It was so encouraging to see may Presidents Elect and some secretaries elect, and even one non Rotarian was brought by AGE Eva and Wisnu has quickly learned so much and I am sure he will soon become a Rotarian and strengthen the club he is in.

The most senior PDG Tjoet Rahman who is Rotarian for 32 years and more, has joined the full two days session intentsly. Yes, Rotary is not changing, Rotary has a lot of improvements and those improvements are to be shared and learned together. What a warm fellowship we had with all those Rotarians from Batam, Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, Purwokerto, Semarang and Yogyakarta. The glare and the lights on their eyes showed high spirit, understanding that we need to grow and how to grow.

We really hope that they will go hope and meet the RI President Citation in April 2011 and meet with the DG Challenge in July 2011. Here are some shots to share:

DGE Al Purwa, RC Bali Kuta

I think this kind of meetings once a month or twice a month are very productive for developing Rotary membership and fellowship among the Rotary leaders in one province, I hope this to be adopted by other provincies as a sustainable programs.

AG Suastika and AG Nilawati, doing the checking of club administrations, possible projects in Bali and relevant Rotary business.PDG Ritje update all Presidents about Future Vision Plan, and its management. DGE Al Purwa update Presidents with many things NEW in Rotary and encourage all President Elects to come for PETS, otherwise they will miss a lot of information.

PP Patrick came with brilliant idea to have a District website that contain links to all clubs in the District, great idea and other Districts in the world have done that.

Thank you for thinking and sharing and let us go BIGGER, BETTER and BOLDER to continue Building Communities and Bridging Continents.

Greetings from DGE Al Purwa

Rotary Club of Bali Kuta

Most of the Estate Tax (PBB) goes to school projects, it depends on what the value of the house property, in this case in Pittsford where we are hosted the houses costs around USD 300,000 to USD 450,000.– I think houses like this with the view in Bali will cost more. Each family regardless having children in school or not, if they want to stay on this environment, they pay about USD.10,000 for the school administration.

The schoolbuses are run as an entreprize large compay, and they are pooled in one place, 120 buses that can carry 50 students each. They bring about 7000 students every morning and every afternoon back to their front doors. I went out at 06.00 AM this morning, I only see schoolbuses in action to all streets. And the safety of the buses are very important, every 6 months each bus is under controle.

This way the parents can have more productivities and time at work, and education is so important, the parents have a lot of say if the schoolmasters and teachers are not productive in teaching. Good education will lead the children to good job, and good job can lead them to good earning and when people have good earning they can pay more tax, I think it is great cycle.

The government must allow people to be successfull, and people should not be jealous if people can earn more because they work harder.

R.I.T ( Rochester Institute of technology) has a very large campus, they have 15,000 students and from those students 6000 are on Computer Science department. Maybe people think if they master computer science they can earn more money, and yes, it is the fact,look at Bill Gate.  My host is a Phd in computer science, and to me it is so fascinating to see what he can do with his knowlege.

A student pay tuitions in everage USD.25,000 a year. Some of them stay in campus and most of them come by their own car. The campus is very modern, and some blocks were donated by rich people like gullione and Eastman, then the block is named under their name forever, what a good legazy.  Many rich people who have hearts donate, I have seen a large house donated for the schoolmaster for example. Really very interesting.

I joined a Rotary meeting every day, and today was with RC Rush Henrietta, they were trying to make fundraising with PASTA party sometimes in March 2010. They work hard to raise funds.

Today also the weather was a bit hotter and the snow start melting in some points, that we can see some grass on the lawn.

We went several time to visit “Grocery” ……” warung bumbu”, yang namanya: Wegman, they have a lot of Wegman groceries all over USA, but the largest and the first one is in Rochester, maybe because the people who are living in these areas are the higher income populations of the US.  Wegman is Sooooooo big, out of the world, you can find anything that you imagine for living, and all are very very fresh.

When they make business in the US, the bigger the business, the larger their parking lot is, if you have visited Disneyland you can see a parking lot that is about 10 Hektare and so is for this grocery, they have parking lot that is enough for thousands of cars.

That is it for now folk, tomorrow morning I have to wake up at 4 AM to catch our flight at 6 AM, we will be in San Diego at 12.55 noon, where the Rotarians from RC La Hoja will be waiting for us at the airport. They will visit us to Bali in March and we will host them for dinner on 09 March either in Kuta or in Belimbing. They really want to make projects with D3400.

