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When I came
to Australia as a migrant in 1950, I had already spent some time
in Indonesia. The late forties had witnessed Indonesia's struggle
for independence, but the precious memories I carried were not of
conflict, but of a beautiful country, and of compassion for its
needy people.
Twenty-six years later in 1976, together with my wife, I revisited
Indonesia. It was that visit and especially our call on the Don
Bosco boys' orphanage in Surabaya, that brought home the stark
contrast - their need and Australia's abundance. The orphanage
housed 180 boys. It was in dire straits - lacking what most people
would call essentials. The case for sharing was irresistible.
Then and there we sponsored an orphan boy. Foster Parents Indonesia
was born! As time went on, several contemporaries of my Indonesian
experience joined with us. A group was formed, and in 1980 the
overseas aid group came officially into being.
As the founder and the first President of FPI for 7 years, the
road in the beginning was a frustrating one. At that time Indonesia
did not mean as much to Australia as at the present, and the constant
bickering between the two countries was far from conducive to
the well-being of our fledgling aid group. However with the help
of the Dutch community at the time, there was still considerable
progress and growth.
As the combination
of Secretary and Treasurer is the life-blood of any group, Roche
(my wife) and I have been in those positions for the past 20 years,
and I can assure you, it is unbelievably involved, but equally
satisfying. Also with Harry at the helm our little group has been
remarkably successful. We have dealt with the aging factor, in
regard to the long-term future of FPI by inspiring an FPI support
group of younger talented and dedicated people - among them family
and friends, to carry the FPI banner in Australia and Indonesia
at such time. Bill
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