Bali: A Global Classroom Adventure for School Groups

Throughout your time in Bali, each new person you meet is your teacher, and each new activity you try is an opportunity to learn! Whether it’s hearing about a new philosophy like the Tri Hita Karana, trying your hand at traditional woodcarving, discovering the island’s unique plants on an herbal walk, or dyeing fabrics in the batik style, Bali has no shortage of opportunities to learn something new!

Our oceans provide so much to our global ecosystem, and careful management of this enormous precious resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. During this trip, we’ll learn about an organization with a success story to tell about how their community moved from destroying their marine life to protecting and nurturing it. We’ll also complete two service projects focused on preserving the health of our oceans.

Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. In Bali and across Indonesia there is a looming water crisis as ground water is consumed at an alarming rate in the tourism sector and other industries. On this program you will learn about the challenges with clean water access in Bali and complete a service project alongside two organizations working to address the issue.

At Global Family Travels, we believe the most powerful way to learn is through hands-on experiences. We let the destination and its people be your teachers, and supplement experiences with reading lists, informal discussions, and a pre-trip orientation to better equip families with the practical information they need to understand the culture, history, and industry of their host destination.

Serve with Balinese communities on projects that support education, village clean-up and protecting the islands' coral reefs.

Completing service projects alongside local people provides a unique opportunity to connect with the Balinese community.   During this trip, we’ll learn about an organization with a success story to tell about how their community moved from destroying their marine life to protecting and nurturing it. We’ll also complete two service projects focused on preserving the health of our oceans.

Access to quality education is still a challenge in Indonesia. This is due to a lack of adequately trained teachers, school-related fees that are prohibitive for some families, and challenges actually getting to the schools in some rural areas. On this program you’ll spend time volunteering at a local school offering an opportunity for children to practice their English-language skills with native speakers, contributing to their education and, perhaps more importantly, their interest in learning.

Immerse in cultural workshops to learn about local cuisine, dance, music, woodcarving,  puppet making and more!

By spending your days engaging in activities with Balinese people, you will get a deep sense of the culture and daily life in Bali. Learning local arts at the banjar, visiting sacred temples and palaces, seeing a traditional shadow puppet performance, and visiting local organizations addressing some of Bali’s biggest challenges will give you a truly unforgettable immersive experience.

This teacher resource packet created by the World Affairs Council is intended as a guide to help educators use online resources and documentary films to help educators create curriculum on ocean pollution. The albatross population of Midway Island was chosen as a focus point for this issue, as many documentaries have been made using Midway as a prime example of the impact of ocean pollution, especially plastic. The packet is also intended to supplement the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #14: Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

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Much more than a traditional tour operator, Global Family Travels’ mission is to “Learn, Serve and Immerse” through community-based travel programs.  In partnership with non-profit organizations and schools, we offer family-friendly and sustainable travel experiences in support of education, gender equality, access to clean water, preservation of local cultures, conservation and economic growth, all of which foster cross-cultural understanding and global citizens.  

Our trips include a unique mix of cultural and educational activities, homestays and participation in local service projects aimed at improving the lives of people in the communities we visit.    
 
Expect to expand your family circle when you embark on a Global Family Travels trip!  Visit our website for more information: Global Family Travels
 

 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a global blueprint for dignity, peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. Towards our aim of aligning our programs with these goals, our program havs been designed to explore and contribute in a small way towards the following goals:

• #4: Quality Education
• #5: Gender Equality
•  #6: Clean Water & Sanitation
•  #14: Life Below Water

On this trip, we will be referring to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, Life Below Water,  as a guideline to learning about the effects of plastics on marine lifeand  how we as global citizens can help conserve vital ocean-based resource which is also essential for humanity as a whole!

