It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and if this were any other year, many of us would be busy packing our bags for a Christmas holiday in Bali.
But this year, things are different.
Especially in Bali.
From the tedious to the devastating, all of us have felt the impact of Covid-19 in one way or another. In Bali, the impact has been particularly dramatic.
Though the numbers vary depending on the source, tourism accounts for some 60% of Bali’s GDP. Before Covid hit, the island was welcoming around 6 million visitors every year. In the third quarter of 2020, Bali’s economy had shrunk by 12.28% and the number of international arrivals has plummeted. Thousands of people across the island have been furloughed or lost their jobs.
The Covid effect has spread far and wide in Bali. It’s not just the people working in hotels, villas and resorts who have lost their jobs – it’s chefs, bartenders, drivers, tour guides, musicians, surf instructors, nannies… and the list goes on, and on – and on. In Bali, each of these jobs has a much wider impact beyond just the individual: when one person loses their jobs, they are unable to keep sending money to support their family back in the village. Entire families have lost their whole income in one devastating swoop.
These articles from The Sydney Morning Herald and Aljazeera provide detailed, on-the-ground insight into the effect the pandemic has had, and continues to have, on Bali. They also highlight the wonderful work done by some of the charities listed below.
Of course, it’s not just Bali. Throughout the world, Covid-19 has hit many of us hard. But if you have a soft spot for Bali and if it’s within your means, please consider donating to one of these organisations who are working to directly help the local communities in Bali. If you’re not able to donate, spreading the word about these great initiatives also goes a long way.
Let’s Help Bali COVID 19
This wonderful grassroots project was founded two Australian expats living in Bali. Amanda and Ellie have witnessed firsthand the devastating effect the pandemic has had on local communities.
“We love Bali as much as you and want to see these families survive and thrive. The time for humanity and compassion is now,“ states the group’s GoFundMe page.
Funds donated to Let’s Help Bali COVID 19 are used to provide groceries, hygiene products and other necessities which have become a luxury for far too many for people throughout Bali. On their Facebook page, the group provides great transparency into the incredibly important work they’ve been doing for months now – with no end in sight. At the time of writing, the group has raised over $42,000 through their GoFundMe campaign.
While you can (and should!) donate to the group at any time, Let’s Help Bali COVID 19 has now created a special drive for Christmas:
- Purchase a voucher for $27 – this equals 25kg of rice.
- The team will email you the voucher plus a photo of the family that receives it.
- You can then print the voucher and give in to a family member or friend in lieu of a gift.
We can think of few better gifts to give this Christmas. So far, over 500 bags of rice have been donated through this campaign.
Let’s Help Bali COVID 19
Facebook: facebook.com/groups
Donate now: gofundme.com/f/lets-help-bali-covid19
Crisis Kitchen Bali
Crisis Kitchen Bali is one of the many wonderful initiatives which have sprung up in Bali since the pandemic started and essentially wiped out the tourism industry. So many people lost their jobs and many were going hungry. Just as the name suggests, Crisis Kitchen is working to combat this unprecedented crisis, one meal at a time.
Crisis Kitchen Bali helps local families and individuals with grocery care packs and warm, nutritious meals. The project is run from the beautiful Tropicana cafe in Umalas. At the time of writing, their GoFundMe page has generated almost $80,000 in donations, allowing the team to feed thousands of families. You can donate to the project through their GoFundMe page. If you are in Bali and would like to donate food, you can reach out to the Crisis Kitchen team to drop off supplies at the café.
You can read heartwarming stories of the important work they’re doing and see the huge difference even a small donation can make by following Crisis Kitchen Bali on Facebook.
