Week of November 17
Visiting the Yayasan (Organization) Sayap Ibu Binaro Orphanage in Tangerang (near Jakarta)
Handover ceremony with Bina Anugraph School for children with disabilities

On November 18 we went with Dr Titi to meet with an orphanage that focuses on children with disabilities. This is a  branch of a large foundation based in Jogja that began in 2005. This branch has 56 workers and have a home for 36 children. They also support 445 additional children that live with a caregiver in the general area and come for physical therapy and nutritional support. The foundation receives little support from the government , but relies mainly on outside donations. As we visited with them we discovered that they have many needs.

                                     The leaders of Yayasan Sayap Ibu Bintaro orphanage:
(LtoR) Tuti Hendrawati, Hannibal Anwar, Renowati Hardjosubroto, Tea Iskandar,
Elder and Sister Lucherini, Dr. Titi, and Riana Tjokrosoeseno

 Berty, age 12, has hydrocephalus contracted through TB. We were told his sight and hearing is limited, and responds best to those who work with him on a daily basis. We were glad that he is in a clean and bright room where they also play music for the children. He was abandoned by his parents and the government  brought  him here. He  might not be able to express it, but certainly he can tell when someone loves him with soothing words of kindness and heartfelt touching. These are not always easy visits, but we don't look for the easy. We are to find those in need.

        This is the bedroom for 15 boys, so glad they try to make it cheery, bright and clean.

       We wish we could get a better picture of all the children but this captures all 36 of them

                             In the therapy room we were able to meet with many of the children.
Faizal, 5 years old. The therapist said this daily exercise will help him learn to walk, control his body and strengthen his muscles. Isn't he just a cutie?

We feel that it is summed up best by Elder Holland in our last October conference when he said,"I do not know all the reasons why the circumstances of birth, health, education, and economic opportunities vary so widely here in mortality, but when I see the want among so many, I do know that "there but for the grace of God go I." I also know that although I may not be my brother's keeper, I am my brother's brother, and 'because I have been given much, I too must give." Elder Jeffery R. Holland, Oct. Conference 2014. Thank you Elder Holland for helping us understand why we serve.

                                                         Marvin 6 years old.

                                  This little boy, Aby 1 1/2 years old has hydrocephalus.
 He was just treated with a shunt, which will prevent his head from enlarging. He can hear but can't see. They are so precious.

                                                    Jasmine, 4 years old with her therapist

 Ricky, 22, is the oldest child in the orphanage. He has been here since birth and has cerebral palsy with many other disabilities.

                                             Putra is a 5 year old girl with a wonderful smile.

 

 One of the most touching moments of our visit was meeting this sweet lady. Ibu Mada. She has two children of her own yet volunteers everyday. She comes to hold and love these special children.  They smile and respond to her. Love is one of the most healing and comforting powers available. To find this kind of love, that she has, is found in the giving of service to others. The Lord surely loves and is aware of the service that Ibu Mada gives. Could we all learn from her and find ways to help others through simple acts of kindness?

 Some of the wheelchairs donated previously by LDS charities. It is always a special feeling to go to many places and see LDS charities has been there before!

It is a humbling experience to be with these special children and those who work and love them. We always leave with a reverence that we have been amongst angels. They may not know it yet, but these are some of the choicest of God's children on earth and we are privileged to be among them.

 

 

Bina Anugraph School

We found the Bina Anugraph school in Lembong from our driver and translator in Bandung, Bro Edi. He is from Lembong and discovered this school was next door and behind where his two children go to school.  This small school was founded in 2003 has 37 children ages 5-21 with disabilities. Ranging from autism, ADHD, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing and visual disabilities. 10 teachers and staff help the children with reading, general education, speech, and physical therapies. LDS charities provided different therapy aids , mattresses, a trampoline, and office equipment . These pictures show our initial meeting and then the handover ceremony with the children, teachers, local church members, leaders and missionaries.

 

 

 

Mrs Iis Tatin Nurhayayati is the chairperson and founder of the foundation. She has been working with the children at the school for 11 years

 This young man , Agam, 10years old, will be recieving a wheelchair from LDS Charities on Dec 5. That will be a wonderful day!

