ROLE Foundation Island Sustainability Centre, Nusa Dua, Bukit Peninsula, Bali

Project Type

Project Summary

The ROLE Foundation in a NGO working to create a more sustainable future for Bali through Environmental and Social Education. ROLE's Island Sustainability Education Centre is located in the hills overlooking Nusa Dua, in the Bukit Peninsula, Bali. The Foundation is seeking volunteers who are passionate about Permaculture to join us in sharing knowledge and skills with the local students and guests as well as helping to maintain our Permaculture demonstration gardens.

Project Description

Description

The ROLE Foundation’s mission is to revitalize coastal environments and communities through the education of women and children and the management of environmental issues.  More information about the breadth of ROLE’s activities is available at http://www.rolefoundation.org/

ROLE operates a 1.5ha Eco Park in the village of Sawangan on the Bukit Peninsula, Bali.  It features:

- Waste recycling, whereby a truck collects rubbish from local villages three times per week.  The rubbish is sorted by staff.  Over 60% is organic waste, which goes into compost bays and is re-used on the property

- Seedling nursery, extensive vegetable beds, herbs and medicinal plants – all organic

- Small reforestation area and tree sales

- Renewable energy systems

- Education for under-privaledged women

- Dyes and weaving

- Children’s play area

- Warung style outside restaurant at the top of the site, with beautiful views across forests, Nusa Dua and the coast

- Edible snail cultivation.

This campus has been operating for about four years.  Some areas are under-utilized and some of the above activities and assets could be improved or need better maintenance.  The property is on sloping limestone bedrock, with thin soil. 

 Water resources become scares in the dry season.  Farmers often find it more lucrative and easier to work in tourism related jobs. Rather than growing a full range of food crops, cattle are now the main agricultural product, reducing plant diversity. These issues are typical of the Bukit Peninsula and many surrounding Indonesian Islands. This Eco-Park demonstrates how to be productive in a more sustainable manner.  The rubbish collection and conversion to compost is especially valuable in building connections with the local community, and building healthy soil for the park.  

Project Needs

Mike O’Leary, the CEO, is keen to get help from permaculturalists who can offer practical experience  with the full list of activities above, particularly with recycling, soil building, growing food plants, veggies,  some design and planning work, and teaching permaculture to students.  Local staff and students are available to help you achieve project goals, and you may also get some management experience.

The Park has benefited from grants and donations.  Now it needs to generate more revenue from its produce.  Thus there is the opportunity to help develop markets, implement processes to distribute the parks products such as Aloe Vera and Lemon Grass and to attract more visitors.

Note however this eco-park has not been designed purely along permaculture design principles.  It may not suit volunteers wishing to concentrate on permaculture only.  It is adhering to permaculture ethics by combining care for people, with care for the environment and sharing the surplus.

What ROLE will provide volunteers

ROLE offers the chance to get real experience working in an Eco Park.  Your input will be truly valued and will make a difference.  You will not be a “fifth wheel”.  Whilst Mike will coordinate activity, he provides a wide degree of latitude to pick projects which suit your interests and skills.

You can stay at a dormitory onsite (toilets and shower available), or you can live cheaply in Kos style in nearby villages.  A healthy free lunch is provided on work days in the Warung.

ROLE staff will work with you to identify the projects you will work on, and will provide induction.

ROLE is an official Yayasan and can assist with Social Visas for longer stays.

What ROLE Expects from Volunteers

 - Fund and organise your own living and transport needs, outside providing lunch and camping as mentioned above

- Minimum duration of three weeks

- Work 6-8 hours a day, five days per week, on the tasks agreed

- Treat other volunteers and local staff with respect

- Familiarise yourself with local customs.  Whilst you don’t need to speak Indonesian, staff will appreciate any effort you make to learn a few words.

- PDC qualification or strong interest in permaculture,  and practical hands on experience.  There can be a mixture of office and outside work. You must be prepared to get your hands dirty and work up a sweat

- Common sense.

If things don’t work out for what-ever reason, you can leave, or you may be asked to leave the project.

How to Apply

If this volunteering opportunity excites you, and you think you have skills to offer, please apply by email  to Mike O'Leary (ROLE’s CEO) at mike@rolefoundation.org.  Acceptance will depend on current workload, flow of other volunteers and your skills.

If you would like to talk to a past volunteer in Melbourne, phone Keith Rhodes on 0401 991 866.  I (Keith) have prepared this profile with and on behalf of Mike.  Also see my bog for May 2012 for info on my experience in Bali and at ROLE: 

http://growingmelbournesuburbs.blogspot.com.au/

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