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Whilst continuing with our very successful Hearing Aid Program, our Bali based Hearing specialist approached us for help in nipping the dire consequences of children’s hearing problems in the bud at an early age. After some lengthy discussions with Narno Supangat whom tests and provides Hearing Aids for the children in our current program, we became very aware of his deep passion to establish a Special Hearing and Speech Therapy Centre for pre-school aged children, the first of its kind in Indonesia, and to be operated as a not-for-profit facility. It seemed a natural progression for Bikabele to look at assisting to establish this facility to identify and help hearing impaired children at a very early age so that they may embark in normal schooling from 1st grade. Once this facility is fully operational, it will be self-generating and have the capacity to benefit a far larger number of young children than Bikabele could ever hope to help for a long time to come under our current Hearing Aid Program format. 
Due to the generosity of some wonderful Bikabele supporters, we are proud to announce that Bikabele Swara-Swari Institute has opened it's doors. (Swara-Swari is an Indonesian term referring to Sound & Hearing). Fundraising continues in both Bali and Australia to fully establish the facility for children under school age, although it is currently operating in a limited capacity with just 5 children, until such time more funds are available to purchase further required furniture and audio equipment. Bikabele’s overall goal is to try & raise A$25,000 to purchase all the specialist learning & testing equipment and basic school furniture to fully establish the Centre. Narno continues with his own local campaign to raise funds to run the centre in a building now leased in Denpasar and provide the specialist teachers. Narno himself, and a colleague will be providing their considerable expertise and services in testing and speech therapy voluntarily. Children whose parents can afford to will pay a fee to participate in the Speech Therapy programs that Swara-Swari will offer, whilst some poorer families or disadvantaged children and orphans will be offered the services at no cost. Narno has made a committment to Bikabele Cares for Kidswhereby he will continue to cater for the orphanage children supported through Bikabele and our sponsors as part of Swara-Swari, visiting them regularly to ensure they are receiving appropriate speech therapy. and reporting back to Bikabele on each child's progress. This phase has commenced in January 2008. Bikabele Swara-Swari Institute
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| For further information please contact: Bill Kerns on +61 0429 001995, or Leanne Potter on +61 0428 102275 or Email: crew@bikabele.com.au |
Listen to Bikabele radio interview 8th June 2007 |
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| Founded 8 August, 2003 | Bikabele Cares for Kids Inc. | Registration No. A1012443P |
| A registered non-profit Community based Charity Organisation |