Dr. Luh Putu Upadisari will speak on the work of Yayasan Rama Sesana

Yayasan Rama Sesana was founded in Bali in 1999 by its Director, Dr. Luh Putu Upadisari, an MD with many years of experience in reproductive health & HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to:

• Increase community knowledge about reproductive health,
• Improve community reproductive health with high-quality, accessible, and affordable services
• Support women’s empowerment, and equality between men and women.

Since 2004, YRS has served more than 8000 women at Denpasar’s Pasar Badung, the largest traditional market in Bali, where they receive:

• women market vendors & laborers (including some night workers involved in sex work),
• male partners of clients,
• male market workers,
• visitors, shoppers (open to the public)

YRS clinical services include:

• Counselling: anatomy, STDs and HIV/AIDS, violence against women, drug abuse, self breast exam, nutrition, breastfeeding, etc.
• Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer
• STDs and reproductive tract infections: exam, testing, treatment, and partner referral
• Prenatal care: birth planning, contraception, condoms
• General health check up
• Referrals for further services or testing.

An education and outreach program includes:

• Monthly discussions on a range of topics, facilitated by staff or guest speakers
• Staff outreach to workers, at variable hours
• Peer educators (market women)

In the next five years YRS plans to to increase their impact by expanding these services beyond Denpasar.

Once a month, we do not schedule an outside speaker for our meeting.  This gives us time to discuss current club issues and get to know our members, our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it!  Guests are always welcome.

YKIP’s new Vocational Education Scholarship Program

William Ingram: Threads of Life

William Ingram has spent over 25 years in Asia developing small-scale business for traditional communities, first in the tourism sector and later in the traditional arts. He is co-founder and co-director of Threads of Life, a business that facilitates access for traditional weavers to a premium niche market characterized by cultural integrity and sustainable natural dyes. He is also a general manager of the YPBB Foundation (Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali , the Foundation for Sustainable Culture and Livelihood) that supports weavers’ cooperative development across Indonesia. He seeks for both organizations to internalize any issues they seek to resolve in a partner community, turning away from a “development of” approach towards “development with” where shared challenges are problem-solved in a peer-to-peer context.

Magdalena Kartini

Threads of Life is a fair trade business that uses culture and conservation to alleviate poverty in rural Indonesia. The heirloom-quality textiles and baskets we commission are made with local materials and natural dyes. With the proceeds from the Threads of Life gallery, we help weavers to form independent cooperatives that manage their resources sustainably and maintain traditional culture. Started in 1998, Threads of Life now works with over 1000 weavers in more than 50 cooperatives and weavers’ groups on 11 islands across Indonesia.

Natalia Perry – The Sacred Childhoods Foundation

Natalia returns to RCBUS for her second visit, to tell us more about how we can specifically help raise awareness of children’s security issues in Indonesia. She is the Founder & Director of The Sacred Childhoods Foundation, a charity focused on helping some of the most underprivileged and at-risk children in Indonesia.

According to reports, the trafficking of women and children in Indonesia is a big problem that has not yet been properly addressed. Sadly, the child sex tourism industry is likewise understood to be significant in Bali in particular, yet the authorities are struggling to intervene or properly support the victims when they are found.

This year SCF will launch a media campaign, sponsor training workshops for local police and professionals, and develop awareness workshops for villagers, as well as scheduling a conference for later in the year.

Sacred Childhoods now has 8 projects in Bali and Sulawesi including two Slum Schools; a sewing project; a micro-finance scheme; support to local orphanages; and The Sanctuary.

Aceh after the 2004 tsunami

Eight years ago, in 2004 , a catastrophic tsunami devastated the coastline and communities of West Aceh. The initial influx of international NGOs and government relief efforts responding to the immediate emergency has largely receded;  however survivors are still faced with rebuilding their land and lives.

One organisation still actively assisting at the grassroots is Yayasan Bumi Sehat. Based in Ubud, Bali, and mainly known as a gentle birthing centre, Bumi Sehat recently received world recognition when founder Robin Lim was named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year. Less well known are Bumi Sehat’s activities responding to disaster in Haiti and  Aceh, and their work developing the vocational and communication capacities of young people — the parents of the future.

Rotarian Gabe Monson, who recently traveled to affected areas of Aceh, and Bumi Sehat volunteer Jen Richardson present images, stories and a vision for the youth of Meulaboh, the ‘ground zero’ of  2004.

Monthly Series on Balinese Culture

by

Garrett and his dancing class mate, our our Rucina!

Garrett Kam

Make Compost – Change the World!

Rodney Glick has been developing and refining a simple composting process for over a fifteen years. He is an international contemporary artist and Permaculture teacher who has made compost systems for households and business all around the world. His composting system is a fascinating and empowering way to create luscious soil and actively promotes recycling in all age groups across the entire community.

His unique layering process is wonderfully simple. Using domestic compost bins and by combining organic food waste, soil, straw and worms people can make beautiful compost all the time.

Rodney established Kompos Bali last year, a company that designs, supplies and installs compost systems specializing in using kitchen food waste to make compost. He is the first person to manufacture a compost bin in Bali using recycled Tetrapak plastic material. Now in collaboration with EcoBali he handles all their organic composting requests.

His talk will be a practical demonstration as to how the process works and questions will be encouraged!

