Wings of Empowerment Foundation (Part 1)

10 Aug Wings of Empowerment Foundation (Part 1)

Nengah’s story…

 

When I first met Nengah 3 years ago, she had not long lost her husband to cancer. She saw me and begged for work in order to provide food for her two young boys, aged 12 and 2, as well as her mother and father in law, as this was her responsibility now that her husband had passed away! Whilst I felt so sad for Nengah, I knew the local jungle families must be my priority and so with great sadness, I was unable to help her.

Day after day I watched this beautiful hard- working woman carry 20 litre buckets of river sand and stones on her head, up the jungle path to a building site. One day I was walking up the path and saw her stop a tourist man, asking him to please help her pick up the heavy bucket of stones and put it on her head- her arms obviously too weak by this time! The man picked up the bucket and placed it on her head and I watched as Nengah happily stood herself up with the heavy load, thanked the man profusely and headed off up the path. At that moment I thought my heart was going to break and I made the decision that some-how I had to help her.

At this point Nengah could only speak a few words of English and so with some charades and the help of my Balinese friend, I asked her to help me plant grass and a garden at my newly bulit home. She was so happy and worked like a slave to finish the job in no time at all. I couldn’t believe how efficient she was and so I offered her a job cleaning my house with its floor to ceiling glass, once per week. Everything this woman does, she does to perfection and before long Nengah was working with me several days a week and other Westerner’s seeing how amazing she was began offering her jobs also, meaning she no longer had to carry those heavy buckets! A year passed and the warung clientele was growing nicely. The locals that wanted jobs had jobs, and so I told Nengah that if she learned some English over the wet season whilst I was in Australia, she could have a full time job working in the warung. Nengah kept up her end of the agreement, her English so much better by the time I returned 4 weeks later and so she had her job! Fast forward two years… not only is Nengah one of the stars in the warung, she is now also the Warung Manager

Unfortunately however, her home situation is not good. Her village home is very poor to say the least with Nengah sharing a room with her 2 boys, sleeping on mattresses on a cement floor. Nengah’s mother- in-law is a big gambler (very common here in Bali) and gets angry when there’s no money to gamble. Recently she lashed out at Nengah’s 4 year old son, giving him a blood nose and just the other week, every last penny of Nengah’s hard earned savings, hidden away in her room, was stolen, leaving her nothing!

It’s my desire to build Nengah a small 2 bedroom house where she and her 2 sons can live peacefully. The locals have offered to build the home without charging for labour if I can provide them with the building materials necessary. To complete the small house, including some furniture I just need to raise $5000 AUD.

I know these times are tough and scary for many, yet sometimes we don’t realise just how lucky we are and how much we do actually have until we hear a story like this!   Sooo, from the bottom of my heart and soul, if you feel you are in a position to assist me to build a home for Nengah please donate to my foundation, or if pay pal is easier, that is an option also, please PM me.

Wings Of Empowerment Foundation

BSB 034198……………Ac 671517

Thanking you in advance from the bottom of my heart and soul. Every cent donated to my foundation will be graciously accepted and used to empower others.

Lots of Love  Xxx

UPDATE;  We have now completed a gorgeous little 3 bedroom home and bathroom for Nengah and her two boys.  With further donations we can build her a kitchen and finalise this project.  If this resonates, thankyou so much, in advance, and please donate to the foundation details above.

I’d love to send the hugest ‘Thank You’ to the following people that made Nengah’s wildest dream come true…

Rob N, Gaia W, Lisa J, Nicole S, Kaya McC, Ali M, John and Danielle, Christine R, Sally B, Sonja K, Kath O, Sharon S, Brianna & Daniela & Jason, Prema J, Michelle McK, Kris L, C Marshal, Blossom G, Keitha B, Sudir A, Fanny, Nadia K, J Helm, Di G, Jayden N, Sharon R, Sandy I, Jaqueline McG, Tamara T, Jodie S, Daeneke J, Annette S, Christiane K, Dawn S, Clair B, Jasmine O, Kaisa V, Michelle & Kenny & Dekoda & Kade & Skyler & Jake (the kids donated their easter money) Melissa K, Steve W, John T, Suzanne K, Bauldeska, James R, Cher, Sally Anne, Kata V, Nalini B, Di L, Shawna W, Lily & Jorda, Sini-Maria L. Bed donated by Tuuli & Nyoman.