Australian Tourists Make a Positive Difference in the Lives of Bali Locals
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Two adventurous Aussies, Phillip McGree and his girlfriend Deb, took their Bali holiday trip to new heights!
Instead of lounging on the picturesque beaches and partying at the vibrant night markets like most tourists, they decided to embark on an off-the-beaten-path journey to explore the island's hidden gems.
Their travels led them to encounter the struggles of the locals, and their hearts were touched by their stories.
Fueled by their desire to make a difference, these two travel enthusiasts transformed their holiday into a mission to help those in need. And, as a result, they captured the hearts of not just the locals, but also of their fellow Aussies!
So how did it all start? Well, Phillip and Deb were on a tropical holiday in Bali, eager to escape the beaten path and immerse themselves in the local culture. That's when they met the charming and warm-hearted Ning, who would soon become an important part of their lives.
Fast forward a few years, Phillip and Deb had grown to cherish their bond with Ning and her family. And when Phillip heard about the financial struggles Ning's son was facing to continue his education, he felt compelled to take action.
Inspired by his act of kindness, Phillip shared their story on the Facebook group 'Bali Bogan,' thrilling his fellow Aussie travellers with his tale of generosity.
So what exactly did the couple do?
He and Deb made the selfless decision to pay for the remaining two years of the young man's degree, which came at a cost of 3,650,000 Rp per semester (roughly $365 AUD). That's a yearly investment of $730 AUD, totalling $1460 for the remaining two years of college - all for the sake of giving this young man a brighter future.
'What we spend on a week in Bali will get someone a university degree in economics and management,' Phillip went on to say. 'It's quite a feeling making the decision to ensure someone gets an education in this country. We're ecstatic.'
He went on to express his excitement about the impact they were making with their generous donation.
But wait, there's more! In a follow-up post, Phillip shared the thrilling update that their generosity was even more impactful than they initially thought.
It turns out, the semester fees at Mataram University, where the young boy was studying, were 'means-tested.' This meant that the university assessed the family's financial situation and set the fees accordingly.
To Phillip's delight, he learned that the semester fees for Ning's son were only 1,650,000 Rp, a mere fraction of the $365 AUD he had initially prepared for (per year). That's less than half of what he expected!
Phillip was overjoyed to know that their donation was making an even bigger difference than they had imagined. But the good deeds didn't stop there - Phillip and Deb also decided to buy a desktop computer for the student, an expense of $500.
Phillip and Deb's story of kindness sparked a chain reaction of inspiration among the members of the Bali Bogan Facebook group. Other travellers shared their own touching stories of how they made a difference in the lives of locals in Bali and beyond.
One user shared a heartwarming tale of how, over 25 years ago, he met a young Bali boy and started paying for his school fees, including rent and food.
Fast forward to today, the boy has grown up and is now a successful entrepreneur, owning his own surfing school and supporting his own family with a wife and four kids.
Another traveller shared how they made a lasting impact on the life of an 18-year-old girl they met in Lombok. They paid for her expenses to complete her education and even sponsored her university studies in medicine.
Today, the girl has a successful career in her field and is supporting her siblings' education.
'To be educated is the way out,' added the commenter, emphasising the transformative power of education and the positive impact it can have on individuals and their families.
Bali, also known as the Island of the Gods, is full of sun-kissed beaches and vibrant culture that lure in travellers from all over the world. But while tourists indulge in paradise, behind the scenes, life can be quite a struggle for the local population.
With over a third of Balinese people living below the poverty line, it's no secret that the island is facing some serious economic hardships. The pandemic only made matters worse, with many locals relying on the tourism industry for their livelihood, now hit hard by travel restrictions and flight cancellations.
Enter the kind-hearted Aussie tourists, who are determined to make a difference in the lives of the people they've grown to love during their visits to the island.
They understand that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and are willing to put their money where their hearts are by supporting the education of a local's son.
And with their generosity shining a light on the social issues affecting Bali, they're proving that every little bit helps and that the smallest acts of kindness can make a world of difference.
This generosity is truly inspiring and has given us a heartwarming reminder of how even a small deed can go a long way.
If your travels take you to a foreign country and you come across someone in need, why not lend a helping hand if you can? It's often the unexpected acts of kindness that can change someone's life forever.
Do you have a story of an extraordinary act of kindness? We would love to hear your stories, so please share them in the comment section below.
