Since 2004, The Annika Linden Foundation has been funding a number of the EBPP’s programs with YKIP as the administrator.

The East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 by a British resident of Bali after an appeal for help by an isolated mountain community, forgotten by time and progress.Participatory community surveys in mid-1998 showed that thousands of people lived in abject poverty without water, sanitation, roads, schools, health facilities and electricity. Illiteracy was up to 100%. Malnutrition and iodine deficiency disorders were endemic, iodine being the essential nutrient for healthy child births, brain and body development. When interviewed in November 1998 to determine their priorities if EBPP could help, over 1,000 families requested childrens education as a foundation for a better future. An inspiring and productive collaboration then began with the most disadvantaged communities.

ALF-YKIP has sponsored a number of programs since 2004. Please go to www.eastbalipovertyproject.org for full details.

Please find details on the ALF-YKIP funded projects from 2004-2008 below.

For 2004, EBPP ran five projects sponsored by ALF-YKIP:

1. Development of library resources in Ban, Karangasem

The main library centre incorporates research, development, resource and training facilities. Basic libraries were built in all EBPP schools in Dusuns Bunga, Cegi, Pengalusan and Manikaji that have been equipped with books, bookshelves and reading tables. Bookshelves and library tables have been produced made by a local carpenter to ensure quality and sustainability; all books have been sealed with plastic and have a donated by ALF sticker in the front. With the assistance of the IALF librarian, Titin Safitri who has volunteered since June 2004, 153 titles have been selected, 126 of which are for supporting school curriculum materials. The other titles are on hygiene, medical and veterinary issues.

2. School uniforms for 51 children in Jatituh

All uniforms for children, tutors and cooks have been distributed. The materials for the Jatituhu (initially planned for Darmaji, but relocated to Jatituhu due to the total lack of motivation and participation of Darmaji community) integrated education programme, was launched in early January 2005 for 51 children.

3. Development of existing Peranakan Ettawa goats for nutrition (milk), education & sustainable economic development as model project to benefit the schoolchildren and community of Cegi hamlet:

All of the Cegi children have been given specific responsibilities with individual goats which they report daily on specifically designed report forms, primarily reporting on the food they give, the frequency and quantity of water, bathing of the goats with NEEM shampoo and the health conditions of mothers and kids.

4. Appropriate technology bamboo-cement covers, filters and hand-pumps for cubang (rainwater collection reservoirs), to provide a clean and safe household water supply for the most isolated families in Daya hamlet:

The cubang cover project started in August 2004 and the 28 cubang covers were completed in November 2004. Surveys were conducted to (a) select, with community agreement, the beneficiaries of the cubang covers and (b) to evaluate materials requirements and any remedial and/or repair works to be done inside the cubangs prior to constructing the covers and to coordinate a construction schedule with the respective families to ensure that their cubangs are emptied and cleaned prior to commencing their gotong royong (working together).

5. Upgrading of dirt road to facilitate continuation of Sustainable Development Projects to Empower impoverished mountain communities, prioritising children:

Manikaji sub-village is a very scattered community of three traditional hamlets (Desa Adat), with each of the 280 or so families living alone on their own land, far away from their nearest neighbour. The central meeting point for these isolated families is accessed by a 6km dirt road climbing up the northern slopes of Mount Abang to elevations of up to 1,000 metres above sea level.

This project is to stabilize a steep dirt road to Manikaji by providing two parallel concrete tracks, using proven appropriate technology methods along the most eroded unstable 2 (two) kilometres of the total six kilometre track (rising from 300 - 900 metres altitude) to provide safer access, especially for the Manikaji children, and enable use by pickups, local transport and hand-carts, thus giving a new "life-line" to almost 300 families to get water, access hospitals, markets and other essential facilities that previously were difficult - even on foot. The 2km rehabilitation funded by ALF grant was commenced in August 2004 but has not yet been completed as the most southern 900 metres falls inside Panek hamlet – and Panek community have only in May 2006 got together to agree for every family to work on this road stabilization. East Bali Poverty Project has a letter from the Perbekel (previously called Kepala Desa) Ban confirming this situation. Work is planned to commence in the 4th week of May 2006. A key problem now is that cement costs have risen from Rp25,000/50kg in 2004 to Rp40,000/kg in May 2006. Hence EBPP will seek approval from ALF via YKIP to approve the transfer of funds remaining from the Goat Project to this road project. The shortage of funds will be requested from the Bupati Karangasem.

