Due to the borders closing to protect the locals from COIVD; from an economic standpoint, things are very bad in Bali, and unfortunately getting worse every day,
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With over one million Balinese and Indonesians out of work for the past 5 months with no real end in sight yet, current systems and ways of life are breaking down.
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Many people have
no income,
no savings,
no support from the government.
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Though looking at the statistics, on the ground suffering, and fear in the eyes of many looks bleak and heartbreaking...
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This does not need to mean that Bali and the Balinese are doomed to starvation, suffering, and victimhood.
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We can and are creating new systems that are
stimulating the economy,
bringing communities together, and
creating sustainability for Bali and its people beyond tourism.
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Cliched as it is, we are teaching the Balinese to fish instead of giving them a fish.
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And if we are even more real, we are supporting the Balinese to fish in their own genius, tradition, and leadership. They are teaching us as much as we are teaching them.
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And it is working!
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In order to stop the downward spiral and create one going up, we have partnered with Balinese leaders, food makers, farmers, cooks, artisans, and more to...
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create jobs
enliven tradition and community
feed the most vulnerable
create economic stimulation beyond tourism
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But we need your help to continue to empower, support, and thrive!
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PLEASE DONATE NOW BY HITTING THE DONATE BUTTON!
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Any amount makes a difference as the compound effect is HUGE with things like this…
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but to make the compound effect work everyone needs to commit to giving what they can.
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Below you will see what we have been up to, how we have made progress, and what the future looks like.
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We hope you are impressed.
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But even more so we hope you get the absolute need for supporting this project.
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The leaders, villagers, families, and communities we are working with have the chance to make an impact on the bigger picture of the future of Bali but they can’t do it alone.
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DONATE NOW AND SUPPORT THESE AMAZING BRAVE BALINESE LEADERS!
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CURRENT COMMUNITIES/ BANJARS SUPPORTED BY THE TOGETHERNESS PROJECT
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PESALAKAN An organic farming village home to 170 families (approx. 800 people). Around 70% have lost their tourism-based jobs in the past 2 -3 months, many of these families have no savings, and Federal Government support is minimal.
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MUNDUK A small volcanic rim village once the centre of clove and coffee plantations during the Dutch colonial times. Families have coffee bushes in their land and together they hope to roast on an open fire and distribute to coffee lovers as a way to stimulate the economy for the many families in the village.
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DENPASAR Being the capital and biggest city of Bali means that there are many different types of communities and people living in its city limits. Many Indonesians who have come to Denpasar for work find themselves stranded here without jobs, income, or a way home. Our food initiatives are finding their way to the most vulnerable and in need.
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BREWA Young men from around Indonesia have come to the village or Brewa (outside of Canggu) to get a job as a “Beach Boy”, teaching tourists how to surf. Since there are no more tourists, they are out of a job and income. Though they usually have a small room they rent for their accommodation, they do not have the means to cook food. The cooked Nasi Bungkus made in Pesalakan Village by the Balinese is becoming a means for their survival.
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TENGANAN - Medicinal honey from stingless mini bees...supporting seven families in this area...more info soon :) . .
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TOGETHERNESS PROJECT TEAM
For the project and it’s initiative to thrive we know that they need to be
❤️ Balinese lead,
❤️ Ex-pat supported.
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Because of this, we have partnered with local leaders and business people to tell us what is needed so we can support what will work.
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Here are some of the team members leading and working hard for Togetherness/ Kebersamaan Project
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❤️ MADE ASTAWA - The Head of the Banjar for Pesalakan Village “Employment creation is our number one priority.” “If we give to one, we give to all. We live by adat (traditional) law, and this is our way”
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❤️ IBU PUTU LIONG - Head of village Women’s Rice Community (KWT Manik Mertasari) and Chief of the Weaving Circle. “We all think it’s important to keep the weaving tradition alive. But, more than that, we really need jobs. Our husbands are out of work. Most of them were drivers or hotel workers or worked in cafes and restaurants. We must step up to the mark now.”
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❤️ NYOMAN MANG PRIS - Founder and Leader of the Munduk Trekking Guide Organization. “I’m the six-generation of the original people of Mundok who came from the Gobleg kingdom, a strong mountain tribe who migrated after a volcanic eruption that covered their homes and plantations. I am honored and excited to once again smell the feeling and aroma of fresh organic Munduk Arabica and Robusta beans!”
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❤️ GEDE...Bio coming soon.
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❤️ PUTU...Bio coming soon.
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❤️ WAYAN...Bio coming soon.
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TOGETHERNESS PROJECT INITIATIVE DETAIL
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❤️ Feeding those most in need with food staples and cooked food.
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Almost every family in the village, 180 in all, has close to no income and there is an urgent need for food staples.
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The Togetherness Project is distributing food hampers and necessary supplies to local families in need.
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This includes food parcels containing rice, eggs, cooking oil, and noodles.
Vegetables and fruit are grown and shared in the community.
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The village has also now employed over 40 cooks who currently make a hundred fresh food packs every day.
