Hi,
My name is Samuel Elms and in 2009 I will be a year 10 student at Concordia College in Highgate, Adelaide, South Australia.
Over the last two years my brother Josiah and Levi and I have been collecting recyclable cans and bottles so that we can each month sponsor 6 boys in the Denpasar “William Booth” Boys home on the island of Bali, in Indonesia. We used to raise money years ago this way to go to the Royal Show.
We visited the Boys Home firstly in October 2007 and saw the wonderful work The Salvation Army does in caring for 85 boys.
In July 2008, we went and lived with the boys for two weeks and had a great time making special friends and teaching the Indonesian boys how to play Aussie Rules football. Our parents conducted activities everyday with the boys and everyone had a lot of fun.
My youngest brother Levi had raised money at his school before our trip and it was awesome to see 6 boys enrol in school and wear new uniforms because of the money Levi had raised through his year 7 class.
The Salvation Army Officers that run the home are truly amazing people. Captain Nengah and Captain Adolphina work day and night as “Papa” & “Mama” to all these wonderful boys.
While we were there last year we noticed that the home only had one small twin tub washing machine which was not operating so with the kind generosity of many people we have been able to raise back here in Adelaide $1,100.00 and send it for Christmas to buy a new one.
My brothers and I continue to sponsor 6 boys by collecting cans and bottles that now are worth 10 cents each here in South Australia. We also contribute to this by using some of the money we earn from basketball umpiring and Levi’s local paper round.
This year we want to raise $10,000.00 towards a new bus for the Boys Home.
When we were there last year we would watch early in the money how a 7 seater bus tried to transport many of the boys to school. We also realised that due to limited transport the boys only left the grounds of the home for school.
Already we have been able to bank over $3,000.00 through friends and supporters of our quest. We have been really amazed by people’s generosity and care. The staff at the local Westpac Bank where we process our funds even gave us $100.00 at Christmas towards the washing machine!
We have also been given a nearly brand new lounge suite to sell towards the project. We hope to raise $600.00 from this.
In my Year 10 studies this year I have to conduct a Personal Project and I had a few ideas of what I could do. One was to develop a personal fitness program for teenagers but I have decided to work on a Charity Project and see if I can raise 2-3 thousand dollars of the $10,000.00 that we are aiming for.
Here are some of the ideas I may pursue;
A Charity Quiz Night
Gain support from the Indonesian Classes at school
Hold a Garage Sale
Inform people of my project on a newssheet/blogg.
Sell the Lounge Suite.
All this will need promotion, processing, prizes, organisation and people’s support.
If you would like to be kept informed on the progress of my Year 10 Personal Project, and the overall $10,000.00 Bus Project please contact me at:
Email baliboysbus@hotmail.com
I trust that you have a great 2009 and hope you'll be waiting for the next posting!
God bless you!!!!!
Samuel Elms