Instead of lounging on the picturesque beaches and partying at the vibrant night markets like most tourists, they decided to embark on an off-the-beaten-path journey to explore the island's hidden gems.
Their travels led them to encounter the struggles of the locals, and their hearts were touched by their stories.
Fueled by their desire to make a difference, these two travel enthusiasts transformed their holiday into a mission to help those in need. And, as a result, they captured the hearts of not just the locals, but also of their fellow Aussies!
Phillip and Deb wanted to help a local family in need, so what they decided to do touched the hearts of many around the world. Credit: Unsplash/arty.
So how did it all start? Well, Phillip and Deb were on a tropical holiday in Bali, eager to escape the beaten path and immerse themselves in the local culture. That's when they met the charming and warm-hearted Ning, who would soon become an important part of their lives.
Fast forward a few years, Phillip and Deb had grown to cherish their bond with Ning and her family. And when Phillip heard about the financial struggles Ning's son was facing to continue his education, he felt compelled to take action.
Inspired by his act of kindness, Phillip shared their story on the Facebook group 'Bali Bogan,' thrilling his fellow Aussie travellers with his tale of generosity.
So what exactly did the couple do?
He and Deb made the selfless decision to pay for the remaining two years of the young man's degree, which came at a cost of 3,650,000 Rp per semester (roughly $365 AUD). That's a yearly investment of $730 AUD, totalling $1460 for the remaining two years of college - all for the sake of giving this young man a brighter future.
Phillip claimed that the way they travel 'a little differently' than most provides him with a greater understanding of the life of locals, including their difficulties. Credit: Unsplash/Darren Lawrence.
'What we spend on a week in Bali will get someone a university degree in economics and management,' Phillip went on to say. 'It's quite a feeling making the decision to ensure someone gets an education in this country. We're ecstatic.'
He went on to express his excitement about the impact they were making with their generous donation.
But wait, there's more! In a follow-up post, Phillip shared the thrilling update that their generosity was even more impactful than they initially thought.
It turns out, the semester fees at Mataram University, where the young boy was studying, were 'means-tested.' This meant that the university assessed the family's financial situation and set the fees accordingly.
To Phillip's delight, he learned that the semester fees for Ning's son were only 1,650,000 Rp, a mere fraction of the $365 AUD he had initially prepared for (per year). That's less than half of what he expected!
Phillip was overjoyed to know that their donation was making an even bigger difference than they had imagined. But the good deeds didn't stop there - Phillip and Deb also decided to buy a desktop computer for the student, an expense of $500.
Others also shared stories of how they had gone above and beyond during their holiday trips to Indonesia. Credit: RODNAE Productions.
Phillip and Deb's story of kindness sparked a chain reaction of inspiration among the members of the Bali Bogan Facebook group. Other travellers shared their own touching stories of how they made a difference in the lives of locals in Bali and beyond.
One user shared a heartwarming tale of how, over 25 years ago, he met a young Bali boy and started paying for his school fees, including rent and food.
Fast forward to today, the boy has grown up and is now a successful entrepreneur, owning his own surfing school and supporting his own family with a wife and four kids.
Another traveller shared how they made a lasting impact on the life of an 18-year-old girl they met in Lombok. They paid for her expenses to complete her education and even sponsored her university studies in medicine.
Today, the girl has a successful career in her field and is supporting her siblings' education.
'To be educated is the way out,' added the commenter, emphasising the transformative power of education and the positive impact it can have on individuals and their families.
With over a third of Balinese people living below the poverty line, it's no secret that the island is facing some serious economic hardships. The pandemic only made matters worse, with many locals relying on the tourism industry for their livelihood, now hit hard by travel restrictions and flight cancellations.
The small acts of kindness are what make us human and cause the greatest of ripples. Credit: Pexels/Gustavo Fring.
Enter the kind-hearted Aussie tourists, who are determined to make a difference in the lives of the people they've grown to love during their visits to the island.
They understand that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and are willing to put their money where their hearts are by supporting the education of a local's son.
And with their generosity shining a light on the social issues affecting Bali, they're proving that every little bit helps and that the smallest acts of kindness can make a world of difference.
This generosity is truly inspiring and has given us a heartwarming reminder of how even a small deed can go a long way.
If your travels take you to a foreign country and you come across someone in need, why not lend a helping hand if you can? It's often the unexpected acts of kindness that can change someone's life forever.
Do you have a story of an extraordinary act of kindness? We would love to hear your stories, so please share them in the comment section below.
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