GENOA - Community Development in Bali

by Morag Gamble

Permaculture, Education and Micro-enterprise

During November and December 1999, I travelled to Bali to teach a Permaculture design course to women from around Indonesia. After the course, I was invited to stay with a couple involved in the course in the small village of Batungsel which is engaged in a small but significant transformation.

Batungsel is located in the Pupuan region in the mountains on the North West Side of Bali, about 3 hours drive from Denpasar, the island's capital. The total population of Batungsel is 5,148. The area is very poor, with high rates of unemployment, there are no local medical services, shops or professionals and high levels of alcoholism. The majority of employed locals are self-employed as coffee farmers (1,200 people), and even though the land in the area is fertile there is a high level of chemical pesticide use.

When political demonstrations hit Bali in October 1999, the only large-scale industrial factory (a chicken battery) in the area was destroyed. It had employed 100 locals and 100 non locals. It had been built against the wishes of the locals above the village and was polluting its water. During the riots anger about being controlled by outside forces boiled over and this factory become the obvious target.

Local Enterprise

Batungsel, although economically depressed and remote from Bali’s tourism industry, is attempting to take control of its economic development and social well-being. Maya and Richard, whom I stayed with, are the driving force behind this process.

Maya Pagandiri, leader of the local community-based organisation, lives and works in Batungsel, Pupuan, Bali although she is originally from Malang, Java. In 1990 she transmigrated to Batungsel with her husband Richard Wendt. During the past 10 years, they have gained the confidence and respect of the community by establishing several successful small enterprises in the area including: a natural jam factory, beeswax & essential oil soap factory, a bakery, and a local distribution and marketing system for these. Through this they have already provided secure employment for over 26 people, mostly women, from the local community.

mar00bali.jpg (18755 bytes) These small enterprises, now the only currently active industries in the area, are run as worker co-operatives. The workers are also the decision-makers. They determine their conditions and hours, and engage in profit sharing. The atmosphere in each of these workplaces is very positive. People are smiling and talking as they work. Also the grounds around their workplaces are being tended - they grow organic food for their meals, ingredients for their products, and flowers for their religious offerings. These gardens are also used as demonstrations so other villagers may see the benefits of extending their cultivation activities beyond cash-crops of rice and coffee.

These co-operatives have also begun their own savings and loans fund which they manage themselves. They have managed to save almost $1000 (a lot of money when you consider that the average monthly wage is 150,000 rupiah - approx. $34) which has provided a greater level of security, self-confidence and ability to be self-determining.

Maya and Richard also have an exemplary Permaculture kitchen garden in their home which supplies them with most of the fresh vegetables and herbs they need, plus a surplus. They also have a nursery for plant propagation and share their seeds. They assist others in establishing similar gardens.

These enterprises and gardens have inspired many people from around Indonesia who have visited them.

Women take action

Maya, mother of two young boys who attend the local school, has decided to work with the local women to help rebuild their community because it is they who have expressed a deep concern about the futures of their children - the current lack of viable opportunities and inappropriate role models represented by the frustrated unemployed in the area.

Eco-school

One of their aims is to create an eco-school - a place which is at the heart of this community. Here they are planning to develop their school buildings and grounds (which are currently in disrepair) into an exemplary model for the local community and broader region. The locals support this project and have offered their time to help rebuild the structures using local materials, environmental principles and appropriate technology. With the children, they will also develop kitchen gardens, compost and worm systems, local enterprises (such as making recycled paper).

Seed Exchange

A bartering system for seed exchange will be established in partnership with the school project. At the outset of establishment of the co-operative seed bank a basic stock will be supplied from the schools gardens, also members of the local community will be encouraged to bring seed stock in for exchange. The cooperative will be responsible for storage and care of the seed stocks. Free fact sheets about seed care, management and saving will be distributed to the local community through the cooperative.

During the evening, when the school rooms are free, a number of training programs will be offered including business and marketing skills.

Volunteers wanted

Batungsel and other villages working to improve their situations are looking for experienced and culturally sensitive Permaculturalists who would be willing to work with them. They are poor and cannot pay people but are willing to feed and house those who could come and help – preferably for a minimum of a month. They are also currently seeking seed funding for the development of more micro-enterprises and for the school project. If you can help in any way please contact Maya or Petra.