Komang Sarira spoke to the Rotary Club of Bali Lovina about the “Yayasan Bali Sejahtera”, a foundation set up to help disabled people to learn life skills.

Rotary Club of Bali Lovina supported Yayasan Bali Sejahtera with a donation to start up a libraray.

This report is based on an interview by Secretary Kadek Arsana, and covers the same material as was in the talk. Komang Sarira, who among his friends is called Ari, is the founder of Yayasan Bali Sejahtera which is based in Sumberkima village, Gerokgak District – West Bali.

Kadek Arasana: What is the background of this foundation?

Ari: This foundation was set up on the 1st of June 2008; it comes with a vision that educating the community through training for simple skills. Those are the spearhead of an independent life, to face the accelerated economic situation in globalization for the achievement of independency. For the last few years, disabled people were considered as useless and weak; we want to change this image, and show to all that we are not disabled but dif-able (people with different abilities).

Kadek Arasana: what are your missions?

Ari: They area:

• Stabilizing the understanding that the skills (in any form) that are very positive and are needed for all people;
• As early as possible should develop optimal ability and interests of the community in various skills so that the creation is useful and to avoid activities that are negative;
• Should develop confidence, a positive mentality through ability / skills, so that there is a growing sense of confidence in a steady life;
• Fully preparing the workforce with professional expertise in various skills, especially for disabled people;
• Developing partnerships with all businesses in the utilization of human resources and the work that has been produced

Kadek Arsana: What are your programs?

Ari: To realize the vision and mission, Bali Sejahtera Foundation has established several programs which are divided into two categories those are:

• Social Program (Special involve people with disabilities) and
• Arts and Culture Program (Involving disabled and normal children).

Social Program includes computer lessons, sewing lessons, massage courses, handicraft skills, and education / training to improve professionalism (Capacity Building)

While Social programs including dancing lessons, training to create handicrafts (make plaited leaf), cooking courses, and using waste products to create useful items.

Kadek Arsana: What are your constraints?

Ari: The success of a plan or program is not as easy as we think. This is caused by several factors, both of human resource (HR) factors and economic factors. Thus we realize that we will face a lot of challenges, but we are sure that whatever we do for as long as we can, positive changes will always get positive feedback and will be helped by many parties, especially those who have Vision and Mission the same as us.

If you are willing to make a visit to the foundation or for further information, please contact

Yayasan Bali Sejahtera

Jl. Bangsal, Dusun Mandarsari- Sumberkima

Gerokgak 81155,

Singaraja -Bali

Ph. (+62) 81338718380