In 2005, there were three major projects, namely:

1. Educational Art Story Book:

THE ART OF LEARNING BY DOING

The goals of this project are to: Provide a resource book for children, teachers and parents internationally that gives many essential lessons on hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, sustainable organic vegetable farming, infrastructure and, most important for children – what can be achieved not only in life’s basics but also in the creative arts, if they put their heart and soul into it Illustrate to the children and community of Desa Ban that effort and creativity can produce results to benefit them and many other people Generate funding to continuously support the ongoing development of this community and serve as an model for other similarly impoverished communities

The project has now materialized. An educational resources book, illustrated on every page by art from the children of Desa Ban; the lives and the success story of the children of this village has been published by Saritaksu and can be found in all major bookshops on Bali and is now being promoted by friends of EBPP in UK, Australia, USA and Holland.

Footnote: The small profits from the 2000+ books sold from the first printing, plus sales of postcards and prints from the book’s best artworks, have enabled EBPP to print another 2,000 copies, supported by Saritaksu.

2. Purchase of Daihatsu vehicle.

A long wheel-base sturdy 4WD diesel vehicle, using the engine and chassis of the successful Daihatsu Taft pickup, this large vehicle has seating capacity for 9 people and the flexibility to remove the back seats and provide almost 3 cubic metres for carrying goods. It was delivered to site on 3rd January 2005 and has been used to work in the field to facilitate sustainable development projects to empower children and communities through better access to education, health, water, nutrition and sustainable development.

This vehicle was co-donated by Daithatsu Indonesia and the ALF.

3. Manikaji Integrated Education Program

The purpose of this program is to fund the integrated and relevant education/learning programmes for children at EBPP’s Manikaji School from the 4 hamlets on the north face of Mount Abang that have no accessible Government school.

When EBPP first submitted their proposal for 2006 in August 2005,, there were 70 children in the programme. In December 2005, when submitting their final proposal, this number had reduced to 65 (November figures) as some children had been coerced by parents to find work

For 2006, the four projects funded are:

1. Manikaji education program (continuation of 2004 project)

Manikaji integrated education programme started in January 2001. We presently have 70 children, reduced from the 79 in January 2005 due to various children dropping out for reasons beyond our control, mainly forced by their parents to find work because they are now literate.

2. Developing Mount Abang Spring in Pancoran to supply safe water to EBPP’s 70 schoolchildren and their communities

The key to EBPP success is the relevant, clear and comprehensive water awareness and education programmes which have been in use for over 2 years AND the Delagua kit water tests showing presence of E-coli bacteria done at schools and community health posts. Buitan, the first spring to be evaluated, at the request of Manikaji Puncak community (the hamlet where EBPP Manikaji school is located), is a deep rock void, filled by a trickle from the rock face at the rear, which was hoped, if the flow was adequate, to pipe down the 1000+ metres length and about 100m drop to the reservoir we built adjacent EBPP Manikaji School in 2004. However, days of tests showed that the recovery was less than 1 litre/minute, hence inadequate for a constant supply. Also, January was the height of the rainy season so in the dry season – the most important time for more water, the flow would be significantly less.

EBPP team then focused on the Pancoran spring in Manikaji Asti, being about 2km from Manikaji School crossing the Mount Abang slopes and then descending to a deep, dry riverbed. Initial flow surveys showed 2-3 litres/minute, with the water coming out of the steep rock face. Extensive cleaning by EBPP team and the local communities revealed a spring with many eyes and great potential – provided it was carefully developed and protected on the upper slopes. By early May 2006, this spring development had been fully designed, the upper slopes have been cleared and planted with Vetiver grass and GUADUA Bamboo (provided as part of a major watershed rehabilitation concept by Linda Garland’s Environmental Bamboo Foundation) in such a way as to ensure optimum conservation of rainwater and to direct the groundwater towards the Pancoran spring. A Balinese Hindu ceremony was held to bless the spring, launching the 100% community participation. To ensure that the community perceived full ownership, EBPP only paid 50% of the small ceremony cost and have a commitment to develop the spring for community benefit signed by all key adat and community members.

