Ayu's Story

I first met Ayu after befriending her father at the hotel I stayed at when in Bali. Ayu’s father, Gusti, was the pool attendant while her mother worked in the small plot of land they leased; growing rice and raising chooks, ducks and a pig. Ayu has a younger sister and brother. As the eldest, Ayu had lots of responsibilities helping her mother and father support the family - working in the fields, tending the livestock and helping in the little shop Gusti tried unsuccessfully to set up. Gusti was very proud of his children, but was very concerned as to how he would fund high school for them all, let alone there being any chance of going onto tertiary studies. Gusti was a diabetic, and a large portion of his wage was required for his medication. Strong Angels, which I founded, offered to fund Ayu’s high school education, where she excelled. Gusti began to suffer complications and became quite ill due to his diabetes, eventually losing his battle and passing away in 2010. But not before Strong Angels promised to build the family a toilet and bathroom facility, so they no longer needed to use the local river as a “bathroom".

Gusti passed away at the same time the Strong Angels built a hostel to house students born to poverty, thanks to a donation to the charity. Selected students could stay to further their studies and receive easy access to good education. Ayu was one of the first students able to access this facility. Ayu excelled through high school and eventually gained a place in university to study accountancy, with the hope of securing a good job so she could support her mother and family. Ayu’s sister is now also in the hostel and hoping to attend University next year. Her brother chose to leave school and gained employment.

On the 9th of August, Ayu graduated after 4 years of study. What was once an impossible dream, has now become a reality thanks to the support of Strong Angels Inc. (Balinese name – Yayasan Bidadari Surga)

Congratulations Ayu, we are all very proud of you. - Susanne Hunter, Founder of Strong Angels Inc.

Ayu with her mother at her graduation

Ayu’s family with their first bathroom in 2011.

Strong Angels committee person Don, with Gusti, Ayu in white next to Don and Ayu’s family, at the opening of the hostel. A short time later, Gusti passed away (in late 2010).

Ayu in green at the hostel with fellow students, on the kitchen floor making ceremonial baskets and writing letters to their sponsors. The hostel is run by The Strong Angels Balinese Managers Frank and Tirta, who provide a family atmosphere, where study and caring for each other is their priority. Students are orphans and come from single parent families or severe poverty, but all become a “special family” where they are given this once in a lifetime opportunity to study and change their lives forever.