Bright future for orphanage thanks to Knights

20 Sep 2012

By The Record

Brad Barbuto presents the orphanage with a giant cheque and a new scooter from the Knights of the Southern Cross.

After last weekend a Catholic orphanage in Bali is one brand new motor scooter and 40 million rupiah (approximately A$4000) better off – thanks to the newly-formed Cathedral branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross.

The Franciscan orphanage in Tuka Dalung, Bali, located approximately 40 minutes drive north from Kuta, was presented with a giant-sized cheque and the new scooter on the weekend by Perth man Bradley Barbuto, one of the founders of the Cathedral Knights.

The money, donated through fundraising events organised by Mr Barbuto and fellow Knights, will help make daily work a lot easier for Franciscan Sisters Clemensia and Corinne, two of the sisters who run the orphanage, and help educate the children in local Catholic schools.

Mr Barbuto first stumbled across the orphanage at Christmas 2011 and was struck by the desperate need for funds.

Overall, the Sisters care for approximately 100 orphaned children. Not only do they clothe and feed their cares, they also meet the costs of their schooling.

“Sister Clemensia (also known by the children as ‘Grandma’) was over the moon and thanked the Lord for the generosity of the people in Perth,” Mr Barbuto told The Record.

“They were so excited because it took a big burden off them for the schools’ fees,” he said.

After he returned to Perth from his 2011 visit, Mr Barbuto became determined to help the Sisters and the children.

A sold-out high tea attended by 90 or so people organised by the Cathedral Knights in the Cathedral parish centre on August 26 raised approximately $3300; the National Australia Bank added another $750 after being approached by Mr Barbuto.

The August event’s organisers were creative, also holding a flea market, music performed by graduates of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and having local performer Michael Pullinger sing.

As word spread of the orphanage’s need, Mr Barbuto received another $500 in donations from wellwishers.

He said that while in Bali last weekend he had also visited the school, St Thomas Aquinas Primary, and an associated kindergarten to investigate the costs of fees.

Educating each child costs A$11 per month.

The Knights are keen to do more fundraising to cover care and education costs on a yearly basis, he said. If anyone wants to assist the Knights in their Bali venture they can contact Mr Barbuto on youthfromsmc@gmail.com.