3. School Building for 52 Children, 4 local tutors and one local cook in EBPP Integrated Education Programme in Jatituhu Hamlet, Doubling as “Community Learning & Development Centre”, Including Library (books supplied by ALF) and Kitchen. The school building design is based on land provided by and discussions with Jatituhu community and will be nearby the present “school” which is based in the Bale banjar. Every one of the 91 families in Jatituhu is fully participating in the construction with great pride, energy and excitement.

4. Jatituhu Hamlet Organic Vegetable Farming for Sustainable Nutrition, Food Security and Eventual Economic Development for Impoverished Families in Jatituhu Hamlet, Starting with 52 EBPP School Children as part of their Integrated Education Programme, Who will Then Train Their Parents

This project is another win-win situation. Community enthusiasm is without bounds. The land used for the school garden, including worm farm and extensive vetiver nursery, is provided by the klian adat Jatituhu who has children in EBPP’s Jatituhu School. The worm farm is flourishing, the cubang gets the rainwater from the worm farm and all of the school garden plots are bordered by vetiver – since January 2006, prior to receiving ALF funding. The parents are key players in working with the children to learn the very first steps, with expert training from EBPP team.

The projects funded in 2007 are:

1. Educational books for all EBPP primary and secondary school classes The new schoolbooks provided by the ALF have thrilled all the Manikaji children. Books were provided for the eight major subjects for primary and Junior High school. The children are particularly fascinated with the books on science and solar systems. 576 books were purchased for elementary and 420 for secondary school. Also purchased were 300 Indonesian dictionaries (Kamus Praktis Bahasa Indonesia, written by Drs. Dwi Adi K.)

2. Manikaji Children’s Organic Vegetable & Herb School Garden for Sustainable Nutrition, Food Security and Eventual Economic Development for Impoverished Children and their Families In April 2007, school children from primary through Junior High School have planted a variety of vegetables from seed saved, including long bean, amaranth, Chinese cabbage, chaisim, beans, and dill. Eggplant, celery, fennel and tomato were planted in February and continue to produce. Children keep maintaining the gardens by adding mulch to keep the soil moist, so that the surviving plants can continue producing seed that will be saved for future plantings. This ensures sustainability.

3. Manikaji Community Organic Vegetable & Herb Community Learning Gardens and Family Kitchen Gardens for Sustainable Nutrition, Food Security and Eventual Sustainable Social & Economic Development Community farmers are continuing to plant various vegetables such as celery, chaisim, packchoy, amaranth, eggplant, cucumber, bush beans, long beans and green beans and planting 100 potatoes from previous true potato seed saving. Some vegetables are still growing from previous plantings from January 2007.. Herbs that are still growing are dill and sweet fennel. As of September 2007, only eggplant and sweet fennel types still survive from previous plantings. Sweet fennel is the only one of herb that really grows survive in long dry season in Manikaji Unfortunately, all of the seed collected for seed saving were destroyed as the house where they stored (one of EBPP’s organic farming field staff), burned down in June 2007. In order to catch more rain water during the rainy season, the community farmers made new rainwater storage tanks in September 2007. After successes with their own small kitchen garden, the next step for the community is economic development by selling their remaining vegetable harvest through special organic markets.

4. School uniforms, shoes and socks for 294 children

For 2008, the projects are:

1. Continuation of the Manikaji education program (73 students plus for Senior High School students)

2. Continuation The Manikaji children’s organic Vegetable & Herb School Garden.

3. Continuation of the Manikaji Community organic Vegetable & Herb community learning garden and Family Kitchen Gardens

4. The children’s organic vegetables garden in Darmaji hamlet

5. School uniforms fee for 334 children

6. Purchasing educational teaching visual aids to provide more comprehensive learning tools.