Last day has arrived. Been to the local rehabilitation hospital which was interesting. Spoken with the superintendent in charge to discuss some orthotic possibilities. Trampolining this afternoon with staff and children. Then town for a final drink and meal.See you all soon.

Been a busy few days. More work with carers; reflexology, massage, fitness etc. Another trip to the pool with some different children. Amazing to see their faces when they are in their twenties and never been in a pool! Such joy! Yesterday afternoon managed to pop into the Philippine market for a browse and the fish and spice market ( see pictures). Lovely smells and interesting fish. No idea what most of them were. We are also required to be quite political and diplomatic. Malaysia airlines transported a massive trampoline free of charge from the UK. This normally costs at least £2000.00. The manager of the orphanage has a close friend who works for the airline. So we had to all go for a photo shoot for the local paper at the cargo hall at the airport. Also last night the chairperson of the orphanage invited us for a meal at a local fish restaurant, which was an amazing event though most of us would have rather worked with the carers. However it turned out a very entertaining evening with great food (sorry Art but we ate a grouper and lots of crab) and we joined the dancers for a quick picture.We finished the evening with a foot massage in a local massage parlour which faced the harbor. Painful to start with but refreshing afterwards. Today we took 2 of our party back to the airport and it's my turn in two days!

Returned from a fantastic weekend. We started with a short minibus drive (one hour) followed by a boat trip (45min.) to the island. A very friendly reception at our back packers's lodge (see picture). Our home was to be a basic little dorm on stilts( see picture). The facilities were very basic and the food was rubbish. No electricity during the day and water was not always available. However......the island was beautiful. A tiny village with approx. 1000 people. We walked around the island and across the dense jungle, which was an interesting event. No clear path, just lots of coconuts on the ground and mangrove trees. There were few tourists on the island and most were just spending either one or two nights there. We swam lots and went on three snorkeling trips. I used our own fins and mask. They were great. The reef and fish were amazing. not many large fish, but hundreds of colourful smaller fish.I was nipped a few times as we were surrounded by them! I do know what I want for my next b'day present though:  a prescription mask! No turtles which was disappointing, but I was more than happy with the fish. The village was very poor but the people were lovely and the children delightful and excited about our visit (see picture). To complete the wonderful weekend we watched the sunset last night too, but were a little late as the walk through the jungle took longer than we thought (see picture).No mosquito bites at all, but 2 students are bitten badly. A very choppy boat trip back completed the excitement today. In the evening we provided some massage for the carers. Lots to do tomorrow as time is getting on.

The food here is amazing; were treated to a lovely meal last night in a local restaurant. Fantastic fish, prawns, pork, beans etc. in ginger, garlic and lots of other spices.Today we organised a party for the manager's birthday. All children were given a milkshake, made in front of them with fresh fruit, condensed milk and ice. The students organised 'instruments' for all the children, so they had plastic bottles filled with stones, rice, beans etc., pots and pans with wooden spoons and bamboo sticks for drums! We had a great time. We are going out tonight for his birthday and tomorrow we are leaving for the weekend to Mantanani Island Mari. We have a coach journey north for an hour, then a boat trip. Lots of diving and snorkeling apparently.We'll be back on Monday late afternoon.Really looking forward to seeing more of the area.

Went for a walk around the area yesterday and bought a watermelon milkshake from a local store (see picture). A very mixed area with typical local shops and stalls and a well stocked supermarket, aside a large mosque. There are some very large hotels and living complexes, mainly high flats, around the coastal routes, interrupted with very poor shacks and basic living conditions. Lots of western influences from radio stations to CD's and phones and computers etc.everywhere. The rural area's again are very mixed (from the little I have seen so far).We spend a long time outside with a severely disturbed young child and instead of banging his fist against everything around him and having no eye contact , he eventually gave me a hug (see picture). Nearly made me cry. Everyone had such a great time with him and other children in the paddling pool. We took two children to a local yacht club, who offered their pool for a short period to us. They loved it!

In the evening we took two of the older boys to a local food court as they had not been out of the orphanage  for 8 months. They loved it and so did we! So much we can do here. The students are fantastic and are really getting stuck in. Away, I am off to see a new arrival now.

I put my post in the comments section! Physiotherapy room and path through the orphanage to various rooms in pictures.

Arrived safely after 24 hours travelling! Time difference is 7 hours, so when I arrived we went to the beach for a swim! Fantastic reception; all children laughing and smiling and keen to touch you and hold hands. The staff are amazing; Their care is beyond belief.Many clients have multiple needs and they have so much love for them. I am really touched by it all. I am getting to know some of the clients and have introduced a hoist for a client. Food is really nice, plenty of fruit and vegetables. The sleeping arrangements are basic, but fine. I was rather cold though because of the air conditioning! I am sure it will get sorted! A picture to show you the orphanage.