Dreaming of visiting the tropical island of Bali again when restrictions ease? While we dream, Bali needs our help in this time of crisis.
With over one million Australian visitors to the holiday island every year, Bali enjoys a thriving tourism-based economy. Although, this has not been without setbacks, from the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005, to the multiple eruptions of Mount Agung in 2017, and the devastating Lombok earthquake that took place in 2018. The island has seen tourism numbers drop severely before and has always bounced back. COVID-19 is different though, people cannot travel even if they want to. Eight long months have passed without international tourists and there is currently no end in sight.
“Yet again, Bali finds itself in a crisis situation,” said Dean Keddell, restaurateur, owner and Executive Chef of two of Bali’s most-beloved restaurants, Ginger Moon Canteen and Jacksons Lily’s. “This pandemic has reaped havoc amongst families and communities, as well as costing the economy billions of dollars,” he said.
No tourists means few businesses are open and there is no local work for the majority of the population. That means huge financial stress for most families. While Dean normally employs 130 staff over his two venues, he says he has now had to cut back to a core of 50. Without clientele for his restaurants, they remain closed and Dean has found it difficult to keep up the well-being and morale of his staff and their families.
“I found myself sitting amongst the chaos wondering what I could do,” he said. “So I thought I would make my staff active by providing a project that we could all get involved in. We began collecting favourite family recipes that have been handed down through the generations of their families and then we expanded to ask local Warung cooks for theirs.”
“We are now producing a beautiful, large hardcover cookbook, Our Bali Your Bali (Bali Kita Bali Kamu), which will incorporate lots of colourful imagery, family and community stories, as well as local recipes and a collection from both my restaurant kitchens,” he said.
The cookbook is currently seeking funding by asking people to pre-order books from the crowd funder. The campaign is called Bali Needs Our Help and Dean is keen to ask everybody in Australia who has ever visited the island to support the cause by purchasing one of his books. The project aims to raise over $100,000 with proceeds going to five local charities which have been badly hit.
“The charities we have chosen are the backbone of Balinese society – they support the poor and vulnerable at the best of times. Now with this pandemic, many more families have joined the ranks of the needy, while the charities have found themselves unable to raise their normal funds.”
“I know for sure that cashflows are at critical levels and these charities need financial aid to continue their wonderful support of local families with food, clothing, education and environmental needs.
The five charities that will receive funding from the project are:
- Bali Children’s Foundation – helping thousands of local children to complete school and to find employment.
- Scholars of Sustenance – combatting the effects of COVID-19 by providing nutrition to those in need.
- Friends of the National Parks Foundation – working to protect wildlife and their habitats, at the same time supporting local communities.
- East Bali Poverty Project – helping people to help themselves
- Bali Wise by R.O.L.E Foundation – empowering marginalized women through skills education, as a means to develop sustainable communities.
If you have ever visited Bali or plan to enjoy some time on our tropical island,” continued Dean, “please support us and buy a book. I promise you’ll love all the stories, photos and local recipes.
Bali’s warm and sincere hospitality has been captured between the covers in order for us to bring our precious Bali to you”.
For further information, please contact:
Dean Keddell on WhatsApp: +62 813 3724 0760 em: dean@gingermoonbali.com
Jonette Wilton (Publisher, Sunday Press): m: +61 403 680571 em: jonette@sundaypress.com.au
Rachel Kucera (BossHospo): +61 468 317039 – hello@bosshospo.com
