Smile Foundation of Bali

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = The Smile Foundation of Bali
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = Humanitarian Foundation
founded_date = 2005cite web | title = About Us | work = Yayasan Senyum Bali - Smile Foundation of Bali | url = http://www.senyumbali.org/aboutus.php | accessdate = 2008-03-30 ]
founder = Mary Northmore-Aziz
location = Bali, Indonesia
origins =
key_people = Mary Northmore-Aziz, Dr. David David, Dr A. A. Asmarajaya
area_served = Bali and the surrounding islands
product =
focus =
method =
revenue =
endowment =
num_volunteers =
num_employees =
num_members =
subsib =
owner =
Non-profit_slogan =
homepage = [http://www.senyumbali.org/ SenyumBali.org]
dissolved =
footnotes =

The Smile Foundation of Bali (Yayasan Senyum) is a non-profit organisation in Bali that helps people with craniofacial disabilities obtain health care."Senyum" means "smile" in Indonesian and "yayasan" means 'foundation' or 'institute'.

The Smile Foundation facilitates operations for cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial deformities, due to birth defects, accidents, or tumours. The organisation helps poor people from Bali, Lombok and further east, and raises funds for operations whether in Bali or Adelaide, Australia at the Australian Craniofacial Unit. "Yayasan Senyum" received a generous grant of US$2,500 from the The Smile Train to enable the foundation to advertise the fact that cleft conditions can be treated and that it is able to assist people to get that treatment.cite web
title=Annual Report 2007
work=Yayasan Senyum Bali - Smile Foundation of Bali
url=http://www.senyumbali.org/annualreport2007.php
publisher=www.senyumbali.org
accessdate=2008-03-31]

History

[
Ubud] "The Smile Foundation of Bali" was founded in 2005 by Mary Northmore-Aziz at the suggestion of Dr. David David from the Australian Craniofacial Unit,cite news | last = Sertori | first = Trisha | title = Foundation bringing back the smiles of children | work = The Jakarta Post | date = October 3, 2007 | url = http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/10/03/foundation-bringing-back-smiles-children.html-0 ] to identify those in need of craniofacial surgery. Dr. David David has continued his association as the chief adviser to the foundation. In December 2006 the foundation opened the "Smile Shop", which was the first Op shop in Bali.cite news | last = Dunkel | first = Margaret | title = Bali 'op-shop' generates aid for reconstructive surgery | work = The Brunei Times | date = September 3, 2007 | url = http://www.bt.com.bn/en/features/2007/09/03/bali_op_shop_generates_aid_for_reconstructive_surgery] It provides a source of income for the foundation through the sale of secondhand goods and old stock from local businesses.

After extensive fundraising, the "Smile House" was opened in January, 2007, in Denpasar. The Smile House provides accommodation and educational facilities, in particular for those from outlying areas.

Background

In many countries, craniofacial disabilities are treated shortly after birth. This is not necessarily the case in Bali. Craniofacial disabilities are not only disfiguring, but can also lead to difficulties with nutrition and communication.cite news | title = Australia sponsoring surgeries for kids | work = The Jakarta Post | date = November 29, 2006 | url = http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2006/11/29/australia-sponsoring-surgeries-kids.html ] As such, treatment is essential. However, treatment is not just expensive, but it can involve extensive travel from the individual's home environment as well a complex bureaucratic process.

This is exasperated by a number of factors: many of the people requiring treatment are poor, often illiterate and they may not speak Bahasa Indonesia. Thus not only do they have trouble paying for treatment (which may also involve accommodation and travel expenses), but when they arrive for treatment they have trouble completing admission forms and understanding the processes which need to be undertaken. In addition, many patients have not previously left their home villages, making the experience particularly difficult and traumatic, which is strengthened by the social isolation caused by their disabilities.

Activities

The foundation provides pre- and post-operative support and helps to organise treatment for people suffering from craniofacial disabilities. Part of this involves identifying those in need, both in Bali and the surrounding Indonesian islands, as per David David's initial request. Once identified, the patients are sent either to the Sanglah General Hospital or the Dharma Husada Hospital in Denpasar, or, in the more serious cases, to the Australian Craniofacial Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. This may involve organising visas, passports and flights for the patients. For patients being treated in Denpasar, the Smile House provides accommodation, as well as educational services to the parents — in particular as regards post-operative care.cite web | title = The Smile House | work = Yayasan Senyum Bali - Smile Foundation of Bali | url = http://www.senyumbali.org/thesmilehouse.php | accessdate = 2008-03-30 ]

Funding and Operation

Much of the funding comes from donations from both individuals and organisations. For example, the Australian Consulate General in Bali, working with the Smile Foundation, provided funding for seventy children to have craniofacial surgery in 2006. Charity events, such as Adam Gyorgy's piano performance in 2006, are also important to the foundation.cite news | last = | first = | title = Piano Man | work = The Bali Times | date = November 16, 2006 | url = http://www.thebalitimes.com/2006/11/16/piano-man/ ] [cite web | url=http://www.budpar.go.id/page.php?ic=7&id=1905 | title=Charity Recital | publisher=Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia | accessdate=2008-03-10]

Additional funds are raised the Smile Shop, which sells secondhand goods, largely from expatriates, but also increasingly old stock from local shops and linen from hotels. The Smile Shop is staffed entirely by volunteers.

The foundation is run by three paid employees, based at their office in the Smile House. In addition, Mary Northmore-Aziz is the chairperson, with Dr. David David and Dr A. A. Asmarajaya listed as advisers. The board includes Dr A. A. Asmarajaya, Denise Finney, Eko Prabowo and Sarita Newson.

See also

* Senang Hati Foundation
* Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture

References

External links

* [http://www.senyumbali.org/ Yayasan Senyum official website]