Whilst Bali is well known as a tourist destination, there is considerable poverty in rural villages, away from the tourist areas. Balinese culture is strongly patriarchal so the impact on women in poor communities is particularly great. Local government receives funding to assist poor people with housing, electricity and water and other basic services however the voice of the poorest and especially women, is not heard in village based planning meetings.

Maha Bhoga Marga Foundation (MBM) is the Advocacy and Community Development of the Protestant Christian Church in Bali. MBM initiates development programs that largely focus on empowering rural communities, especially women and poor families.

Through this project, women and poor families will be provided with vocational skills training and micro-finance loans to participate in income generation activities including basket weaving and livestock fattening.

2011 Updates:

• Work has begun in four villages. Community meetings have been held and programs have begun
• 20 families have received microcredit loans to establish small businesses
• Health education and health clinics are being run monthly in three villages
• Materials have been provided to seven families to build toilets
• Materials have been provided to three families to build wells for drinking water

Downloadable Resources:

Project Sheet