At first glance, Hotel Sentai in Sanur looks like most other hotels on the Strip. But tourists in search of a cheap room quickly discover that they've also wandered into the lively office of a very cool little environmental organization. PPHL Bali operates a community environmental education centre from the hotel. The lobby is the environment library and resource centre, where Balinese students and tourists rub shoulders over the books and magazines.
Four years ago, Java-based Yaysan PPLH decided to expand to Bali. Unable to afford a demonstration farm, the non-profit, non-governmental organization rented a modest hotel in Sanur as its headquarters. Profits from the hotel and its attached restaurant and email café help support a wide variety of unique environmental programs for the Balinese.
PPLH Bali's seven divisions include school networks, agriculture, wildlife, solid waste management and media, each managed by a dedicated Indonesian who designs, locates funding and delivers programs. These outstanding young people are chipping away determinedly at some of the island's growing environmental issues. Targeting Balinese of all ages, PPHL Bali works at the grassroots to provide information and facilitate discussion without imposing solutions.
" PPLH Bali's environmental education programs are aimed at a wide spectrum of the Indonesian community," explains Paul Albanese, a Canadian environmental planner who has been volunteering at the centre for the past two years. "They reach children from kindergarten through high school, farmers, governmental and non-governmental institutions and individuals with an interest in environmental issues. Programs cover a wide range of activities."
In order to help make children aware of their marine environment, the PPHL Bali staff gave a workshop on coral reefs and marine life, then took the class of local students to the beach. Using games and activities to make the point, the staff encouraged the kids to search for sea creatures on the beach, then took them out to snorkel on the reef. Most of the children had never snorkelled before and were enchanted by this new world. Seeing the damage to reef and discussing related issues afterward increased the impact of the field trip.
" We try facilitate, not preach," explains Ibu Wita, a veterinarian from Java who directs the Wildlife Division. 'For example, turtle meat plays an important role in the Hindu religion, but the turtles are now endangered. We brought together Hindu priests, fishermen and workers from the tourism industry to begin a dialogue on finding a sustainable solution for this problem. The first step is awareness and discussion."
Ibu Wita's focus is to increase awareness of biodiversity and teach wildlife conservation to all age groups. She has taken kindergarten children into the forests, and university students work with her on monitoring wildlife and illegal trading of animals.
With assistance from Bapedal II and AusAid, PPHL Bali established a River Monitoring Network program in February. Students from 17 high schools in Denpasar and Badung conducted biomonitoring of their local rivers. Water quality can be assessed by counting the types of creatures that live in it; some species thrive in clean water, while worms and snails prefer water highly polluted with organics. The students were able to classify the water quality in their rivers, and then presented the results to the community in an exhibition.
Although the staff are stretched to their limits designing programs for Bali, last year they stretched right across the archipelago and brought 35 farmers from West Timor to Bali for an intensive workshop on optimizing their farmland. Sharing of information between farmers is one of the most effective methods of increasing local knowledge. The Balinese and Timorese shared information on organic farming, water and soil management planting patterns, organic pesticides and composting.
" Balinese farmers are interested in organic alternatives," says Wita. "We are working with the Sanur Subak now. The farmers find chemical fertlizers and pesticides very expensive and are also becoming aware of the health issues. Our Agricultural Division will help them share information and provide training in organic agriculture. Hopefully this subak will become a model for Bali."
Pak Ida Bagus Oka Sayasa has been head of the Schools Division for 3 years. "Environmental degradation is everyone's responsibility," he points out. "Schools are the best target for changing attitudes. We are establishing a program to network schools for more effective education. We've started a workshop for teachers in Denpasar and a methodology for students to observe animals. After the workshops, we do a direct activity to reinforce the message, such as organic gardens and waste management in the school yards."
The Bali Education Department runs a competition each year for clean, environmentally sustainable school yards. Pak Ida Bagus Oka has been asked to sit on the jury. Now he's working on a program with the City of Denpasar and Parks and Gardens Department to raise the bar for the schools that perform poorly, and ensure that the winner are working for the long term, not just to win the competition.
Students are not the only ones to benefit from PPLH Bali's activities. In May, the Amandari Hotel invited the Yayasan to hold a 3-day workshop in Environmental Appreciation Training for 92 staff.
Field trips have been sponsored by Rotary Club, BIWA, PADI Foundation, AusAid and generous individuals. Bali Hyatt Hotel allowed their beach, garden and mini-forest to be used for a school field trip. The more the community supports educational initiatives, the more the community ultimately benefits.
" I've seen kids come to the centre for a workshop or activity with their class, then return later on their own to browse in the library," observes Paul. "Education is a long process; it's hard to measure change. By capturing the imaginations of young Balinese now, we are influencing the policy-makers of tomorrow."
Every guest that stays at Hotel Sentai on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, eats at Café Tali Jiwa or uses the internet facilities contributes to the environmental programs of PPHL Bali. The hotel's 16 rooms have air conditioning, hot water and access to the swimming pool. $20 buys you a double room, breakfast, and the knowledge that you are leaving something of value behind when you leave Bali. As an added bonus, the food at Café Tali Jiwa is really excellent. Hotel Sentai tel: 0361 287314
For more details on PPLH's activities, visit its website at www.pplkbali.or.id
