Amy aims to help disabled in Asia
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An occupational therapy student from Inverness is putting her new skills to good use helping women and children with mental and physical disabilities in Indonesia.
Amy O’Donnell (27) is travelling to Bali this summer to do voluntary work with two small community-based projects in remote parts of the island.
She is also raising money to buy vital equipment, such as wheelchairs, which she plans to donate to the centres.
When someone has a physical or mental disability in Indonesia it can be considered as a "judgement" upon their family and this leads to thousands of people being hidden away from society, sometimes tied up in unsanitary conditions in outbuildings.
The practice is outlawed by the Indonesian government but it persists in some parts due to a lack of facilities providing help.
The two projects Amy is supporting are leading the way at helping to overcome this kind of stigma.
One of the initiatives, run by the Mutiara Hati Sandhi group, helps children with a range of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome.
The other, the Kyardi project, provides a wide range of support to help vulnerable women and children avoid exploitation.
Amy, who is a third-year occupational therapy student at Glasgow Caledonian University, was inspired to contact the two groups and offer her help when she became aware of what she describes as the "darker side of paradise" while she was visiting Bali on holiday.
Amy said: "While in Bali, I noticed the environment is not very ‘disability-friendly’, despite being incredibly beautiful and I queried what type of help is actually available in Indonesia for those with mental and physical difficulties.
"On coming home, I researched this further and what I found was a slightly darker side to my paradise.
"I learned about a practice still very common in Indonesia where mentally and/or physically disabled people are shackled and confined in small spaces, usually in the garden away from the family house.
"These spaces are usually small cages or sheds and those kept there are held in chains or tied to trees or beds. These methods are traditionally used to keep those with a disability ‘controlled and safe’.
"The Balinese are among the friendliest, most accommodating and peaceful people I have ever been given the pleasure to meet, and I am in awe of the work being done by small groups to end this practice and get people the help that they need and deserve.
"They work to end this practice through education.
"I am raising money to buy a range of equipment to take out to Bali in June. Things like a couple of robust wheelchairs that can cope with the jungle environment, sensory kits for youngsters with autism, yoga balls, colouring pens, colouring books, paints and paint brushes.
"Also some educational books written in Indonesian to help give parents information about their children’s condition.
"I am so aware of all the negative things happening in the world just now, and it can be forgotten that just taking part in small meaningful activities can make a huge difference in life.
"Children with mental of physical disabilities especially need the stimulation of activity to learn about their own skills. This could lead to a child discovering that they are a budding artist or simply giving them a wheelchair can help them acquire some independence so they can go and find a place to have peace and quiet.
"If I can help even one person begin to take part in some activities or give them the equipment they need to pursue a meaningful activity to give them purpose, I will be the happiest person in the world."
You can make a donation for the project at Amy’s online crowdfunding page: www.gofundme.com/the-glittering-eyes-project-bali
