Cerebral Palsy Patient in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur needs help

A daughter of farmers who could only do so much, this 24 year old girl from Purok 2, San Marcos, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur needs attention. She contracted Cerebral Palsy 2 years ago and a friend's recent visit to Agusan, the family and concerned locals asked if we can help them source a wheelchair for the girl. Yet, we are not sure if she can use one. We have consulted a Cerebral Palsy NGO to check this, but still awaiting answer. Meanwhile, we also thought it's probably better to get her checked by a doctor as well, and take recommendations.

Right now, we are looking for anyone who can probably help us get her to and know a doctor nearby. 

Please let us know if you have any referral. 

update 01 December 2015
After some consultation with a few doctor friends, it seems a bed is more of what she needs rather than a wheelchair. Meantime, after some questions raised to some of her caretakers, it seems she has not been properly screened by a medical professional.

At the moment, we are trying to source a bed for her from local manufacturers, and if anyone knows a furniture shop with something similar to the picture below, please let me know.

Also, i am trying to see if any nurse or physical therapist around can visit her to check. We will appreciate volunteers, but if needed to be paid, let me know. If needed, as per recommendation from the nurse, we can arrange to bring her to a specialist.

picture taken online from a search of reclinable beds

Update January 22, 2016.
There was a friend from UAE who read the post and have pledged for the bed. We have been aiming to get it to her by christmas, but unfortunately, we were unable to find someone residing in the area to help us out. Then, we decided to advance the mattress and some clothes which we were able to deliver before new year.

As of this day though, brgy councilor from the area has helped source the bed and awaiting advice for the delivery. 

update as of January 29, 2016
the bed frame was finally delivered and exactly as requested. Thanks to the brgy Councilor Analyn who has helped us find a maker who would both custom make and deliver the bed. It was a lot of posting, a lot of chat to a lot of people, before finally getting to what we wanted for Rosemarie.

Again, thanks to the friend in Dubai, Mam Rowena Bulaon,a nd Councilor Analyn for all the help.

A daughter of farmers who could only do so much, this 24 year old girl from Purok 2, San Marcos, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur needs attention. She contracted Cerebral Palsy 2 years ago and a friend's recent visit to Agusan, the family and concerned locals asked if we can help them source a wheelchair for the girl. Yet, we are not sure if she can use one. We have consulted a Cerebral Palsy NGO to check this, but still awaiting answer. Meanwhile, we also thought it's probably better to get her checked by a doctor as well, and take recommendations.

Right now, we are looking for anyone who can probably help us get her to and know a doctor nearby. 

Please let us know if you have any referral. 

update 01 December 2015
After some consultation with a few doctor friends, it seems a bed is more of what she needs rather than a wheelchair. Meantime, after some questions raised to some of her caretakers, it seems she has not been properly screened by a medical professional.

At the moment, we are trying to source a bed for her from local manufacturers, and if anyone knows a furniture shop with something similar to the picture below, please let me know.

Also, i am trying to see if any nurse or physical therapist around can visit her to check. We will appreciate volunteers, but if needed to be paid, let me know. If needed, as per recommendation from the nurse, we can arrange to bring her to a specialist.

picture taken online from a search of reclinable beds

Update January 22, 2016.
There was a friend from UAE who read the post and have pledged for the bed. We have been aiming to get it to her by christmas, but unfortunately, we were unable to find someone residing in the area to help us out. Then, we decided to advance the mattress and some clothes which we were able to deliver before new year.

As of this day though, brgy councilor from the area has helped source the bed and awaiting advice for the delivery. 

update as of January 29, 2016
the bed frame was finally delivered and exactly as requested. Thanks to the brgy Councilor Analyn who has helped us find a maker who would both custom make and deliver the bed. It was a lot of posting, a lot of chat to a lot of people, before finally getting to what we wanted for Rosemarie.

Again, thanks to the friend in Dubai, Mam Rowena Bulaon,a nd Councilor Analyn for all the help.

Read More »

Surfing in Pantai Air Manis (beach) in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

There are a few places available for surfers in Padang, but if you are a traveller, you’re probably heading to Pantai Air Manis (about 10Kms south of the city).

