BALI'S ROLE MODEL

BALI'S ROLE MODEL Thinking globally and acting locally is the philosophy behind the non-profit ROLE (Rivers Oceans Lands and Ecology) Foundation. Founded by surfers, the goal at ROLE is to promote and develop international ecological practices and technology in beautiful Bali. In the bigger picture, such goals are also aimed at eradicating poverty by creating eco-friendly employment for the people of Southern Bali and its well-known Bukit area. This is often easier said than done, but ROLE already has several programs up and running since the Nusa Dua headquarters opened its doors in 2007. 

ROLE firmly believes that change starts with Vocational Skills Education. If people are not conscious of ecological importance, then the path towards improvement will not be taken seriously. If people are not aware of what they can do or how to do it, no action will be taken. In order to achieve this, ROLE has started a free (yes, free!) learning program made specifically for needy, uneducated women who are often not offered equal opportunities in Indonesia's male-dominated society. 

THE WOMEN'S VOCATIONAL SKILLS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Since its February 2008 launch, almost 30 women have enrolled in the ROLE Vocational Skills Education program. On average half that number regularly attend the weekday classes. Students are mostly seaweed farmers, road workers and maids. Many speak only Balinese and are illiterate with little to no formal schooling and no specialized training. This makes employment opportunity and economic advance difficult for these women who are barely making ends meet. 

The 7-12 month three-sequence program starts with basic Indonesian reading, writing, and mathematics. Upper level classes cover hygiene, computers, and business operations, all with an emphasis on ecological awareness. Whether the goal is to work for someone or start a business, the program is free and available for those willing to show up. Students have already reported growing self-esteem with their education, and are beginning to see the reality of improving their situation. 

THE MARINE REVIVAL AND OCEAN RESOURCES MANGEMENT PROGRAM
Another ROLE project in the works is farming abalone under sustainable marine aquaculture methods. Abalones are rare in Indonesia and yield a high-end market value. Nusa Dua seaweed farmers can only harvest their crops depending on available space, something that is becoming harder to find due to mass development. For these hardworking men abalone farming under ROLE specialists is a supplemental income that takes up relatively little space. It is also much more eco-friendly than dynamiting, bleaching and over-consumption practices often tied to other marine life industries in Indonesia. 

Beyond abalone farming, future Marine program plans encompass all aspects of the ocean. These include reef revival, fish and coral nurseries and farms, as well as water testing. Bali's rivers are also a source of concern as they transport much of the pollution from upriver that harms marine ecosystems. Therefore, river water cleaning and monitoring are also on ROLE's agenda. 

THE ECO-LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM
The Eco-Learning Center (ELC) is ROLE foundation's biggest target project underway at the moment. A 15,500 m2 plot of undeveloped leased land in the breezy hills of Nusa Dua is the planned site for the ROLE ELC campus. The ELC will be dedicated to the research, development and education of almost every green project known to mankind. Waste management, water management, reforestation, eco-building, renewable energy, health and wellness, organic farming, permaculture, pharmaceutical plants, worm and snail farming, natural fabrics and dye production, and aquaculture are all scheduled stations set for the ELC campus. 

For ROLE the ELC is an important site for eco projects to be cultivated and refined before being implemented in society. It will also create a number of eco jobs for those enrolled at this green campus. From a global standpoint the ELC is an integral building block to the ecological movement and crucial for its momentum. By starting in Bali and connecting with other like-minded foundations around the world, restoring balance of Mother Nature will be more feasible than ever before. 

To the untrained eye Bali appears postcard perfect with blemishes like pollution and poverty surfacing only intermittently. To the more informed individual in Indonesia, these topics are in dire need of being addressed now. This mission takes strong dedication in Bali, where such environmental and ecological programs have only recently started making headway. With your support we can all help play a role with ROLE in maintaining Bali's natural environment. In the bigger picture, we are really doing it for the world. For more information or to donate, please check out www.rolefoundation.org and feel free to come visit ROLE in Nusa Dua to see what we are up to. 

By Lorca for the ROLE Foundation 
 WWW.ROLEFOUNDATION.ORG MYSPACE.COM/ROLEFOUNDATION