Behind Bali's picturesque sunsets and booming tourism, over 160,000 Balinese live in poverty, often unseen amid the island's rapid development. The Bali Life Foundation (BLF), a not-for-profit organization, recently marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating its work improving the lives of tens of thousands of disadvantaged children and families.

BLF director Piter Panjaitan reflected on the foundation's mission: "When we started, we simply wanted to help children who were struggling and give them a better chance in life." Over two decades, many children supported by BLF have grown up, received education, found employment, and built better lives, a progress that fills him with gratitude.

The foundation's work is especially critical as families face displacement due to rising rents driven by aggressive tourism development, particularly in areas like Uluwatu, which has transformed rapidly since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Torrens Valley Christian School teacher Rachel Jowitt, involved with BLF, described the stark realities: "Our children see how other children live — visiting a school in a dump, families that live with one toilet for 40 families — and how they earn very little, so it's a really big eye opener for them."

Jowitt also expressed the emotional impact on students witnessing poverty firsthand, including seeing very young children begging near tourist spots. The foundation's sponsorship base is largely Australian, with about 70% of sponsors from Australia, making the recent anniversary celebration with returning Australian supporters particularly special.

According to Statistics Indonesia, Bali Province's poverty rate was 3.44% as of March 2026, showing a slight increase from September 2025 but a decrease compared to March 2025. The ongoing challenges highlight the importance of BLF's continued efforts.

BLF's connection with Australians extends back at least 15 years, inspired by individuals like Siska Little, who facilitated visitor engagement with children's homes through her hotel.

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