Once a month, we do not schedule an outside speaker for our meeting.  This gives us time to discuss current club issues and get to know our members, our club and Rotary better–and have fun while doing it!  Guests always welcome.

Georges Capt on Vocational Training in Bali

Georges Capt is a former Swiss diplomat specializing in development and cooperation, with successive assignments in Rwanda and Madagascar, Tanzania, Mozambique, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Mekong Region, and Bulgaria. He retired to Bali in 2004 and has been assisting several NGOs on a volunteer basis.

Mr. Capt will discuss Yayasan Naga Loka’s program to train professional electricians at SMKN3, a Government Professional School for vocational training. He has been working with YNL to develop operational planning, contractual arrangements, financial and progress-reporting systems, and external review and assessment. He makes regular site visits to the project in Singaraja with YNL to assess their progress.

Mr. Capt is optimistic that the success of this project can lead to more vocational training facilities on Bali.

Once a month, we do not schedule an outside speaker for our meeting.  This gives us time to discuss current club issues and get to know our members, our club and Rotary better–and have fun while doing it!  This week member Zsuzsa Harsman of Victoria, British Columbia, will tell us about herself and her interests. Guests always welcome.

Garrett Kam on Galungen

The holy days of Galungen make up the most important Balinese holiday, this (Balinese) year falling on 1-5 February. During this holiday the Balinese gods visit the Earth, and family ancestors descend to their former homes. They must be suitably welcomed, entertained, and prayers and offerings made for them.

Learn about the legends, practices, beliefs and celebrations surrounding this central event. Garrett Kam joins us once again for this monthly series on Balinese Culture.

Komang Ary on Indonesia’s Artistic Heritage

Komang Ary is an unusually driven young man. When young he was a rock musician, playing with the now-famous Superman is Dead group members. While working as an art dealer, he found his calling as he gradually morphed into a  collector of original Indonesian antiques, traveling all over the world to find special pieces and bring them back home. Komang runs five galleries, and is passionate about learning the stories of these art pieces and keeping Indonesia’s precious art alive.

Dasra Social-Impact is a pioneering international network of advisors, mentors and investors who help visionary social change-makers achieve financial sustainability and scale their impact. Dasra, India’s leading strategic philanthropy foundation in a partnership with Social-Impact International, runs Dasra Social-Impact (DSI) to support non profits and social businesses expand their outreach and impact.

Natalia Perry for The Sacred Childhoods Foundation

Natalia Perry is the Founder & Director of The Sacred Childhoods Foundation, a charity focused on helping some of the most underprivileged and at-risk children in Indonesia. Sacred Childhoods now has 8 projects in Bali and Sulawesi including two Slum Schools; a sewing project; a micro-finance scheme; support to local orphanages; and The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is currently being built and when complete will be a small eco-village hidden away somewhere in East Bali. It will become Bali’s only shelter specifically for children who have been trafficked or held as child prostitutes for the sex tourism industry.

According to reports, the trafficking of women and children in Indonesia is a big problem that has not yet been properly addressed. Sadly, the child sex tourism industry is likewise understood to be significant in Bali in particular, yet the authorities are struggling to intervene or properly support the victims when they are found.

When complete, The Sanctuary will offer vital safe housing, therapeutic and medical support to the children who are expected to stay there for around three years, depending on their individual situation.

Unfortunately DG Ridlo will be unable to join us this evening as planned. He will reschedule his visit with us soon.

Philip Yusenda has graciously agreed to move his Member Presentation up and make it tonight.

Tonight we welcome our District Governor –

Muhammad Ridlo ‘Eisy

Guest Speaker: Garrett Kam

Find out how the Goddess of Knowledge, the start of a new ritual cycle, and ceremonial daggers in Bali are linked together during a 2-week period of rituals to sharpen the mind. Measure a keris with your fingers to see if it’s a suitable blade for you and test your focus by balancing it on its tip!

Guest Speaker:  Pande Putu Setiawan

NGO Komunitas Anak Alam

For those who missed Steve Lansing’s fascinating presentation at our 12 December meeting, or want to know more about Perfect Order: Recognizing Complexity in Bali’s Water Temple Networks, a full-length video is available in which he speaks at The Long Now Foundation, moderated by founder Stuart Brand and followed with more information in a Q & A session.

VP Rucina shows us how Bali dance is done in 1977.

Once a month, we do not schedule a speaker for our meeting.  This gives us time to discuss current club issues and get to know our members, our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it!  This week we will hear more about Rucina Ballinger! Guests always welcome.

We are privileged to have two speakers tonight! District Governor D.G. Muhammad Ridlo ‘Eisy was able to reschedule his visit to us on this date. And Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Anne Marie Larquier will be joining us for her previously scheduled presentation. Read more about them, below.

Ann Marie Larquier

Ann Marie Larquier

Ms. Ann Marie Larquier is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar hosted by the Rotary Club of Titiwangsa, District 3300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the District 5010 Alaska.

She will be presenting about the Ambassadorial Scholarship program and a description of her Rotary activities during her tenure in Malaysia.  Additionally she will discuss Rotary in her home district and the unique culture of Alaska.

Ann Marie has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University in Environmental Studies and a master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University in Environmental Science where she studied melting glaciers and their contribution to drinking water and hydroelectric power supplies.  She is a vegetarian and her hobbies include cooking, yoga, hiking, mountain climbing, and anything to do with the outdoors and nature.

