January 2003 - Annette Culpan

The year started with a terrifying bang. In the wee hours of January 2nd John and I awoke to an earthquake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. The entire house shook violently while glasses fell down in the kitchen. It felt as though the heavy wooden bungalow would fall upon us and we feared for our lives. We were lucky but the damage to the surrounding villages was terrible.

The saddest thing in a situation like this in Bali is the people explain these happenings through karma. A few days after the quake I drove up to Dukuh to see one of the village leaders depressed and ill - he believed the earthquake was his fault. Sitting away from the group, he looked like something inside him had broken. I gave the village a small care package; it felt so inadequate, something so much deeper had been taken away.

Ceremonies to represent the start of the Hindu year followed quickly on the heels of the quake. Woven offerings to worship the Gods and appease evil spirits are placed in thousands of sacred nooks and crannies, bringing the streets alive with decoration. There was a bustle of activity, smiles, laughter and chanting from temples during this magical time - I felt as though I was the only person in Bali actually working!

On the work front it’s been an enjoyable month. I finally managed to organise referral of our Kedisan eye patients to the John Fawcett mobile eye clinic. I visited a bomb patient last weekend topping up his supply of Manuka antibiotic cream – it’s the only thing that effectively covers the burns on his arm, enabling him to swim without itching or discomfort. I also met with Volunteer Services Abroad who have access to practical professionals such as irrigation specialists and are keen to work with our organisation. Something as simple as organising more (and cleaner) wells in Suka Dana would mean real benefits for these people.

I then had a fantastic field trip with Dr Inne Susanti who runs a mobile sexual health clinic for village woman. She passionately presented on the importance of pap smear testing and feminine hygiene, captivating her audience - I have no doubt that next month she will find a very long queue outside the mobile clinic!

The biggest milestone this month was meeting with the Denpasar Doctors responsible for the leprosy rehabilitation centre in Tabanan. After seeing photos of the Suka Dana leprosy patients the doctors made it very clear that they are keen to partner with our organisation. Not only do these doctors have access to the leprosy antibiotic MDT free of charge, they also have provision in their budget for impoverished villages such as Suka Dana. I now feel my year has come full circle.

In five days I leave Bali - my home for the last 9 months. I’ve packed up all of the Trust medicines to put into storage. I hope that one day soon we will have a full time, local staff member in Bali, which will be a key milestone towards sustainability.

I feel incredibly sad to be leaving, but also excited at the prospect of being reunited with friends and family, especially my nephews. Funnily now, since making contact with the Denpasar leprosy doctors I feel like my work here is done. I feel at peace knowing it is nearly time for the next journey to begin.

Annette

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