David Booth graduated as a civil engineer at Salford University
in 1969. From age 23, he worked mainly overseas on major construction
projects in UAE, Nigeria, Kuwait and Trinidad before returning
to UK in 1983 to do an MSc in Construction Project Management.
After lecturing in construction management in Papua New Guinea,
David earned a marketing diploma and started a small consultancy
business in London until the English weather got just too
cold for his liking. After qualifying as an English teacher,
he decided to move to Indonesia in 1989.
Where did you grow up?
The seaside town of Morecambe in Northwest England. Those
born and raised in Morecambe are called “sand grown
‘uns” – I suppose because recreation was
limited to either playing in the street or playing on the
beach, even in freezing winter!
When did you first come to Bali?
I first came in 1988 for the purpose of evaluating Indonesia
as a place to spend the rest of my life. Why Indonesia? My
main marketing client in London was the Indonesian Embassy.
I was completely taken with all the Indonesians I met - their
warmth, honesty and hospitality. My trip started in Jakarta
and in Bali I made my decision to move to Indonesia.
What inspired you to ever start the East Bali Poverty Project?
When I moved from Jakarta to Bali in 1993, I realised that
the villages furthest from the island’s tourism centres
were left out of the development loop. I wanted to help. Finally,
in 1998, I identified a forgotten East Bali village which
fit my criteria - three hours drive from Bali’s main
tourism enclaves, halfway up Bali’s highest mountains,
nearly overlooked by the government, and virtually unknown
to the villagers a few kilometers away - a village lost in
time. Lack of access to the outside world meant that 20th
century advances had passed them by. Mental development problems
linked to endemic iodine deficiencies were exacerbated by
lack of education, clean water, balanced diet and hygiene.
The village asked me to help in April 1998. In July 1998,
the East Bali Poverty Project was born.
What was your first success?
Developing a mutual trust between all of the 19 communities
that made up the village and our team in 1998, with my promises
of “no money or rice – just your 100% commitment
and participation in programmes that you choose that will
lead your communities towards food security and sustainable
social and economic development”.
Which of your programs make the most difference in the lives
of the most people?
All of our programmes have had dynamic and reverberating effects,
but perhaps the most spectacular is our posyandu programme,
enabling over 3,000 mothers and infants to get essential medical
checks, vaccinations, etc. that were not available before.
We are effectively saving lives and providing essential primary
health education and awareness. It’s a very good feeling.
What have been the most persistent problems you’ve faced
in carrying out your work?
Torrential rains and often impassable dirt roads as the whole
village of 19 scattered hamlets is only accessible by motorcycles
and sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles. Our site team often
do 2-3 mountain trips per day, clocking up some 2-3,000 kilometres/month!
From where do you recruit your staff?
Although we have some very caring and skilled foreign volunteers
in health, agriculture, etc., our principle for sustainability
is that our programmes be executed “for the people by
the people”. Therefore all of our programmes are completely
run by our Balinese team. Potential new members are known
to our established team who put their names forward when we
need additional people. Key staff requirements are: a deep
and sincere commitment to help, a desire to learn in order
to better their futures AND the eagerness to transfer what
they learn to others. All are judged initially by how they
apply themselves to their chosen field, fit in as a team player
(a good sense of humour and caring personality score a lot
of points!) and by how they use their initiative in their
work.
Are children a part of the team?
A big yes! We turn traditional systems on their head, meaning
that children teach parents! All children in our integrated
education programmes must teach their predominantly illiterate
parents what they learn at school, especially about health,
hygiene, sanitation and nutrition. We have found that they
make a direct impact, especially when it comes to our organic
farming programmes as they teach their parents how to grow
organic vegetables using Vetiver grass for erosion control,
improve soil with cow manure and organic worm castings fertiliser
(which they all now produce!), as well as initiating kitchen
gardens to assure enough nutrition for the family. In a word,
the children are the most important players of the East Bali
Poverty Project team!
Do you get much help from businesses and corporations from
abroad or in Indonesia?
Most funding comes from abroad except for the Bali Dynasty
Resort. They are one of our largest donors, supporting children’s
integrated education since April 2000. Their GM, Robert Kelsall,
has raised the funds needed through many creative techniques.
Hundreds of children and adults have healthier and happier
lives now thanks to Robert!
How can people help?
We are always looking for new donors and experienced volunteers
to support existing and newly inaugurated programmes. That’s
how we’ve enjoyed all the successes we’ve had.
For more information on EBPP activities, the Indonesian Vetiver
Network (IDVN) or if people want to help, please call me on
(0361) 410071 or
email: info@eastbalipovertyproject.org
Our homepage: www.eastbalipovertyproject.org
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : <pakbill2003@yahoo.com>
Copyright@2006 Al Hickey
You can read all past articles of Siapa
at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
