New Home in the ‘Gu Means More Scope to Develop, Connect & Succeed
A recent move to Canggu for island based NGO, Stella’s Child has resulted in an unexpected outpouring of community support. In an effort to facilitate the opening of this enterprising charity’s new youth centre, an incredible band of volunteers offering skills ranging from design and decorating to construction and cleaning joined forces to transform their vibrant new centre for its opening on Sunday February 18th.
The move to the ‘Gu signals continued growth and success for this not-for-profit youth based initiative and founder, Tim Cameron is not looking back. A veteran of 25 years in finance and education in the US, Cameron created Stella’s Child after a 2013 trip around South East Asia opened his eyes wide to the disparities apparent in education across these developing countries. The yayasan’s name is a loving nod to his late mother and her humanitarian efforts in education and with disabled youth. After selling up in the States and leaving his corporate world far behind, Tim moved to Bali to set up Stella’s Child – his desire to create a program whereby youth from disadvantaged backgrounds might have access to educational and training opportunities, enabling them to find promising and gainful employment and career paths. Originally in conjunction with Bali’s Widhya Asih Foundation and through training and mentoring via their Life Skills, Entrepreneurship and First Employ programs, Stella’s Child helps to motivate these young people to break the perpetuating cycle of poverty that may have prevailed through earlier generations, helping youth to fulfil their ambitions and realise their dreams to become a success. The idea is not about giving them a job, but enabling and furnishing them with the skills to find their own!
With a business minded approach to positive youth development, Stella’s Child works closely with local companies, getting a feel for the human resources they require, then filling these needs by matching them with talented youth who possess the skills and enthusiasm to fit the bill! As well as receiving invaluable on the job training, work and life skills, these up and coming youngsters are further enriched and equipped with supplementary skills the likes of administration, budgeting, management, marketing and communication via support from their knowledgeable mentors in the Stella’s Child’s Entrepreneur Program. Since the program’s first foray into the local business community in 2015, the number of students and sponsors has increased exponentially with more local businesses coming on board to work with Stella’s Child every year. However, the continued success of this kind of innovative program still relies heavily on community support and donations. Imagine, the price of your lunch for two at a local Canggu cafe might be enough to supply an aspiring child with crucial learning materials for an entire year, or the freight you fork out for a night on the town may be sufficient to secure a teen with the long-term career planning and communication skills they need to break the cycle of poverty….. Food for thought indeed!
Fundraising is such a crucial factor in Stella’s Child’s success and as a part of their training, education and development, students in the program are heavily involved in the creation, planning and organising of fundraisers such as their Love Our Earth stall at the Stones Hotel on March 4th. The market day extends the opportunity for Stella’s children to exercise their business acumen as well as the chance to showcase their own environmentally aware clothing brand they have created from the ground up! Following on from this, March 5th presents a star studded fundraising opportunity in conjunction with Petitenget club Sea Vu Play, as Stella’s Child hosts their Academy Awards gala.
An event with an edge, this FUNdraiser invites guests to celebrate the glitz and glam of the movies as the morning awards telecast streams live from the States. A day to dress up, dine out and support a great cause with Stella’s children the stars of the show! Support for forward thinking youth initiatives the likes of Stella’s Child, not only assists these young minds in achieving their goals today, but affords them opportunity and ensures they are properly equipped to thrive in the future. The key to making the most of this opportunity – education! If you’d like more details regarding sponsorship, becoming involved with the foundation as a volunteer or business or information regarding future Stella’s Child events, email them at:
info@stellaschild.org or telephone: +62 8786 2468 665
Finns Fresh Sushi – Sake It To Me!
So you fancy a bit of sushi eh? Well splash out the sake because Finns Beach Club has just opened their new Sushi Bar and the food is fab! Now you might wonder why a popular Bali beach club would incorporate a sushi bar into their already successful mix? Well, what could be better than to tuck into a dish of the freshest fish while having the benefit of a beachfront view and a sake or two!
Maybe the idea of eating raw fish did not appeal to as many several years ago, but with the raw food movement in full swing and the masses making a change toward clean and healthy eating, sushi is indeed in vogue and Finns Beach Club have just the crew to make the most of the island’s freshest seafood and transform it into a mix of amazing flavours.
With experience in Japanese cuisine for over 15 years, the team of chefs come well versed in the delicate art of sushi. Training under the expert guide of a Japanese chef for a number of years then spending considerable time honing their culinary skills in 5 star hotels in the Cayman Islands and Ritz Carlton, Nusa Dua, these guys are no strangers to sashimi, sushi or tempura and it shows!
Finns Sushi Bar’s dedicated menu is comprehensive without being overwhelming. Unlike many sushi restaurants, it does not offer pages and pages of options to pour over, but a succinct selection of flavoursome and fresh food done well.
