ABOUT KARUNA BALI FOUNDATION

I am very much looking forward to this adventure. It has been a long time dream since we first started Karuna Bali (Karuna meaning Compassion) in 2007. Although only five years old this February, our not so little anymore organisation has grown from two couples with a passion to be of service and help those disadvantaged in Bali has been a magical carpet ride to witness a success that appears to know unlimitedness - well, depending our continuing allowance to not need to be the one(s) in the driving seat.

Today we annually have some 800 children through to adults partially sponsored for short term (3 month) English speaking classes and computer skills. Our success is largely due to the small - 10 -12 people per class and the way we 'teach' - all sit around a table - there is no hierarchy. We encourage the concept of facilitator rather than teacher to eliminate the traditional classroom feeling of separation. Seems to work and helps the teachers feel more at one with the students. Our classes are about fun, we involve singing, sharing, speaking out and role playing - it can be a bit noisy but everyone loves to be in the building including the staff so it must be OK! Throughout all our activities our real purpose is to build confidence - we feel this is the key and the 'command' of a language or skill at the end of the day is just a reason for being there. What the people - for they are not all children take home is a revitalised enthusiasm and confidence for life that is not always seen in the subdued nature of the Balinese and their Hindu culture.

We are indeed seeing leadership. One large local school which in the last two years focuses on supporting students for roles in tourism send their students to us for English communication because their own teachers are unable to create the results that their students require. In the first year we did this, after a couple of months of classes the teachers themselves came demanding to know what we were doing to their students - they had noticed a complete shift in the school dynamic and behavior in those grades with the Karuna students assuming responsibility, leading and setting better examples.

Our primary group and those of which we are most proud though are the completely sponsored One Year students - those that our western participants will be interfacing with (buddying) with. Each year we take 15 -20 student (hopefully doubling to 2013) for full time education. These are quality students from impoverished families - usually rural village parents on subsistence living with bright and recognised young people who have demonstrated to their school teachers and principals outstanding potential yet without the financial resources to extend those innate abilities. Attracted by creativity possibilities - computer graphics, film making and communications, these students are becoming leaders and role models in the community and highly respected employees (and with some help, even employers). Again from proprietors of business comes the message that they change their work environment and the performance of others just by their presence and energy.

In addition, we have embraced and extend the concept on 'paying forward' - giving in return for scholarship. Our One Year students each weekend dedicate their time to travelling to very poor rural schools to share what they have learned in KB also through play, music, singing, fun and games. The village children often walk 2-3 kms to be there for the experience which is the highlight of their week. We manage three schools, three times a year and are supported by university trainee teachers wanting field experience. It has become so desired by the school (the local village community too) that we have some 20 schools permanently on waiting lists.

Because of this demand we have begun formally training our students and the university trainee teachers in Values and Leadership and team building. This in turn led us last year to open our own 'outward bound' camp among the rice fields in the mountains. Again something offered to the western students - now that will be an eye opener!!

Do I sound enthusiastic? No apologies, I love it. Now my desire and passion is to have western young people interact and experience this Karuna Bali dynamic if only for a short time, and to hopefully inspire and have them feel the difference they too can make in the world.

Karuna Bali is run by our Balinese co-funders, who do all of the work. Wayan and Iluh are a beautiful dedicated husband and wife management team - our partners since the joint inception in 2007 when there were only the four of us. Today, unlike many Balinese foundations we have only Indonesian staff - some 17 highly talented people drawn to our Vision involved in the admin and faculty. Suzanne and I are involved from a distance in guidance, fund raising, managing the international link and activities between East and West.

There are wonderful videos, many made by our students in their year with us of their activities - On Youtube under Karuna Bali if you are interested.

By the way, two 16 year old Colorado, USA students in 2008 purely with a desire to be of service started a program called CEO4teens and raised through having friends and relatives sponsor them doing community work in their first effort $10,000 - enough to sponsor ten Balinese into KB for a year. Since 2008 these great boys, now young men themselves in College have raised a total $50,000 and made a major contribution to the lives of over 50 young people who are now making a difference in the world. See, it's all a magical carpet ride.

In Indonesia, Karuna Bali is responsible (acting as the Associate) for the Living Values organisation there. In Australia Suzanne and I run Living Values Australia - www.livingvalues.net.au

A lovely story. Thank you letting me share my enthusiasm.

Blessings from Australia,

Raj Miles Karuna Bali Foundation.