Let us introduce ourselves!
Panti Asuhan Benih Harapan the Balinese Orphanage also known as Seeds of Hope
Children’s Home (SoH) was founded in March 2001 by Reverend Tommy and his wife
Sandra. The Orphanage is situated north-west of Denpasar. This is a 30 minute
drive from Kuta, 20 minutes from Seminyak and 45 minutes from Sanur.
Tommy (68 years) and
Sandra (72 years) are Christians and welcome children of all backgrounds and
religions. In July 2001, just 4 months after opening their doors to the
children, Sandra suffered a stroke. When you meet Sandra you will initially
notice the physical signs and impact this stroke has had. However, after
spending only a short time with her, you will become aware of what a strong and
capable woman she is. This is apparent with the fact she has been a ‘mother’ and
caregiver for over 500 children in these past 15 years.
As of December 2016 SoH is responsible for 55 resident and 5 non-resident children
from the ages of 5 - 21 years old. All of them attend school, except of course
those that are too young. Seeds of Hope is a cheerful place with a warm and
loving atmosphere. You can always hear the children making music, singing or
playing football around the house. Sandra and Tommy emphasise the importance
of education and encourage the children to take part in all positive activities.
It is more than just an Orphanage; it really feels more like an extra large
family unit. There is no management or staff, so to speak. Just a big family of
people working together. Sandra and Tommy's daughter in law Ocha is also a very
big help with the day to day scheduling and running of the Home. With everyone pulling
their weight, all the chores get done and the children are taught a sense of
responsibility, a sense of pride and valuable life skills.
While the older children do an amazing job of helping to look after
the younger ones, it is Sandra and Tommy who are the backbone of the Home. Can
you imagine raising more than 55 children by yourself? This is why everyone works
together as a family. Some of the children are orphans, some come from broken homes
and others come from parents who are just too poor to provide education or enough
food to sustain life. Sandra and Tommy strive to provide an environment of love
and security for the children so they can grow and develop as they all deserve.
However, they cannot do this alone, they need our help. The condition of living
is acceptable but they still require ongoing funding to pay for everyday
necessities such as food, education, toiletries and medical costs. So we ask you
to take the time to learn more about Seeds of Hope Children’s Home and maybe
consider visiting if you are ever in Bali.
Pdt. Made Tommy & Family