District Governor D. G. Muhammad Ridlo ‘Eisy

District Governor Ridlo and Ibu Ridlo

Muhammad Ridlo ‘Eisy is the 2011-12 District Governor for District 3400. As a journalist for more than 25 years he has been active in the movement for press freedom and recently authored a book, “The Role of Media in Society,” on the subject. He has visited the U.S. twice with programs for journalism information and exchange, and is a university lecturer in communications. And he is a published poet!

Starting in geological engineering, DG Ridlo went on to get an MBA with a special emphasis on marketing systems and strategy, and organizational behavior and development. Moving to journalism he has been Director of PT Bandung Perkasa Galamedia which publishes Daily Galamedia, named the Best Newspaper in Indonesia by the Press Council in 2005. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for People’s Daily Thoughts. He is now one of nine members of the Press Council, an independent agency established by the government to support press freedom.

Community service has been a strong thread throughout his career. In 1998 DG Ridlo joined with established artists and journalists to found the Bandung Care Foundation to help bring food to the poor, in cooperation with the U.N.’s World Food Programme. He is also active in Boy Scouts where he is currently on the Supervising Council of the Scout Movement in West Java.

DG Ridlo has been a member of Rotary since 2000, becoming President of RC Bandung Dago in 2005-2006. He has been involved in almost every activity organized by District 3400 from PETS, DTTS, GDLTS, and the District Assembly, to the various District Conferences in Indonesia, as well as Rotary Zone Institutes.

Our new DG has led a fascinating life and we are pleased to welcome him to RCBUS.

Guest Speaker: Armin Rosencranz

Armin Rosencranz with Castro

Armin Rosencranz, a lawyer and political scientist, has taught a variety of environmental policy courses at Stanford since 1995. He taught one of India’s first courses on environmental law, and his book, Environmental Law and Policy in India (2^nd ed. 2001) is widely used throughout India.  Until 1996, Armin headed Pacific Environment, an international NGO that he founded in 1987.  He is co-editor of Climate Change Science and Policy (2010) and regularly teaches a course on energy and climate at Stanford. During October and November, 2011, Armin is serving as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Bali, teaching international environmental law at Udayana University.

Guest Speakers:  Arief Rabik & Rebekah Moore

Environmental Bamboo Foundation/Bali Spirit Festival on collaborative reforestation efforts in Karangasem.

of The GreenAsia Group

Victoria Kate Burrows just recently joined Bali-based The GreenAsia Group, Asia’s leading provider of comprehensive energy and environmental management solutions to industry.

As a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Accredited Professional, she is qualified to provide comprehensive design advice for a range of building types. Victoria has been involved in delivering BREEAM training courses and ‘toolbox talks’ to major contractors to ensure the issues covered in BREEAM are understood at all levels.

Guest Speaker: KETUT SUARDA

Ketut "Plentung" Suarda

Ketut Suarda (nicknamed Plentung) is a young man from east Bali who has organized three amazing projects in his small village  of  Budakeling:

· assembling bags from newspaper for export;

· organizing Balinese dance lessons for the children; and,

· picking up the garbage on Sundays  for recycling.

Ketut believes the Balinese need to initiate these types of projects to maintain their culture and expand their choices.

Guest Speaker: DARREN LEAVER

on The Robin Carlson Children’s Language Program

Children's Language Program provides free English-language instruction for children in rural Balinese villages

Darren will discuss the Robin Carlson Children’s Language Program (RCCLP.org), which provides free after-school English-language lessons to over 500 Balinese children. They provide books, pens, instructor supplies as well as a Balinese teacher, and invite travelers to come visit for a day to help the children hear native speakers. The program is currently funded by Darren and his wife but has recently received some small funding from private donors. Darren would like to explore a link with local Bali Rotary to a RC in the Glendale-Pasadena area of California for additional fundraising.

Guest Speaker:    DIPIKA RAI

on her new book “Someone Else’s Garden”

Powerfully affecting and uplifting, set against a vivid and colorful background of Eastern life, Dipika Rai’s Someone Else’s Garden transcends geographical divides and cultural chasms to brilliantly expose the commonality of the human condition, compelling us to seek answers within ourselves to humanity’s eternal questions: Is life random? Do we have a destiny?

Dipika Rai was born, raised, and educated in India. She worked as a freelance journalist for many years, writing for various publications around the globe. She divides her time between India and the island of Bali, where she lives with her husband, two children, and her devoted pets. This is her first novel.

Sumba Kids enjoy bathing and splashing in water from wells funded by - who else - Rotary!

No Guest Speaker Tonight

In these monthly meetings without speaker, we discuss current club issues and get to know our members and our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it!  Guests always welcome.

Guest Speaker:

Mark Needleman

“Findhorn”

The Findhorn Foundation is a spiritual community, ecovillage and an international centre for holistic education, helping to unfold a new human consciousness and create a positive and sustainable future.

Guest Speaker:  Frances Blair

WINS Foundation

Frances is a retired business owner and Vice President of WINS Foundation. WINS provides eligible children in Bali the opportunity to attend public school through the child sponsorship program, which pays school fees and related costs.  There are five learning centers throughout Bali that allow sponsored and non-sponsored children access to English, computer and Balinese culture classes.  Frances is assistant treasurer to the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo in San Diego.