Every village in Bali has a banjar, or community center, where villagers prepare offerings and foods for ceremonies, meet and discuss village affairs, practice music and dance, and just hang out and chat with each other. We invite teachers of traditional Balinese gamelan music, Legong dance, woodcarving, and offering making to a local banjar to give participants an introduction to each of these disciplines. You’ll quickly learn that the intricate finger and eye movements of Legong dance only look easy and that keeping a steady hand while woodcarving is no easy feat! All of the activities you’ll try are central to Balinese culture, and there is no better place to experience them than right in the banjar.

This Balinese phrase roughly translates to “the three sources of good,” and  it  is  the  central  philosophy  of  Balinese  life.  The  three sources it refers to are harmony between people, harmony with nature, and harmony with a higher power. The philosophy is visible in many facets of Balinese life—for instance, Balinese pitching in at their community center or helping neighbors with a ceremony (harmony between people), the ceremonies they perform to bless their rice fields and water sources (harmony with nature), and the thousands of offerings and ceremonies performed daily in reverence of their spirits (harmony with a higher power).

This workshop provides an introduction to the traditional wax-drawing and wax-resistant color dyeing techniques that have made Bali’s batik makers famous for their lively designs and Hindu motifs. Your instructor will guide you through the process of applying hot wax to a stenciled design on a fabric canvas, then you’ll apply colors to the patterned fabric- and finish the day with your new batik creation to take home with you.

Puri Agung Peliatan is an original Balinese Royal Palace built in 1769, preceding all other palaces in the region, and was designated as a command center for the family’s battalions and other vassal palaces and lordships, during the age of warriors in Bali. Cokorda Agung Krisna Dalem is the Prince of the Peliatan Royal Family. He studied for 4 years in Switzerland and received his college degree at the School of IMI Luzern (International Hotel Management Institute). While there he worked at several hotels and restaurants. He became interested in the programs of the Bali Institute early on, and encouraged his family to support our vision. He and his family have been enormously generous with providing resources and access to his beautiful palace on behalf of Bali Institute.

Legong is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions. Legong probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell  ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to gamelan music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality.

For centuries Balinese have used a wide range of native plants and herbs for therapeutic, medicinal and health-enhancing purposes. Local herbal experts Lilir and Westi, who are grandchildren of traditional Balinese healers, lead this walk around the Campuhan River valley area and will teach you how to identify wide range of native plants and herbs, introduce you to the techniques and practices of traditional and contemporary Balinese herbal healing, and discuss plants that are used for first aid, emergencies and the treatment of chronic illnesses.

Subak is the water irrigation system for paddy fields in Bali, which was developed in the 9th century. For the Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant’s roots, but water is used to construct a complex, artificial ecosystem that distributes water democratically to all those who need it for their farms. The system covers nearly 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) of farmland, and was designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Environmental, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 2012.

Kopernik is an NGO that works to connect what they call “last mile communities,” or communities that lack the infrastructure to employ available technology that could improve quality of life, with simple, affordable technology designed to be effective in their specific circumstances. Kopernik balances philanthropic and business approaches in distributing their technology. Their donors fund the upfront costs of introducing technologies and creating micro-business opportunities in remote communities. The money raised from product sales is reinvested in more technology for the last mile. To date, Kopernik has connected technologies with last mile communities in 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean.

Nazava is a social enterprise that aims to provide safe drinking water to everybody, everywhere  by selling the best and most affordable water filters. Worldwide 1.6 billion people drink water that is contaminated with harmful bacteria. Others spend hundreds of dollars per month on boiling or buying water. Nazava filters remove 99.99% of bacteria from the water, allowing families in areas without water sanitation infrastructure to procure their own safe water from the tap. Nazava is one of the technologies used by Kopernik in last mile communities.

Learning English unlocks a world of possibilities for Balinese youth, as they can then find jobs or start businesses in the tourism sector, or work in a number of other industries where English language is a prerequisite. Practicing their language skills with native English speakers is a huge advantage as well, as the government mandated curriculum for English is often lacking in real-world applications. Providing service in this area is one small action towards the U.N.’s sustainable development goal of quality education for all.

