Inside Our Charity Work: Supporting Balinese Village School

Inside Our Charity Work: Supporting Balinese Village Schools

Om Swastiastu. When you think of Ubud, you likely imagine rice terraces, sunrise yoga and temples carved into the landscape. The village classrooms throughout Gianyar are not as apparent, but parents are diligent and conscientious on keeping kids in school. Perhaps you’ve looked for charity work Balinese village schools – and you wanted one thing: the assurance that goodwill does get to children.

We feel that the yoga school ought to return the favor to the island that hosts it. We feel that it is the duty of a yoga school to give something back to the island that welcomes it. This post covers what we publicly pledge to do, the importance of education in rural Bali, and what is involved in your participation in a responsible way.

The Importance of Education Support in Rural Bali

Bali is an economy based on tourism, but skills access to the demands of tourism jobs is uneven. According to a 2025 report from Scandasia, a Danish initiative, tourism is the main economic activity and many rural families are lacking in the ability to impart to their children the skills required for employment in the hotel, restaurant and tour sector. The same article refers to English as the fastest way to get into those jobs and states that the programme has engaged over 500 children through visits to their schools by volunteers.

Schooling is about more than employment. It helps to develop confidence and flexibility. This is why support in school and with basic needs may be as important as any single lesson.

The first step for those supporting village schools Bali is to listen to the teachers and families. The forms of education support Bali villages receive can vary from tutoring, supplies, to regular funding. Our contribution is the final one of these: a fixed annual commitment, which is described below.

Our Goal: 10% of Our Revenue to Local Charities

Here is our published promise on the charity work Balinese village schools. Every year, 10% of all Ubud Yoga Ashram revenues is donated to local charities. Children in the village communities of Bali are the main beneficiaries of our giving, in the areas of education and basic needs.

These efforts are supported indirectly by the students of our ashram through their registration and participation. Everyone from all over the world is encouraged to come along. See more information on our About page about our school and values.

We’re not about drama, so we encourage you to ask our team about what we are currently working on. Please contact info@ubudyogaashram.com, we will be glad to explain the direction of your contributions.

Yoga, Seva and Tri Hita Karana

We teach yoga in combination with Seva (service) or selfless service. Seva is an act of giving without taking anything in return. A beautiful alternative is the philosophy of Balinese culture, ‘Tri Hita Karana’ or harmony between the people, nature and the divine. We delve into it in our article about the Balinese Philosophy of Harmony – Tri Hita Karana.

In that spirit, charity work Balinese village schools rely on is not done in a seasonal manner. It turns into a relationship with the site where you learn.

Local-based models can be embraced by local communities if research indicates they are so, according to the authors. A published academic conference paper on educational tourism based on Tri Hita Karana in Mengesta Village was conducted. The average rate of 88% (rated positive by the authors) was given by 60 community members when asked about its effects on social community life.

Please read carefully. The study is small scale, descriptive in nature, limited only to the study village and is related to educational tourism instead of donations. We will consider it as a “good sign” but not as a “proof.”

This is the best way to integrate yoga ashram charity initiatives so that it doesn’t get stuck as an add-on or as marketing.

What Good Charity Looks Like in Bali

The community schools of Bali have some common characteristics for good charity work Balinese village schools can rely on. This is a checklist for any organisation that you think of, including ours.

Local and Long-Term

Seek projects led by local people, and planned for ongoing, year after year. A single visit can be thrilling for a visitor, but for kids it’s best to have a routine.

Transparent

Inquire about the purpose of the funds, the people who receive them and how information is disseminated. These questions are no big deal to credible organisations.

Child Safe, Culturally Respectful

Exercise caution when using any programme that allows children and short-term visitors to be in unsupervised contact. Remember to ask for permission before photographing children or school premises and be respectful to children and staff as you would in any Balinese village.

The area of Bali community charity is one in which good intentions can go astray. Don’t assume anything; ask first, then give.

Practical Ways to Take Part

There’s no need to have a complicated plan for giving back in Bali. These are easy suggestions to get you started:

1. Train with purpose. The 200-hour yoga teacher training program in Bali is 22 days long and Yoga Alliance certified (RYT-200). Registration is a way of supporting our giving.
2. Choose transparently. Choose a social impact yoga retreat or training that openly declares their giving, like we do.
3. Please ask first, give second. Send us an email (or any organisation) to tell where support goes and how updates are communicated.
4. Visit respectfully. The address of our Ashram is Jl. Bisma in Ubud, Gianyar. To assist the village schools directly, do so through organised, local channels.

 

Learn to Join Us on the Mat and Beyond

Yoga is a lifelong journey. If you are interested in training in Bali we would love to see you at our Ubud ashram. Start looking at our courses and when you are ready, send us an enquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Ubud Yoga Ashram giving back to the community?

Yes. A portion of our earnings is donated to local charities each year, with 10% of all revenues being donated. We work with children in the village communities of Bali and try to assist with their education and basic needs.

2. Is there any automatic contribution from students?

Our website indicates that these initiatives are supported indirectly by students’ registration and participation. There is no separate payment mentioned there. Please check with our team for up to the minute information.

3. If I am not a student can I help?

We are inviting people from all over the world to help us with our charitable activities on our website. Write to info@ubudyogaashram.com and inquire about ways in which you can participate in the charity work Balinese village schools benefit from.

4. What is the importance of school for the children of the village?

Education is our key to open the door in an island economy based on tourism. The children’s confidence in continuous learning is also emphasized when reporting on Bali education programs and initiatives, which focus on English skills as a practical tool for employment.

5. What are the ways of verifying the trustworthiness of a Bali charity?

Any charity work Balinese village schools can trust should have an answer to the following questions: Who benefits? How is the money spent? How long has the project been in operation? Prefer long term and guided programmes over short term, unstructured programmes with visitors.