Going to East Bali Immersion was one of the most rewarding experiences of the whole trip. Visiting East Bali Cashews was absolutely amazing. Seeing how a rural, poor village in the middle of the mountains was transformed by East Bali Cashews (EBC) was inspiring. They utilized the one of the few resources that was able to grow in dry soil, cashews, and empowered the locals by employing hundreds of people, while giving them a more livable wage. Most of the workers at the factory are women, and they even have a school next to the factory so the women don’t have to worry about finding schools, which can be very expensive. This school next to the factory is subsidized so that the women can afford to send their children there. In Indonesia, the “primary” role for a woman is to be the housekeeper and to take care of the kids, therefore providing them with a wage that allows them to take care of their family still is a big step forward towards women’s empowerment in the area. Growing up, my mom has been a teacher my whole life, therefore the education system has always been important to me. With my mom being a teacher at my elementary school, I was very lucky, as she got to go home around the same time as I did, however most parents are not so lucky. Paying for schooling/after care programs is extremely expensive and unaffordable to most people. The school at EBC was so beautiful and provided amazing amenities for the children. Not only are the mother’s saving money on schooling, the school also provides full meals for the children. Food can be expensive, therefore this is another way that EBC is helping the community. If the children happen to get sick or need their moms, the mother is allowed to leave work early to take care of the child. Providing a stable education system is one of the key steps to combating poverty and cultivating a bright generation. In addition to the school, EBC provides health insurance for their workers. Health insurance is another big issue in Indonesia and for EBC employees, of they get hurt they have full coverage.
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