Pauline Rosenblum

“Life in Burma”

Rucina, Cat and Sue at DISCON 2011 with new friend from Solo Kartini Rotary Club of beautiful women!

No Guest Speaker Tonight

In these monthly meetings without speaker, we discuss current club issues and get to know our members and our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it!  Guests always welcome.

Guest Speaker:

Rebecca Sweetman

Rebecca will screen her latest film, Voicing Disaster,  (filmed after the earthquake in Padang and after Merapi’s eruption), and talk a little bit about my current projects on access to water, sexual slavery, and Bali’s garbage issues .

Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D.

founder and Executive Director of World Without Genocide

Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D., is the founder and Executive Director of World Without Genocide, a nonprofit organization committed to protecting innocent people around the world; preventing genocide by combating racism and prejudice; advocating for the prosecution of perpetrators; and remembering those whose lives and cultures have been destroyed by violence.

Jeni Caffin, the Artistic Director of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, will speak about the program this year.

Love in a Time of Narcissism

Your task is not to seek for love,
but merely to seek and find all the barriers
within yourself that you have built against it.
––Rumi

We have each been wounded and suffered in love, often from the faulty love in our families or from relationships gone bad. And all too often we have made the honest mistake of trying to protect ourselves from the pain of love. Ironically, and even tragically, our love wounds can unwittingly become barriers to real intimacy and full engagement with life. From a Jungian psychology perspective, Jeremiah will address these questions: What are the post-modern challenges to creating love that can endure, and how can we remove the barriers to love?

Jeremiah Abrams is a Jungian therapist and author based in the San Francisco Bay area of northern California. A popular teacher, Jeremiah is considered a leading expert on the human shadow.  His books include the best-selling Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature; The Shadow in America; and Reclaiming the Inner Child. His 3-CD audio program, The Dreamtime Journey: The Path of Direct Experience is a shamanic journey in a box.  http://jeremiahabrams.posterous.com

Guest Speaker: Pande Putu Setiawan

for NGO Komunitas Anak Alam

Kamau Bakari Abayomi

Kamau Bakari Abayomi a.k.a. “PitchBlackGold” is a performance artist and activist from San Francisco, California. A multidisciplinary artist in every way, PitchBlackGold uses the forms of poetry, rap, dance, mc’ing, dj’ing and acting as vehicles to entertain, enlighten and inspire. As a poet, he was named Best Poet in the 2002 Oakland, California Slam Finals. He is the winner of the 2004 & 2005 Ubud Writers Festival Poetry Slam. He was selected as Artist Ambassador to represent the San Francisco Bay Area and perform at the 2004 World Social Forum in Mumbai, India. He has been invited 3 times as a guest artist, lecturer and workshop coordinator, to board the Japanese NGO cruise ship, Peaceboat.

Kamal is currently living in Bali, Indonesia managing Aerial Crew, one of Indonesia’s top breakdance crews as well as developing Tru Karya Cipta (True Creative Activity), a NGO dedicated to using Hiphop Arts and a tool for youth empowerment.

“Can small farmers in Indonesia be successful?”

Jackie Pomeroy

Jackie and friends planting an improved variety of cocoa seedling at an experimental nursery in Flores.

Indonesian farmers produce a lot of things in high demand:  cocoa, coffee, seaweed, peanuts, beef cattle, etc.  Yet small farmers remain very poor and marginalized while the rest of Indonesia enjoys the benefits of 6-7% annual growth.  Right next door to Bali in NTB (Lombok and Sumbawa), more than a million people (nearly a quarter of the population) live below the poverty line, and they are mainly small farmers.  Why is this?  Or, more relevant to this discussion, what does it take to work with small farmers and empower them to grow out of poverty?

This year, the first meeting of the month we have no guest speaker, so we have time to discuss current club issues and get to know our members and our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it! Guests always welcome.  And we’ll tell you about this picture.  Is there an elephant in the room?

“Trash in Ubud”

Graeme MacRae

Rubbish/Trash/Sampah is a serious and growing problem throughout Indonesia. In Bali tourism and the associated prosperity are part of the problem but also part of the solution. This talk starts and ends with Ubuds waste problem, but it looks at a range of alternatives in between.

Graeme MacRae first visited Ubud in 1977, researched there for his PhD in 1993-6 and has visited for a couple of months most years since. Since 1998 he has taught Anthropology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. His writings about Ubud and rubbish (and other things) can be found athttp://graememacrae.wordpress.com/ and he can be contacted at G.S.MacRae@massey.ac.nz

Joanna Witt and Megan MacDonald

“Innovative and Groundbreaking Art/Livelihood Programs in Kerobokan Prison”

Joanna and Megan are involved with several innovative art and work programs with prisoners in Kerobokan prison.  Joanna is an Ubud silversmith who has set up silversmithing workshops in the prison, and is selling the jewelry made there in her Ubud shops.  Megan is helping with clothing design and marketing tshirts that are being screen printed in the prison.  They will share with us their experiences with photos and even some of the prisoners’ artworks.

All generalizations are false, including this one.

