OHA Community Grants program in action

Rowley is doing some amazing work in the village that he has retired to in Bali, Tengkulunk.

The OHA recently provided funding assistance for a children’s play fort in the middle of the village. This project is a continuation of a larger project that has resulted in a park and sports ground being built in village. The basic play fort is be the nucleus of a playground. The project has provided recreation facilities for an impoverished Balinese community with a particular emphasis on children.

Generally there is nowhere in the village for kids to play other than the park and sports ground. Playground equipment is very limited to a swing that and a small slide on loan. There isn’t a school in the village that might have this equipment.

The village is a community of about 1,000. It is a dormitory village, housing people from all over Indonesia … Bali, Java, Lombok, Sulewesi, Sumba, Flores and Sumatra. All these islands have there own culture and language. Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions are followed. Making a cohesive community out this mix is challenging. Encouraging play, sport, and recreation is important.

Rowley is the principal person behind the whole project and raises or donates the funds necessary for the development and maintenance of the entire project and organises staffingand acquisitions.

The OHA has been delighted to play a part in this project and many other projects throughout the four years that the Community Grants program has been running.