Family Portrait

While friendships might sink, family ties bind people ever closer together. Being involved with the Cempaka Putih Foundation gives such an experience of togetherness and of being part of a family. While assisting with projects that aid and relieve the needs of the community, you may also be invited to participate in the culture, ceremonies, and joyous occasions of day-to-day life.

Max With The School Children

Recently, we have been blessed with visits and active involvement from friends of CPF. One such friend is Max, an actor and fitness instructor from South Africa, who has also been a ballet dancer in Europe. Initially, he just came along to assist me in giving the English classes in Songan village, but he soon found himself learning and experiencing more about the people of this magical Balinese caldera.

Cleansing at the Mountain Spring

His first encounter was a bit of a cold shower, during a new year’s cleansing ceremony in a mountain river. After this dousing Gede, Max, and I adjourned to the temple of the water goddess, at the shore of Lake Batur, for a private ceremony. An introduction to Balinese ritual I am sure he won’t soon forget…

We later attended a wedding ceremony in the village. While in the West a wedding is a private affair, for which guests must clear their entire day, in Balinese custom it is quite polite for members of the community and friends to arrive, greet the bride and groom, have a meal, and be off again! So, that is just what we did. However, afterwards, Gede took us further into the isolated caldera region to bring spring water to a remote village for a much more unusual wedding ceremony.

Max and Gede in Temple

Ancestral wedding ceremonies are a rarity we were much honored to witness. A family in the mountains was convinced that their ancestors, who never been given a proper wedding ceremony, needed one in order to bring balance and harmony back to the family. CPF was there to share and assist in this belated celebration of the past couple’s union. Max and I were treated like royalty, and eager youngsters, vying for an opportunity to practice their English skills, kept the conversation lively and informative.

Graham Leads a Nursery Rhyme

Teresa Bids Adieu

Teresa was truly touched when it came time for us to leave, and a little boy placed her hand on his forehead when bidding her farewell. I hope that the games, laughter, and fun of the day will echo in her heart for years to come.

All good things come to an end, even life itself. Graham, Max, and I joined Gede for the cremation ceremony of a beloved 105 year old man. A man Gede had considered to be as his own grandfather. Although a cremation is a colorful and boisterous affair, we all bonded and became slightly emotional over the loss of this cherished family member

In the Family Compound

The communal meal at the family compound afterwards really made us feel like a part of this family, and close to the community. During times of loss a stranger’s love and support can be of great comfort.

Whether you give of yourself, your time, your money, your expertise, or just a hug, I highly recommend learning more about the daily routines, trials, joys, and heartbreaks of this unique area, if even just to bring you closer to your humanity and yourself. Having been involved with CPF for the last five months has made me realize someone may not be your friend, but they are always your family. We are all part of this human race, and we are living together on Mother Earth. Cempaka Putih Foundation is proof that a little effort can make a huge difference in our common struggles to survive and thrive in these tumultuous times.

Hands in Prayer, A Universal Symbol

All donations, no matter how small, are of great benefit when they reach grass roots efforts like CPF. Every drop in the bucket is essential in making a difference and assisting in the relief of poverty. If you want to do your part, and be part of our family, just as Max, Graham, Teresa and I did, do not hesitate to contact CPF. I am sure I speak for all of us when I thank Cempaka Putih Foundation for this opportunity, and I hope our involvement will inspire others to join, donate, and unite as one big global family.

Traditional Baby Bracelets

When a Balinese child is born, for the first three months they are not allowed to touch the ground. Silver or gold bracelets are placed around their arms and ankles, they are almost worshiped or perceived to be “fallen angels”

I accompanied Gede to a meeting he had set up with the principal of a local primary school, the banjar leader, and a few teachers in Songan Village. During the meeting, the mission statement of Cempaka Putih Foundation was handed over and explained, and examples were given of other ongoing and/or successfully completed CPF projects within the community.

The School in Songan

The purpose of this meeting was to submit a proposal to start an English language program at the school. This is where I would come in, as the principal of the school wanted a western speaker of fluent English to participate in the project.

After two hours of deliberation in Balinese, Gede informed me the banjar leader, principal, and teachers had unanimously agreed to give the project the green light! Excited by this vote of confidence, I asked Gede WHEN we could start the program? My question was translated and the principal got up to fetch the Balinese calender.

CPF mediator leading meeting

It is customary in Balinese Hinduism to plan everything according to auspicious astrology. This is all meticulously worked out by religious authorities, and printed on the Balinese Calendar. There are days that are good for cutting your hair, clipping your nails, or filing your teeth; and then there are days that are good to start a new venture. Such a day had to be chosen from the calendar to ensure the success of the project. So, the date was set for two weeks later, giving us little but enough time to prepare.

A shopping trip to an educational book store in Denpasar revealed a wealth of colorful posters and handy workbooks. I searched, in particular, for materials that had both Indonesian and English explanations to make it easier for the children to learn, as well as providing a convenient Indonesian lesson for myself

Boys and their books!

When the day arrived for our classes to begin, I really saw what perfect angels Balinese children can be. Over fifty kids, between the ages of six and eleven, were playing around and having fun while waiting for us in the schoolyard. My nervous anticipation began to subside as I witnessed the happy smiles and the spontaneity of innocent youth.

I recall from my own primary school days in South Africa, that a day would start with assembly where the children would be seated in neat rows to hear announcements from the headmaster. Then, row-by-row, and in an orderly fashion, we would adjourn to our classrooms. At this school, in this time, things are being done a little differently…

A boy praying in class

The children had their own ceremony, with just a little help from the principal to light the incense. They even did a prayer and offering inside the classroom. It was so inspiring to be given the opportunity to teach these wonderful children, and I am so exited now to see them every Sunday.

Dee giving individual attention

Our Sunday class is basically just an oral revision of what the children learn during the week. This a class where individual attention is given, and each child gets a chance to talk. I listen to their pronunciation and grammar, while giving advice and playing fun educational games.

Anybody is welcome to join and participate in this class every Sunday. Transport leaves at 12:30 p.m. and returns to Ubud at 17:30.

Come face to face with an angel and teach while you learn. This is truly magical.