East Bali Poverty Project Bali advertiser features interview with EBPP founder and chairman, David Booth MBE.
Bali Advertiser features Interview with David Booth MBE
04 August 2006
The 02-16 August 2006 edition of the Bali Advertiser, a free newspaper for the expatriate
community, featured an interview with EBPP founder David Booth MBE as part of its
“Siapa…?” series of interviews with the interesting people of Bali by Al Hickey
From the Bali Advertiser, 02-16 August 2006 Edition, p.66
“Siapa” by Al Hickey
David Booth: Sustainable Development Leader
David Booth graduated as a civil engineer at Salford University in 1969.
From age 23, he worked mainly overseas on major construction projects in
UAE, Nigeria, Kuwait and Trinidad before returning to UK in 1983 to do an
MSc in Construction Project Management. After lecturing in construction
management in Papua New Guinea, David earned a marketing diploma and
started a small consultancy business in London until the English weather got
just too cold for his liking. After qualifying as an English teacher, he decided
to move to Indonesia in 1989.
Where did you grow up?
The seaside town of Morecambe in Northwest England. Those born and raised in Morecambe are
called “sand grown ‘uns” – I suppose because recreation was limited to either playing in the street
or playing on the beach, even in freezing winter!
When did you first come to Bali?
I first came in 1988 when evaluating Indonesia as a place to spend the rest of my life. Why
Indonesia? My main marketing client in London was the Indonesian Embassy. I was completely
taken by all the Indonesians I met - their warmth, honesty and hospitality. My trip started in Jakarta
and in Bali I made my decision to move to Indonesia.
What inspired you to ever start the East Bali Poverty Project?
When I moved from Jakarta to Bali in 1993, I realised that the villages furthest from the island’s
tourism centres were left out of the development loop. I wanted to help. Finally, in 1998, I identified
the forgotten East Bali village which fit my criteria - three hours drive from Bali’s main tourism
centres, halfway up Bali’s highest mountains, nearly overlooked by government, and, virtually
unknown to the villagers a few kilometers away - a village lost in time. Lack of access to the
outside world meant that 20th century advances had passed them by. Mental development
problems linked to endemic iodine deficiencies were exacerbated by lack of education, clean
water, balanced diet and hygiene. The village asked me to help in April 1998. In July 1998, the
East Bali Poverty Project was born.
What was your first success?
Developing a mutual trust between all of the 19 communities that made up the village and our
team in 1998, with my promises of “no money or rice – just your 100% commitment of motivation
and participation in programmes that you choose that will lead your communities towards food
security and sustainable social and economic development”.
Which of your programs make the most difference in the lives of the most people?
All of our programmes have had dynamic and reverberating effects, but perhaps the most
spectacular is our posyandu programme, enabling over 3,000 mothers and infants to get essential
medical checks, vaccinations, etc. that were not available before. We are effectively saving lives
and providing essential primary health education and awareness. It’s a very good feeling.
What have been the most persistent problems you’ve faced in carrying out your work?
Torrential rains and often impassable dirt roads as the whole village of 19 scattered hamlets is only
accessible by motorcycles and sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles. Our site team often do 2-3
mountain trips per day, clocking up some 2-3,000 kilometres/month!
From where do you recruit your staff?
Although we have some very caring and skilled foreign volunteers in health, agriculture, etc., our
principle for sustainability is that our programmes be executed “for the people by the people”.
Therefore all of our programmes are completely run by our Balinese team. Potential new members
are known to our established team who put their names forward when we need additional people.
Key staff requirements are: a deep and sincere commitment to help, a desire to learn in order to
better their futures AND the eagerness to transfer what they learn to others. All are judged initially
by how they apply themselves to their chosen field, fit in as a team player (a good sense of humour
and caring personality score a lot of points!) and use their initiative in their work.
Are children a part of the team?
A big yes! We turn traditional systems on their head, meaning that children teach parents! All
children in our integrated education programmes must teach their predominantly illiterate parents
what they learn at school, especially about health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition. We have found
that they make a direct impact, especially when it comes to our organic farming programmes as
they teach their parents how to grow organic vegetables using Vetiver grass for erosion control,
improve soil with cow manure and organic worm castings fertiliser (which they all now produce!),
as well as initiating kitchen gardens for family nutrition. In conclusion, the children are the most
important players of the East Bali Poverty Project team!
Do you get much help from businesses and corporations from abroad or in Indonesia?
Most funding comes from abroad except for the Bali Dynasty Resort. They are one of our largest
donors, supporting children’s integrated education since April 2000. Their GM, Robert Kelsall, has
raised the funds needed through many creative techniques. Hundreds of children and adults have
healthier and happier lives now thanks to Robert!
How can people help?
We are always looking for new donors and experienced volunteers to support existing and newly
inaugurated programmes. That’s how we’ve enjoyed all the successes we’ve had. For more
information on EBPP activities, The Indonesian Vetiver Network (IDVN) or if people want to help,
please call me on (0361) 410071 or email: [email protected]. Our homepage is:
www.eastbalipovertyproject.org.
