2009 Bali, Indonesia School & Community Center Renovation  

• Castilleja HS (CA)
• Evergreen Valley HS (CA)
• Los Gatos HS (CA)
• Mission San Jose HS (CA)
• Palo Alto HS (CA)
• Pinewood School (CA)

Background
Ban is a village in Indonesia so isolated that until 10 years ago no one knew how many people lived there.  The people subsisted on corn and cassava, the only crops that would grow in the parched earth.  The nearest market was a 5-hour walk down a vertical mountain trail. Illiteracy was almost universal.  Ban’s 3,000 families lived in single-room huts with bamboo walls and dirt floors.

The situation has improved dramatically since 1998 when the East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) began an integrated program to promote sustainable development.  EBPP’s program centre included computers, a library, and a learning centre with a composting worm farm, organic vegetable patch and a small herd of dairy goats. The first school was built of recycled materials, but because it was built of the cheapest possible local materials, it is now in serious disrepair.

    

ODFL, working with the Rotary Club of Bali Ubud Sunset and the East Bali Poverty Project in the summer of 2009, renovated Ban’s school and community-learning centre.  Today, the facilities support development programs in children’s education, health improvement, nutrition, appropriate technology, organic farming, safe water development, and erosion control.  Construction began in May, 2009 and was completed in July 2009.
 

Balinese children and teachers in front of new school/community center- July 2009