About the Bali Children's Project

I first heard about the Bali Children’s Project (BCP) when I was planning a Go Eat Give cultural tour to Bali a few years ago. I was looking for a local organization where our group can volunteer and give back to the community. Through the internet, I connected with BCP Executive Director Linda Venter and we spoke on the phone about how to help the organization.

BCP is a small nonprofit organization on the paradise island of Bali, Indonesia that was started by an American couple. Their mission is to help the kids in the villages receive education, but they do much more than that. I have seen BCP provide furnishings, clothing, food, school and hygiene supplies, nannies, uniforms and books.

During my last visit, my taxi driver told me about two kids in his village who were living alone in a shed. Their father had committed suicide as he could not provide for his family (poverty is rampant in Indonesia), and the mother lost her mental balance. These two kids under 10 years of age were living in a hut, unsupervised, with no blankets or food. BCP tracked these kids down and immediately got them help. Now, Deppa and Beki are healthy and going to school. I decided to sponsor their education till the age of 18. BCP has enrolled 300 kids to attend school through a sponsorship program, but that is only a fraction of the kids in Bali who need help.

Since 2013, Go Eat Give has done a few fundraisers to purchase bedding, sponsorships and miscellaneous items. We also organize workshops on nutrition, sanitation, arts and crafts, yoga, etc. when we go to Indonesia. However, there is more that can be done. Many of the schools don’t have any running water so the kids end up getting sick.

One thing I did understand from my visits is that kids are the same everywhere. They want to laugh, learn and have fun. That’s why I wrote book “Beato Goes To Indonesia” with the main character Putu (a common name in Bali meaning first born child) that every kid can identify with. I want the Indonesian kids to feel they are a Hero, showing around Beato (the famous cat) around their beautiful country, and encourage them to learn more about Indonesia as well.

Portion of sales from each book will also be donated to BCP. Think about it – you purchase a book to educate your child about Indonesia and a child in that country receives educations thanks to your purchase. It’s a full circle!

You can also make a direct donation to BCP or sponsor a child for only $40/ month. By receiving an education, these kids have some chance to break out of the cycle of poverty.