04 August 2006
The 02-16 August 2006 edition of the Bali Advertiser, a free newspaper for the expatriate
community, featured an interview with EBPP founder David Booth MBE as part of its
“Siapa…?” series of interviews with the interesting people of Bali by Al Hickey
From the Bali Advertiser, 02-16 August 2006 Edition, p.66
“Siapa” by Al Hickey
David Booth: Sustainable Development Leader
David Booth graduated as a civil engineer at Salford University in 1969.
From age 23, he worked mainly overseas on major construction projects in
UAE, Nigeria, Kuwait and Trinidad before returning to UK in 1983 to do an
MSc in Construction Project Management. After lecturing in construction
management in Papua New Guinea, David earned a marketing diploma and
started a small consultancy business in London until the English weather got
just too cold for his liking. After qualifying as an English teacher, he decided
to move to Indonesia in 1989.
Where did you grow up?
The seaside town of Morecambe in Northwest England. Those born and raised in Morecambe are
called “sand grown ‘uns” – I suppose because recreation was limited to either playing in the street
or playing on the beach, even in freezing winter!
When did you first come to Bali?
I first came in 1988 when evaluating Indonesia as a place to spend the rest of my life. Why
Indonesia? My main marketing client in London was the Indonesian Embassy. I was completely
taken by all the Indonesians I met - their warmth, honesty and hospitality. My trip started in Jakarta
and in Bali I made my decision to move to Indonesia.
What inspired you to ever start the East Bali Poverty Project?
When I moved from Jakarta to Bali in 1993, I realised that the villages furthest from the island’s
tourism centres were left out of the development loop. I wanted to help. Finally, in 1998, I identified
the forgotten East Bali village which fit my criteria - three hours drive from Bali’s main tourism
centres, halfway up Bali’s highest mountains, nearly overlooked by government, and, virtually
unknown to the villagers a few kilometers away - a village lost in time. Lack of access to the
outside world meant that 20th century advances had passed them by. Mental development
problems linked to endemic iodine deficiencies were exacerbated by lack of education, clean
water, balanced diet and hygiene. The village asked me to help in April 1998. In July 1998, the
East Bali Poverty Project was born.
What was your first success?
Developing a mutual trust between all of the 19 communities that made up the village and our
team in 1998, with my promises of “no money or rice – just your 100% commitment of motivation
and participation in programmes that you choose that will lead your communities towards food
security and sustainable social and economic development”.
Which of your programs make the most difference in the lives of the most people?
All of our programmes have had dynamic and reverberating effects, but perhaps the most
spectacular is our posyandu programme, enabling over 3,000 mothers and infants to get essential
medical checks, vaccinations, etc. that were not available before. We are effectively saving lives
and providing essential primary health education and awareness. It’s a very good feeling.
What have been the most persistent problems you’ve faced in carrying out your work?
Torrential rains and often impassable dirt roads as the whole village of 19 scattered hamlets is only
accessible by motorcycles and sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles. Our site team often do 2-3
mountain trips per day, clocking up some 2-3,000 kilometres/month!
From where do you recruit your staff?
Although we have some very caring and skilled foreign volunteers in health, agriculture, etc., our
principle for sustainability is that our programmes be executed “for the people by the people”.
Therefore all of our programmes are completely run by our Balinese team. Potential new members
are known to our established team who put their names forward when we need additional people.
Key staff requirements are: a deep and sincere commitment to help, a desire to learn in order to
better their futures AND the eagerness to transfer what they learn to others. All are judged initially
by how they apply themselves to their chosen field, fit in as a team player (a good sense of humour
and caring personality score a lot of points!) and use their initiative in their work.
Are children a part of the team?
A big yes! We turn traditional systems on their head, meaning that children teach parents! All
children in our integrated education programmes must teach their predominantly illiterate parents
what they learn at school, especially about health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition. We have found
that they make a direct impact, especially when it comes to our organic farming programmes as
they teach their parents how to grow organic vegetables using Vetiver grass for erosion control,
improve soil with cow manure and organic worm castings fertiliser (which they all now produce!),
as well as initiating kitchen gardens for family nutrition. In conclusion, the children are the most
important players of the East Bali Poverty Project team!
Do you get much help from businesses and corporations from abroad or in Indonesia?
Most funding comes from abroad except for the Bali Dynasty Resort. They are one of our largest
donors, supporting children’s integrated education since April 2000. Their GM, Robert Kelsall, has
raised the funds needed through many creative techniques. Hundreds of children and adults have
healthier and happier lives now thanks to Robert!
How can people help?
We are always looking for new donors and experienced volunteers to support existing and newly
inaugurated programmes. That’s how we’ve enjoyed all the successes we’ve had. For more
information on EBPP activities, The Indonesian Vetiver Network (IDVN) or if people want to help,
please call me on (0361) 410071 or email: [email protected]. Our homepage is:
www.eastbalipovertyproject.org.