Welcome to our final newsletter for 2006. It’s been an incredibly busy and a rewarding six months for the Bantul Kindergarten Project and 2007 promises to be just as fulfilling if not more so.

The opening of the Siwi Lestari ‘Strandhill’ kindergarten

On Saturday 4th November, the community of Karet village held the official opening of their new kindergarten. As many of you know already, this kindergarten was built thanks to the impressive fundraising of the Strandhill Indonesian Relief Fund (SIRF www.sirf.org) in their hometown of Strandhill in County Sligo, Ireland. Sadly the lads from SIRF –Alan, Barry and Dave- couldn’t make the opening in Karet but they were certainly there in spirit.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the entire village of Karet was at the opening that night making the occasion all the more special. The evening began with traditional singing and dancing performed by the little cherubs of Siwi Lestari Strandhill kindergarten who looked glorious in their costumes (and fake moustaches for the boys). Wonderful speeches were made by the deputy mayor of Bantul, the head of the kindergarten and Amber spoke on behalf of the BKP, the MUM Bali Foundation and SIRF.

A ribbon was cut by both Amber and Bantul’s deputy mayor releasing a collection of colourful balloons officially opening the kindergarten. After a tour of the new premises, everyone sat down –albeit on very small kindergarten chairs at very small kindergarten tables- and enjoyed a scrumptious meal cooked by the mothers of the village. After dinner the pace of the evening was turned up a notch or two with the start of the ‘campur sari’ or Javanese-style karaoke. The BKP’s Mas Wawan sang a few Javanese love songs that had everyone clapping and cheering for more. The sweet sounds were heard all over the village and continued into the small hours of Sunday morning.

Another Happy Hearts Fund (HHF) donation

November continued to be an exciting month for the BKP with news that Petra Nemcova’s Happy Hearts Fund was pledging a second generous donation. Within days the BKP started work on another 3 kindergartens, one of which is our largest and most ambitious project to date comprising of a kindergarten and a community hall.

Again we would like to sincerely thank the Happy Hearts Fund for their ongoing support of the BKP and MUM.

Donating through Give2Asia

We are very pleased to announce that those living in the US can now donate to the Bantul Kindergarten Project through Give2Asia, the American non-profit organization established by The Asia Foundation. As a US 501 (c) (3) public charity they make giving easy, tax deductible and convenient for those giving within the US. Please visit their website for more details.

Thank you to everyone at Give2Asia for your guidance and help.