INDONESIA, Sarinbuana Village, Bali - January 2006
Library/music/dance building, instruments and equipment in exchange for village endorsement of a 1,975-acre permanent no-take rainforest reserve
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Sarinbuana is a small farming village positioned 2,200 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. Traditionally, the people of Sarinbuana have been the de facto custodians of a 1,975-acre section of intact rainforest above their village. The people of Sarinbuana are willing to formally endorse their role as guardians of the forest and protect it from all extractive activities. In exchange, Seacology will provide funds to construct a library/music/dance building and provide computers and musical instruments for the Sarinbuana primary school. Seacology will also provide funds for signage and a natural stepping stone pathway to an important Balinese temple located within the forest. *
UPDATE June 2006 - Seacology has received a budget for the project and a map of the proposed protected area. The village is currently reviewing the covenant agreeing to the long term commitment of the no-take reserve which they want to honor very seriously. They may ask Seacology to agree to clarify that an area within the no-take zone of about three acres is for existing temple uses. Field Representative Arnaz Mehta expects documentation to be ready by June 2006.
UPDATE January 2007 - In 2006 villagers asked Seacology if they could make two areas within the reserve (approximately three acres) exempt from permanent reserve status so they can properly anticipate the need for future repairs to the sites of two existing temples. With the agreement modified to reflect this exemption the project leader sent in the final paperwork in September 2006.
UPDATE June 2007 - As of March 2007 designs for the building were being finalized and the village planned to begin construction in late spring 2007. Wood carvings for the gamelan (set of traditional musical instruments) were being completed in preparation for instrument construction and their eventual use in the refurbished building. Construction of the stepping path and demarcation signs for the forest reserve was also being completed. The village anticipates that they will have some funding left over to build an eco-friendly public toilet at the top of the stone path at the temple.
UPDATE December 2007 - The village began construction in late spring 2007, completing the building in August 2007. The building has a computer room for the school and the community as well as a hand-carved gamelan (set of traditional musical instruments) for the children's orchestra. Construction of the stepping path and demarcation signs for the forest reserve were also completed. An official opening ceremony was held in October 2007 with members of the Seacology expedition to Raja Ampat in attendance.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