There are several ways to get to pantai air manis. See this post for details.

Entry to Air Manis is 5,000 rupiahs (pls don’t forget to ask for ticket upon payment just to be sure that the money goes to the local community indeed). For those coming with a motorbike, they charge an additional 5,000 rupiahs for parking irregardless of where you park inside the beach.

At the beach there are several warungs that serve food (same usual food as in the streets: nasi, mie goreng, etc) at prices just about the city prices. I normally stay at Ade’s Guest House (3^rd to the right from the entry in Malinkundang; contact no is +62 821 70017779; pls tell him you got the number from Ian, the Filipino).

Surfboard rental is 20,000 rupiahs per day. Most of the surfboards on rental are fish boards. For beginners, I’ve only seen, so far, probably only 3 long boards total in the whole beach; 2 soft tops and 1 hard top (and hardly functional too because of too much cracks).

There are also rooms on rental at P140,000 inclusive of breakfast at Ade’s guest house. Room is ok for the price.

I rarely see instructors at the beach. Besides, just keep calm and attempt to talk to the local players, and they will be willing to show you the do’s and don’ts. Just be patient with the communication though as they rarely speak english. Always end every statement with a smile.

Best time to surf is in the morning, and then from 3pm to sun down (usually 6pm). If possible, visit on weekdays, and avoid weekends especially on sundays. I would say half of the population of padang might be in this beach on this day, half of which are probably taking endless selfies, and young boys aged 5 driving 4x4s ATVs on their own. 

There are a few places available for surfers in Padang, but if you are a traveller, you’re probably heading to Pantai Air Manis (about 10Kms south of the city).

There are several ways to get to pantai air manis. See this post for details.

Entry to Air Manis is 5,000 rupiahs (pls don’t forget to ask for ticket upon payment just to be sure that the money goes to the local community indeed). For those coming with a motorbike, they charge an additional 5,000 rupiahs for parking irregardless of where you park inside the beach.

At the beach there are several warungs that serve food (same usual food as in the streets: nasi, mie goreng, etc) at prices just about the city prices. I normally stay at Ade’s Guest House (3^rd to the right from the entry in Malinkundang; contact no is +62 821 70017779; pls tell him you got the number from Ian, the Filipino).

Surfboard rental is 20,000 rupiahs per day. Most of the surfboards on rental are fish boards. For beginners, I’ve only seen, so far, probably only 3 long boards total in the whole beach; 2 soft tops and 1 hard top (and hardly functional too because of too much cracks).

There are also rooms on rental at P140,000 inclusive of breakfast at Ade’s guest house. Room is ok for the price.

I rarely see instructors at the beach. Besides, just keep calm and attempt to talk to the local players, and they will be willing to show you the do’s and don’ts. Just be patient with the communication though as they rarely speak english. Always end every statement with a smile.

Best time to surf is in the morning, and then from 3pm to sun down (usually 6pm). If possible, visit on weekdays, and avoid weekends especially on sundays. I would say half of the population of padang might be in this beach on this day, half of which are probably taking endless selfies, and young boys aged 5 driving 4x4s ATVs on their own. 

Read More »

How to go to Pantai Air Manis (surf beach) in Padang, West Sumatra,Indonesia

Most of the travellers I see in the beach have gone through a taxi, and as most local around have a motorbike and would most likely go to the beach with their family on a private transport, it is rare to find people who knows exactly how to commute to pantai air manis.

Nevertheless, if travelling with around 4 or more people, it might be worth it to take a cab instead to Air Manis. The rate should be between 50-60,000 rupiah though most cabs would normally ask a contract for 100,000 rupiahs. Should you decide to travel by cab indeed, take the Blue Bird taxi and get the driver to agree on meter. Then again, keep your eyes on the meter as there was also an instance where the driver himself offered the meter, but along the way, on the steep slopes, reset his meter and was asking for 100,000 when we arrived. We gave him 70K and just left.

