Bugbug and Sigerongan were our first and last villages of the day, late on a Friday and bright and early on a Saturday morning in 2009. Quite different from the other villages we visited, most families in Bugbug and Sigerongan were relatively well off and neither village were in need of a paud. Some of the fifteen children we met were orphans, while others came from families who didn’t own their own land
The Islamic Centre of Education and Development (ICED) was formed in 1998 by Australian Muslims. It aims to service the growing need of many Australians for a friendly and sympathetic way of experiencing Islam and receiving answers to their questions, to develop resources and networks that support Muslim converts living in Australia and Muslim-dominant countries, to contribute a tolerant and informed Muslim perspective to multifaith initiatives, and to enable Muslims to contribute to development needs in Australia and overseas.
3 - Karang Bayan village
We arrived at Karang Bayan for the first time on a Friday afternoon in 2009. The village itself is built on the side of a fairly steep incline and our car was only able to take us so far. After parking on the side of a dirt track we were greeted by some of the village mothers who promptly picked up our boxes full of packages and effortlessly placed them on their heads. They then led the way, as we wound our way up towards what turned out to be one of the most enthusiastic groups of children we were to meet for the year.
Lombok
Interesting Terms
Cidomo
Horse drawn cidomos (pronounced 'chidomo') are a fun and easy way to get around Mataram city in Lombok. They are rarely found outside of the capital city as the rest of Lombok is notoriously hilly and would be too difficult for the horse. Cidomos are a much cheaper option than taxis which is why their drivers rarely take home much in the way of pay at the end of the day.
Health & Education Packs
In 2009, 360 health and education packs were delivered to underprivileged children and their families in 11 villages throughout Lombok.
Lombok Kids
Lombok Kids is a not-for-profit initiative run and supported entirely by volunteers and the generosity of individuals. We're committed to helping underprivileged women and children in Indonesia by working with the grassroots organisation, Koperasi Annisa, to support their existing programs in the villages of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