Wayang kulit is a traditional Balinese performing art using shadow puppets. In a wayang kulit performance, the puppet figures are lit from behind, with the puppet master manipulating the puppets between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to life. The puppets are traditionally intricately carved out of leather. In 2003, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated wayang kulit as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The active volcano of Mount Batur and the beautiful surrounding Lake Batur are located in Kintamani, a district of the Bangli Regency in central Bali. The breathtaking caldera was formed when the much larger “mother” volcano erupted thousands of years ago, leaving the smaller volcano we see today and it’s surrounding lake in the crater. Mt. Batur has erupted 24 times since 1800 and has greatly impacted the local villages surrounding the mountain. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali.

Friendly, knowledgeable local guides from the central Bali region lead the ride down from the hills surrounding Mount Batur. Riding through the countryside and making stops at a local landmarks along the way, you’ll get a true feel of the daily life of the local rice farmers and craftsmen. The ride is mostly downhill and moves at a leisurely pace so you have plenty of time to soak in the surroundings.

The Women’s Center is an organization founded by a Balinese woman who, since her divorce almost 15 years ago, dreamed about creating a space where women can support each other and share skills to create job opportunities and achieve greater independence. They currently hold meetings for sharing and support, English lessons, yoga, computer classes, and also go on group outings to visit members’ homes, temples, and other areas in Bali. They also hold cooking classes and run a catering service as part of their fundraising.

Ulun Danu Temple at Lake Beratan is perhaps the most photographed temple on the island and is certainly one of the iconic images of Bali. The temple sits on the western shore of Lake Beratan and it can give the illusion of actually floating on the water. Built in 1633, the temple is devoted to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, goddess of the lake.

The Coral Restoration Project has been running since 2000 as a collaboration between the Karang Lestari Foundation and the Global Coral Reef Alliance. The project has planted around 70 “bio-rock” coral reef structures which have restored the devastated coral reefs and fisheries of Pemuteran Bay. The corals were heavily damaged by dynamite and cyanide fishing methods in the late 1990s, and with large swaths of the reefs suffering, the fish populations also dropped drastically. Two scientists and a local social entrepreneur came together and started work to install the Bio Rock structures in order to rebuild the coral and reinvigorate the surrounding villages’ economies through responsible, sustainable tourism. The  structures are made of metal rods bent into artistic sculptures, which   are then hooked up to a low electric current which encourages fast coral growth. Baby corals are planted along the rods and over time, grow into vibrant, resilient coral gardens. In 2012, this project was awarded the Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Service available with the Biorock Team will depend on the time of year and their needs at the time. Some projects may include planting mangroves in areas that help to protect the reefs from strong waves, helping with outreach about the project in local schools, or assisting with the construction or installation of new coral structures.

Melanting Temple is known throughout Bali as the temple of prosperity and Balinese try to visit and pray here at least once each year. The tale of this site is quite interesting -- believe it or not, this mystic tale is still being told even now. It is one of the temples built commemorating the visit of the Javanese Hindu Priest, Danghyang Nirartha, whose eldest daughter, Ida Swabawa, turned into a spirit. Balinese people (mostly traders and businessman) go to this temple asking for good fortune for their business. Steady streams of Balinese families and villages come at all hours of the day and night to pray here.

Menjangan Island is a small island off the Western coast of Bali. Menjangan translate to “deer,” as the island is home to a population of largely male deer that can withstand the hot, harsh climate of the island. There are also several temples around the island where Balinese Hindus go to pray. The coral reefs that surround the island are home to some of the greatest biodiversity of species in the world. Due to invasive species, destructive fishing methods, trash collecting in the waters and rising ocean temperatures, the beauty of the island is under threat.

