Dear Friends of Bali,

It is timely that one month after the catastrophe that engulfed Kuta and consequently all of our lives on the evening of October 12th,I should now summarise the activities of the Ibu Pertiwi (Mother Earth) non-profit foundation over this past month.

The founders, members and supporters of the Ibu Pertiwi (Mother Earth) Foundation are absolutely determined that something good must be made to come out of this terrible tragedy and have committed themselves to achieving this important goal. Consequently, the work of the Foundation has been permanently dedicated as a living memorial to all those people from every country that lost their lives and the hundreds of people who were injured on October 12th 2002.

The Ibu Pertiwi (Mother Earth) Foundation is committed to the improvement of medical and hospital services in Bali based on the democratic principles of accessibility for all people according to each person’s need and irrespective of each person’s race, religion or nationality.

Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi (YKIP) http://www.ykip.org was formalized on October 18th just 6 days after the bombing. The need for a legal structure was simply borne out of necessity. The idea for the establishment of such a structure hatched simultaneously in the minds of several individuals in the days immediately after the blast. Once it was learnt that the Australian Consul-General in Bali would supply a letter of endorsement to support the creation of a Yayasan (that was dedicated to improving medical facilities on Bali), then within a day and a half the ink was already drying on the signed statutory documents in the Notaris’ office.

I look back on those first 2 weeks after Saturday 12th and recognize them as I’m sure all of us do who live in Bali as the two most tumultuous weeks of our lives. On occasion whilst concentrating intently on some task at hand during this period, I would sometimes just literally relax, and forget everything, and then in an instant the shock of the realization of what had occurred would return, along with the adrenaline. The fallout from the bombing will remain with us all in some shape or form for the rest of our lives; however, the way we react to those memories will certainly change.

The formation of YKIP immediately opened up the possibility of using the positive activities of the foundation as a means to assist us all in processing our own individual grief and trauma. Harnessing the overwhelming flow of positive energy that has been directed towards Bali and its people from all parts of the world since the bombing has been a supreme challenge for all involved. ‘WE’ (in the collective sense) are mindful not to waste this opportunity in taking a tragedy of such horrific circumstances and turning it into a vehicle of such positive change that the beneficial results will impact far into the future. One YKIP motto is “rising out of the ashes to create a better future”. Life does not get much more awe-inspiring than this. Bali, in a snapshot is a microcosm of ‘Humanity’ where the spiritual, physical, emotional, economic and social aspects of that ‘Humanity’ are currently being regenerated.

As I mentioned earlier, YKIP’s Mission Statement (http://www.ykip.org/vision.asp) relates our dedication to the improvement of medical and hospital services in Bali based on the democratic principles of accessibility for all people according to each person's need, and irrespective of each person's race, religion or nationality. Our Yayasan’s (an Indonesian word meaning “charitable foundation”) motivation is driven by the supreme sacrifice of the many ‘Innocents’ and those who heroically charged into the inferno to help the injured and assist them to hospital. The tremendous courage displayed by the deceased’s’ grieving family members and friends continues to inspire us. Many of the volunteers who assisted in the various hospitals on Sunday the 13th and on subsequent days were privileged to witness inspirational courage as the severe burns causalities suffered in the silence of deep shock. As these people struggle to recover their health and reconstruct their shattered lives many volunteer groups in Bali have redoubled their efforts to ensure that a living, functional health care memorial will arise from our combined efforts to create a better tomorrow for everyone who lives or holidays on the Island of the Gods.
The founding membership of YKIP during the past 2 weeks has structured itself into an executive that works in tandem with 9 individual committees which are responsible for areas such as Emergency Response, Medical Facilities, Community Assistance & Development, Fund Raising, IT, Medical Training, Government Relations, Rotary and other NGO’s, Admin. & Accounting. All of these committees made up only of volunteers are already actively involved in pursuing their individual goals. Details of the committees work will soon appear on our website www.ykip.org so please watch out for that.

YKIP’s relationship with Rotary Nusa Dua continues to strengthen. Several members of Rotary Nusa Dua are also members of YKIP and both groups have agreed to work closely together in areas of fundraising and distribution of such funds. Some of the funds raised will be used in the ‘matching grants’ scheme offered by supporting Rotary Clubs and Rotary International. I would like to publicly thank Rotary Nusa Dua for their significant contribution in helping YKIP to become soundly established and in creating opportunities, which will allow the Foundation to reach its short, medium and long term goals.

I must tell you about some of the very exciting and inspiring initiatives that have been generated out of YKIP so far. Firstly, Cody Shwahko an inaugural YKIP member has proposed and developed a plan for the production of a 30-minute film in conjunction with Dr. Len Lambeth a clinical psychiatrist who is working under the auspices of IMC (International Medical Corp). Cody has brought together the skills of the American Anthropologist and long time Bali resident Ms.Rucina Ballinger with the exciting talents of the Balinese Dalang I Made Sidia from Bona village in Gianyar. It is proposed that aspects concerning Trauma Counseling be conveyed to the wider Balinese community through the time-honored means of the Wayang Kulit shadow puppet theatre. The Balinese puppeteer ( I Made Sidia) will be filmed conveying this message in the traditional sense, distribution of the end product will be via public television, screenings in Banjars ( local community centres), schools and public radio broadcasts. This proposal is currently being presented to USAID for funding. A number of other initiatives concerning Trauma Counseling are also being developed.

