Home » Uncategorized (Page 55)
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A pursuit of happiness – Gandhi Ashram
A pursuit of happiness. This place in the center of Candidasa, at the east-coast of Bali. It´s called an ashram, but it´s not as severe as ashrams are likely to be. For example you have the possibility to chant at 5.00 p.m. But it´s not obligated. You have the possibility to participate in work duties starting at 6.00 p.m. But it´s not needed. And you have the possibility to join the yoga class around 7.00. But all voluntarily. But believe me when I tell you this yogaclass in this setting is a one-to-experience. Set-up in this tropical stage, supported with a mindblowing sea-view in a layer of laughing scool-kids, your day could not start off in a better way.
Though the bungalows are sober, you have everything you need. 3 times a day you are welcomed by a prayer to enjoy the delicious pure local meals. It´s a suitable place for single-travellers: you´ll be surrounded by a community of young-adults who are living continuously in the ashram. Besides that, you´ll find a wide range of fellow-soulsearchers who are constantly attracted by this place.
For 18 euros a day you have your private bungalow with sea-view, 2 yogaclasses a day, 3 delicious meals and a beautiful area to enjoy enrichment. Expect no luxuries, just local standards: a luxury to experience!
An insight view upon Balinese waste management system
In my previous article I mentioned the ignorance of the Balinese people about the impact of non-organic materials on mother earth. And beyond that, the passivity of the Balinese government towards waste management. But what’s needed? What can help to make a valuable transition towards a healthier island? To figure out these questions, we need some background information about the current situation here in Bali.
‘The government is not making any efforts, why should we?’
As said before people are still handling pack-material similar to decades before when everything was organically wrapped. Due to ignorance about the impact of non-organic material on our earth, they nowadays tend to do the same. Due to the lack of pressure from the government, they don’t feel any need to change. ‘The government is not making a big deal out of it, so why should we’ is a phrase which indicates the lack of importance given to this matter. Besides that, a collective stigma on cleaning other one’s waste seems to be relevant; it’s a huge downgrade on the social scale.
A lack of need
It seems like the government doesn’t prioritize waste management. Although when there is money involved, measures will be taken. Look at Kuta. A dump store existing of plastic and rubbish is the morning sight when tides enters. In order to maintain the endless wave of tourists, government provides beachcleaners every morning collecting the waste. Why is it possible over there? Is the financial need to little in rural areas or remoted villages? Well there happen to be some initiatives and funds provided for villages to arrange their own waste management, but generally projects seem to stop after a certain period of time.
No after-care
There is no control, reporting of after-care which makes continuity challengeable. Not more than once people ran away with the funded money which generally initiates the end of project. It reveals the fact that money is available, but a lack of sustainable plans to fund it in a proper way.
It’s how Bali works
It’s a lovely state of being. Limited regulations, a laidback attitude, little pressure from above. But on the other hand, the lack of pressure and control, makes it hard to implement rules or guidelines. People are not used to be restricted or socially controlled from upper hand. It’s such another way around in, for example my country (the Netherlands) where signals could even restrict me from walking beside the pathway. Everything is being controlled, organized and regulated. In one hand, beautiful; everybody knows it’s way around, streets are spotlessly clean and in case of an accident it’s always clear who to blame. I don’t know what’s better. What I do know, is that change is needed in order to capture the beauty of this island.
The Balinese transition towards plastic packaging
Plastic cans all over the place when I´m making my way from Canggu to Candidasa, both located on paradise island Bali. Thousands of young people marching to celebrate liberation day with lots of happy people along the road to support them. I ask my driver indignantly about this trash on the street. ‘Because there are no public bins and the government don’t want to spend money on waste collecting’.
Plastic rivers
It catched my eye immediately when I entered Canggu a couple of days ago. There happened to be rubbish all over the place, mainly plastic. A lot of plastic. And initially I blamed the tourists for not caring about other one’s property. But on a short notice the Swiss lady, with whom I spend my nights with, informed me differently; it are primarily locals who created the public trash bins. But why?
Ignorancy
Well the main reason seems to be the lack of awareness among the people. And especially the older ones. Still recently all packaging was made out of organic materials which could be thrown on the streets easily. Nature took care of it. With tourism a rapid transition occurs and plastic became the main pack-material. But Balinese still handle it similar: they don’t have any idea which impact plastic has on the environment. There is no education. You can compare it with Australia 30 years ago. Beaches were full of plastic and other dump, but during the years awareness entered, people were being educated and informed properly which supported the clean beaches Australia knows nowadays.
Waste collecting system
And even though awareness about sustainability, recycling and permaculture increases rapidly also here in Bali, there is still a lot to gain. But the government needs to take it’s share. Starting with public bins for example, so people are optioned. But with bins, a waste collecting system is needed and that’s were it hurts.
Start small
But it’s a big mission, I know. In the meantime, small steps can be taken. Take this lovely Swiss lady who organizes ‘play-days’ in remote mountain villages every 3 months. Together with locals kids she cleans the streets on a playfull way, what not only creates awareness among those little guys, but automatically involves their parents. On day 2 local political headliners are invited so developments and bottlenecks can be discussed.
It’s all about awareness
So besides heading for big improvements, small steps can be taken, just by showing own creative initiative. Start with a bag, picking up plastic or other waste from the streets or the woods. It’s all about awareness. It’s not only cleaning up, but also inspire other people, creating more consciousness about the possibilities. We can change the world, we just have to take the first step ourself!
Sustainocracy, the new democracy 