A Dollar man, who is following his dream of living in Indonesia helping underprivileged children, recently shared a slice of his new life.

Ian Hammond, who worked for Clackmannanshire Council, fell in love with the country in 1989 when he volunteered with the Voluntary Service Overseas and flew to Flores in Indonesia planning to stay for two years.

He stayed for almost seven and upon returning to the Wee County in 1995, he vowed that one day he would return and live there permanently.

A few months ago he stepped onto an aeroplane at Edinburgh Airport and has been enjoying life on the island of Lombok ever since.

He said: “As a retired person I am not allowed to work as such, but I help a local charity, Anak Bangsa Foundation, working with children from poor families and helping provide safe, healthy housing and education.

“I have been accepted into my local community, Tampar Ampar, and only yesterday was told that, should I die while living here, they would not allow me to be removed from the community, but I would be buried here as one of the ‘family’. Nice thought.

“Life has its drawbacks and, at times, can be difficult due to the lack of privacy, the heat and the rain during the rainy season, but I am loving it. My dream [has] come true.” The 65-year-old wakes early in the morning to the sound of the local mosque, which calls to prayer just after 4am. He drinks “Lombok coffee”, which is black with lots of sugar and is a “must” in the early morning.

The local children go to school for a 7am start, while Ian goes to the foundation at around 9am on his trusty Honda moped, to help translate child profiles and reports for sponsors.

Ian said: “During the day I often visit the children’s homes to help assess their needs which vary from school equipment to repairs to leaking roofs.

“Since arriving here, we have built three toilets and wash rooms and bored three wells to service the needs of the children and their families, all with monies donated by sponsors from Europe.” The foundation is opening a school this year, providing free education to poverty stricken children in the area.

The volunteer pensioner explained: “Schools in Indonesia are free, but do not include the cost of school equipment, uniforms etc. We aim to provide all needs except transport to and from school, although help will be given to those who are unable to obtain this themselves.” Ian says any of his old friends and prospective sponsors are welcome to visit and share the experience. Email him at ian@devonshaw.com. Find the Anak Bangsa Foundation on Facebook or visit anakbangsafoundation.org He concluded: “Do I miss Clackmannanshire? The answer is yes, to some extent. My friends, a nice cold beer, a meal in Aldo’s or the odd take-away but, all in all, I much prefer my life here.”