Crisis Kitchen Bali
Facebook: facebook.com/crisiskitchenbali
Donate now: gofundme.com/f/crisis-kitchen-bali
Yayasan Team Action Amed
Yayasan Team Action Amed is focused on helping people in the rural regions of East Bali. Even before the pandemic hit, this beautiful region, remote from the southern tourist spots, was the poorest of Bali’s regencies. Team Action Amed was originally founded back in 2017 to help people affected by the activity of Mount Agung. Now, they are committed to helping the local community navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
An officially registered foundation (yayasan) in Indonesia, Team Action Amed helps people through times of crisis (from Mount Agung to the Lombok earthquake to Covid-19) by providing food, medical supplies, bedding and other necessities to local communities. They also offer long-term support to vulnerable individuals and families by offering medical support; transport for patients requiring visits to Denpasar for assessment and therapy; food assistance and school fees for children who would otherwise not be able to attend school. You can follow updates on their work on their Facebook page.
To support the organisation, you can become a monthly donator or give a one-time donation. $10 a month will help a child stay in school. A one-off donation of $38 buys a tin of specialised baby formula. A little really does go a long way.
Yayasan Team Action Amed
Website: teamactionamed.org
Facebook: facebook.com/teamactionamed
Donate now: teamactionamed.org/donate
Scholars of Sustenance
Scholars of Sustenance’s “Bali Strong” campaign combats the effects of COVID-19 by providing nutrition to those in need. The foundation focuses on providing nutritious meals for people and communities during these challenging times. Otherwise, far too many in Bali would need to survive on rice alone. And as Scholars of Sustenance’s founder Bo Holmgreen underlines, this might work as a temporary solution or a quick fix after, say, an earthquake – but as the crisis brought on by Covid drags on, it is simply not sustainable. People need nutrition.
As Christmas is fast approaching, this one hits particularly close to home. During the holidays, many of us will be gathering around tables filled with all our favourite foods.
Now imagine having to make do with rice alone.
If it’s within your means, consider donating to Scholars of Sustenance to help them continue providing nutritious meals for local communities in Bali.
Scholars of Sustenance
Website: scholarsofsustenance.org
Facebook: facebook.com/scholarsofsustenancefoundation
Donate now: scholarsofsustenance.org/donate-to-sos-bali
Project Nasi
Project Nasi (or Project Rice) was founded by surfers and entrepreneurs behind some your favourite Bali restaurants (Ling Ling’s, Coffee Cartel and Sushimi to name a few). Recognizing their own privilege and seeing how much the island was hurting, they began distributing food parcels and meals from their successful restaurants. Seaweed surf magazine has also reported on the project.
Funds donated to Project Nasi are used to procure everyday necessities, including rice, noodles, fruit and vegetables, drinking water and hygiene products. These goods are then donated to the local banjars (traditional village communities) who will distribute them within their community.
Project Nasi is incredibly transparent in its work and provides a spreadsheet that details how the donated funds are being used. As of December 3, the project has helped near 5,000 families and provided over 24,000 meals.
You can help Project Nasi by making a donation on their GoFundMe page. For on-the-ground updates on their work, check out Project Nasi’s Facebook page.
Project Nasi
Facebook: facebook.com/projectnasi
Donate now: gofundme.com/f/project-nasi-bali-covid19
Solemen Bali
Solemen is one of the most well established and well respected charity organisations in Bali. Originally founded in 2010, this registered non-profit foundation is committed to helping the most vulnerable communities in Bali who don’t receive assistance from mainstream NGOs or official government programmes.
During the crisis brought on by the pandemic, Solemen has continued their work, supporting people with mental and physical disabilities – many of them children – and families living in extreme poverty. The pandemic has, of course, made many people’s situation all the more dire and has also pushed many people to the brink of poverty for the first time.
You can help Solemen continue their work in supporting the most vulnerable people in Bali by making a one-time donation or by becoming a monthly sponsor. If you are in Bali and prefer to donate food instead of money, you can also drop off goods at locations listed on their website.
Solemen Bali
Website: solemen.org
Donate now: solemen.org/donate
Drop off locations: solemen.org/drop-off-locations
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on Bali and the crisis is far from over. As we get ready celebrate Christmas, please consider making a donation – whether big or small – to help the people of Bali navigate these unprecedented times. When it’s safe to travel internationally again, this beautiful island will be ready and waiting to welcome you with open arms and warm smiles.
