By NI Putu Sriwahyuni | Data Officer
On Monday 29 February, Pasar Badung, Bali's biggest and oldest traditional market, was devastated by a massive fire which burned for almost 24 hours. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Pasar Badung, with its 1,683 stalls, is not only the most important commercial hub for thousands of low-income Balinese families, it is also a cultural icon of Denpasar. It is estimated about 5,000 people have been affected by the horrific fire.
Evacuation and relocation, and new focus
Since 2004, Yayasan Rama Sesana operated its sexual and reproductive health and education centre on the top floor of Pasar Badung. While our clinic and office weren't completely destroyed like the first three floors of the market, the severe heat of the fire melted our medical and office equipment. Pasar Badung is now completely closed. We have evacuated everything from our clinic and relocated to our secretariat in south Denpasar, which is where we are now conducting all our administrative activities. Thankfully, we also have a small clinic near Pasar Intaran in Sanur, which before the fire was only open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Now its doors are open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm.
Yayasan Rama Sesana is determined to continue its sexual and reproductive health and education programs at other traditional markets around Bali. We are now focussing more on mobile clinics and outreach activities as we search for a temporary home for our base clinic.
Education Program remains strong
Our monthly target for sexual and reproductive health education is delivering information to 883 people. During the month after the fire, education was delivered to 704 people at new traditional market locations around Denpasar and Sanur. This is about 80% of our target. Considering the severity of the Pasar Badung fire, and its huge effect on our clinic and programs, we are extremely proud of this result. It is evidence of our determination to deliver information to as many people as possible, and proof that we are maintaining our enthusiasm and keeping our spirit high.
Mobile Clinic Program remains strong
As our Sanur Clinic is now open from Monday to Friday, we are increasing our involvement with the local community there. On 18 March we conducted a Mobile Clinic at Pasar Intaran in Sanur, which was very enthusiastically received, with 99 clients receiving medical services.
On Monday 4 April we travelled six hours to Sumberkima in Buleleng, North Bali, to conduct a Mobile Clinic at the Balai Banjar (community hall) the next day. This mobile clinic was in partnership with students from Udayana University, with 110 clients received medical services and education.
The show must go on!
The fire is the biggest challenge Yayasan Rama Sesana has ever faced in its 12 years of serving the community. Now is the time we need your support the most, so we can replace our melted medical equipment once we have found a new temporary home for our base clinic, and continue our vision of creating a healthy generation through women’s empowerment.
Sincere thanks to all of our wonderful friends and supporters who donated, and sent us prayers and messages of strength after the fire. With your support, we can keep improving the lives of the low-income women of Bali’s traditional market communities. We will not be stopped by fire!
2015 Annual Report
We have published our 2015 Annual Report. You can read it by following the link below.
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