Bali isn’t just about the gorgeous landscapes and the fabulous five-star hotels, it’s also a great place to give back and teach the kiddos about the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need. Supporting Bali charities is an excellent way to pay it forward and there are many charitable groups in Bali working to help disadvantaged women and/or children, protect wildlife and preserve habitats, as well as rehabilitate stray animals. Are you ready to make a meaningful contribution to Bali? There are loads of organizations doing cool stuff in Bali. For starters, here are 10 commendable charities worth learning about, working on causes that matter.
1. Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA)
YKPA is a non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Balinese street children. The organization provides homes for displaced children and education to give them an opportunity to have a better future. YKPA additonally holds programs to teach kids about AIDS and how to avoid sexual abuse, while also finding time to support young women who suffered from abuse by giving them a home and special short-term care and protection from their abusers. The group additionally helps abuse victims gain police protection and assists in reporting crimes, something that many women are still very reluctant to do. And on top of all that, the organization offers education programs for the disabled through the organization’s livelihood project. At the moment, YKPA houses about 30 children and they are looking after 20 other children who are still on the streets.
YKPA
Jl. Gunung Payung no. 23, Banjar Umadui, Denpasar
0361 803 7322
2. Bali Sharks
Bali Sharks was founded by Hawaiian surfer Paul Friese in 2011 and was initially known as the Serangan Shark Project. Friese started his mission to protect sharks after learning about the prevalence of poaching in the area. Together with his friends, Friese helped turn poachers into tour guides, giving the local community a source of income without destroying wildlife. Today, Bali Sharks offers one of Bali’s most unique fundraising projects: swimming with the sharks! Bali Sharks’ marine tour is perfect for kids of all ages and is 100 percent ocean-friendly. Wouldn’t it be a fun excursion to let the kiddos swim with juvenile sharks? Of course, guests swim in a safe and controlled environment to observe these magnificent creatures in all their glory. The facility also offers a free nursery tour to kids below five years old! Together with Gili Eco Trust, these sharks are kept in a nursery for rehabilitation until they are ready to be released again into the wild.
Bali Sharks
Agus Bar & Restaurant, Serangan Island, Denpasar
0361 996 5101
3. East Bali Poverty Project
The eastern region of Bali is characteristically drier than the rest of the island and has a lot more people living in poverty. There are very few schools and health facilities in the region and sanitation infrastructure is also quite limited. A 1998 study revealed that almost all residents of the remote mountain villages in East Bali do not know how to read or write. Even worse, malnutrition amongst children was rampant. The East Bali Poverty Project is an independent non-profit organization that aims to help the local community by providing assistance and educational programs related to nutrition, agriculture and health care. You and your family can help the East Bali Poverty Project through donations and volunteer work!
East Bali Poverty Project
Jl. Tunjung Sari No. 2, Padang Sambian Kaja, Denpasar
0361 410 071
4. The John Fawcett Foundation
Also known as Bali Eye for its Sight Restoration and Blindness Prevention Project, the John Fawcett Foundation is a humanitarian program that provides assistance to underprivileged families that need medical care. Initially, their founder John Fawcett launched a medical mission to treat those with cleft lip and palate, but his medical mission turned into a charitable organization that helps desperately ill children and poor families. So far, the foundation has provided prosthetic eyes and corrective surgery for hundreds of children in Bali and has performed free cataract surgeries on thousands of people from their mobile eye clinic. The John Fawcett Foundation receives donations from charitable businesses, volunteers and as well as purchases from their photograph book. There isn’t much hands-on volunteering available with The John Fawcett Foundation, but it is a worthy cause to support in Bali.
The John Fawcett Foundation (Bali Eye)
Jalan Pengembak 16, Blanjong, Sanur
0361 270 812
5. Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi (YKIP)
Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi (YKIP) is a non-profit group that was initially established to aid the victims of the Bali Bombing in 2002. Together with concerned citizens, the Mitrais Management developed programs to continuously assist victims even after help from external agencies was over. The name of the organization literally translates to “Mother Earth Humanitarian Foundation”. The group is committed to improving the lives of poverty-stricken communities all over Bali. The foundation provides scholarship programs to deserving candidates as well as providing care for orphans, disabled people and indigent families. Help support YKIP by making donations of used toys and books, laptops, prizes for outstanding students and help with education costs.
Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi (YKIP)
Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai, Gang Mina Utama No.1, Suwung, Denpasar
0361 937 8047
6. Bali Kids Foundation (Yayasan Anak Anak Bali)
Bali Kids Foundation was initially developed as a haven for orphans seeking medical attention. The center, which was founded in 2005, aims to provide free medical care for local children and poor families. Bali Kids Foundation runs regular mobile services wherein volunteers travel to various villages to treat kids. The mobile service also works with local orphanages and educates management staff about health, hygiene, and dealing with abused kids. Tag along on one of these trips to meet some amazing kids.
Bali Kids Foundation (Yayasan Anak Anak Bali)
Jl. Raya Cica, Banjar Cica, Abian Base, Mengwi, Badung
0361 928 8831
7. Smile Foundation (Yayasan Senyum)
Smile Foundation is one of the most prominent non-profit organizations in Asia that focuses on providing medical assistance for children afflicted with craniofacial disabilities, such as cleft lip and palate, tumors, traumas as well as rare syndromes. Smile Foundation aims to collaborate with other charities to assist poor patients for transfer between homes and hospitals. The staff is also willing to arrange legal documents and flights for patients that need to be flown in for emergency surgery at the Cranio-facial Unit in Adelaide, Australia. Smile Foundation has a charity shop in Ubud that accepts donations as well as volunteers to work in the shop. Other volunteer opportunities are also available, so contact Smile Foundation to see how you can help.
Smile Foundation of Bali (Yayasan Senyum)
Jl. Pulau Aru No. 9, Sanglah, Denpasar
0361 233 758
8. Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA)
For animal lovers, BAWA is an excellent charitable institution to support. The Bali Animal Welfare Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to easing overpopulation by providing medical care and spaying/neutering to Bali’s furry friends. The organization was established in 2007 and since has cared for thousands of animals in Bali. BAWA organizes adoption and street feeding programs and provides educational presentations about animal welfare in local schools and communities, as well as vaccinating animals against rabies and other diseases. The organization’s sister non-profit Bali Street Dog Fund, is the Aussie branch of BAWA raising money to provide veterinary care for stray cats and dogs. There are many ways to volunteer and raise money for BAWA so contact them to see what you can do to help.
Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA)
Jl. Raya Lodtunduh, Banjar Kelingkung, Desa Lodtunduh
0361 981 490
9. Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS)
Another animal welfare group to consider supporting, the Bali Sea Turtle Society or BSTS is a charity group that aims to protect sea turtles. Unfortunately, sea turtles are still being hunted and sold in certain parts of Indonesia despite laws that protect these gentle creatures. BSTS works with local communities and tourists all over the island to protect sea turtles by educating communities about the dangers of hunting turtles into extinction for illegal trade. Anyone can join hatchling releases for free and you can also donate by purchasing their documentary DVD, “A Journey Back to the Sea” for Rp 100,000. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to BSTS’ conservation efforts.
Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS)
PO BOX 3434 Denpasar 80034 Bali
0811 3882683
10. Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF)
Friends of the National Parks Foundation is an independent charitable organization founded by Balinese ornithologist Dr. Bayu Wirayudha in 1997. FNPF aims to protect the wildlife, restore habitats, and educate local communities through projects that protect the forests in the Kalimantan region in Bali’s Mt. Batukaru as well as forests in the Nusa Penida Island. Dr. Wirayudha and his conservation group are working painstakingly to breed the critically endangered Bali Starling. If you’re interested in supporting the FNPF, take your family on one of the foundation’s eco-tours or simply donate at designated areas at any of FNPF’s conservation sites. You can also volunteer onsite or purchase merchandise with proceeds used to fund FNPF’s many programs.
Friends of the National Park Foundation (FNPF)
Jl. Bisma No. 3, Ubud
0828 972 096 33
This article was originally published by Bali Kids Guide, a total guide for Bali with kids, holiday tips, reviews, currency & visa info, and more.
