Our weekly In-person and online talkshow, SpeakuP Monday – Destination Indonesia is approaching 500 episodes, has interviewed over 1,000+ guests and 10,000+ audience members have attended and networked, the three pillars it stands on are:
- People INSPIRE People
- Unity IN Diversity
- Entrepreneurship & Social Impact (mudfish)
I have been continually impressed by what locals (both Balinese / Indonesians -at-Large based in Bali) and expatriates have been able to achieve together. We have been happy and proud to shine a light, showcase and in many cases promote on them on the show and help them reach their target audience – in short nurture positive impact.
From during COVID watching organizations like Scholars of Sustenance https://www.scholarsofsustenance.org/sosbali-indonesia – the largest food rescue non-profit in South-east Asia founded by Bo H. Holmgreen to local legends like Kylie from Crisis Kitchen, who were performing a vital important service. The work of Janur Yasa who won CNN Heroes for PlasticXchange Bali. I remember featuring the first free mental health hotline and support services in Indonesia from Bali Bersama Bisa https://www.bersamabisafoundation.org/id (Together we can, BimBim, Nev and Dj) to the most established children’s charity in Bali, Bali Children’s Foundation https://www.balichildrenfoundation.org/ and the incredibly consistent, Margaret Barry, to our dearly beloved duo, Robert and Sarah behind Solemen aka Sole Family https://solefamily.org/id/ . Others we have also showcased have included Ragam Foundation (Nik) https://www.ragamfoundation.org/ . Jeroen and his water filters, Mark Savage installing ram pumps (and his work with Rotary) to Christine from Terra Water
https://www.terrawaterindonesia.com/
One of the most heartwarming, elevating and galvanizing forces on the planet are when people from different ideologies and backgrounds can come together to create positive, powerful impact and change, which by its very nature is defining on a human level. It gives us hope. Personally, from growing up for eighteen years in two highly multicultural children’s homes in London imbued me with that.
Talking about creating change, two young changemakers, Melati and Isabel Wijsen for Bye Bye plastic bags still carrying the torch for young changemakers around the world in Youthtopia https://www.youthtopia.world/ , Melati just recently launched her book, Change Starts Now-we will have back on the showto talk about it later this year, and the work of Joseph Wijaya from Joseph Recycling turning plastic into school fees – supporting 31 kids to go to school before he reached the age of thirteen.
There are too many to mention here doing outstanding work in all areas from river cleanups to a movement for change like Sungai Watch (who haven’t been on the show yet) to the oceans-at-large and the work of Sky Blue Sea Foundation https://skybluesea.org/ . As you may know recently I was invited to join the Board of Management for Sky Blue Sea Foundation who are instrumental in the ‘Conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources’ in Indonesia through Bali Ocean Days https://www.balioceandays.id/ an annual event and arguably – the most important event in relation to this topic held at The Intercontinental Bali. Next one in January 2026.
I remember years ago sitting down with Rodney, Kyle and Jeroen in the days of Bali NGO & Associates, Karlie Cummins from Bali Buddies, Indo Buddies was there too, asking them what is the biggest problem they have found in the NGO space at that time?
Duplicate or Collaborate…choose
This is where well meaning (at the time expatriates) came to Bali, saw a challenge and went into action to try to fix it. They didn’t stop to ask themselves one important question…
Is there anyone in the space already working on solving this challenge?
This led to DUPLICATION ie. other groups and organizations were already active in the space, they had confronted challenges, solved problems perhaps even found success. Or more importantly, perhaps they needed help to scale and bring their solution to more people.
Failure to ask this one question led in many cases to duplication and failure within 1 or 2 years and a waste of time energy and resources which could have been better deployed.
On the other hand, had they had asked that one question could have led to COLLABORATION
Those organizations that have made positive impact short-term or long-term in Bali have understood that collaboration on some level is critical for success.
If you are thinking about this please remember this critical point, it doesn’t mean that you have to take this route, perhaps those already in that area don’t want to collaborate, perhaps their service does not represent what could be done and so on…
Last night I was at the opening of one of the latest initiatives that looks to have a very promising future called, Bali Battlegrounds, which is supporting Educate Bali Foundation – empowering local at risk youth through English education and resources they need to thrive
Bali Battlegrounds, is set to be one of the largest and most exciting community events of the year, proudly brought to you by Educate Bali & Right Reasons Funding;
From July 4-6, this epic weekend of community, competition, and connection unfolds across the majestic regency of Tabanan, Bali, featuring a Royal Gala Dinner, obstacle course races, live music, markets, prizes, and more!
Over 200+ people have signed up for the obstacle race and last night’s Royal Gala Dinner Fundraiser was hosted c/o our dear friends at The Royal Palace Of Puri Anyar Kerambitan, Tabanan. Puri Anyar Kerambitan Is one of the few Seventeenth Century Royal Compounds still in its original state in Bali and we have been working with the King and his family for over five years.
We previewed this event on SpeakuP Monday – Destination Indonesia Talkshow last week – it looks like a great deal of fun and unique. If you are in the area of Puri Anyar Kerambitan, Tabanan go and visit it’s free to watch the races over this weekend, enjoy the markets, events and activities.
When community support is done well, it creates hope, hope creates the ability to see possibility and possibility is endless…
Indonesia comprises 700+ cultures and 500+ languages, 17,000+ islands and one of the principles and practices which struck me most deeply is that of
“Gotong Royong” – loosely translated
“The community coming together to solve a challenge faced by the community”
If you are or know an organization supporting the community in an effective, impactful and professional way feel free to reach out to us a SpeakuP Monday –Destination Indonesia https://www.instagram.com/speakupmonday . Though we won’t be able to guarantee everyone an episode but will do our best to continue to showcase, initiate and curate what we can achieve together.
If you are interested to join the Tabanan Community for Tabanan related possibilities, feel free to click on the link for more information https://chat.whatsapp.com/D9ZoG5MI2wOGkGa05385Vl
Let’s build something extraordinary, together.
Website: www.robertianbonnick.com
RiB & Associates – Gateway To Indonesia
Strategy | Market Access | Cultural Integration | Growth
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