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CSR programs empower communities around hotels
A number of star-rated hotels in Bali address the poverty around them through the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CRS) programs
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A number of star-rated hotels in Bali address the poverty around them through the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CRS) programs. Next-door neighbors are important to bringing the hotels closer to their surrounding communities and involving them in community development.
I Gede Suarsa, human resources director at Melia Bali, said Melia Bali focused on the empowerment of the local community living in Nusa Dua. This is in tune with the Tri Hita Karana concept of the hotel. Tri Hita Karana is the philosophy of harmony of life in Bali regulating three basic principles, namely the relationship between humans and God (Parahyangan), the relationship between one human being and another (pawongan) and the relationship between humans and nature (palemahan). This is also the concept that the Bali provincial administration promotes as a harmonious foundation for tourism.
"Our CSR program is focused on these principles, among other things, the development of humans and conservation of the environment," Suarsa said.
Melia refers to its CSR program as a "community involvement program". Human development takes the form of assistance for the renovation of the houses of poor people living in Nusa Dua, the location of Melia Bali.
This tourist area, which has upmarket facilities, still has people living in poverty. "Only a few banjar (traditional areas) are rich. There are still some locals whose houses are in very bad repair," Suarsa said.
The community involvement program team of Melia Bali identifies local people who need assistance in renovating their houses. A number of Melia Bali employees are then mobilized to renovate the houses. At present, Suarsa said, they have renovated only one house in Nusa Dua, namely in Banjar Pande.
Three more house renovation projects have been carried out in Angantiga, Karangasem regency. In this regency, thousands of locals face poverty-related problems such as a low level of education and health, drought and lack of clean water.
Meanwhile, regarding the relationship between one human and another, Melia Bali has a unique story. Today, Suarsa said, all employees at Melia have been educated about HIV/AIDS. Even a number of communities outside the hotel, such as schools and banjar have asked the hotel to give training on HIV/AIDS.
It all started when the AIDS Commission (KPA) of Bali province asked hotels to cooperate with it in a program called AIDS at the Workplace. A number of hotels and companies had been confronted with AIDS problems in Bali and the program reached employees who were at risk of exposure to HIV.
Melia Bali is one of the companies that enthusiastically welcomed the program. It sent some employees to take part in the advanced training given in the program, and they are now ready to serve as trainers.
"I'm sure AIDS is a major threat to the young generation in Bali. Most AIDS cases involve youngsters and people of productive age. That's why I was motivated to learn more about it. Luckily, the hotel supports me in this respect," said I Wayan Diana, personnel coordinator of Melia Bali, who has often served as HIV/AIDS trainer for communities outside the hotel.
Diana is thankful for the hotel's support. Besides operational assistance from the hotel, he is also given time off when he is invited to give training.
Regarding the HIV/AIDS program in Bali, Melia Bali signed on Nov. 7 a cooperation agreement on the granting Rp 12 million per year to a family affected by HIV/AIDS in Buleleng regency. "We asked a number of hotel guests to come to Buleleng and see a family, most member of which have HIV. They have shown their empathy and are involved in fund-raising. The funds will be channeled in the form of food, educational funding and health insurance for people with HIV/AIDS," said Suarsa.
Meanwhile, the CSR team of InterContinental Bali Resort, which is located in Jimbaran, is also involved in HIV/AIDS initiatives. Among other things, it supports efforts to overcome and prevent the use of drugs.
"For example, by conducting the Health Jamboree with Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa," said Dewi Anggraini, public relations manager of InterContinental.
One hundred and twenty-eight students from six schools in Bali got together with students from other regions such as West Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Yogyakarta to draw up a health concept for teenagers.
Meanwhile, I Wayan Carma, who coordinates the CSR activities at InterContinental, said the company had two types of activities, namely a sustainability program and a participation program. For the sustainability program, InterContinental focuses on basic education.
This year it is holding its sustainability program at state elementary school 7 Jimbaran. The school, which has 150 students, said Carma, is one of the elementary schools that does not meet the basic requirements for a school as the condition of the school building and sanitation are very poor.
"I cannot imagine how the kids can learn comfortably with so much dust and such a smelly bathroom," he said.
In stages, InterContinental has been involved in renovating the building, the park, the bathroom and other school facilities. Regularly, hotel staffers oversee the maintenance of the new school facilities.
Meanwhile, a participation program is carried out by a third party such as a foundation. In this context, the hotel provides the funds. An example of is the Drip Trickle Irrigation project in Munti Gunung hamlet, Karangasem, one of the villages where many residents earn a living as beggars in Denpasar. Under this program, a pipeline has been laid and a reservoir has been built. In addition there, has been a donation to a women's reproductive health program carried out by Yayasan Bumi Sehat in Ubud, Gianyar.
Part of this donation came from hotel guests through a program in which US$1 is collected per room/night. "The front office asks guests to donate this way. This is a voluntary program," Dewi added.
The donations from hotel guests go toward a clean water and female health programs and the revitalization of educational facilities of state elementary school 7 Jimbaran.
"My wife and I were very pleased to discover the new community care program being offered by the InterContinental Bali Resort. With only a small contribution, we are able to help the local community that we have come to love. It is a very easy way for all guests to give something back to the local people," said Jon Rutledge from Sydney, Australia, about the donation program.