BULLETIN 16 MAY, 2011

Attending: Alisa, Cat, Mr. Chu, Donna, Fred and Mandy Brauer, Gabe, LLoyd, Marilyn Patricia, Philip, Rosalind, Rucina, Sue W

Apologies: Bruce (USA for medical treatment), Don and Sue Bennett (USA), Jody (USA), Dennis (USA), Driya, Janet (traveling through Europe with her darling daughter), Jeremy, Kadek (in the field), Probo, Tjok Raka, Rustiasa, Tangsi, Zsuzsa (Canada)

Guests: Rtn Lori Banasazek (RC Parkland Spanaway, USA), Linda Banasazek Skjei

ANNOUNCEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS

PE LLoyd opened the meeting with news that Pres Sue’s flight had just arrived from Hong Kong and she was on her way from the airport to Ubud.  So, LLoyd told us, we would have a spontaneous meeting based on a spontaneous agenda.  Hey, that works!  This membership has no difficulty entertaining one another.

Since Mary Jane Edleson’s presentation on wing beans, many of us have turned into garden farmers.  The experts amongst us like Rtn Cat and Rtn Patricia can always be counted on to share seedlings and tonight Cat brought pink ginger (stunning flower!) and Patricia is starting eggplant.  Let her know if you want one for YOUR garden.  Those of us who had planted wing beans reported on progress…they’re coming up…  and soon several of us will be sharing passion fruit.  Now if we can get Pres Sue to start some cherry tomatoes for us…..

Rtn Zsuzsa isn’t letting any grass grow under her feet (Never mind that she’s in Vancouver, and there probably isn’t much grass there yet anyway!)  She sent us a photo, looking very different from her Bali self, all bundled up for the cold, as she exchanged flags with RC Saanich.

VP Rucina is climbing the corporate NGO ladder and is assuming her new position as consultant with the Anneke Linden Foundation that provides such splendid support to YKIP, YAKUM and other NGOs under the Foundation’s umbrella. Ru’s intimate knowledge with the operation of the various NGO’s will be of huge help to the Foundation’s management.

The Cook Book is bubbling right along and Rosalind needs a couple of writers to address things like culture and customs.  Ru and Cat volunteered and with Ros as chief chef you’ll be hearing from her if you don’t deliver.  She is TOUGH!

Mango Slaw

The not-as-yet-but-soon-to-be-named cookbook will be at the publishers sometime next month, since we are aiming for a launch sometime in September.  Pre-orders will be possible soon.  Keep checking the bulletin for the latest info. Since it is much too expensive to put beautiful color pictures in the book, we will soon be establishing a web site, and enticing pictures of the recipes will be available there – pictures like this one at right…..

As Pres Sue came bounding through the door, she was greeted by a round of applause and not taking a moment to catch her breath, directed our attention to two projects: the 3^rd mobile rice mill and its successful Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Temukus water project with its exceptionally fine project description developed by Rtn Dennis.  (We’d all like to prepare a project description like Dennis’s but he’s set the bar awfully high!  Something to aim for….)

Pres Sue explained that developing an MOU with a project beneficiary was helpful to clarify responsibilities….who does what, how does it get done and by when should it be done.   This one worked perfectly…the project was completed right on schedule and we will soon be visiting the beneficiaries in the village of Buangga in Petang to share in the ceremony that must precede putting the rice mill to work.  We’re planning to join the villagers for a celebration of the rice mill arrival on Monday morning, May 30.

Rotarian Mandy's Rotarian father at his induction into Rotary

Pres Sue asked Rtn Mandy to tell us about her father whose picture graced our website. Clearly there’s a lot to tell! Mandy explained that the picture was taken in 1939 when her father (not Abraham Lincoln) was inducted into Rotary.  We were assured that both the beard and the top hat were just for the heck of it .

Rtn Gabe added that her father had been a Rotarian in Australia and because of his Rotary involvement Gabe almost lost out on an exchange student opportunity (nepotism and all that stuff).  But everything eventually worked out and Gabe went off to a small town in America’s Deep South.  In Gabe’s youth (and actually we’re not convinced she’s outgrown it) Gabe was a hippy and the southern town where Gabe stayed has never quite recovered.  Fellow hippy Mandy applauded!!

Guest Rtn Lori, RC Parkland Spanaway, USA, exchanged flags with Pres Sue and then commented on the club’s ambience and relaxed atmosphere…indeed it was a very loosey goosey evening!   And to show how much we appreciated Lori’s kind comments it was somehow arranged that she won the raffle.  Go figure!

Guest Speaker:  Lyn Robinson

“Sharks; Predator or Prey”

Sharks are one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet.

In the presentation, Lyn will discuss sharks as part of the marine environment, the realities of shark attack, why shark populations are threatened, and sharks in Bali.

Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to George Washington (1787)

BULLETIN 5 MAY, 2011

Attending: Alisa, Driya, Fred and Mandy Brauer, LLoyd, Marilyn, Patricia, Philip, Probo, Rosalind, Sue W

Apologies: Bruce (USA), Mr. Chu, Don and Sue Bennett, (USA), Jody, Cat (in Canada caring for her sister),  Dennis (USA), Donna,  Gabe (Australia),  Janet (traveling through Europe with her darling daughter),  Jeremy (USA), Kadek (in the field), Rucina, Rustiasa, Tjok Raka, Tangsi, Zsuzsa, (Canada)

Guests: Mary Jane Edleson, Mark Edleson

ANNOUNCEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS

Pres Sue welcomed Marilyn back from her tax sojourn in the USA.  Couldn’t have been too damaging because she was still walking and talking.

