Shortly After The Death Of Her Son, She Escaped
Australia.
She went to Bali for a much needed time of rest,recovery and healing.
Mama Gloria, affectionately named by her patients, has devoted the
last 19 years of her life to provide free medical care and education
for the poorest of the poor in Bali.
She was shocked to witness in Bali that there was almost no medical
care for the poor and the facilities available were extremely limited.
With a background, both in social work and nurses training, she had
a calling to reach out and help in some way.
At first, she first began to run a makeshift clinic out of her suitcase
in a room in Candi Dasa on the east coast of Bali. Eventually she
moved to the north coast area of Lovina, which is know for its basic
friendliness and relaxed way of life. For all the years in Bali, she has
had to rely entirely on tourist donations to run the clinic. She became
the founder and director of Bali Crisis Care Foundation, in the village
of Dusun Lebah, Kaliasem, Lovina. Bali Crisis Care provides urgently
needed medical care, health education, drop in emergency treatment
and outreach community care. Working closely with Gloria,the staff
includes a highly trained Balinese doctor, nurses and midwives.
Amazingly, as if she hadn't done enough to make a difference, she
opened up her heart one more notch, when she decided to adopt
and raise a Balinese child from the time of birth.
last 19 years of her life to provide free medical care and education
for the poorest of the poor in Bali.
.JPG) |
| Gloria and Daughter |
care for the poor and the facilities available were extremely limited.
With a background, both in social work and nurses training, she had
a calling to reach out and help in some way.
At first, she first began to run a makeshift clinic out of her suitcase
in a room in Candi Dasa on the east coast of Bali. Eventually she
moved to the north coast area of Lovina, which is know for its basic
friendliness and relaxed way of life. For all the years in Bali, she has
had to rely entirely on tourist donations to run the clinic. She became
the founder and director of Bali Crisis Care Foundation, in the village
of Dusun Lebah, Kaliasem, Lovina. Bali Crisis Care provides urgently
needed medical care, health education, drop in emergency treatment
and outreach community care. Working closely with Gloria,the staff
includes a highly trained Balinese doctor, nurses and midwives.
Amazingly, as if she hadn't done enough to make a difference, she
opened up her heart one more notch, when she decided to adopt
and raise a Balinese child from the time of birth.
 |
| Bali Crisis Care Ambulance, Lovina, Bali |
 |
Bali Crisis Care Clinic, Lovina, Bali |
 |
| Little boy with serious burns after a motorbike accident. |
 |
| Same little boy before the motorbike accident. His father runs a business from a motorbike. |
On my first trip to Bali, I too was grieving the loss of a dear friend
and it was his death that led me on the path of looking for some way
to be of service, my own fulfilling niche.
and it was his death that led me on the path of looking for some way
to be of service, my own fulfilling niche.
From day one, Bali seemed like a second home to me, where I slept
more soundly, connected with people more easily, found magic
moments wherever I went. The culture is beautiful, exotic, filled
with love, peace, adventure and it was much like a little paradise
for me.
I've heard that this is a common experience for tourists when they
come to Bali!
more soundly, connected with people more easily, found magic
moments wherever I went. The culture is beautiful, exotic, filled
with love, peace, adventure and it was much like a little paradise
for me.
I've heard that this is a common experience for tourists when they
come to Bali!
However of course, Bali is Not a Paradise for the Poor!
At the same time that I experienced the bliss, I also opened up
my eyes and saw the overwhelming poverty, deformity, pain and
suffering. Newborn babies are still held hostage in the hospitals
until families cough up the money to pay the entire bill. There are
times when families must sell their home property before they
can take their baby home. People die at a young age, needlessly
because they cant afford healthcare.
When I toured a government hospital, I witnessed what it was
appalling. One small bathroom for a large room of patients and
their families, who camp out next to their family member's bed.
Old, bloody rags lying around on the floor. The lack of well
trained doctors and nurses are another problem.
After meeting Gloria, each time I'd visit Bali, I felt inspired to
bring an extra suitcase of donations, including prescriptions and
medical supplies. At that time it became easy for me to become
a much needed fund raiser and with the help of donors from the
U.S.A and other countries, the Bali Crisis Care Foundation was
able to eventually buy land and build a clinic.
my eyes and saw the overwhelming poverty, deformity, pain and
suffering. Newborn babies are still held hostage in the hospitals
until families cough up the money to pay the entire bill. There are
times when families must sell their home property before they
can take their baby home. People die at a young age, needlessly
because they cant afford healthcare.
When I toured a government hospital, I witnessed what it was
appalling. One small bathroom for a large room of patients and
their families, who camp out next to their family member's bed.
Old, bloody rags lying around on the floor. The lack of well
trained doctors and nurses are another problem.
After meeting Gloria, each time I'd visit Bali, I felt inspired to
bring an extra suitcase of donations, including prescriptions and
medical supplies. At that time it became easy for me to become
a much needed fund raiser and with the help of donors from the
U.S.A and other countries, the Bali Crisis Care Foundation was
able to eventually buy land and build a clinic.
I always love visiting and hearing about the projects she has been
involved with,whether it be the organic gardening group, a sewing
program, deliveries of needed wheelchairs, free water and recycled
mattresses to the needy, and the list goes on. All those projects are
in addition to child deliveries, taking care of patients with injuries,
auto accidents, tuberculosis, dengue fever, typhus, rheumatoid fever,
polio and intestinal infections.
Tour the Clinic and Make a Donation.
Gloria will give you a tour of the clinic and share fascinating stories
about everyday life in Bali, about patients who have survived well
because of their care at the clinic, about unusual medical cases and
about treatments offered by the local balians or dukans. (Balinese
medicine men) Gloria has an infectious sense of humor and you will
feel enfolded with her loving care when you meet her.
Anyone wanting to donate to Bali Crisis Care Foundation can transfer
money via Western Union or deposit into their banks in Indonesia and
Australia. If you are coming to Bali for a vacation you are welcome to
visit her in person and hand over any kind of donation. Although, on
the website, she gives tips on what they need. When visiting the clinic
in Lovina, you can get a better understanding of how your money is
allocated. Please email her at least a few days in advance, if you are
planning to visit.
Contact Information:
www.balicrisiscare.org
Phone: +62 (0)362 422 86,
Mobile: +62 (0)81 2377 4649
Email: Balicrisiscare@hotmail.com
(A few of the photos were taken from www.balicrisiscare site.)
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