Mark Keatinge a YKIP member recently delivered a wonderful proposal in conjunction with teachers from the Bali International School, Dyatmika School and Australian International School. The scope of the project is as follows; “To offer money specifically to enhance educational opportunities for children who have lost a parent (or had a parent permanently incapacitated) in the Oct. 12 bombing. Funds permitting, this commitment will cover the children’s entire schooling needs, from the present through university. Any excess funds will be donated to orphanages and underprivileged children.” This project will be called the “YKIP Bali Children’s Fund” I fervently believe this project will attract a lot of fundraising support from the international community. The theme of this initiative is “Children helping Children”. I would like to include an email we received on our website recently which shows us all how great minds think alike.

“Selamat sore (Good afternoon!). My name is Isabelle Jacks, I'm a sixteen year old girl from South Fremantle in Western Australia. When I heard about the bombing in Kuta on October the 12th I was devastated. My family and myself have been regular visitors to Bali for the past 25yrs (our last visit was in July) and we feel connected to the beautiful island, its wonderful culture and friendly people.
From the moment I heard the news of the Sari Club, I knew I had to help somehow. The next day I went to the principal at South Fremantle Senior High School where I attend and organised to have a day where the students can make donations. We collected $525.10. As well as doing this, I also contacted other schools in the Fremantle area and organised to do the same with their students. Beaconsfield Primary, Hilton Primary, Winterfold Primary and Richmond Primary all agreed to do this. The total raised is $2110.80.
While looking around for a foundation that intends to put the money to the Balinese victims and their families, I came across Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi. After looking through the web site and reading the goals this foundation has, I've decided to send our donation to you, with the hope that something good can come out of something bad. I am sending the money through Bank West (Bali Appeal) and hope to do so by tomorrow or Wednesday. Along with this I would also like to donate $200 from the Jacks family.
Yours Faithfully,
Isabelle Jacks; Fremantle Western Australia ”

Thank you Isabelle for inspiring us with your efforts.

Another achievement of note is the YKIP involvement in the committee chaired by the Balinese Health Authorities, which ensures that all the donated excess medicines are distributed in an effective and worthy manner. Elizabeth Magson has lead the way on this one. On behalf of the Yayasan I must extend a big thank–you to the wonderful generosity of David Magson and Ken McClellan in extending themselves to provide the Yayasan with its first home at PT Mitrais, a leading computer software developer in Kuta. David’s switched on IT staff have been providing great assistance to the Foundation in this supreme effort of “ a lot of people doing a little bit”.

Fundraising activities continue to multiply; supporters in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, the US, UK and elsewhere are busily creating plans to fundraise to support YKIP and its aims. The Australian surfing community is rising to the challenge of giving back to Bali and its people with whom they so closely identify. Any person or organization anywhere in the world that wishes to get involved in fundraising for the work of the Foundation, please email us on: info@ykip.org.

It is proposed that in the near future a combined “Letter of Endorsement” supporting YKIP from the Consuls General of Britain, Switzerland, the United States of America and Italy will be posted on our website to accompany the existing letter of support signed by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.

I wish to pause here to pay tribute to the membership of YKIP as a whole, because they are an inspiring example of “Humanity in Action” and it truly humbles me to be working alongside them. I wholeheartedly believe that this community based Foundation supported by all people who live here be they Balinese, Indonesian or Expatriate residents and bolstered by Bali’s countless well wishers from around the world really can achieve the very high goals of our Mission and Vision Statements (http://www.ykip.org/vision.asp).

The journey of a lifetime starts out one step at a time, and as we constantly challenge our fears it is worth remembering the words of Marianne Williams who states that “ our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate .Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us”.

May I ask you to kindly forward this newsletter to your family members and friends who may be interested in supporting the work of the Ibu Pertiwi (Mother Earth) Foundation.

Financial donations to the Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi are urgently needed to progress our goal of improving the medical and hospital facilities on Bali. Donations to the Foundation may be made at http://www.ykip.org/dnt_generalfunds.asp or http://www.ykip.org/dnt_childrenfunds.asp.

Credibility, transparency, effectiveness and ethical intent remain foremost in the minds of all our members, potential donors and current supporters, it is therefore with great determination that YKIP continues to strive to realize and maintain the high standards it has set for itself. The Foundation has established a completely independent Supervisory/Audit Board in order to ensure that all donated funds are used for their intended purpose and in a completely transparent and accountable manner.

YKIP gratefully acknowledges the invaluable support and assistance of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, the Governor of Bali, YKIP directors Dr. Anak Agung Asmarajaya, Ibu Ari Murti, Ida Bagus Suarsana (Gusky), and the countless Balinese, Indonesian and Expatriate residents who have worked so selflessly and tirelessly to relieve human suffering since October 12th.

In conclusion, as an Act of Remembrance in due respect to the victims of the calamitous events that befell Bali on Oct 12th I offer the following words to the deceased and their relatives, to the families of those still missing and to the ongoing recovery of the causalities and their families.

REST IN NATURAL GREAT PEACE
THIS EXHAUSTED MIND,
BEATEN HELPLESSLY BY KARMA AND NEUROTIC THOUGHT,
LIKE THE RELENTLESS FURY OF THE POUNDING WAVES
IN THE INFINITE OCEAN OF SAMSARA.
REST IN NATURAL GREAT PEACE

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

Thank you for your continuing support.

Until next time,

Kevin Lovett.
YKIP Pengurus Honorary Secretary