Linda Moselle Venter: Director of Bali Children’s Project

Linda Venter was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island, but moved to Manhattan as soon as she could, loving the energy, intelligence and diversity of the big city. She earned an MA in Forensic Psychology with an abiding interest in anthropology, her undergraduate major. Linda enjoys photography, both creatively and as the unofficial chronicler of her village’s events. Since high school, she has done volunteer work with ill children including several years in a program for HIV/AIDS children. Linda became director of the Bali Children’s Project in 2007.

Why and how did you first become interested in Bali?

My husband Gary and I had each been here before but after coming to Bali together in the early ‘90s we absolutely fell in love with the culture and people. That was it. Now I’m truly happy here, especially after I found I could make a difference in the lives of the people. It’s a circle.

How did you become involved in the Bali Children’s Project?

I was volunteering in a local school and met Joyce Scott, the Founding Director. Joyce and her husband privately began sponsoring individual Balinese children in the early ‘90s and the organization grew out of those first efforts. Joyce and I found we had very similar philosophies and share a love of the Balinese, so we began working together.

What work do you do specifically for the BCP?

I work with the child sponsorships - match them up, take photos for the sponsors, help with the children’s educational and health needs, and keep relationships between sponsors and children personal and involved. I do most of the work setting up kindergartens and pre-schools and develop new programs (dance, yoga, art, dental, playground equipment) with the help of our Balinese partners. I also work a lot with our volunteers.

Where do you get the money to carry out your work?

At first we were privately funded by the founding directors and their friends, but increasingly the BCP is supported by a growing number of donors, some of whom have been remarkably generous. We have yet to seek grants from major commercial sponsors.

What do you like best about your work?

The ability to implement ideas that will help, especially in the education of young children. For example, when we wanted to start a kindergarten and pre-school in Penestanan, I was able to work with Made Darsa and Kadek Liatini, our Balinese BCP Director and Administrator, and successfully created these with the help of the local banjar.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your work?

Getting funding.

What are the most critical issues facing Bali’s children today?

Integrating the best of modern technology while preserving the core values of Balinese society. Withstanding the onslaught of distorted western values portrayed by television. Recognizing that they have a future beyond rice cultivation, marriage and child-rearing. With education, all professions are open to them.

What are the strengths of Balinese parents?

Balinese children provide the clearest evidence that they have wonderful parents. Aided by the extended family, provide a loving, supportive environment in which children enjoy great freedoms, while developing a sense of community and mutual support.

What can Balinese parents do to nurture their children more?

They could become more involved in the schools their children attend. We’ve been trying to create some equivalent of PTA meetings but it’s difficult. I think they lack the experience and self-confidence to do this now.

In trying to fulfill a child’s full potential, what are the most positive things Balinese parents can provide for a child?

Make sure they have love and support, and make sure they stay in school.

Is the island a conducive place to bring up children?

I’ve never seen a place more emotionally and spiritually healthy for a child. The Balinese incorporate their children into the family, village, and temple life from early infancy and their sense of love, acceptance, pride and confidence is undisputed.

What are children’s biggest impediments to completing a good education and why?

Money is a huge issue. Families have to pay for much that westerners take for granted such as simple supplies like pencils and notebooks and cost of snacks. Also, the child’s help in the family compound often takes precedence over education. School buildings themselves are often in disastrous condition.

What have been the BCP’s most successful programs?

I’m very proud of our sponsorships and our kindergarten and pre-school programs. One of our most dramatic success stories was the Cow Program in which an Australian family donated 10 cows and we distributed them to 10 very needy families. It was definitely one of the odder moments in my life, standing in a rice field with cows, and realizing I’d come a long way from Brooklyn.

I think we also do very good work with our volunteer program which incorporates the help of talented volunteers who assist us with ESL, Montessori and kindergarten teaching. We also set up special workshops incorporating these volunteers’ individual skills such as environment or health. We support the arts by sponsoring art classes that are offered free for children.

Does BCP have any future plans?

We plan to develop more kindergartens and pre-schools, sponsor more children through their entire education, create dental and medical care programs, and design yoga classes for women laborers. We are plan to provide sheltered accommodation close to high schools to enable students from distant villages to attend, buy more books, and also to establish lending libraries.

We only inaugurate programs when we have solid relationships with Balinese in the villages we do work in because we want to make sure that the Balinese themselves continue to implement the programs. We’re a relatively small organization, so we only wish to stay with those programs that we can follow through on.

Where can one learn more about BCP and their various programs?

Check out our website: www.Balichildrensproject.org or email me at BCP. Linda@gmail.com

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Copyright@2007 Al Hickey

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