Mr. Gede Suarna

Work

Mr. Drh Gede Suarna has lived in rural Bali for all of his life and has worked for the Protestant Christian Church in Bali for over ten years. As a social worker for the Maha Bhoga Marga Foundation, Mr. Suarna helps new farmers develop their skills and form comprehensive marketing strategies to earn additional income. With a long background in cattle rearing and business, Mr. Suarna teaches rural farmers about livestock practices as well as serving as a micro business consultant. With his combined skills he helps these farmers build stronger marketing plans to sell their products and earn a fair wage.

Agriculture plays an important roll in Balinese society but the island is overwhelmingly dependent upon tourism for its income. This led to an economic depression for Bali after the 2002 and 2005 bombings.  Many had no choice but to return to farming in their villages to feed themselves.

Mr. Suarna is especially interested in helping empower rural people through combining both the rich agricultural heritage of Bali and the tourism industry. He would like to draw attention to the beautiful farms of Bali through an annual traditional festival called Makepung where farmers race water buffalo. At the Makepung festival, farmers can earn an additional income and showcase their farms.

Sending

Organization

In a small island nation where less than 1% of the population is Christian, the Protestant Christian Church in Bali seeks to assist the weak, the vulnerable and the poor. In this way they hope to create a prosperous society where all can love their Creator and the whole of creation. Their vision of helping to build a noble way for all people to prosper creates a number of social service projects, including the Maha Bhoga Marga Foundation.