Let's keep the true festive spirit of Christmas this season by not forgetting the less fortunate. A good deed lasts forever and in Bali there are many ways you can give back to the community in a much simpler way. We are sharing a list of charities and organizations that you can support this Christmas season.
The Gift of Sight
John Fawcett never thought that Bali, his new found home will be turn into a major base camp for needlessly blind after he first stepped here in pursuit of a retreat after a life in the hospital. One of the main on going issue in Indonesia is lindness prevention and cataract surgery, where a large number of people still lack access to basic healthcare. As per an estimate a staggering number of 4 million people are blind and over eight million visually impaired. These numbers are unnecessarily high, why unnecessary because its easy to prevent.JFF came into being to support in eradication of blindness through restoration of Sight and Blind Prevention project in the villages of Bali. They offer cataract surgery, prosthetic eyes, corrective surgery for children, and more. In 2010 onwards, the foundation successfully expanded, reaching economically disadvantaged people in more remote corners of Indonesia.You can support JFF as per their words "‘Make a donation and you’ll soon forget about it. But they’ll remember it for the rest of their lives.’ Volunteers whether local or international donate their professional support and time to diagnose,teach, operate and assist with the medical initiatives run by JFF from phthalmologists, plastic surgeons, to neurosurgeons.
The John Fawcett Foundation
Jalan Pengembak 16, Blanjong, Sanur
+62 361 270 812
www.johnfawcett.org
Balinese Women Empowerment
In Indonesian societies, strong patriarchal system still exists in the far rural interior villages. People still traditionally favor sonsover daughters in some parts of Bali. As a result girls stay home while their brothers and counterparts are encouraged to pursue education and well paid jobs hence making them the future breadwinners.
Bali Wise strongly believes that the cycle of poverty can be broken by educating the women. A recent study showed that 40% of wages earned by women are spent on themselves while the rest are spent on the family. Bali Wise was founded in 2007 by the Role Foundation, with a belief that nurturing women through skillful education can break the cycle of poverty.
Women from all over Indonesia can apply for a free three month basic skill education program (English, hospitality, computer, etc). They can also apply for three month vocational training program with five star hotels and other on-the-job opportunities. Stats show that almost 87% of the women graduate from Bali Wise get employed within a month of program completion.
You can support by one time or regular donation for the support of various programs including studies, living cost for disadvantaged women in Indonesia.‘Sponsor a Student’ and provide them with access to life-saving basic skills, vocational training, and environmental awareness. Contact Fena Evans at [email protected] or +62 812 3969 3383 for more information.
Bali WISE Campus
Jalan Siligita 22, Nusa Dua
+62 361 4771657
www.baliwise.org
Want Not, Waste Not
As per a study almost 25% of the global fresh water is wasted on the food that is never eaten in South Asia which makes it around one million meals go to waste every month. Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) has taken a wonderful initiative to rescue such food from rotting this quantity of wasted food in landfills by redistributing it in a perfectly edible state to underprivileged people. Many big establishments imposed a law which prevented employees from taking the extra food home or giving it to the needy, hence justifying binning the food. This was the reason for the birth of SOS in 2012 and their wonderful food rescue programme. With the help of their team and donors they rescue food upto 1 ton every day in Bali and Bangkok. The food is taken from the establishments and then checked by a hygienist, they then deliver truck loads of the same to those in need including rural communities and orphanages.
You can support SOS by making a donation or if you are a part of food and beverage industry you can partner with them or create a CSR program. You can regularly work with their team to make a change in both food food scarcity and environmental issues through campaigns and other green projects.
You can contact them at [email protected] or +62 812 3923 6566. SOS wants you to spread the word out until there is no more food wasted in Bali!
Scholars of Sustenance
Jalan Pararaton No.9E Dewi Sri, Kuta
+62 821 4747 7234
www.scholarsofsustenance.com
Help The Oceans
The largest coral reef of Southeast Asia is in Indonesia yet the coral reef's one third part is in extremely poor condition. The main reason for the poor condition is lack of awareness. This is why Coral Triangle Center (CTC) was established in 2010. CTC main focus is to impart knowledge, alleviating the next issues by inspiration and training the next generation of marine conservationists by working with the authorities and locals.Their team has developed 26 modules of training and have already trained over 4000 people to care for marine and coastal ecosystems by building up the capacity of communities and government.
CTC welcomes any one who wants to learn about the coral reefs and the ocean. You can contribute by participating in their fun learning classes which include such as a coral clay hand-moulding workshop every Monday, as well as the ‘Escape Room SOS from the Deep’, Indonesia’s first marine conservation-themed immersive adventure game. Their team share knowledge and build up global action by engaging with the Balinese community and the visitors of the Island.
You can support them by becoming a friend of CTC or visiting them at the Centre. Learn more at www.coraltrianglecenter.org/get-involved and www.savingoceansnow.com
Coral Triangle Center (CTC)
Jalan Bet Ngandang II No.88-89, Sanur
+62 361 289338
www.coraltrianglecenter.org
Help Educating Indonesia’s Next Generation
To improve the quality standards of the life of children throughout Bali, Bali children Foundation paves the path from education to employment. BCF since 2002 has helped countless families in 76 villages, they just dont stop at that, they assist in the disaster responses as well such as the heart wrenching Lombok Earth Quake disaster in 2018. Their work with health care including disability management, dental care and environmental protection solutions during the disasters are nothing but remarkable.BCF holds properly equipped classes in some of the poorest villages in Bali, proper computer rooms covering business and entrepreneurial topics. The team formed and became actively involved with the schools after the devastating landslide in Bali's Songan district which resulted in massive poverty and isolation.
Since last two years they are teaching in four schools, helped in renovation of the schools, setup facilities and taught over 1038 students in Songan. From elementary to junionr and senior high schools, their plan is to keep extending their English program, to help spoken and listening skills of the students widening their employment options.
You can help BCF by supporting their Christmas Backpack Appeal initiative taken for the festive season. The goal they have set is to donate 1038 proper backpacks for the Songan students. So head over to https://bit.ly/BCFGeneralDonation to donate a backpack or visit their website and click the donate button. Make a difference throughout the year by sponsoring a child.
Bali Children Foundation
Jalan Raya Kesambi No.369, Kerobokan
+62 851 0064 8400
www.balichildrenfoundation.org
Bali Animal Welfare Association
While the exact lineage and heritage of Balinese dog is still unknown, they are still looked as a symbol of Balinese heritage by animal lovers and activists alike. These dogs are famous for their kind, intuitive and loving loyal nature. BAWA established in 2007 for the core purpose of improving the lives of animals however they are deeply committed in saving, protecting and caring the threatened indigenous Bali Dogs, to prevent them from senseless killings and the barbaric trade of Dog meat.Bawa over the years, continues its work by providing a lot of service programs from disease control to humane population control for sustainable improvement to animal welfare. If there is any animal in distress whether a dog, cat, dolphin or snake, the team at BAWA will always be at their disposal with proper response and hope of rescuing, rehabilitating and in many case returning them to their natural habitat.
Bawa just like any other charity is dependent on community support and corporate goodwill. You can support them by joining friends of BAWA, donating or participating in their fun fundraising events. You can also help them by adopting any animal in need or if you love animals you can volunteer through your skills and services from any part of the globe. You can also visit their shops and buy their exclusive range of Sterling Silver jewellery specially created by BAWA founder and the famous designer Janice Girardi. All of the proceeds from these sales go to BAWA.
Bali Animal Welfare Association
Jalan A.A. Gede Rai No.550, Lodtunduh, Ubud
+62 812 384 0133
www.bawabali.com
