The Shanti Foundation, formed last year dedicates this year's celebration with a good cause- to support the East Bali Poverty Project. On 21.12.14, 70 students from six schools in East Bali villages (Bunga, Cegi, Pengalusan, Manikaji, Jatituhu and Darmaji) will spend a fun-filled day of games, food and activities at the Shanti Residence in Nusa Dua, together with the children of employees of The Shanti Collection and L Hotels & Resorts. Special highlight of that day will be a screening of the famous animated movie- Frozen and our staff will play muse as some of the characters in the movie, delighting the guests.

Every year, The Shanti Foundation sets aside 21.12 as her significant day to share the “ Loving, Giving & Sharing” philosophy. Formed with a corporate social cause to contribute to society and especially Youth Education and Nurturing, Founder Kumar Manchharam and the Foundation team led by Constansy Nurdiana dedicates their time and effort to help the less privileged youths who could have a chance to shape a better Tomorrow for Indonesia.

Earlier in October this year, the Shanti Foundation team visited East Bali village and three out of the six hamlet schools. It was a challenge to reach the schools as Bunga and Jatituhu schools are located up on Mount Abang slopes, which can be only accessed by four-wheel jeep that had to straddle through steep dirty tracks. The other school, Cegi, on Mount Agung has now an asphalt road which was easier to get there. There are in total 250 students in the six schools covering all levels from SD/PKT A ( Kejar Paket program) to SMA/PKT C.

The limited educational resources and electricity as well as impoverished living conditions is daunting and appears to need help and support from civilisation and more developed cities like Denpasar.

The children shown keen thirst for learning and development but lack the environmental conduciveness and financial ability. “ We feel a great need and empathy to render support to East Bali Poverty Project; hence the Shanti Foundation decided these schools managed by EBPP are very suitable for our education aid program” remarks Gustu Marhardika, Director.

Since the launch of The Shanti Foundation, several milestones and growth have materialised. This year, we awarded the first scholarship to two potential students:

a)    Ni Luh Gede Putri Yunita Dewi who is currently pursuing Diploma 3 of Hotel Management with an IQ of 97.

Yunita is talented in Balinese dancing and has a passion for a career in hospitality in future. She comes from a family of two siblings. At times, she performs at iconic occasions at L Hotel Seminyak and our villas- The Shanti Residence, Four On Drupadi in Seminyak or The Lotus Residence in Canggu.

a)    Yoanita Dharmawan is the other student given the scholarship. She is studying Diploma 3 of F&B Product Management with an IQ of 106. Very musically inclined, with nimble good fingers for piano playing and other instruments. Yoanita plays during weekends at L Hotel's lobby lounge, entertaining guests with her soothing melodies.

These scholarships support the students till their final year.Scholars have to pass an extensive psychologist test that includes:

A)     Cognitive Performance- testing abstract logic, synthesis analysis, social-verbal understanding and conceptual thinking.

B)      Demonstration of quality work performance, based on attention to detail, working ethnics, concentration and working systematic, including self-endurance

C)     Self-  Management  Capability  referring  to  emotional  stability  and  interpersonal  skills,  self motivational levels

D)     Leadership Potential- cooperative and decision making skills matching with leadership qualities

In total 14 students applied for the scholarship, but the evaluating committee assessed the above 2 students to be the highest in score for the scholarship award, whilst 4 others are offered internship program at our properties. The interns will undergo training during their school holidays from 23 December 2014 until 11 January 2015.

This year has been a remarkable and progressive one for the Shanti Foundation. Other good cause support went towards contributing The Breast Cancer Screening Pink Ribbon Program in May 2014- organised by Bali Pink Ribbon group of women. L Hotel Seminyak gave 200 snack boxes to Balinese women who turned up for free breast screening.

On June 15 this year, The Shanti Foundation also sponsored prizes to The Green School's Conservation & Sustainability event- presented by special guest speaker Dr Jane Goodall, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace.

We also donated accommodation and culinary prizes to The Telethon Adventurer's Childhood Cancer Fundraising Program themed “ Team China 2014” cocktail party at The Brown Fox in Western Australia on 14 June 2014.

The Shanti Art Exhibition was also organised at Shanti Residence this year to showcase 30 paintings and 10 sculptures by students of Sukawati Art school over 3 days. Invited guests attending the official ceremony were entertained by a traditional dance performance by children from Taman Permata Orphanage. The judges selected three best art pieces. They are:

- The 1st is Romiwijaya, the title is Gaun Hitam (Black Dress

- The 2nd is Agus Saputra, the title is Mekepung (Balinese Cow Race)

- The 3rd is Dewa GD. Suyudana Sadewa, the title is Sumber Kehidupan Masa Kini (Today Source of Life)