Garuda Supports Bali's John Fawcett Foundation

(7/24/2006)

Garuda Indonesia in Australia has signed a formal agreement to provide important assistance with the life-altering work of one of Bali's most important humanitarian organizations - The John Fawcett Foundation.

Operating in Indonesia as the Yayasan Kemanusian Indonesia (YKI), the Foundation founded by Bali-based Australian John Fawcett has been a leader in providing health support to underprivileged communities in Bali. The Foundation provides medical equipment, health technology transfer via the volunteer services of Australian medical specialists, and medical care and advice to needy Balinese families.

In recent years the Foundation has expanded its program of medical assistance of isolated Indonesian provinces beyond Bali. The YKI runs mobile eye clinics in Bali, South Kalimantan and East Java.

The North Bali Mobile Eye Clinic launched by the Foundation in March 2005 has already performed nearly 1,000 free-of-charge sight-saving cataract operations. At the same time, more than 4,000 Balinese adults and school children have been screened for vision problems with a 82% of those examined requiring spectacles, all provided without charge through donations of used eyeglasses channeled through the Foundation.

In 2005 Garuda Indonesia flew 10,000 pairs of used spectacles, to Bali free of charge donated by the people of Australia and collected by Harvey World Travel.

In explaining the Airline's continuing commitment to the work of the John Fawcett Foundation, Suranto Yitnopawiro, Regional Manager for the Southwest Pacific for Garuda Indonesia, said, "These villagers (helped by the Foundation) can now read, do fine work, make offerings and generally contribute to the family and the community,"

The work of the Foundation in Bali and other parts of Indonesia is not limited to the treatment of the visually impaired. Cleft lip and palate surgery together with orthopaedic surgery are among the organizations many projects. Education assistance in the form of books; school uniforms and fees; provision of medical equipment donated by Australian hospitals; training in microscopy; and treatment of tuberculosis are also some of the many areas in which assistance to the people of Indonesia is provided by The John Fawcett Foundation.

Garuda to the Rescue

Under the recently signed sponsorship agreement, Garuda Indonesia will provide key personnel from the Foundation with discounted airfares and waive excess baggage charges for volunteers carrying medical supplies to Indonesia. The Airline also supports various fund-raising activities held to sustain the Foundation's work in Indonesia.

"The Foundation does an amazing job in easing the suffering of thousands of Indonesians, and Garuda Indonesia is proud to be able to play a part in their humanitarian efforts," Suranto said.