Our Story
In 2005 United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) had the pleasure of hosting a group of Balinese orphans who were in Singapore giving performances of gamelan and traditional Balinese dance. The students from the College were in awe of their talents and when they spent time together in the classrooms, and started getting to know each other, there was something very special about the connection they had made.
The Balinese children were all from the Widhya Asih Foundation, an association which cares for over 700 orphans in 7 orphanages throughout Bali. The trip was made possible by the good work of a private group called REACT. REACT had been working with the foundation for a number of years, trying to improve conditions for the orphans and provide life changing experiences that would give them a chance to better themselves and be successful later in life.
After a series of meetings with Randolf Oudermanns (the founder of REACT) and a visit to Bali to see the operation first hand, Bali Bridges was established in September 2006.
Structure of Bali Bridges
Bali Bridges sits under the UWCSEA umbrella of Global Concerns and SEALinks Projects. UWCSEA is a registered charity by the Commissioner of Charities Singapore. As a registered Charity we abide by the Charities Act and Regulations of Singapore.
Why we support Widhya Asih Foundation
We are sure that every individual reading this website has had experiences in “giving” to a cause that aims to help those in need. Many of us have been left with the question – “where did our money go and did it achieve what we hoped it would?”
The reason we support Widhya Asih Foundation is that we have been impressed with the professionalism shown by the foundation and the personal care and devotion they show the children under their care.
Widhya Asih has illustrated to us that their organization is run very efficiently with regular communications via phone, fax and email along with official receipts for all monies received followed by quarterly reports detailing how the funds have been spent. We also have received letters and follow up reports from students we have helped through scholarships. The personal attention to detail and the accountability is not only good for us to report back to our supporters, but it offers security in the knowledge that everything we are doing is making a difference.