Dear Roses,
Great to hear of your support to the young boy and his family. I have a similar situation.
We have been sponsoring a family from Tabanan for the past 7 years - one of the twin sons (Nyoman) has cerebal palsy - the other is able bodied. We found the family in dire poverty, their mother had died after troublesome childbirth. The father sold the dirt from their small plot to make bricks - the bricks they sold to pay for the funeral. The mudbrick shanty they were living in had fallen down around them.
Nyoman was 5 years old then, and crawling on all fours as his only means of getting about. Naked, disabled, hungry and without shelter. Alarming conditions.
Nanna lived with them, and she was close to 70 yrs old - topless and toothless.. the most beautiful face you have ever seen... (email me for a picture) speaks only Balinese, so I could never talk to her, Dad works all day as a labourer - when he can - leaving Nyoman pretty much to fend for himself.. Made was already at school.
Together with some generous friends from around the world, we built the family a new house - a small modest 2 rooms, bathroom, kitchen. My folks had crutches made for Nyoman in OZ and they came over to hand them to him.. We have since bought him a chair.
Sadly the local school wouldn't take Nyoman - even after paying off the principle - it lasted a week. Finally, after 2 years - we were able to get him to attend the YPAC (Disabled kids) school in Jimbaran and he's been there ever since.
We pick him up every weekend and take him back to the village - and back again on Monday morning.
Nyoman and Made are now 13. Nyoman is now top of his class - is fat and healthy and a strong proud young boy. We pay for both boys education, clothes, and they are a major part of our company and family life. His oldest brother - Wayan Jack is one of our best employees - he has been with us for 3 years. We bought Jack a motor bike three years ago and it is a major contributor to the family's mobility and independance.
I say buy the bike, bugger the psychology! Help werever you can - and to hell with the expense.
We are just about to complete a new basket ball court at the Panti Asuhan Salam (Orphanage) in Tabanan - with some generous support from clients overseas - the court, and all of the new underground drainage systems, new septic tanks etc has cost us Rp120 million (about US$13,000) and the looks on the kids faces is worth every Rp.
Opening party Friday 1st September - 17.00pm - after the kids get out of school. JOIN US !
If you need help to buy this kid a bike, we will be happy to assist. 2nd hand bikes will be between Rp7.500.000 to Rp8.500.000.
Keep up the great work.