WORKING TOGETHER TO
Create Change
Learn more about our organization here…
Education
With low education rates for adults, providing effective support for their children’s learning becomes a significant challenge. Based on a 2024 Suwandi Foundation community survey taken by Yayasan LMU families, the highest level of education for over 50% of parents is at or below primary school level.
The combination of a lack of transportation, the remote locations of villages, and the hidden school costs of up to $40 USD per month, makes it challenging for students to attend classes regularly and pushes many students to choose work over school. These factors lead to low literacy rates and high dropout rates particularly pronounced in the Karangasem Regency (home of Yayasan LMU), where over 50% of the region’s students perform far below the country’s proficiency standards.
Economy
We collaborate with communities in Karangasem, Bali’s most impoverished region, where over 43% of children are directly impacted by poverty living off of less than $0.73 per day.
Bali’s minimum wage is $180 USD per month, yet according to our 2024 survey, 75% of the families we work with make less than this due to working informal jobs like farming, fishing, and sales, leading to inconsistent, unpredictable incomes.
Based on community conversations, most families in the Karangasem Region find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt. Parents prioritize their children’s health, often spending more than their entire monthly income on basic living expenses and resorting to debt to cover additional costs, including education. As a result, students as young as 12 years old are frequently faced with a tough decision: continue their education or take a job to help alleviate their family’s financial burden and avoid further debt.
Opportunity
With over 70% of Bali’s economy dependent on tourism, students are directed toward tourism careers from a young age. By middle school, they are encouraged to pursue tourism-related roles, often opting for vocational high schools that focus on jobs like housekeeping and waitressing. This narrow focus limits their exposure to diverse fields and career options, restricting their opportunities to explore broader interests and aspirations.
A survey of high school teachers in Bali found unanimous agreement on the critical importance of English for job market success, stating that alumni with stronger English skills achieve better employment outcomes. However, the same study found that only 5% of teachers rated the current English curriculum as “very effective” in preparing students for future careers.
SEE THE IMPACT
Our programs have taken concrete steps in collaboration with our global community to address these issues and create positive impact in Bali.
These numbers are just the beginning for us! Help us grow our impact by donating today.
65+
More than 55 local Balinese students have been sponsored through The Suwandi Foundation, removing the high cost of public school education for families and teaching children valuable financial management, technology, and global communication skills.
$250K+
Thanks to our incredible donors, since 2022 we have directly invested over $250,000 USD into locally operated programs in Bali. This includes our support for Yayasan Loka Mawa Upadhi and the development of sustainable programs for the community.
90+
More than 90 international students have found life-changing experiences, partaking in our international teaching programs and global internships, giving back to the local community in sustainable ways.