There are also angkots (tiny public bus) from the city center (a terminal behind the old Balai Kota in Pasar Raya). These angkots are numbered 402 and goes on the following schedule:

Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 6:30am, 8:00am, 9:00am, and 1:30pm. During fridays: 7:30, 9:30 and 1:30. There are also occasions when there is an additional angkot after this time, though rarely.

The fare from Pasar Raya to Pantai Air Manis is only 6,000 rupiah. There are 2 gates, but the driver will most likely drop you to the Malinkundang gate which is the entry to the surf shops.

In case you can’t make it to this schedule, you may take a blue angkot from Pasar Raya (in front of the old Balai Kota) and ask to be dropped in Mata Air. Fare to this junction is 4,000 rupiahs. From the junction, there will be Ojeks (motor taxis) to Pantai Air Manis. Fare in the Ojek is 15,000 rupiahs (don’t be fooled into paying 20,000). The road to the beach is pretty steep so keep your baggage minimal.

You may contact the ff Ojek driver in any case: 0853 42648402 (hardly speak english); Taufik (0819 4777 2336) a young kid (probably speak a few drops of english) who often takes me back to Mata Air. Once you are ready to leave the beach, give them a call so they can pick you up from your location. In case you look for an Ojek outside, it could be a challenge after 5pm, if not that they ask double. Taufik agrees on 15,000 to Mata Air. From Mata Air, same thing, there will be blue angkots that go back to Pasar Raya.

There are times when at 5pm, i catch an angkot back to Pasar Raya but this is rare. Besides, this time is the peak of the wave, so most likely, you will end up taking the Ojek. There is also an access from the Sitti Nurbaya bridge, but this is an extremely narrow, and even steeper road.

see here for other info about surfing in Pantai Air Manis

Most of the travellers I see in the beach have gone through a taxi, and as most local around have a motorbike and would most likely go to the beach with their family on a private transport, it is rare to find people who knows exactly how to commute to pantai air manis.

Nevertheless, if travelling with around 4 or more people, it might be worth it to take a cab instead to Air Manis. The rate should be between 50-60,000 rupiah though most cabs would normally ask a contract for 100,000 rupiahs. Should you decide to travel by cab indeed, take the Blue Bird taxi and get the driver to agree on meter. Then again, keep your eyes on the meter as there was also an instance where the driver himself offered the meter, but along the way, on the steep slopes, reset his meter and was asking for 100,000 when we arrived. We gave him 70K and just left.

There are also angkots (tiny public bus) from the city center (a terminal behind the old Balai Kota in Pasar Raya). These angkots are numbered 402 and goes on the following schedule:

Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 6:30am, 8:00am, 9:00am, and 1:30pm. During fridays: 7:30, 9:30 and 1:30. There are also occasions when there is an additional angkot after this time, though rarely.

The fare from Pasar Raya to Pantai Air Manis is only 6,000 rupiah. There are 2 gates, but the driver will most likely drop you to the Malinkundang gate which is the entry to the surf shops.

In case you can’t make it to this schedule, you may take a blue angkot from Pasar Raya (in front of the old Balai Kota) and ask to be dropped in Mata Air. Fare to this junction is 4,000 rupiahs. From the junction, there will be Ojeks (motor taxis) to Pantai Air Manis. Fare in the Ojek is 15,000 rupiahs (don’t be fooled into paying 20,000). The road to the beach is pretty steep so keep your baggage minimal.

You may contact the ff Ojek driver in any case: 0853 42648402 (hardly speak english); Taufik (0819 4777 2336) a young kid (probably speak a few drops of english) who often takes me back to Mata Air. Once you are ready to leave the beach, give them a call so they can pick you up from your location. In case you look for an Ojek outside, it could be a challenge after 5pm, if not that they ask double. Taufik agrees on 15,000 to Mata Air. From Mata Air, same thing, there will be blue angkots that go back to Pasar Raya.

There are times when at 5pm, i catch an angkot back to Pasar Raya but this is rare. Besides, this time is the peak of the wave, so most likely, you will end up taking the Ojek. There is also an access from the Sitti Nurbaya bridge, but this is an extremely narrow, and even steeper road.

see here for other info about surfing in Pantai Air Manis

Read More »