ABOUT US

Ubud residents and small businesses are proud of the cultural and religious activities we share with our international guests each week. You can imagine the behind the scenes energy and planning it takes to put on such a wide venue of events. This publication is no exception.

On September, 2006, the Ubud Community publication was born with my belief that even our short term visitors would be interested in the many local- color events, business offerings and personalities of our area. My first helper was Alek, who now delivers our booklets and will occasionally write an article. Effervescent Juni answers the phone and takes care of technical layouts. Additionally, there are many local contributors of short articles we are so thankful for.

Now, less than 3 years old, we have over 50 advertisers and print 5,000 booklets per month. We are now envisioning a live Ubud Web based bulletin and are beginning to develop programs to help the disadvantaged children in our region.

We’d like to thank our advertisers and our readers for their kind and generous support.

Ruslan Wiryadi
Director, Ubud Community

EDITORIAL

Bali is known for a communal system in its communities. The families’ togetherness is based on their respect for their ancestors. There is community cohesion brought about by everyone having the same professions such as farming, fishing etc. a family also recognized by the village where they live together (banjar system). If everybody is part of a family unit and is taken care of their community, then why are there beggars on the street, you ask? Do they have families? Are they part of a community? Where are they from?

Well. Like other Balinese, they are part of the village community. They come from other villages in Bali. The only reason why they are is because they want to get money without working! Some of my friends offered them a job but none of them wanted to work. They don’t want a “normal” job. The Balinese government tried to solve this social problem by going to their villages and giving them some education, but it didn’t work. And now the number of beggars is increasing!

It seems that the Balinese government wants us to get involved in this social problem. How? Let’s do our part by NOT giving them money, so they will learn that there is no free lunch and hopefully it will change their mentality someday. One of the reason that there are so many beggars in town is because they know that making money is as easy as lifting the palm of their hands. Bringing their babies and small children along is one of the tricks they use to capture your attention. They take advantage of people’s kindness to support themselves. Maybe some of you can’t help but feel compassion. However when you see them begging and dragging their children along the crowded traffic-congested roads of Ubud, ask yourself this question: Don’t you think this behavior is harmful for their babies and children’s health? They use their precious children to make you feel sorry for them. I do hope you will refrain from giving them money. If you want to hekp these poor people, please channel your aid to the right people/place. There are many organizations in Ubud and all over Bali to which you can contribute your time, energy and/or money. Thank you so much for your kindness and concern for the poor of Bali.

Ruslan Wiryadi