A letter from our repeater guest, Sharyn & Ron Smith. For them, Grand Mirage is home.
We first stayed at The Grand Mirage Resort in 1998. Now, 15 years later we call the Grand Mirage “our Bali home”, having stayed there approximately 12 times. We have formed the most wonderful friendships with Management and staff alike.
Our most recent stay in March 2013 was the most memorable; as we had organised a humanitarian effort from our home in Australia to bring an Occuloplastic Surgeon from Perth, Australia to perform specialized eye surgery on 13 patients in Bali, who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to have this very specialized surgery.
All the surgery requirements and co-ordination of patients was arranged with the amazing and inspirational assistance of The John Fawcett Foundation in Sanur.
This Foundation has been operating in Bali for the past 21 years and has given the gift of sight to over 34,000 people in Bali and surrounding islands by performing Cataract and other surgery.
There are 8 mobile buses in the “Sight Restoration and Blindness Program”, which can screen up to 700 villagers per day in remote areas where there would be no access to hospitals for the poor. They also custom make Prosthetic eyes, repair hare lips and cleft palates, run school eye screening clinics, provide free glasses and medicine.
John Fawcett is a gentleman in his 80’s who is so passionate about helping the people of Bali, and still plays a very active role within the Foundation. He employs many local Doctors, Nurses and Ophthalmologists.
We were privileged to be welcomed into his home on several occasions during our trip and his warmth and generosity was palpable.
I have been a Nurse for 37 years and was fortunate to be present in the RS Ganesha Hospital in Celuk to observe some very rare surgery being done on a little 5 year old girl, who was born with a very rare congenital condition which affected both her eyes, and would ultimately make her go blind. She will require 4 lots of surgery over the next year. We have been friends with this local village family since our 1st trip to Bali and have always been so heartened by the love and support of this hardworking, loving family. Last September we made a decision to raise some funds and attempt to assist this beautiful family in making their dream come true and prevent this little girl going blind, by giving her the gift of much needed Medical Treatment and Specialist Surgery.
In March we were able to achieve this dream and I will be returning to Bali to be present for her 2nd surgery on the 9th April.
This has been made possible by the kindness and wonderful support of many people in Australia as well as Mr Juan A Sanchez (General Manager of The Grand Mirage Resort).
Mr Sanchez and his fantastic team have been there to support us financially and emotionally all the way through this life changing journey and we are forever grateful to not only them, but all the wonderful staff of the Grand Mirage Resort. We would officially like to thank Juan, Mr Ralf Luthe (Former GM), the Management Team, the Restaurant staff, the water activities staff, the housekeeping staff and everyone else who has shown us so much kindness and love. We are truly forever grateful.
We have recommended the Grand Mirage Resort to many of our own clients, family and friends over the 15 years, and all who have stayed have been delighted.
“A momentary act of kindness, a lifetime of relief”.
“Changing someone’s life doesn’t require a huge effort, just a willingness to help!” is one of John Fawcetts mottos.
Please take a look at the Foundation website as any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated.
www.balieye.org
Sincerely yours,
Sharyn& Ron Smith
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Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Bali is a 5 star Bali resort offering fun all inclusive. Located on the seashore of Indian Ocean, this resort offers 301 rooms and suite with infinite ocean view or lush garden view. Uncompromising luxuries and a wholehearted service from this Bali resort will leave an unfaded feeling of enjoyment.