History and Achievements

In 2001, a small group of foreigners began organising occasional outings for their disabled Balinese friends. Then in 2002, the group started to meet often for weekends at a house near Ubud. They slept in the garden in a simple pavillion, talked, sang, and made music together. Day trips were taken to the sea, to temples and into the city. Thus they experienced every-day life in Bali for the first time. Meeting and sharing with other disabled people lifted spirits and made them feel more confident and gave them a sense of freedom. In May, 2003, it was decided to set up an official Senang Hati Foundation.

What we have achieved since May, 2003

The number of disabled members has grown ten-fold, from 15 to more than 150. Some have not yet been to the centre although they have already become members. We have, for example, taught them how to use a wheelchair or crutches. Often these members live at home and help their parents or are involved in other activities. Some paint at home. We then exhibit the works in our art gallery where they are offered for sale. We keep in touch with our membership and they can always count on our help and support if they need assistance.

Most members visit our centre regularly. They often come only on specific days of the week to participate in a particular activity, for example to attend a class. Others have time to visit us only during the weekends when many social events take place. About twenty members live at Senang Hati full time. To coordinate daily activities, a set schedule is followed. Our minibus is constantly coming and going, bringing members to the centre and taking them back home.

Since the Senang Hati Foundation was established, a lot has happened and we have expanded our activities enormously.

• The run-down school building has been repaired and renovated so that the whole building can now be used for additional programmes.
• A second-hand minibus was purchased for driving members around.
• The art gallery is growing at a steady pace and the volume of sales of arts and crafts made by our members is growing too.
• The rise in the number of members has led to an increase in the variety of lessons, educational programmes and activities that we offer. For our ceramics classes, we have built a small kiln. Our members can also join in activities offered by the VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas, a UK based organisation) that are specifically tailored to their disability. This also provides an opportunity to meet other organisations for the disabled from the other islands of Indonesia.
• Many members have been taught skills that they can now share and teach to others.
• All meals are prepared by the members themselves. They also do the shopping, cleaning, laundry and gardening. On weekends, these chores are especially time consuming because of the large number of people at the centre.
• A number of members have learned sign language and are able to communicate with those with a hearing disability.
• Among members, sensitivity towards the handicaps of others has increased and members now understand each other better.
• Everyone’s sense of humour, self esteem and ability to laugh and enjoy life has increased notably.