July-August 2020 Newsletter

Love in the Time of Covid

Do you remember the famous novel Love in the Time of Cholera by Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel García Márquez? It’s a story of love and passion situated in the time of a cholera outbreak. The novel is uplifting as it portrays the victory of love over hardships, betrayals and the threat of a horrific epidemic. It resonates today as the world grapples with the events of the current Covid pandemic. Love and passion are sometimes the only weapons we have to combat the negativity engendered by these horrendous times. Love and passion is what motivates and sustains us each day when we send out the Solemen Outreach team to bring food, medicines, care and love to our many Solebuddies who are terribly affected by the turn of events. Even though we are forced to drastically curtail our activities due to lack of funding, sponsorships and donations, we still try to bring help where we can. The Solemen Food Drive continues thanks to our many supermarket partners and their compassionate customers who donate freely to our food collection bins. It’s all because of them, and you, our faithful supporters, that we can continue this crucial project. We thank each and every one of you for your help and hope you can continue to sustain our project.

FUNDRAISING
Read on to see how you can make a difference

Solebuddies waiting for a kind sponsor

Angga

Angga is 15 years old and has Epilepsy. The Solemen Outreach team has cared for him for the past 7 years. He lives in a small room with his parents and brother. His father works as a public transportation driver and the family has to survive on a very low income.

Sponsorship needed: monthly food parcel IDR 800k & milk supplements IDR 600k; room rent IDR 900k/month

Ibu Suani

Ibu Suani is 61 years old and has stage 4 breast cancer. When we first met Ibu Suani she was travelling 8 hours round trip from her home in Karangasem to receive chemotherapy at Sanglah. Since this was an exhausting trip we accommodate her at our recovery centre when she needs to come for ongoing therapy. We also provided crutches to help her get around more easily.

Sponsorship needed: monthly food parcel IDR 800k & Ensure milk supplements IDR 600k

Ketut & Kadek
Ketut is 4 years old and his brother Kadek is 21. They both live with their parents and one other brother in Singaraja. The family has endured many hardships and several siblings have died in childhood.

Ketut and Kadek are formally undiagnosed and a full assessment has been delayed due to Covid. Kadek is unable to walk and has received a wheelchair and a beanbag for safe and comfortable sitting. Ketut is unable to sit, speak or feed himself and is undergoing treatments every month in a neuro specialist clinic. The Solemen team continues to monitor their progress.

Sponsorship needed: 2 tins of Pediasure per month IDR 600k and medicine IDR 800k per month for Ketut and 2 tins Ensure for Kadek per month IDR 600k

Ayu Parwati

This 4-year-old toddler was born with Down’s Syndrome and she has associated thyroid issues. She has been assessed and is now receiving treatment. The Solemen Outreach team is monitoring her progress.

Sponsorship needed: monthly food parcel IDR 800k & 2 tins Pediasure milk supplements IDR 600k

Buk Ketut
Ibu Ketut is 57 years old and has been admitted for surgery at Sanglah hospital to remove a breast tumour. She noticed swelling 2 years ago and lost weight, had a biopsy but no treatment.

Sponsorship needed: monthly food parcel IDR 800k & 2 tins Ensure milk supplements IDR 600k

Arini

Arini lives in Singaraja with her very impoverished family. She is a nursing student in her first year at Singaraja University and performing well. The Solemen Outreach team is planning to employ her as a member of the team when she graduates.