Balls for Indonesian Children – responding to a heart felt welcome by the children of Indonesia. The following is a short letter explaining the delight when the children at the children’s centre in Solo Surakarta Indonesia received the package of balls and play equipment provided through the hard work of Marion Sturges (UWS) and Margaret Gleeson (Kieraville Community Presechool). The collecting of money and play equipment came about after the visit by these two delegates to a children’s centre during the CFAP conference in July 2011. On speaking to the children Marion asked them if they had balls to play with – they responded by saying they used their sandals and shoes as a racket and a ball. This statement stewed around in Marion’s mind and when she returned from her trip she announced she would start the bounce for kids foundation to raise money to send play equipment over to Indonesia.

So far one shipment of balls and equipment have arrived – another is on its way. If you would like to help or be involved please contact Marion directly on M.Sturges@uws.edu.au or Margaret on Keiraville Community Preschool office@kcps.org.au .

Let us start from the news of balls donation. I let the children knew about the balls donation as soon as Marion told me. I told them that they are just lucky because they will use their sandal as a racket no more and they will not use their shoes as a ball anymore. Because, this woman (I saw them Marion’s photo on my facebook) is trying to organize some balls to you all. They are very glad to hear the donations. The children wanted to see their balls immediately. I told Marion that we are waiting. On Saturday 6 August 2011, I got a notification letter to pick the box in the post office. I went to the post office after having my final undergraduate examination on that day, but it was late, the post office was closed. Then, I planned on Monday 8 August 2011 to take the box at the post office. On the Monday afternoon, the children are very happy to see my coming with the box in my hand. The children who play in the park run to me. You will be hard to find me in the picture, but I was there, squatted in the crowded children, (in front of the girl in white). I knew that it will be happen as I knew their enthusiasm of the balls, so I asked one of my friends to take this ball’s arrival picture on my way to the park. Some more others children who are in the library and computer room are also running to me after the activity on the picture took place. Feeling like Santa, I gave them a ball for a child. Happy and smiles are clearly defined on their face. But, I made some of them disappointed because I have no more balls. Moreover, a child was crying because I have no ball/any sport equipment for him. I asked Marion whether she would send me more or not, and she said ‘Yes’.
The children said thanks to me, but I told them that they should address their thanks to Marion and her team. They think Marion has different hair and skin color so Marion is not one of their communities, and it makes difficulties to meet her to say thanks. I gave them an idea to send their grateful to a message of the balls. Yelling loudly they agreed. Then, I did explain them Marion and team comes from Australia, she has different language. They asked me how to say thanks in Marion’s language. I answered that I will translate it. They shouted me many words in Indonesia which mean ‘grateful’. I translated their words, they collect their balls before bring them home and started to doodle on the balls. The photograph shows the result of collecting their balls Then, I ask them to get their own balls for the photo bellow. I think that is all what happened at that time. I am very sorry for keeping you busy in helping my community’s children. Thank you for your support. I will be very glad if I can do something for you Thank you from the children of Surakarat. Kind Regards, Terry Maditama (terry.cute06@gmail.com)