Two local teachers are about to set off on a humanitarian mission to help Australia’s disadvantaged neighbours to the north – but for their school the trip the first step in an ongoing connection to the region.
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Suze Touzell and Jess Stevens wanted to add a humanitarian spin on their upcoming trip to Bali that encouraged their students to think big in the way they could positively affect the world.
“We were looking at how to get the kids to think local but act globally, Ms Touzell said.
Initially the plan was to collect donations from the school community and give to orphanages in the urban centres.
But after extensive research revealed the potentially exploitative behaviour of the orphanages, the pair decided to ensure the communities would benefit.
They stumbled across the Bali Children’s Project, which helps to fund schools in the regional Ubud area.
“There’s this situation where families can keep their children but can’t afford to educate them,” Ms Touzell said.
“These kids have nothing – they play with empty plastic bottles for toys. There are holes in the thatched roofs of the school.”
On March 21, Harmony Day, the teachers unveiled the project to their students.
And what began as gold coin donations became a flood of old footy boots, books and even favourite toys.
“It’s been quite overwhelming,” Ms Touzell said.
“We’ve had school shoes, boots, toiletries, dancing shoes, parents donating books and backpacks.”
It wasn’t long before the two teachers realised they were collecting more than they could take.
“We’ve got 40 kilograms of luggage each,” Ms Touzell said.
“I’ve contacted Air Asia about getting the rest over.”
The teachers will begin their trip on July 1 when they tour the Balinese schools and video-call their class from Ubud.
But they hope this trip will only be the first step for their students.
“When we get back we want to get a school to sponsor,” Ms Touzell said.
“A small amount goes a long way.
“It’s only about $40 a month to sponsor a kid to go to school.
“Even if it’s not monetary… even if it’s old school pen pal stuff with gifts and letters.
“It will give our kids an ongoing connection to the project.
“These people are our neighbours.”
The teachers are still trying to secure shipping for the piles of donations made by their students but encourage the community to support the Bali Children’s Project with monetary donations.
