Sahnun Family Holiday to Bali

He only lives an hour and a half ferry ride away, yet he’s never been…
I was on holiday recently to Indonesia where I spent some time in Bali before taking the hour and a half ferry to Gili Trawangan where I was to spend the next few days - a common itinerary for many traveling Westerners. My first night there I decided to go on a walk and get to know the area. The sun had gone down and there were only unlit muddy roads for me to follow. Unsure of my direction, I asked a young man standing in a small shack next to my AirBnB, “Which way is it to the beach?”
Without hesitation, Sehnun jumped to help me. He offered to guide me, got out his phone and put the torch on to light the way. His English was well spoken and his generosity was overwhelming. Do people this courteous really exist?
It started to rain, then downpour, but Sehnun continued to light the path all the way to the beach, I spotted an open resort and suggested we get out of the rain. It was here where I learnt his story.
I ran a Go Fund Me campaign for Sahnun and his family to experience Bali, just a short ferry ride away from where he has always lived - yet he has never been. Thanks to several donations, their dream became a reality. This video shares their 3-day journey through Bali...
Sahnun works at a resort on the island of Gili Trawangan where he earns just enough money to bring home to his wife and son who live in Lombok. His job requires him to travel to Lombok a couple of times a month which is when he gets to see his family. In these parts of Indonesia, it is in the tourist areas where the jobs are but it is not practical nor affordable for the whole family to live where the work is.
“How old are you?” I asked Sahnun. “32, maybe 34 I don’t know,” he responds. Sahnun told me that in grade school his teacher decided his age. Because his parents could not read nor write, his official birthdate was never recorded.
I realised that things that I may take for granted came rather different for this modest, kind-hearted man. Here I was talking about my journey through Bali and over to Gili T as if it were as easy as driving across town; yet someone who has spent his entire life just an hour and a half ferry ride away has never been. It all came down to money.
I told Sahnun that I was not rich, I don’t have the money to give him myself but perhaps I could raise the money for him and his 12 year old son, Daffa and his wife, Mazariah to finally discover and see with their own eyes this mysterious island that makes up part of his nation and caters to the majority of clientele he interacts with on a daily basis through his job at the resort. What is Bali really like? What is it about this place that all these tourists constantly talk of when he serves them at work?
With an opportunity for Sahnun to discover Bali with his own eyes, taste the food, hear the sounds, smell the incense himself - he can develop a world of knowledge to relate back to his customers. He works in the tourist industry, he should have a chance to be a tourist himself - if only for just a couple of days.
I said, “Let’s make this happen! We can do it!” Sahnun responds, “Is this for real?!? It’s like a dream… for real??!” I say, “Well, it’s worth a try…”
I met a lot of locals on my recent trip, but Sahnun and his story inspired me to do what I could to make a difference to his life. And what a huge difference this adventure would be, not only for Sahnun, but for his wife and son as well.
I want to remind you all the donors that you are responsible for these big smiles! Our world pulling together to help one another is an amazing power that we can all possess! Sahnun and I really want to show how much it means that every little heartfelt effort can have such a profound reaction. We truly appreciate all of your donations so very much - because without you, none of this joy would exist! Much love to you all!
Thanks for watching.
🌸Please subscribe, like and comment!
For more, just click here: 💕 www.youtube.co...
#DeniseStanley #Bali #learningwithdrd #GoFundMe