Welcome to our January - March Newsletter, and see where girls equal boys in sports, infant malnutrition is on the decline, students transform previously infertile mountain farmland and; don't miss Putu's story.
1. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
a. Gender Equality – Sports Competitions
A total of 60 boys and 56 girls from the EBPP Junior and Senior High Schools participated in mixed-gender sports competitions, featuring volleyball and futsal, to promote gender equality and the inclusion of girls in sports. As a result, the boys acknowledged the skills and presence of the girls in sports, leading to an increase in the girls’ skills and confidence. These competitions have proven to be a successful platform for fostering gender equality and inclusivity in sports.
b. Parent Engagement and Creative Projects Presentation
As the culmination of the EMpower Creative Projects, 75 EBPP students from grades 9-12 did presentations to address village issues such as dirt roads, school dropouts, child marriage, plastic waste, sexual harassment, gender equality, and tree planting through various creative works of documentary journalism, short films, posters, short videos, storybooks, and music videos to their parents and community leaders. Furthermore, all their creative works will be posted on social media to reach a broader audience and support.
c. OSIS Team Building
22 members of the EBPP OSIS participated in an interactive and enjoyable skill-building camp at Bali Woso, Bangli. They also had the opportunity to join a community learning trip, where they learned directly about bamboo forests, organic fertilizer processing, waste management, post-harvest processing gardens, traditional herbal medicine, and bamboo basket weaving.
d. Tree Planting
As part of the EBPP EMpower Creative Program, approximately 45 junior and senior high students, led by students from Manikaji, planted about 250 tree seedlings included bamboo, gamal, banyan, loa, jackfruit, and mango trees, covering about 2 hectares of the Saab Hill landscape on Mount Abang, at an elevation of 1469 ASL. This initiative represented their commitment to rebuilding the forest in order to combat forest fires and water scarcity in the village.
2. ERADICATING INFANT MALNUTRITION
We're excited by the progress of our 5-year malnutrition study with Udayana University Faculty of Medicine. Recent data collection efforts among 302 families show that our family nutrition education program is making a real difference. Families are embracing key balanced nutrition principles, including consuming varied foods, utilizing local sources, and increasing animal protein intake. One touching story involves a pregnant mother who, by following our guidelines for ensuring maternal health, avoided losing her baby due to undetected amniotic fluid issues.
In addition, we initiated an anaemia prevention program by distributing iron supplements to 56 young girls at the EBPP school, accompanied by educational awareness and counselling sessions. This program aims to prevent malnutrition in infants by addressing anaemia in young women early on. Furthermore, we provided ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) examination and treatment to 185 children from 2 schools in Ban village.
Our efforts to eradicate infant malnutrition continue with a new program for malnourished children. This includes family assistance, monthly home visits, nutritional monitoring, comprehensive education, and nutritious food packages.
3. DRY-LAND REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE-AGROFORESTRY PILOT PROJECT
After one year’s expert hands-on dryland agriculture training at their school organic demonstration garden, Manikaji's students are now putting their knowledge into action on their own land. After determining the contours of their steep and undulating land with bamboo A-frames, they've skilfully terraced the terrain, creating plots with proper drainage. They're also producing liquid and solid organic compost to nourish the soil. With guidance from EBPP’s Agriculture teacher, they've planted a variety of vegetable seeds including carrots, pakcoy, green vegetables, eggplant, and tomatoes, which are thriving and providing plentiful harvests to meet their families' nutritional needs. This initiative, spearheaded by the 31 students at EBPP Manikaji school, marks the beginning of a new era in dry land farming, rapidly gaining momentum. The goal is to see this sustainable farming approach embraced by the entire community, ensuring everyone's dietary requirements are fulfilled with the surplus to sell at local and regional markets. This transformation isn't just about enriching the land; it's about elevating the quality of life for all.
4. INTEGRATED CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
"Entering the second semester, students' learning spirit remains vibrant in both academic and non-academic pursuits. Computer learning takes center stage, with fifth-grade elementary students mastering MS-Word within months—a feat uncommon at their level, setting our school apart from others that typically delay computer education until high school. Middle and high schoolers engage in diverse computer activities, from gaming to utilizing MS-Office applications, enhancing learning with interactive experiences tailored to their interests.
Adding to the excitement, students immerse themselves in painting sessions, crafting imaginative tales tied to monthly themes. Their vibrant creations are eagerly showcased before peers, igniting classroom inspiration.
Midterm assessments, conducted in early March, mark a pivotal moment. Teachers meticulously evaluate three months of progress, mapping individual abilities and tracking learning trajectories, ensuring every student reaches their full potential.
TRANSFORM LIVES: GIVE HOPE, CHANGE FUTURES
Picture this: a remote village high in the mountains, where children like Putu traverse rugged terrain just to attend school. Their determination is palpable, their thirst for knowledge insatiable.
Join us from April 8-12 for the Global Giving Little by Little campaign! Small donations of up to $50 will be matched at 50%, doubling the impact of your support for Putu and children like her.
Thank you once again for your support and I hope you can continue supporting us during the period to get matching funds.
Thank you once again for your support and I hope you can continue supporting us during the period to get matching funds.
With gratitude
David
David Booth MBE
Founder & CEO
East Bali Poverty Project
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