Not less, but differently gifted

As we walked down Monkey Forest Road on Saturday, a smiling boy pressed an attractive leaflet into our hand. Sekitar Gunung Berapi (Around the Volcano) was being performed by the children of Sjaki-Tari-Us over the next three nights. The leaflet, in Bahasa Indonesia and English explained that the performance was an amalgam of a contemporary Balinese fairytale and a well-known story from the 'sober west'. Given our newly busy social life, Sunday night had to be it. And so it was.

The tourist prism through which we have viewed Balinese people in all past trips has never included intellectual disability. Last night we witnessed a joyous performance by many such children and teenagers as they told the story of Ibu, her seven children, the giants in the volcano and the ravenous wolves.

Sjari-Tari-Us is a Dutch charity working with these children and their families with the motto 'not less, but differently gifted'. University students from the Netherlands spend short placements offering physical and, in this case, artistic training. It was a wonderful night, with a performance opportunity for everyone from the littlest to the oldest. Sjari-Tari-Us is not only for families, it clearly was a family.

When you know to look, it's hard to miss the space at the eastern end of the football field (past the Pondok Pekak Library) with its colourful signage and yellow exterior. A shop and a warung serving cheap and yummy food help fund the work, as do performances such as this. Take the time to support them if you are passing.

As we sat enjoying our nasi goreng and babi kecap, some of the children walked past high-fiving us, so pleased that their performance had been a success. And of course, Eddie found a friend. As he always does. One of those memorable nights.

 Bukan kurang, tetapi istimewa. 

Not less, but differently gifted.