Transforming Poverty in Eastern Bali

Aug 18, 2024

Lecture Notes on Eastern Bali Poverty Project (EBPP)

Introduction

  • Description of the village's poor infrastructure before 2000.
  • Vision to make the village a successful example through EBPP.

Culture of Bali

  • Unique cultural elements: more temples than people.
  • Common tourist attractions: surfing, restaurants, luxury villas.
  • Lesser-known challenges facing local communities.

Eastern Bali Poverty Project (EBPP)

  • Founded: June 1998, by David who sought help from regional government.
  • Objective: Address poverty in the village of Ban.
  • Initial Challenges:
    • No school, road, electricity, water, or health facilities.
    • 80% of villagers lived in extreme poverty.
    • Lack of iodine leading to health issues; partnership with UNICEF established.

Projects and Services Provided by EBPP

  • Education Services: Comprehensive portfolio including:
    • Language education.
    • Music education.
    • Artistic education.
  • Healthcare Services: Regular check-ups and assistance.

Personal Accounts

  • Wayan Marin Tiniasy:

    • Passion for music and dance.
    • Health challenges (leaking heart valve) managed through EBPP clinic.
    • Positive impact of EBPP on education and health.

  • Dental Health Initiatives:

    • Education on oral hygiene.
    • Over 1,500 children educated on dental care.

Bamboo Program

  • Focus on:
    • Educating villagers on bamboo harvesting and product creation.
    • Greening the environment.
  • Community engagement is critical for program success.

Environmental Challenges

  • Risk of Mount Agung eruptions leading to displacement of villagers.
  • Ongoing governmental status changes create uncertainty in the community.

Health Team Initiatives

  • Daily health checks and distribution of essential supplies.
  • Focus on elder care and community wellness.

Community Empowerment

  • Importance of community ownership in project success.
  • Avoiding Western arrogance; understanding local needs.
  • Projects sustainable when led by community desires.

Visual Storytelling and NGO Effectiveness

  • Importance of relatable visual stories over written accounts.
  • Empowering local narratives to compete with larger NGOs.

Conclusion

  • Positive changes since involvement of EBPP and Eko Torin Foundation.
  • Increased educational opportunities and improvements in living conditions.
  • Personal commitment to working for a better future and sharing knowledge with the community.