Cat let us know her sister is rapidly recovering from surgery which means that Cat will soon return to us. And Cat isn’t coming back empty handed.   It seems the visiting nurse’s “tool bag” is filled with metal instruments and each instrument is used only once and then discarded.  Cat, always thoughtful of others and a true environmentalist, has collected these valuable discards and is bringing them back to Bali.for use at the local Puskesmas (free government clinic).

Pres Sue asked each of us to share something good that happened during this past week.  It’s really quite surprising how little things make a difference.  Driya was delighted that hubby Probo had not shared his case of flu with their twin boys.   Philip finally has regained full hearing after a terrible cold.  On the other hand, Patricia was pleased to report that her overly sensitive hearing seems to have become more normal.  Marilyn was successful in getting through airport customs  without relinquishing any cat food.   (The customs agent did jump the counter and chase her after she took his picture!)

PE LLoyd made a pitch for ALL of us to attend the opening dinner at District Conference in June.  Its theme??  ‘Eat, Laugh and Play in Bali’. In addition to being lots of fun, this event is  actually a good deal….where else could you get a full Balinese dinner, live entertainment, traditional music and dance and lots of great company for 100,000 rupiah (about $US 11.00)?

We’re waiting for word from Rtn Bruce, now in the USA for medical reasons.

Rtn Rosalind updated members on progress of the still nameless Cook Book. Almost all recipes are now entered online and formatted.  Rosalind is on the prowl seeking frustrated authors with the promise that this time, for sure, what they write will be published…but Rosalind gets to pick the topics.  Rtn Mandy volunteered to ‘smooth out’ the written materials so the cook book ‘speaks with one voice’ as Rosalind put it.

The Global Grant is hovering on the verge of showing tangible progress.  Just another couple of details (the administrative trivia never quits!) and the project will roll!  And since a day doesn’t go by without some element of Bali drama, here’s the latest Global Grant drama.  Then principal of one of the five target schools had failed to participate in planning meetings.  The Village Chief made a command decision and threw the principal AND the school out of the project.  When parents of the children attending the affected school heard what had happened, they were up in arms and demanded an explanation from the recalcitrant principal.  Lucky guy, the Village Chief gave a him second chance and he’ll likely be extremely cooperative…not wanting a repeat performance from parents.

Pres Sue briefly reported on DistAs (District Assembly) held in Bandung last week.  Lots of PDGs were in attendance including PDG, Willy Waguna, 77.  Willy shared Rotary stories with Sue telling how he piloted his own plane during his year as DG enabling him to easily reach the far flung clubs in District 3400.

It seems like yesterday the club was planning its last handover meeting, but suddenly it’s that time again.  Save June 25^th when Pres Sue will hand over the club bell to PE LLoyd at the club’s 3^rd annual BBQ.  The handover will be at Marilyn’s house, 1:30 p.m. Bring your kids.

GUEST SPEAKER – Mary Jane Edleson

Guest Speaker Mary Jane Edleson spoke with great passion about wing beans.  By the time she finished, we were ALL passionate about wing beans and begging for seeds.  Mary Jane explained why the wing bean is sometimes referred to as “The One Stalk Supermarket”.  There is nothing on this rapidly growing vine that is not useful!  Of even greater importance, the wing bean is remarkably rich in vitamins and minerals and can be used in the same way as are soybeans.   In years gone by wing beans were a common crop in Bali but over time has almost disappeared as an agricultural product.  Mary Jane is intent on re-introducing wing beans to the island for a number of excellent reasons.

Wing Bean Seeds, Leaves, Flowers, Dried Pods

In addition to being nutritious, every part of the wing bean plant can be used.  The flowers are delicious in salads, the leaves are tasty when prepared like a green vegetable and the plant produces a tuber that tastes like a potato.  The vine stem is so strong it can be used in place of rope or string and for the grand finale the wing bean itself makes great tempe, tahu and milk!  Frosting on the cake???  The wing bean is a perennial.

There is an important economic reason to give serious thought to the wing bean.  Indonesia imports 80% of its soybeans at an annual cost of ~$700,000.000.  And for people who do not wish to eat genetically modified products, it seems that most of the imported soybeans have been modified.

Wing beans love living in the tropics and the vine will happily wrap itself around a bamboo support and quickly grow to heights of 4 meters (about 12 feet).  It will start producing wing beans in a couple of months and once it starts it just keeps on going.  The plant does not need fertilizer and instead fixes nitrogen in the soil.

Mary Jane brought a supply of wing bean seeds and these were quickly snapped up by club members.  Thanks to Mary Jane, we are now passionate supporters of the wing bean!   (And we can’t wait to include some wing bean recipes in our cookbook!)

Rotarian Mandy's Rotarian father at his induction into Rotary

No Guest Speaker: Once a month, we have meetings without guest speakers.   We discuss current club issues and get to know our members and our club and Rotary better. And have fun while doing it! Guests always welcome.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

– (H.H. The Dalai Lama)

BULLETIN 18 April, 2011

Attending: Lloyd, Rosalind, Donna, Bruce, Philip, Mandy, Fred, Sue W.,Rucina, Alisa, Janet

Guests:  Jacqueline Meyers, Melvin Meyers, Honoka Kawazoe, Sachiko Dittmar , Vicky MacKay (RC Burnaby, Canada)

ANNOUNCEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS

Rotarian Mandy's Rotarian father at his induction into Rotary

Pres. Sue welcomed Mandy and Fred back from their travels in Egypt and the U.S.  They brought back flags from the Cairo Rotary Club, from the Rotary Club in Newton, Mass where Mandy’s father was a member 50 years ago (!).  She told us she found a photo of his induction ceremony when he was 30 years old and looks like Abraham Lincoln.
Mandy and Fred also visited our sister club, RC La Jolla Golden Triangle, our main Global Grant partner, along with RC San Diego Breakfast.