Starters include light and fresh favourites for sharing such as edamame, gyoza and yakitori, as well as the must try menu item for fresh fish lovers – the Uzusukuri. Carpaccio style white fish is sliced impossibly thin, with flavours of the star ingredient accentuated by a delicately infused, truffle ponzu sauce. Ask the waitstaff about the possibility of adding some fresh wasabi (the real stuff mind you, not the grass green, horseradish paste we are all familiar with) and you are in for a visual feast as well as a chance to treat your tastebuds and spare the sinuses! The wasabi (a root imported from Japan) is actually grated at your table using a traditional shark skin board. A bamboo brush carefully collects the residue of fresh paste and, after waiting five minutes for the complete kick of the wasabi to develop, just add it to your fish and experience the flavour sensation. Fresh wasabi still packs a punch. It’s strong and hot but without the lasting burn of horseradish and thankfully, minus an assault on your sinuses! But you need to indulge quickly, as the full, somewhat herbaceous flavours of this fresh condiment disappear after twenty minutes!
The Signature Rolls at Finns Sushi Bar are almost too pretty to eat. Whether you’re a slave to social media or not, you’ll want to snap a pic of this before you sample it, however, one taste of their Dragon Roll and you’ll soon forgo any artistic appreciation for the sake of a screaming tummy! Portions are generous and prices reasonable but freshness and flavour are the real winners of each dish.
It gets even better! The food menu is complemented by a beverage list that includes a Sake selection comprehensive enough to make any serious souse stand up and say “Kanpai!” Having a distinctive style, sake may not be to everyone’s taste but I’ll bet my bento box you’ll really love Finns sake inspired cocktails! If you like your martinis, why not try their Saketini – a mix of chilled vodka, sake and cucumber. Cool as! All sakes are available by the bottle, with a decent selection also available by the glass.
Open for lunch and dinner, drop in and get your Finns sushi fix day or night. If you’d prefer to soak up some sun at the same time, simply grab a day bed and kick back with one of their Bento Boxes. Filled with a variety of tasters, these are a great way to sample some of the Sushi Bar menu from your beach towel. Take away options are also available. Even if your skills with a set of chopsticks is a little suspect, be sure to stop by soon and try Finns sushi, where fresh seafood is certainly the order of the day!
Body Temple Embraces The Beauty Of Bali In March
March is an important month on the Balinese calendar. Of course there’s the annual celebration of Nyepi and now we can add even more to the occasion with the news that mighty Mount Agung seems to have calmed a little, more residents can return to their homes and the tourism industry that is integral to this island’s survival is alive again and on the rise. In an effort to embrace the magic of Bali in March, Body Temple is also celebrating with some awesome spa specials!
Now it wouldn’t be an island holiday without the indulgence and enjoyment of a traditional Balinese massage and we all know it’s impossible to simply stop at just one!! This month at Body Temple Spa, you can buy one Balinese massage and get another for free! Bring a friend and they’ll receive 50% off!
Body Temple have also been creating a line of divine signature spa products for their clientele and this month they are giving away a free sample with every booking of their signature spa treatments. Select from body washes, massage oils, body lotions and massage candles made from all natural beeswax and olive oil. These signature products embody the essence of the island. Looking for a new lease of life? Choose the Energiser Boost – clean, clear and invigorating with its blend of peppermint, fennel and eucalyptus, or the Refreshing Reviver’s delicate combo of citrus, sweet florals and a splash of vanilla. Few would wish to pass up the chance to bring home some Bali Bliss in a bottle with Body Temple’s relaxing mix of coconuts and frangipani! Soooo good it’s almost edible!
The summit and slopes of Mount Agung might still be out of bounds for now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of what the mountain has to offer! Why not try some of Body Temple Spa’s new and all natural Balinese products to cleanse, resurface and bring freshness to dull and tired skin? Take one hundred minutes or so out of your busy day to get back to nature and nurture your body with Body Temple’s Mt Agung Volcanic Mud Body Treatment Package. Start with a thirty minute seaweed scrub followed by a half hour volcanic mud body mask and scalp massage. Ease away any lingering tension with a thirty minute back massage and warm shower then seal in all of that nourishing moisture with one of Body Temple’s signature body lotions. All this and it won’t break the piggy bank either at just RP600K net for the whole package!
Body Temple Spa is located on the quiet and private lower level of Finns Recreation Club. It is open seven days a week from 10am until 8pm and Finns members are entitled to up to thirty percent discount off advertised prices. Bookings are advised as popular appointment times fill quickly. Check out their complete spa menu on the website: www.bodytemplebali.com and for reservations and appointments contact them via phone: +62 361 474 1019 / +62 361 848 3939
email: reservations.frc@bodytemplebali.com
or whatsapp: +62 815 4762 6946