Mikael, 14. Hopes to one day recieve a brace so that he can walk better

The teachers and staff

 The school had no walls in between the classrooms. just cabinets and wood partitions to separate one classroom from another.

                                         The boys showing their drawings and writing skills.

 

We are learning that in the Kampung (villages in the countryside), the needs can be greater. They have so much less support than found in the cities. Yet they have just as many needs.

 

 

                                                       November 22 Celebration day
When we arrived at the school the teachers, leaders and the children had lined up from the entrance through the school in a single file to individually shake our hands and say thank you. One small boy after shaking Sister Lucherini's hand wanted a hug, and just beamed afterwards

Pres. Edi's family also came to the celebration. His wife, Lisa and his two children on the couch.

 Ibu (Mrs) Ely one of the teachers and the master of ceremonies welcoming everyone and announcing the program. The hand painted sign in the background portrays 'togetherness.'

 Ibu Iis is the chairwomen of the foundation that owns and operates the school and she is also the principal. We have come to know her in our several interactions, how sweet a person she is and how she has devoted her life to helping special children in need. Someone that has this type of patience and love is truly given special gifts from our Heavenly Father.
She said in her comments to those in  attendance, "Welcome to our school. Thank you to the Gereja Yesus Kristus, Dari Orang Orang, Suci Zamon Akhir  (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) for the materials to help the children. Some of the donations have been a computer, monitor, printer, puzzles, mattresses, trampoline and games to help the children to play, exercise and learn. We are thankful for everything we received. As a mother, teacher and leader we thank you and your church for all the materials. The donation was really needed to help the children learn ,grow and become more independent."

 President Edi, 1st counselor in the Bandung Branch Presidency spoke and represented the church. He said the church has come a few times to this area to help with wheelchairs and  clean water. And looks for opportunities to help the needy wherever the needs exist. On the 5th of December we will be giving wheelchairs to one of the children from this school and others in the community. The funds to provide these donations did not come from the government, or just America. But from members of our church throughout the world. And from members here in Indonesia. We give to help those in need, because we are all brothers and sisters, and that is what God wants us to do. Thank you for caring for these children and for this celebration today."

                       The symbolic handover of the materials from the church to the school

               The parents, family and loved ones that came to watch the children perform

 

Mr Asep Agus, secretary of the Bina Anugraph foundation. "It is amazing for the gifts you have given to us. Thank you to the LDS church. We have students that are Christian and some that are Muslim, it does not matter. We thank God for all children. They are wonderful, and your gifts will help them to become more independent." 

 

As you can tell in these pictures, the enthusiasm was high and they performed so well!

 

These three Kung Fu Fighters were happy to share their skills with us, they were so cute!

 She was a bit shy, but when it was over, we got a big smile!

Now he was ready to dance and dance he did! He was really rocking to the music! I think he would have danced for hours!

All of the children get to participate one way or another, so nice to let them get this recognition, it makes them just beam!

Here they are all together for the picture. They make us so grateful to be able to help them, aren't they worth every penny spent? So grateful that so many people are willing to donate to the humanitarian fund of the church. It is being used here in so many different ways, all good!
 To improve a child's life is a privilege for all us.

 

 At the conclusion of the singing and dancing all of the children and teachers came out with this handmade sign.  It reads, "Thank you very much for your help, its really helpful, hugs and kisses from SLB Bina Anugraph." Then they sang the song 'Que sera, sera, what ever will be will be.'
"When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother what will I be..will I be pretty, will I be rich? Here's what she said to me, Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. The futures not ours to see. Que sera sera."
      It was wonderfully touching and beautiful, and a moment we wish we could capture forever!

 Mulon and Bilon, just married a few weeks ago. Mr Bilon works part time in helping the children at the school and also teaches English at a high school in Bandung.

 

 Almost every where we go, the sisters want to give Sister Lucherini a hug and will say, 'you are like my special sister.' It is amazing what service does to knit hearts together......and they are sisters!

After the ceremony and after the children had gone home many of the teachers followed us to our car for one final thank you and good bye. We don't know if we will ever see these lovely people again?  They certainly have left a wonderful and tender impression upon our hearts