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These are hand-delivered to Indonesians living in difficult circumstances in makeshift shacks and kos (boarding) accommodation, or on the streets in Kuta and Denpasar.
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Many lost their jobs in the tourism or construction industries and have no means of renting decent housing with a kitchen where they can cook. In fact, they cannot even afford one nourishing meal a day and have run out of savings, with the average worker only having had two weeks savings in reserve.
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Many of these workers are from Java, Sumba, Flores, Papua, and other islands but cannot get back to their villages. They rely on community projects like the one based in Pejeng Kangin, which in turn also benefits the village. Produce for the food packages is provided by local farmers, local cooks prepare the daily food packages, and local drivers help to deliver them to people in need.
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❤️ Revitalization of Ikat weaving for income and purpose.
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Made Astawa, the Banjar leader, identified employment creation as a first priority. David had heard a story some time back that one of the weavers of Pejeng Kangin used to make handwoven silk and cotton brocade for the daughter of Suharto (President of Indonesia 1967-1998).
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He went on a hunt and did indeed meet the master weaver, Ibu Agung and also discovered Ibu Klemik and Apel Murtini. It turns out there was not just one, but three very gifted and talented weavers in the village. There was agreement that the women would share their weaving skills and knowledge with other women in the village and teaching would commence that week. Those old looms reappeared from hidden corners and saw the light of day, yet again.
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Once the word went out, a number of local women immediately showed an interest. With the help of the donations, extra looms were acquired, and the women bought cotton and silk thread at the Klungkung Markets.
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Just two weeks later, Pejeng Kangin had re-established its ikat cottage industry. Twelve women are now clacking away on their looms in the village six days a week.
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❤️ Creating opportunities for coffee to be grown, roasted, and sold.
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In Munduk, Covid-19 pandemic has extended the lack of tourism since the Mt Agung eruption scare. The villages, with their 6,000 residents, are in a desperate state to feed their community members. Many families have taken out large bank loans to build tiny homestays to accommodate the increasing tourism numbers and are now dealing with no bookings.
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David was introduced to Nyoman and the idea of packaging their quality roasted coffee beans and selling for income.
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In one day, 3 kilos of green beans were picked, sorted and laid into the sun to be dried. After 1 full day of sunshine, easy to do in Bali, the beans were then roasted on an open fire fueled by coconut shells and giant bamboo sections.
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With the new income from the coffee sales, Nyoman will be able to continue to help educate the children high up on the volcanic crater rim. They have no means to go to school and need to help work the fields to feed the family. Networking with other caring community members, they have been teaching English to children, and opening up a small school to teach the woman of the village massage. Now with no tourists, they are without means.
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TOGETHERNESS PROJECT WINS!
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With the partnerships we have made with local communities using their guidance and the support we have already received from so many of you, we have started these powerful community initiatives:
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Employing cooks to feed the most vulnerable
Securing employment in the village, by hiring 44 cooks and 22 delivery men
Already provided 9000 meals and 170 food packs for the most vulnerable in Bali.
100 cooked food packets delivered every day!
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Revitalization of Ikat weaving for income and purpose
20 people employed!
Women from the villages coming together to learn, support, and grow a business!
Men gathering materials to make looms and weaving accessories for the women.
Gorgeous tradition resurrected and creating income sustainability for the Balinese.
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Creating opportunities for coffee to be grown, roasted, and sold.
Employment of 10+ villagers
After 1 full day of sunshine, easy to do in Bali, the beans were then roasted on an open fire fueled by coconut shells and giant bamboo sections.
Coffee now ready for purchase!
With the new income from the coffee sales, Nyoman will be able to continue to help educate the children high up on the volcanic crater rim.
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100% of your donation will go to support the Balinese producing these products, supporting the initiative, and to feed the most vulnerable through our food donation and cooking service.
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WHAT THIS $15,000 IS ALLOCATED TO:
As we grow at a sustainable pace for success to occur, we need cash stimulation in very specific areas.
Business Education and Training
Food Program
Marketing Materials
...More details shortly…
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OUR PARTNERS
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Bali Aid
Crisis Kitchen
Ethnotek
Love Stories Bali
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And our BIGGEST PARTNER is YOU!!
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We need your help to continue to empower, support, and thrive!
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PLEASE DONATE NOW BY HITTING THE DONATE BUTTON!
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Any amount makes a difference as the compound effect is HUGE with things like this...but to make the compound effect work everyone needs to commit to giving what they can.
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Your donations will go to
provide jobs in the rural areas near Ubud,
employ cooks in the villages and
deliver food packs to those most in need in the Kuta, Seminyak, Denpasar areas of the island.
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We will
Provide 150 - 200 meals every day to the most vulnerable!
Train our Balinese leaders in business and marketing!
Create the marketing materials needed to promote and sell the products!
We need these donations today, as the needs are growing as the economic crisis continues.
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DONATE NOW!!!
The Togetherness Project - COVID-19 Bali Aid