Depending on the needs at the time, the cleanup will take place either on Menjangan Island or at one of Pemuteran’s local beaches. Participants will be provided with bags and gloves to collect rubbish, and then will categorize the rubbish found to help the local organization understand what types of rubbish are most frequently ending up on the beach and in the ocean. Once everything is sorted you’ll learn to make handicrafts from some of the items commonly found on Bali’s beaches, which can then be sold to help fund the organization.

The turtle hatchery is a small operation where they are working toward increasing the number of sea turtles in Bali’s seas. The turtles were heavily hunted for their shells, meat, and eggs by people in the surrounding villages, and their numbers were quickly declining. The turtle hatchery has educated the community about the importance of keeping sea turtles abundant and offers to pay a higher- than-market price for live sea turtle eggs found by the villagers so that they can raise them safely in the hatchery.

After starting East Bali Cashews (read more below), the founder wanted to share with others the beauty of East Bali and the success of the enterprise in improving the livelihoods of many local people. From this stemmed the idea to create another alternative source of livelihood and revenue for the community: an eco-camp where guests can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, take part in cultural adventures, engage with the work of East Bali Cashews, and immerse in the Balinese way of life. The eco-camp offers beautiful panoramic views and a wide range of activities for everyone- cooking, badminton, volleyball, gardening, hiking-- the list goes on!

Bali Mandara School is designed to provide access to international standard education for students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership potential, but with limited access to quality education due to their family’s financial circumstances. Students from around the island go through a rigorous interview process to be admitted to the school, and once accepted spend most of their high school career away from home at the boarding site in North Bali. Bali Mandara is designed to develop critical thinking of the students, while at the same time shaping their social awareness. Beyond its rigorous curriculum, the program also focuses on leadership, environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship and community service.

Meals are very important in Bali and there is a never ending variety of recipes from all around    the island to try! In this cooking class you’ll start by going on a foraging trip around the East Bali Immersion camp to gather some of the ingredients you’ll be using. Then you’ll be guided in a cooking lesson in the camp kitchen to prepare some Balinese favorites for your group’s evening meal.

When the founder of East Bali Cashews first came to the area in 2012, he discovered that farmers sold raw cashews to traders who shipped them overseas for processing. As an entrepreneur, he saw an opportunity for a powerful social venture that would bring livelihood & educational opportunities to the community. Over the years this cashew factory, known as East Bali Cashews, has grown to become an award-winning social enterprise, employing & empowering over 350 people from our village Desa Ban, the majority of which are women.

Opened in 2014, East Bali Cashews founded the on-site Anakardia Kids Preschool which caters     to the physical, emotional and educational needs of community children ages 2 to 6. With seven full-time teachers, regular pediatrician visits and quality nurturing, they go a long way to provide early childhood care which is so needed in the community. Over 60 children from the community currently benefit from this education, setting them up to achieve better and brighter futures. You’ll spend the afternoon running simple games to help introduce the children to English, which they will begin learning once they enter primary school.

The Coral Triangle is a marine area including the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands. Named for its staggering number of corals (nearly 600 different species of reef-building corals alone), the region nurtures six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2000 species of reef fish, as well as large populations of commercially important tuna. Over 120 million people live in the Coral Triangle and rely on its coral reefs for food, income and protection from storms. Since it was founded in 2011, the Coral Triangle Center has supplied crucial knowledge and skills to thousands of people striving to maintain the health of the Coral Triangle: people working on the ground in fisheries and in protected areas, scientists, NGO workers, government officials and volunteers.

The Rivers, Oceans, Land, and Ecology (R.O.L.E.) Foundation is a nonprofit based in Nusa Dua. The organization was created to stop land-based waste from getting into the oceans, and to help create sustainable jobs to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities. R.O.L.E. provides education and skills training programs as well as grassroots community assistance to alleviate poverty and ensure environmental sustainability. The foundation’s headquarters is home the branch of the foundation called Bali W.I.S.E. (Women in Indonesia Skills Education), which provides housing, meals, and skills training for marginalized women from Bali.