"IN THE ARMS OF THE ANGELS" by KIM A. PATRA
Kopi Bali House - October 16, 2003

The tragedy of 12th October 2003 in Kuta, Bali, and the ensuing recovery efforts touched the lives of countless, and hold lessons from which many more can learn. In the Arms of Angels is both a tribute and a testimonial to the human lives that were lost, those who lost their loved ones, those who were saved, and those that did their best in saving others. It is a story that one hopes shall never need to be told again.

Having lived on the island of Bali for the best part of two decades, Kim has an understanding of the local language, culture and philosophy. In the Arms of the Angels reveals a deep perspective of the events that unfolded in the early hours of the morning after the Kuta Bomb, and the efforts that were made during the days following this event that scarred and changed the lives of so many. Her unique perspective, as a mother bringing up three children in Bali, and a health professional with a deep connection to the island on which this tragedy occurred, puts her at a vantage-point like few others. Kim bridges gaps of understanding between the two cultures through her writing and reveals her ability to defuse situations through her respectful, sympathetic and humorous approach, and the reader gains a direct insight into the sheer misery of the situation through her thoughts and dialogues as they are recalled.

Kim tells it how it is. Her writing style is honest and compassionate, as her spirit is inspiring. Despite the horrors she describes, Kim brings to the reader a glint of hope for the future, and a firm belief in the good of human nature. Humour was perhaps the only defence left for those who experienced the macabre reality faced by the countless volunteers and those searching for their loved ones during those drawn-out days of heat and incomprehensible tragedy. Kim's Aussie roots show through in her choice of expressions and the spirit she depicts of those battling at the scene to save as many lives as possible under conditions where the public hospital's emergency facilities and medical expertise were desperately overloaded.

Born in England, Kim grew up and qualified as a nurse in Australia, and is a registered member of I.B.I., the Association of Indonesian Midwives. She has obtained experience in applying her training in Bali, where, in spite of the advances of modern medicine, the public medical facilities (and consequently all those in need of them), struggle under the weight of a complex beaurocratic system. In order to make progress within this system, the right words have to be spoken to the right people. One must know where to go, who to approach and how to approach them. Even for the Balinese, there are no written guidelines available, nor any organisation giving consistent or reliable information on how to find your way through the medical maze.

Knowing the system so well, and possessing the language skills as well as the emergency training so desperately needed in this situation, enabled Kim, at the time of the emergency, to bridge the gap between her team of volunteers and the local medical staff. Together they were able to give compassionate and professional advice and appropriate medical assistance, preparing the international bomb victims for their eventual evacuation.

This is a book which acknowledges all of those unsung heroes, from the nurses and doctors, the international experts who miraculously appeared on the spot, to the ambulance teams, the volunteers who sat with the patients, and even the taxi drivers. Kim voices her appreciation to all those many who gave their help unselfishly, and includes in her thank list those Balinese residents of different origins and religions, who were able to defuse a potentially explosive situation and concentrate on creating peace out of chaos.

Thank you for Kopi Bali House, Sanur, for providing the venue and snacks for the launch, as well as for sponsoring some door prizes.

Published by Saritaksu Design Communication
176 pages, 240 x 200 mm, paperback, Rp.120.000,-
For further information, please contact Reskiana Ramli
Saritaksu, Jl. Danau Buyan 28,
Sanur, Denpasar, Bali 80228
Tel. (0361)287816, Fax: (0361)289621, email taksu@indosat.net.id.
Website:www.inthearmsoftheangels-bali.com