We also welcomed back Philip and Rus from Australia.  They were conducting Living Values  for Young Offenders training, a program for children at risk (in jail, refugee camps, and street children.

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Rtn Russell Perry, an active member of our sister club, RC Manningham.  His family requested friends make donations to Shelter Box instead of flowers.

Pres Sue and Donna attended the Canggu Charter dinner at the unique and beautiful antique-filled Tugu Hotel in Canggu down south.  The new 36-member club is youthful, and raring to go!

Thanks to Zsuzsa and Donna for donating raffle prizes – we’re ok through May.

Cookbook:  Rosalind and Janet suggested that everyone keep trying out the recipes and giving us feedback.  Sue and Ros had a cooking session at Janet’s to test out Mr. Chu’s chinese recipes.  Janet, who owns Cafe Havana in Ubud, is a master chef, and incredible to watch. She creates food as a painter creates a work of art.

Global Grant: Donna reported on meeting with Pres Sue and Kerta village head and Kerta elementary school school principals to introduce the drawings for new toilets and sinks and discuss the work procedure.  School #2 is ready to be the first school to start.

A Rotarian from Denmark popped in, gave us his greetings from Denmark, and then left.  He was staying at the hotel, and by chance saw our meeting sign, and wanted to stop by and say hello…

GUEST SPEAKER

Honoka Kawazoe

“Searching for Emeralds in Colombia”

Honoka is a gemologist, jewelry and clothing designer.  Her jewelry specialty is raw emeralds.  She seeks out the very best stones from the mines in Colombia, then has the stones cut in New York, and the jewelry produced in Bali.  Each piece is unique.

Her adventure started back in 1992, in her first job, she was sent to Bogota in Colombia to hunt for emeralds. Upon landing, she was presented with a gun, “for protection.”  Colombian emeralds are usually found among white quartz, so it is easier to separate than the African emerald that is found in black stones.

Rare, oblong emeralds

From Bogota to the mine, Honoka usually brings 20-30 bodyguards, as she must bring a lot of cash to pay for the emeralds.  The mines are deep, 50 or more meters deep, and claustrophobic.  But after seeing the emerald sparkles emerging after the dust of dynamite settles, she forgets all discomforts.  This last trip, it took at least 18 hours of chipping the rock to gain enough emeralds to pay for the expedition. The mine itself contains  confusing branches, so they needed a  guide dog to return to surface.  Emerald mining is a cut-throat business, some unscrupulous bodyguards have been known to  steal emeralds by hiding them under their skin or even swallowing them.  Despite all the risk involved, Honoka loves emerald, as it has a life of it’s own.

PE Lloyd added a bit of historical background: before Queen Victoria’s engagement, an engagement ring was always made of emeralds or rubies.   But Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was made of diamonds, and ever since that time, the diamond has become the most commonly used stone in engagement rings.

Mary Jane Edleson will present a talk entitled

The One Stalk Supermarket

An Introduction to the Miracle Wing Bean

Mary Jane Edleson – artist, writer, and food enthusiast – is an American living in Bali and Singapore.  She is the Convivium Leader for Slow Food Ubud.  Her initial studies in biochemistry to complete a Bachelor of Science carried her into several years of medical research in the USA.  She has lived, worked and studied in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Colombia, Singapore, and Indonesia (since 1980 until now).      Her special life passion is the study of world food and its relationship to culture. She has studied culinary arts at several institutes, and is a certified chef in raw food from the renowned Living Light Institute in California.

Our sympathies to the family of Russell Perry and his friends at our sister club RC Manningham.

We are very sad to hear of your loss.   Prayers are with you from Bali.  The family has asked that donations be made to ShelterBox in lieu of flowers.

Guest Speaker:  Purnawan will tell us about Yayasan Peduli Kemanusiaan Bali (YPK)

The Bali Humanity Care Foundation

- support for the physically disabled -

Since it was established in 2001, Yayasan Peduli Kemanusiaan Bali (YPK) has provided therapy for over 300 people living with physical disabilities. While this is a significant achievement, there are an estimated 16,000 people in Bali currently living with an untreated physical disability. Government support for disability services remains limited and without the support of organizations such as YPK, people living with disabilities in Bali will continue to go untreated and remain marginalized from society.  Purnawan will tell us about the multi-discipinary programs of YPK.

Guest Speaker HONOKA KAWAZOE – jewelry designer, gemologist, entrepreneur,  tells us of her exploits seeking emeralds in Colombia.

Fresh off the press – Sue and Marilyn meet with Rotaracters to talk about water and toilets and sinks for the Kerta Elementary schools!

Pres. Dora's got a good point!

Let's put our heads together...

The international Rotary International convention this year will be held May 21-25, 2011 in beautiful New Orleans…..  For details, click here.

And next year, the convention comes to Asia!  Start planning your Bangkok trip now – enjoy the convention and some of that famous Bangkok shopping!

