We are thrilled to share with you an exciting update on our recent Heroes Bali Camp, where we brought together the exceptional finalists of IMPACT HERO 2023 and the Earth Company team. The 5-day camp was nothing short of extraordinary, brimming with inspiration, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating regenerative futures.
The Heroes Bali Camp is part of the Lead-to-Regenerate Changemaker Program, a six-month leadership training program for finalists.
1. What is “Heroes Camp”?
The Heroes Bali Camp is a part of our Lead-to-Regenerate Changemaker Program, a six-month leadership training initiative for these exceptional changemakers. The eight finalists have been tirelessly working towards their missions and have already completed three online workshops, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become regenerative leaders.
Staying at our eco-villa in Ubud, Bali, Mana Earthly Paradise, the setting allowed our heroes to immerse themselves in the captivating Balinese culture, engage with fellow changemakers in the social sector, and partake in invaluable mentoring sessions with some industry experts. The primary objective was to expand the community of heroes and garner support for their life-changing work.
Let’s take a closer look at the incredible activities that unfolded each day.
2. Highlight of Heroes Camp
A welcome dinner that quickly became a lively affair.
Our eight finalists flew in from five countries: the United States, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Mongolia.
Despite some initial travel hiccups, they all made it to the welcome dinner on time, and the nerves quickly turned into excitement as they finally met face-to-face. Once they started sharing stories and updates about their projects, the atmosphere transformed into one of camaraderie and enthusiasm. It was a stellar start to the Bali Camp!
DAY 1 – Orientation & Life Story Sharing
We kicked off the morning with a serene meditation session, accompanied by the soothing sounds of nature. After that, we delved into a unique exercise called “River of Life,” led by fellow Impact Hero finalist Galuh Wandita, in which they described their lives by drawing a river and shared with each other about who they are and what impact they have had on their lives. It was an intimate and powerful experience that brought our heroes closer together, igniting a sense of unity and inspiration.
Meet Up With Robin Lim, Impact Hero 2016, at Bumi Sehat Clinic
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Bumi Sehat Clinic Midwifery Center, where our heroes had the chance of interacting with our Impact Hero 2016, Robin Lim. There, Ibu Robin shared their awe-inspiring activities and emphasized how love serves as the bedrock of their work. Our heroes were deeply moved and found themselves reevaluating their own journeys and projects. It was a profound moment of reflection and growth.
Conversation with Tjok Gede, Prince of Ubud
Adding some local flavor, we invited Tjok Gede, member of the Ubud royal family, to share his insights on Balinese traditions, values, and the evolving landscape of Bali. Our heroes gained invaluable perspectives on community development and future possibilities ? such an eye-opening conversation!
DAY 2 – Intensive Mentoring Sessions
By the second day, our heroes had completely broken the ice and formed a strong bond. They expressed how they felt like one big family, which was heartwarming to hear. The highlight of the day was the 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with six experts from various fields. Each hero received advice tailored to their specific needs, such as developing fundraising plans and marketing materials. It was a game-changer for them, as they gained new perspectives, learned practical skills and found new ways to tackle challenges. Their reflections afterwards showed just how meaningful this experience was for them.
DAY 3 – Visit to Green School Bali
We took our heroes to Green School Bali, where they learned about the school’s mission of creating an education revolution. Chris Thompson, advisor and friend of Earth Company as well as former director at the school, gave them an insightful tour. The unique educational model, along with the bamboo facilities, had everyone intrigued. It was a day filled with inspiration and discovery!
Heroes’ Night: Promoting the Activities of Each Party to Expand the Support Network!
We welcomed about 40 guests to Mana’s restaurant for Heroes Night, which started in an intimate setting. Heroes gave 5-minute presentations on their stories and initiatives. Many questions were raised from the audience, and the event became so exciting that the scheduled time was not enough!
One of the guests who participated in the event said, “I am a businessman from Canada, where I am originally from,
I was shocked that I did not know that human rights violations were taking place at a gold mine in Papua New Guinea by a company from Canada, my home country. I want to think together about what I can do to help.”
I felt that these heroes, who are at the forefront of social issues and devoting their lives to solving them, are the hope for the future.
These were some of the comments we received.
After the presentations, there was time at each table for the heroes and guests to talk about the possibilities for support and collaboration, and many encounters were made that will lead to future support, including donations and introductions of people and organizations.
And then came the big event, Heroes’ Night! This evening was all about expanding the support network for our heroes. We welcomed about 40 guests to Mana’s restaurant for Heroes Night, which started in an intimate setting.
Each finalist delivered a 5-minute presentation about their stories and initiatives, which left the audience with countless questions and excitement. Connections were made, conversations sparked, and support poured in. It was an electric atmosphere that went way beyond our expectations. We’re still buzzing from the energy of that night!
Here are some of the comments we got:
“I am a businessman from Canada, where I am originally from, I was shocked that I did not know that human rights violations were taking place at a gold mine in Papua New Guinea by a company from Canada, my home country. I want to think together about what I can do to help.”
“I felt that these heroes, who are at the forefront of social issues and devoting their lives to solving them, are the hope for the future.”
DAY 4 – Regenerative Agriculture Experience & Balinese Purification
After three intense days, we wanted our heroes to take a breather and relax a bit. They had the choice of experiencing regenerative agriculture or taking part in a Balinese purification.
For the farming experience, they learned about regenerative farming efforts at Astungkara Way, an organization led by Tim Fijal, one of the mentors. They even cooked a delicious local Balinese meal together using vegetables freshly harvested from the garden.
For the Balinese purification, a Balinese healer performed a ritual using readings and holy water following the Balinese Hindu tradition. The heroes felt their souls cleansed and rejuvenated. What an amazing way to wrap up their journey!
Final Day
“I had never really rested, thinking only about solving problems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It was a very valuable opportunity for me to rest my spirit and face myself anew.”
“I made friends and family that I can truly trust, not competitors. I felt connected to everyone and was empowered to know that I am no longer alone.”
At the final review session, our heroes shared their insights and learnings from the camp. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect face-to-face, as it reminded them of the joy and importance of human interaction. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome, both for our heroes and for Earth Company. The camp exceeded our expectations, and we’re grateful to have been part of this incredible journey!
3. Next Step
So, what’s next? Well, the Heroes Bali Camp has come to a successful conclusion, but there’s more to come. We have two online workshops and the Regenerative Futures Summit in June. And guess what?
We’ll be selecting the IMPACT HERO 2023 right after that. It’s an exciting and nail-biting event! All of our finalists are brilliant, charming, and passionate about their mission. Who will be the next IMPACT HERO? Stay tuned to find out!