Now I need to sleep, selamat malam and sleep well. If you like to see the photoes and movies of my Cucu, you can visit: www.simonpurwa.com/blog

DGE Al Purwa – Rotary Club Bali Kuta

However the fullfliments of the basic needs are organized by no more than 5 people each. For example the Water Treatment project that can supply 5,000,000 liters a day to give the whole city clean water is more using cutting edge technology:

Their Ambulance, Fire Department and Police station is in one building that is connected to 911 alarm systeem. So sophisticated that make me envy them, but I can not epect anything like that in my country in my life time. The Ambulance and the Fire department are maned with 22 people with advance fully equipped ambulances (5 of them) and one 4 drive car so that they can reach far difficult sites:

Just next to those ambulance equipments are 4 large fire brigades with also not less sophisticated and very well maintained in good and ready situation:

With Rotary Club Presidents and taking a DGE, we are allowed to see so many things that usual people need axtra permit to see and watch. I am so happy to have this chances to sea and learn what other people do to organize their life that is to me beyond my expectations and that is why I like to share with my fellow countymen in Indonesia.

This police Car is equiped with radar and licence plate number detection,that can directly trace the owners and the home address of the cars on road. 24 hours 911 staff is there to receive calls any time of the day. They are working really good and efficient.

Their waste water management that costed the USD 25 million 17 years ago,is good for the future is even the city is inhabited by double population. And it is located on the lower side of the city that all waste water is leading to this place by grafitation. And again, only 5 people maned this huge plant. Kok Bisa ?

I wish that this posting is read by our Governor and Bupati / Walikota in Bali to increase their awareness that things are possible to do if the government people understand the high basic living needs and go for it continuesly.

The hospital is another thing. We were taken to visit a Catholic hospital that is managed by Sister of Mercy congragation. I have seen so many equipments imaginable,computerized and anything that is available on earth to help people stay alive is available there, except it is the time for the patient called by God – they can not help.

The home of our second host is higher then the other part of the city Pittsford, meaning that we can see more of the city, and also see higher piles of snow everywhere. The ice cycles on some houses are really looking like stalagmit that goes down from external roof to the ground. I have never seen something like this before:

Before lunch today with all 27 of my classmate with their spouses, we were taken to see the house of George Eastman a very wealthy men, and the house has become a museum now to show how a small person can become so big and also become so little because at the end he killed himself.

Do you remember “KODAK”, for many years when we were children all cameras whatever trade mark, were called “Kodak”. Most of the movies were using Kodak cameras and film print. And George Eastman was the founder and the owner of all the Eastman Colours.

To know the stories behind this man is very interesting, a man of so many facest and hobbies, but no children and no family at the end. A stunning life with all the richness on hands but a sad life at the end. Mr Eastman has donated USD 100 Million for charity in his year 1863, and it is a pity the Rotary International was only built in 1905, otherwise he might donate more money to Rotary ?

My host Mr. Axel Streiner is a professor in computer science, he teachs me some tricks and many others about computer. He is using apple Mac, and Macbook Pro.I told him I have also thise things but can not use them, then with patient he teach this old and cracking brain, and I am very happy to know something.Today we will go to apple shop to by some accessories for my computer so that I can make my Governor Monthly Letter for example on time that is expected by many Rotarians.

Well, old brains can learn also if he wants Hehehehehhe……..

Rotary Club Bali Kuta

I was exshousted, very cold, the airport was full of snow and very deep. I have seen a lot of snow before in Europe, UK, New Zealand and Japan before, this cold I only felt once in 1975 in Moskow. But in Moskow I was not ready with winter clothes as it was the first time for me to travel as well, but now I am ready with six layers and that I can enjoy the scenery of the nature in white.

By looking at the pictures above, you all can understand that we have worked hard to cope with daily activities in Rochester. Going out of house or building need to be clothed well and 5 or 6 layers, and coming into rooms or building must take all out again. I wonder how people can live that long here. Remembering back in Bali, just one polo from morning to evening, all will be OK.

I remembered when visiting the Meat processing factory of PPReinhold Jantzen, we were brought to feel the deep friezers where he keep his meat and fish before processing, that is what I feel here now in Hornel Rochester.

The first meeting with RC Hornel that is already 90 years old, number 3 Rotary Club in D7120 Rochester, was very welcoming. People are so friendly here, the same description as told nby PDG Miko who had experienced their hospitality. Before the club meeting my host PP Nathan Oakes with his wife Rtn. Patty took me to see a Large Glass factory, you and me could not imagine how large and how great it was. The Steuben Glass were the most expensive. This was the birth of PYREX the glassware we used on oven and microwave, anti hot wares.

After being stunned with thousand of beautiful and expensive glasses, I was brought to a club meeting. RC Hornel has produced 3 PDGs, and I met one PDG Robert who is enjoying a lot of Family Friendship exchanges in the whole world,something that we can participate in. Also President Mark Henderson a Banker is very energetic and active.

Now I am sure some of you like to see me “suffering” in the snow, but I can tell you this was a life time experience, as I said I have seen many snow in Japan, Russia, Europe , New Zealand and South Africa, but never like this, and never that MUCH:

That is it for now. I have to make phone calls and sms, bbm as I got news today is my happy day, the family got the gift of God as a New Year’s gift:

MARIO PURWA – My first Grandson

Regards from DGE Al Purwa

Rotary Club Bali Kuta

There was also an important topics discussed on board meeting such as:

1. Finacial matters with Library projects

2. Paying SAR and RI dues, which was reported by treasurer that RC Bali Kuta is at present clean, all fully paid. Bravo Treasurer !

