A visit to Karangasem

My name is Monique Luthe and I assist in the Rotary organisation. Recently, I accompanied Nexuba volunteers on a visit to Karangasem. We distributed donations, checked on children receiving treatment and visited families caring for children with severe physical and mental disabilities.

It is difficult to put into words how deeply this experience changed my perspective.

Some families we visited live in remote shelters made from concrete blocks, corrugated roofing and tarpaulins. Even basic sanitary facilities can be lacking.

Yet we were welcomed with such warmth. Families carefully laid out mats for us to sit on, brushed away the dust with their hands and greeted us with smiles. Their kindness stayed with me as much as the hardship I witnessed.

In rural Karangasem, access to healthcare, education and social services is more limited than in Bali’s larger cities. For families caring for a child with a disability, this makes everyday life especially challenging.

Nexuba’s volunteers visit families, listen to their concerns and follow the children’s progress. They help with medical care, medication and financial support, and guide parents in caring for their children.