OUR VALUES
EDUCATE
We firmly believe in the transformative power of education. Our mission is to empower underprivileged students in Bali, Indonesia, by providing them with the educational resources through funding learning centers, assisting in curriculum development, and collaborating on program development.
EMPOWER
We act when asked. We work alongside local leaders who want to create educational opportunities in their villages. Our goal is to support local innovations to assist in creating lasting solutions that evolve to ensure no group of individuals becomes dependent on temporary fixes for permanent problems.
CONNECT
We are not hero’s. We work for and with communities to produce symbiotic relationships between our volunteers and the people that we support. By creating a space for safe and valuable interactions, the connections made allow both volunteers and students to explore alternative perspectives and develop global citizenship.
Who is Suwandi?
I Gede Suwandi Saputra
Dec 6, 1996-August 28, 2019
I Gede Suwandi Saputra was one of the first to welcome us to Bali. With a big smile and open arms, he made us feel at home in a place far from everything familiar.
Suwandi dedicated his life to education. By day, he taught at Yayasan Widya Sari; by night, kids from his neighborhood gathered on his cement floor for homework help, laughter, and learning. His love for teaching went beyond the classroom—it was at the heart of who he was.
Suwandi brought joy, peace, and kindness wherever he went. He often reminded us to follow our hearts, living by Leonardo Da Vinci’s words: “A life without love is no life at all,” and adding with a grin, “and food without spice is meaningless.”
In August 2019, Suwandi passed away, leaving behind countless people who smile at the thought of him. We named this organization in his honor to carry forward his dream of empowering others through education.
We are forever grateful to Suwandi’s family—his mother, Ibu Nengah, and his siblings, Ayu and Suadi—who continue his mission and give us a place to call home.
Terima kasih keluarga kita.
THE BEGINNING OF THE SUWANDI FOUNDATION...
A letter from one of our founders:
Suwandi didn’t just welcome me to Bali—he welcomed me into his home, his family, and his heart. That’s who he was, and his dream of creating opportunities for young people in his community inspired everything we do today.
When I arrived in Bali, fresh off my 18th birthday, my plan was simple: teach English to kids. But as I connected with the students and the community, I saw the impact we could have together. By the end of my two-month stay, I felt I had only just begun. Going back to a life of comfort felt wrong when I could help create real change.
I canceled my return flight and stayed for a year, working alongside incredible leaders like Suwandi, Putu, and Agus to turn dreams into reality. Students like Puspa and Rai taught me the importance of kindness, laughter, and purpose. These moments became the roots of our foundation: working with, not just for, the community.
During that year, I discovered The WINS Foundation, an NGO supporting education in Indonesia. Later, I returned to Bali with Kaitlynn, now our co-founder, to expand the organization and honor Suwandi’s legacy. Together, we created The Suwandi Foundation, dedicated to empowering children like Puspa and Rai with the resources and freedom to dream big and achieve their goals.
– Lily Slaughter, CEO of The Suwandi Foundation
