The Covid pandemic has hit people hard everywhere, but perhaps nowhere as much as in developing countries that rely heavily on tourism. Many of you know, or are aware of, our friends and family in Bali. Many have spent time with them when you visited the island. Since the pandemic shut things down 16 months ago they have had no tourism, which is the primary source of revenue for most Balinese. And as of July 5th, the island went into a new state of complete lockdown.

Please join us in raising desperately needed money to help some of our Balinese friends and family through these really difficult times until travel to Indonesia opens up and they can once again earn a living. While everyone in Bali is hurting, we have three specific friends and family groups we are focusing on. We can only do as much as we are able and every bit helps.
 
Made Darmayasa is well known to many of you as a favorite island tour guide. To me he is more of a Balinese brother. For many years his business as guide and driver has helped give many of you a unique and very personal experience during your stay in Bali. Always friendly and often taking people home for meals with his family, he has opened his arms and home to make people feel welcome to his island. The pandemic travel lockdown has completely cut off all of his usual means of support. He has taken to growing his own food and selling what he can of any excess. He recently wrote me:

"I never go out from my home, I just work at the black smith and also in the rice field. I sell tapiioca, lemengrass, banana leafe. Iluh [his wife] and Kadek [his daughter] picking the clove and make 1000rp/kg. [NOTE: That’s 7-cents per kilo!] Life is getting hard. I just try anything to make money."

After reading this I felt so sad at their current state of life. In trying to think of a way to help them I came up with the idea for this GoFundMe.

YoYo is another good friend in Bali who, interestingly, both Kadek and I met separately during different times in our lives. We have all remained friends over the years. He’s also a driver and guide and has not had work for over 16 months. I have not heard from Yoyo recently and I believe it’s because he doesn’t have the money for internet or food. The last thing I heard from him was, "Very hard time. one year not having job". Yoyo was the friend who always had a joke handy and made us all laugh. I’m sure he’s having a hard time finding humor in life right now.

Kadek's family has been very quiet and closed-mouth about their situation. Aside from pride, phones and internet access cost money which is in short supply when trying to keep everyone fed is a priority. While they haven’t told us how hard things are, everyone in his family works at something related to tourism, whether it be in a hotel, a restaurant, or creating art and crafts which are sold to tourists. My gut tells me they too are having a very difficult time during this pandemic. They have always been so generous and open whenever we brought friends, visitors, and guests to their compound to show them how Balinese live, offering up tea, coffee, food, and friendship, even if they were in the middle of their workday. Hopefully we can reciprocate in these very hard times.

I know these are difficult days for many of us, but if you can help, please donate. Any amount will help, whether it be $5 or $500. Anything you are comfortable and able to contribute will be GREATLY appreciated. I will take care of evenly dividing whatever we raise and sending it safely to them.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mindy