers clambered for the clothing. Rebecca had a little difficulty in controlling the eager crowd. we will have to devise a plan where we are able to distribute the clothing in a more orderly manner, probably organizing it so that the recipiants have to file by the bags of clothing one at a time.
Many people, including children, were treated for cuts and abraisions.
We went further up the mountain to the village of Munty. The track is unsealed and we had to transfer to a four wheel drive Kijang. Here more clothes were distributed. Graham and Linda treated those who had arrived with various ailments, including very septic cuts. About 200 were seen and it was noted that quite a few medical problems could be prevalent, it would need thorough examinations to confirm, cases of cataracts, cases of arthritis etc.
We had intended to go to a third village but time ran out and most of the people needing help had found their way to the first two stops.
Four children were taken to stay at my house ( Smudge's ) to enable further treatment, such as dental treatment and check up for broken bones, in Denpasar. All have now returned to the villages.
From our visit we realize that help will be an ongoing commitment and that we need to be able to get a doctor to the area to treat conditions beyond the things we have been able to do.
GREAT NEWS from Ken
Komang had his operation yesterday and all went well. The day started very early and with Komang having to fast keeping his mind off food was the main concern. Gede said prayers three times before we left to pick Kim, the translator. She has been absolutely fabulous. Next to The Mount Hospital to pick up the consent form.We met the public relations officer from St John of Gods in Subiaco where the operation was to take place. After about four hours we were shown the children's ward. Gede and Iluh thought it was a five star hotel. They were both given permission to sleep in the room with Komang. They were shown the playroom and Komang thought he was in heaven. What is not in that room is not worth having. He fixed his eyes on a huge car that you get in and get pushed around. That kept him entertained for almost four hours. The surgery was supposed to be at 6pm but was delayed and didn't start until 8:30pm. At this point I must mention that all the staff of St John of God were fantastic with Komang. Komang was great and only when the needle went into his hand did he whimper. The staff played the whole time with Komeng, such games as putting on bandages, gowns and ointments.
The surgeon is happy with how it went and told us within a year, if the parents follow instructions, you would never know Komang had foot trouble. In the meantime he will be fitted with a splint. The splint will will be as thin as a pair of socks. He will be able to wear a pair of shoes for the first time. He will have to wear the splint for one to two months and be able to walk with his feet flat on the ground. After that he will only need to wear the splint at night for twelve months.
There are many people to thank for their help in getting Komang and his parents to Perth and for donating clothing, wheelchair, support and fundraising. To everyone of you a huge "Thank You".
Gede broke down last night, he had huge tears in his eyes and gave us a huge hug. He said all his prayers had been answered.
Updated June 16th
Many thanks to those who have taken clothing in their luggage during the past couple of weeks, especially, Kath, Wilma, John and Sean. As has been mentioned, it has become increasingly difficult to get extra baggage with the airlines and every item of clothing we can get to Bali will be well used. The clothes are to be delivered to the villages on 24th June.
Chris and Ken had a flying visit to Bali to pick up Komang and his parents. They decided to bring several boxes of donated vitamins.
They were stopped at the airport and interrogated for three hours. They were determined not to pay any "fines" nor to leave the vitamins. The customs officers couldn't understand why a company would give away valuable goods just because the packet design had been altered. Chris and Ken remained persistent and eventually were let through. During their interrogation they were shown a mountain of donated clothing that has been confiscated. We have found it increasingly difficult to get extra baggage through customs without being questioned for a long time.
Ken's latest report ( 15th June )
Komang visited the surgeon today at The Mount Medical Center. We arrived to a warm welcome from Liz, Dr Johnsons secretary and were soon joined by three interpreter’s from the Indonesian Embassy. Why three? I don't know, two spoke both Bahasa Bali and Bahasa Indonesia, the other only Indonesian. Dr "Don" Johnson introduced himself and escorted us to his room. Komang knew what was coming and when Don tried to examine his feet he sparked up good and proper. It had to be done, so his parents held his feet while Don did his best.Komang was still playing up as Don explained to us what had to be done. With this type of operation they usually like to do one foot at a time, but as he said, "I'm only going to get one shot at this.". The only treatment Komang had since birth was a cast around his feet at birth for one month. Merieke tried casting his feet again at two years old but it didn't work, it was too late. What has happened is that the tendons on one side have grown strong whilst the others on the other side have given up, hence the feet have turned in. What they propose to do is cut the strong stretched tendons and put them in place of the weak ones. That will bring the feet around to the normal position. The operation is a complex one and will take about four to five hours. He will be given a "spinal" to deaden his body from the waist down, to lessen the pain after the operation. His feet will then be cast. The casts will be removed after three weeks to check for skin breaks and for wound care. They will then be recast for a further three weeks. After a stint of therapy he will be fitted with splints for him to wear at night for twelve months. It will be a very important stage, he will be able to run around without them but MUST wear them at night to prevent his feet from returning inwards. Don told us Komang will always show signs of having clubbed feet. They will not look perfect but he should be able to walk, run and do what he loves, playing soccer. It is looking hopeful.
We took the family to Kings Park afterwards and the father loves Perth. It seems that we may have to force him to go back to Bali.
Sorry the report is a bit long but I wanted you to be kept up to date. We have a week to settle the little fella down. Thanks to donations from Perth Zoo and Caversham Wild Life Park they will have a few days to see, feed and touch kangaroos, koalas etc. Today Gede, Komang's father, burned incense and said his first prayer since arriving, a good sign.
If you don't have socks, you cant pull them up!
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Updated 19th March:
