Chris AshtonBali is one of those destinations every Aussie visits at least once. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, your neighbours have been there. But, due to the ongoing travel restrictions, we haven’t been able to visit Bali at all in almost 18 months. For a country so reliant on tourism, this is a damaging blow. But there is something you can do about it right now.
Besides paying for your next Balinese holiday today, you can now support the ‘island of the gods’ by purchasing a Balinese simmer sauce. Australian owned, family-run company Passage Foods has launched Curry for a Cause – an initiative supporting the people of Bali through a substantial donation to Yayasan Solemen Indonesia Foundation.
Yayasan Solemen Indonesia Foundation is a local Indonesian organisation whose goal is to alleviate the misery of extreme poverty by bringing hope and sustainable solutions to those in need. Throughout the pandemic, the team has been providing basic food packages to help disadvantaged individuals and families in Bali. Each package includes rice, eggs, oil, powdered milk (where needed), and ingredients for Indonesian sambal (tomatoes, onions, garlic, chillies). Locally grown and sold produce is sourced where possible to support the village area’s local economy and delivered where needed most.
25 cents from each sale of Passage Foods’ Balinese curry sauce – an aromatic blend of crushed peanuts, spices, coconut milk, and zingy lime – goes to helping feed Bali families.
The Balinese simmer sauce is available now at Coles supermarkets Australia-wide.
Simon Bartram, General Manager of Passage Foods, says they’re proud to offer support in this difficult situation, with fond memories of their travels to Bali inspiring the project.
“As frequent travellers to the region, we’ve experienced firsthand both the significant contribution Australian tourism has on the Balinese economy, and the harrowing burden on communities when this is threatened,” says Bartram.
“We felt compelled to make a positive difference to a country and destination that is heavily reliant on tourism.”
While Government data has revealed that unemployment rates currently sit at 7.5 per cent, not-for-profit organisations suggest the reality is much higher, with an estimated 80 per cent of the island’s economy relying directly or indirectly on tourism, which is now facing the catastrophic and ongoing impacts of the global pandemic.
According to the Indonesian Statistics Agency, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an 89 per cent drop in the number of tourists travelling to Bali, resulting in hotels, tourist drivers and restaurants ceasing to operate and Balinese staff losing their jobs subsequently.
“It’s important that we don’t forget about the people of Bali after years of it being one of Australia’s most loved tourist destinations.”
**Originally posted 22 Feb 2021. Updated 7 Aug 2021.**
