'I'm an Angel' descends to a beach in Seminyak, Bali
'I'm an Angel' descends to a beach in Seminyak, Bali
Maya Charles, Contributor, Kuta
For those who live on Bali, September remains the most enjoyable
month of the year.
Still buzzing from the energy of the numerous tourists who
"came and went" and the terrific celebrations of the high-season,
many inhabitants view September as a time of reflection.
With the end to the busy tourist season, a sense of solidarity
emerges, and many feel the desire to give back to the community.
And so it was at Ku De Ta restaurant, just north of Seminyak,
on the eve of the first Saturday of the month -- children dressed
as angels, local merchants auctioned prizes and smiling locals
joined in the celebration of the third annual "I'm an Angel"
charity fund-raiser.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, locals, expatriates and tourists
gathered under the new moon for a night of inspiration.
With over 100 merchants and private donors joining Ku De Ta
for a night of auctioning, raffles and dancing, Ku De Ta and "I'm
an Angel" successfully raised aid for various charity projects.
In classic Ku De Ta form, guests were delighted by culinary
perfection while a fire show and children's performance served as
the evening's entertainment.
Produce and other essentials for the charity meal where
donated by local traders.
Hotels, retailers, property companies, publications and
restaurants provided auction and raffle giveaways for the
evening. Despite a brief moment of uncharacteristic rain,
Australian DJs Donni and Billy the Kid kept patrons dancing all
night long.
The mission of "I'm an Angel", since its inception in 2003, is
to provide sustainable development to communities challenged by
the limitations of resource scarcity and socio-economic decline.
The total aid raised from "I'm an Angel" is distributed on a
monthly basis throughout the duration of each year.
Projects and programs, which target health care, resource
scarcity and education, are dedicated to empowering rural
communities and orphanages throughout Bali. With the support of
Ku De Ta and the various merchants and private donors, each year
has seen an outreach of on-going support.
Like many nonprofit organizations, "I'm an Angel" emerged from
the determination of a few individuals and has evolved into a
project that relies on many.
After successfully holding Jakarta's most elaborate wedding
celebrations of 2003, Mike Mohan and Yawahar Punjabi -- the
founders of textile boutique Alda Moda -- realized a celebration
was an optimal way to raise funds. Mohan contacted Ku De Ta
cofounder Arthur Chondros, and collaboration on the first "I'm an
Angel" charity fund-raiser was underway.
In 2003, Ku De Ta staged the first "I'm an Angel" fund-raiser.
With approximately US$20,000 raised, the setting and the
fund-raiser were an expression of goodwill shared throughout the
island. Following the success of the event, "I'm an Angel"
committee members Tina Ardie (member of the "Kuta charity
program") and Danielle Van Poppel began assessing development
projects on the island.
A percentage of the funds was allocated for projects that
focus on getting street children off the street. Funds were also
allocated for children in orphanages across the island.
The majority of the funds were entrusted to Asana Viebeke
Lengkong, an instrumental figure throughout the Bali recovery
project (Bali bombings in 2002), who is dedicated to empowering
communities to improve their standard of living.
The successive rise in aid, generated during the second and
third Angel fund-raisers has allowed Viebeke and her team to
extend their support throughout rural regions. Additional funding
is allotted to support alternative sustainable development
projects existing throughout Bali.
The funding provided from "I am an Angel" and the support
directly administered through Viebeke's program extends
throughout five of the eight regencies of Bali. They include the
northern regency of Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan and Badung
regencies and the municipality of Denpasar.
In rural areas located throughout these regencies, water
scarcity, health care and education has reached a critical stage.
Insufficient ground and drinking water has made it virtually
impossible for populations in rural areas to survive.
"I'm an Angel" provides the funding and implementation
necessary to create and maintain water-accessing infrastructure.
In areas where accessibility is not possible, water is delivered
and stored in man-made storage facilities.
Empowering and supporting the underprivileged with proper
health care is a primary concern. "I'm an Angel" provides proper
medication, vaccinations and education to those in need.
In addition, "I'm an Angel" provides medical professionals,
mobile clinics and routine checkups throughout the year.
Promoting education throughout rural communities is essential
to alleviating poverty and providing socioeconomic growth. "I'm
an Angel" strives to empower children through access to books,
school supplies, scholarships and improved classroom
infrastructure.
If you would like to learn more about the "I'm an Angel"
nonprofit organization or wish to lend support or make a
donation, please contact: Ku De Ta (www.kudeta.net) or Danielle
Van Poppel (artambassador@yahoo.co.uk).