For many years the plight of Bali’s physically and mentally handicapped and orphaned children was ignored. In July 1983, a handicapped school named “Sekolah Luar Biasa” or “Special Education” was established for disabled children. The number of students was nine with four volunteers living with them and acting as teachers.

However, each year, the number of children grew. Finally, the wife of the Regent encouraged the Gianyar government to build a real orphan home. In 1986, the Panti Asuhan (Orphan House) “KESAYAN IKANG PAPA” (which literally means passionate for the poor) was created as a home for orphans who were poor and disabled.

Since 1998, sixty children are enrolled in the school at any one time. Twenty children live with the schoolmaster, who acts as a guardian parent, while forty others live in their own home but attend the school every day.

In 1998 Amandari conducted its first visit to the orphanage. Immediate concern over the condition of the school, living and dining areas spurred Amandari to involve itself as a sponsor for the orphanage.

Funds were raised for bedding including mattresses and blankets, furniture including chairs and dining tables, educational aids including books, pencils and toys, as well as medicine. Amandari also constructed fish ponds to provide the orphans with much needed nourishment that was previously absent from their diet.

Each year, at the end of the school term in June, Amandari takes the children (and extended families) on an outing to visit a famous site in Bali. Visit our photo gallery or connect to Bali Editor’s story from June 2006 (link: http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=3248&Text=amandari ). Likewise, at Christmas, Amandari staff and orphans paint together – these paintings are later sold at the resort.