1. The small group of local LINI staff requires training and support in the following areas:
• Strengthening of organizational skills
• Development of strategic planning and a business plan
• Marketing strategy and fundraising skills
• Development of our management and information system
• Improving basic English language skills - helping the local staff to develop and practice their communication skills in English, both verbal and written
2. LINI needs volunteers to assist the local community and teachers at the local primary school in the Sukawati Area, (south-east Bali) with the following:
• introducing basic English conversation skills (to adults and children)
• introducing basic computing skills ( to children and adults)
• developing nature-based tourism outreach materials
Volunteers with experience in the following skill areas would be very welcome:
• small business development,
• organizational development
• proposal writing for potential donors
• fundraising for not-for-profit organizations
• education and training with practical skills,
• teachers of formal and informal English at all levels, for children and adults
• computer skills, including database development
The project
Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari (LINI) is a local Indonesian not-for-profit organization, established in January 2008. LINI’s mission is to support the conservation and management of coastal marine resources throughout Indonesia. This includes ensuring sustainable methods are used for the collection of fish for the marine aquarium trade, along with the preservation, restoration and propagation of corals. By educating and empowering coastal communities, LINI promotes fairer, more sustainable practices of marine resource use including assisting communities to develop and sustain more healthy coral reefs and fish populations. Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari (LINI) aims in the long term to encourage all players in the marine aquarium industry to adopt LINI industry standards and implement ‘best practices’ towards eventual certification. This is being achieved by the education of coastal communities. To date, fish collectors’ groups in Bali, west Java, Sumatra and South Sulawesi have been trained in the use of non-destructive collection and post-harvest handling methods.
LINI's mission also includes helping the Indonesian government in policy development, coastal zone management, and community-based aquaculture and coral propagation for reef restoration.
As a local organization, LINI has great freedom to work within Indonesia, and has the advantage of experience and cultural awareness when gaining the trust of the local communities. This allows efficient delivery of training using methods appropriate to the abilities and needs of the various target audiences
LINI’s work with tourism and the school sector is part of its environmental outreach program. With little or no formal education, many people here lack knowledge of environmental issues, particularly in the context of their own lives. LINI assists communities to develop their tourism potential, with the use of specifically-developed outreach materials.
Depending on your skills, you could either work to enhance and strengthen the LINI organization itself, or work directly with the communities with whom LINI is working. Skills needed to build LINI's capacity are as above - examples of working within the community include teaching villagers basic practical English conversation, basic computer skills, developing a village composting program, designing and developing environmental outreach materials, and helping reef restoration by providing artificial substrates to restore the degraded reefs of North Bali.
Context
Bali is a prime travel destination for many people around the world. The culture, the people, the beaches, and the paddy fields are unique and diverse. Bali’s economy has been largely built around tourism, and a reasonable tourist infrastructure has been developed in many places on the island.
However, Bali is of a developing country, and many of its people lack even basic education.
Population and poverty levels are high, and with agricultural land being converted for development, the people – especially those in rural areas - face an uncertain future.
LINI’s office is located in Sanur in the southeastern part of Bali. Sanur is on the coast, and in spite of its tourism development, it is quieter than the better-known Kuta beach, some 30 minutes away by road. The office is a mainly residential area of houses and small shops.
Sukawati is half an hour’s drive from Sanur. It is known for its craft markets, rice fields, natural beauty, ancient culture and hospitable people.
The north coast of Bali, where LINI works on the reefs restoration program, remains largely undeveloped. In the north, there are relatively few tourism developments such as Lovina and Pemuteran. The sacred volcano Mount Agung dominates the landscape, and some areas of Bali are blessed with fertile volcanic. Other parts of the island are rugged and harsh, and experience severe water shortages during the dry season (April – November).
"I really enjoyed my time in Bali and hope that I in some small way contributed to LINI’s vision of protecting the reef and the coastal ornamental fishing community."