YAKKUM Bali is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with physical disabilities; they provide opportunities for improving mobility and learning useful skill. It’s about giving people dignity by earning a living, by raising a family and sharing fully in the life of community.

Since 2004 YKIP/ALF have funded YAKKUM Bali’s Prosthetics and Orthopaedic Workshop which produces prosthetic legs, callipers, orthopaedic shoes, crutches and other mobility equipment for people with physical disability

— Dark —  No meeting tonight

27 Nov 2010

25-November-2010 Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner

Thanksgiving was celebrated at Sue’s with roasted turkey, and incredible trimmings, stuffings, veggies and desserts!  Janet’s pies and Driya’s brownies more than satisfied our sweet teeth, and sent the kids off in sugar rushes.  We found Bianca’s sandal in the rice field the next day!!!   Here’s more pictures!

{ read more }

22 Oct 2010

Rotary Partner Ann McCue decorated by Queen

After visiting the very poor island of Sumba, Ann Mccue formed an NGO to address the basic needs of sanitation, water, education, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods. For eight years Ann lived among the people Sumba and built a strong organization with a local staff. (see www.projecthopesumba.org) The projects she designed were supported by governments, private groups and service clubs. In 2009, RCBUS was given a Matching Grant of $25,000 to provide rainwater catchment tanks and composting toilets for families which had never had access to either. During her years in Sumba Ann suffered malaria many times and finally in 2010 returned to England to recover her health. In October 2010, Ann was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by her HRH Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the people of Sumba.

10 Sep 2010

Waste Management Training for High School

Waste Management Training and Program for Ubud high school, providing education, training, receptacles and collection of recyclables and waste for 600 students and 90 teachers  Budget: $900

Dryland Farming Training will train 20 agricultural trainers to optimize harvests in dry areas, make compost, nurture and protect the soil, conserve and re-use water, apply integrated pest management techniques and learn appropriate technologies such as biofuel and micro-hydro systems  Budget: $9,000

08 Sep 2010

20-Sept-2010

Sarah Tooth, Co-Director, Ubud Readers and Writers Festival, and our own Rtn. Gabe Monson will give us a preview of the 6th annual Festival

The 2010 Citbank – Ubud Writers & Readers Festival theme is ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika : Harmony in Diversity’, the Indonesian national motto, which advocates respect between all people, across religious, ethnic and social divides. From Oct 6 – 10, the brightest global writers will come together to debate issues that divide and unite us.

08 Sep 2010

13-Sept-2010

District 3400 District Governor Al Purwa will visit our club on Monday Sept. 13, 2010.  DG Al is recovering well from recent major eye surgery, and we are so happy to welcome him to Bali Ubud Sunset!

The meeting time will change for this night only to:  6:30-8 PM.

01 Sep 2010

06-Sep-2010

Vikki Mackay of the Burnaby Rotary Club in BC, Canada will be speaking on the progress of the Pig Farm project in Catur, Bali.  This project will be staffed by hearing impaired student graduates, giving them life skills and a sense of empowerment.

01 Sep 2010

Dennis Raymond

Dennis is a business analyst working with non-profits, technology and the healthcare industries in the US. Initially he visited Indonesia in 1986 as an employee of the City of Seattle Water Department to workon a cooperative water project between the his home town of Seattle and Surabaya. He is a longtime member of the Seattle Surabaya Sister City Association, supporter of Bali’s Threads of Life and YPBB Foundation, and has spearheaded local museum conservation projects in Ubud. An enthusiastic supporter of traditional Balinese culture Dennis splits his time between Seattle and Ubud.

31 Aug 2010

Jeremy Taylor

Former banker with Chase Manhattan and Citibank in New York, Jeremy was also a principal with Anthony Knerr and Associates, providing strategic counsel to leading non-profits in Europe and the United States.  He was a founding investor and EVP with Portfolio Management Data, the leading research and data firm in the leveraged finance markets, now a division of Standard and Poor’s.  He is currently a consultant for Catalyst Europe in Zurch.  He has a Masters in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and has lived in Asia for ten years.

23 Aug 2010

30 October HALLOWEEN PARTY fundraiser

Rotary Club Ubud will be having its annual Halloween bash October 30th, from 7 pm till the witching hour, at the spooky Antonio Blanco Museum, Campuan, Ubud.  Don’t miss one of the special Ubud events of the year!  All proceeds to go to the Bali Rural Development Project.

21 Aug 2010

Special Wishes

Wishing our friends the very best of Idul Fitri.

May it bring joy and happiness and continued blessings in your lives.

21 Aug 2010

Our Projects

FUTURE VISION GLOBAL GRANT Funded by La Jolla Golden Triangle, and San Diego Breakfast Club, District 5340, this project provides water to three elementary schools in Payangan.  Basic hygiene training will be provided to staff, students and families of these students.  This is where they wash dishes at one of the schools.

21 Aug 2010

News Flash

Our wonderful new District Governor, Al Purwa is back from his successful eye surgery!  He’s a fun kind of guy and we wish him well.  We’re looking forward to hearing the latest tales on his journey to meet with all clubs in Indonesia in October when his rescheduled visit will take place.

21 Aug 2010

More Projects

Test – where are you?

21 Aug 2010

30 August 2010

Otta Viach is a longterm Bali resident who has been working with water purification systems for many years and started his company CV Air Manis in 2006
He will be speaking on the make-up of water, filtration systems and rain water collection.