3. Projects update, Computer & books project was closed, Water Project at Karyasari closed, Water Project in Sumba island on going, this month start drilling at Kalakembe School, built by member of this club, future projects: Water in Halmaera, Mobile Library MG and Blood Bank on going Project.

4. Leadership continuations: 2010-2011 PE Winaya and SE Julia Rivai, and 2011-2012 PN Julia Rivai and SE Erika S

5. Important talk and Rotary Information: The 4 Way Test and Object of Rotary. 2 Invited members candidate: Mr. Sudhyatmaka, Head of Radio Republic of Indonesia – Denpasar, and  Mrs. Kelanis exporter

Meeting was always started with a prayer and Singing ” Padamu Negeri” and President Ratna asked members to pray for the 2 weeks journey of DGE Al Purwa and Rtn. Marina Purwa to Rochester and San Diego for International Assembly, and wishing them luck.

The Rotary Club Bali Kuta

DGE Al Purwa and Pres. Ratnawati were very proud and happy to charter 2 new members today, they are Nuku Kamka, Hon Consul of Russia and Ni Putu Suryani, a successful Insurance Agent.

RC Bali Kuta has struggled for the last 2 years to increase quality members, and now we are reaching 27 members incl. 1 Hon member.

Members understand perfectly well that the members we have the more service projects we can deliver, and the more contributions we can help to TRF the more funding we have to be use to help others, and the more amicable meetings we have with attractive fellowship.

After meeting with this Charter presentation, we went to a professional photo studio to make professional photoes. This is also a goof fellowship session where we all can laugh together. Then we can create Callender 2010 with our faces that can be put on each of our desks, we can remember our friends and that we have real friends with the same purpose of life – service above self.

The Rotary Club Bali Kuta

The committee with the help of Rotarians and friends in Australia has built a clinic that has 28 beds for the first aid before the patients can go home after recovery from an illness. When it was opened with a ceremony, all beds were already full, so it is really needed:

The Rotary Bali Kuta also have helped the fishermen with various wooden as well as fiberglass boats, before there were sent to Nias all tested on the waters of Bali First:

There were two Matching Grant Projects that are participated by RC Bali Kuta, those are a Van for gardening and a fourwheel ambulance that were needed because the road were all destroyed:

The Rotary Clu Bali Kuta

With the funding we have collected everywhere, we have brought 20 medical doctors to Nias and 20 Medical doctors to Aceh fpr the first aid help, also brought tons of rice and sugar, built new water wells in meulaboh, distributing 14 tons of colthes send by Althea from Sydney, distributing via Yayasan Aceh seupakat 500 tons of water and biskuits from Rotaract Clubs of Macao.

Then we met with PP Betty Muliadinata of RC Jakarta Metropolitan and Catherine Mensana and Atik from RC  Jakarta Selatan, we started to rebuild the above mentioned school for the Children of Mandrehe. Below were the process of building the school:

A lot of Rotary Clubs helping the funding: RC Bali Kuta, RC Jakarta Metropolitan, Jakarta Selatan, RC Bali Taman, RC Bali Nusa Dua, RC Bali Seminyak and other clubs. We also organize a Golf Tournament in jakarta toward the finishing of the school. Now it looked like these:

With this new school, the children of Mandrehe can study better, now we are still trying to do a Matching Grant for its furnitures and other needs for the school.

Rotary Club Bali Kuta

Today we organize blood donors at the Cellular Phone in Denpasar, and this activities will be done from time to time in different places:

On this photo was PP Hanny Arianto and President Ratnawati standing, and DGE Al’s blood was being taken. On the following are the snapshots of the Blood Bank and its equipments:

This Bali Blood Bank has help so many people, not only for the people of Bali, lombok and East Java that has total  inhabitants of about 15 Million people, but also has help many victims of disasters like the Bali Bombing in 2002, The Tsunami in Aceh 2004, the earthquake in Yogya and many other places in Indonesia.

There a  alot of tourists coming to this island of peace Bali, and very often tourists can get accidents as well, but we need Negative Reshus blood, that is why we also request volunteers of foreigners living in Bali to donate their reshus negative blood to help their foriegn countrymen.

For Rotary International, this project is one of the larger project that has on going high impact, we can all be proud of this project and let us all help whatever we can to keep the standard of helping people in the future.

Rotarian Yoyok is a new member, but remarkably active, he is already a PHF and happy to help service projects in anywhere possible, teaching computers to elemenatary school children and now above donating his blood. (His klassification is special: Tax expert, he is the chairman of the provincial Tax office of the island of Bali)

The Rotary Club Bali Kuta