MY STORY: Sang Ayu Nyoman
Ayu was born in 1978 to a close but impoverished sharecropper family in a village close to Ubud Bali. When she was 5, all village children were summoned to the community hall for injections against the polio virus. In a tragic fluke, the injection infected several of the children, including Ayu and her older sister instead. Ayu’s body weakened and she started collapsing on her walks to school. Her father tried to carry her, but his work consumed most of his time. The falls became frequent, and the family was concerned she might get hit by a car. Sadly, she was forced to drop out.
Increasingly weakened, she finally could not stand at all, spending every day on the floor with her sister, becoming weaker, quieter and more depressed. Wheelchairs were difficult to come by and unaffordable. There were no government services for disabled people.
In the year 2000 her life changed in meeting Begonia, a Spanish expat who started an aid foundation for Bali’s disabled. Ayu was crippled by shyness and self-doubt, and had to be coaxed from her room when Begonia visited the family home, and promised to secure a wheel-chair. Although it took a few years, it finally came to pass, and through the foundation Ayu met others like herself, but with strong self-esteem, and Ayu imagined hope for a better life.
The next year another expat arranged for a car and driver to take Ayu, her sister and two other Balinese disabled women on a field trip to a famous temple in the mountains of Bali. Arriving at their destination, their driver coaxed them to disembark and the group sat together under a tree as the crowds moved past them.
Unfortunately some of the local people cynically asked the group if they were begging. Humiliated and weeping, the group drove home and Ayu vowed not to go out again. Fortunately she did and slowly her shyness disappeared, and she felt strong, supported, loved.
Her friend Putu wanted to create an educational and social foundation for disabled Balinese adults (Senang Hati) encouraging Ayu to be part of the team. With help and encouragement of a sponsor she attended computer school, learning the fundamentals of fundraising.
“After joining Senang Hati, I experienced a drastic change. It seemed all of the struggles—the shyness, shame,and weakness, disappeared, replaced by feelings of high self-esteem, and happiness. I could be with friends in the same situation as myself, sharing stories, experiences, and knowledge. I learned many things, and I found myself—my life again. I understand my limitations, but felt I had something to give. At Senang Hati I wanted to contribute my newfound knowledge, to work in the office, to handle to guests, etc.,whatever is needed to improve myself and the organization—and learn to be self-sufficient. I feel strong and confident, happy and proud, because I have something to share and help the foundation. And the most important thing: I feel useful despite my limitations.” For the next 14 years Ayu worked for the foundation as the Secretary.
In 2014 the organisation split into two groups, and Ayu continues as the secretary of the original. She reaches out for any opportunity that comes her way, and was able to learn scuba diving, dancing, performing, and many other skills. This last summer for one month, AyuI was invited by the American Consulate to attend IVLP, International Visitor Leadership Program, Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities in Washing ton DC, USA. Unfortunately because of the pandemic, the program has been postponed.
Ays says her dream is to have a wheelchair accessible home and a small printing business with photocopy machine, and “I’d love to invite my disabled friends to work there too. Ultimately I’d love to be a Notary.”
Ayu, now 42 is currently finishing adult education classes to achieve her high school equivalency diploma—prior to this she won middle school certification with the financial help of generous people who have traveled with us.
Sang Ayu Nyoman
