Following the first phase to 10 families, IDEP continues to distribute Family Bucket to eight families of single-parent women with school-age children in mid-September. The families live in two villages in Gianyar and Denpasar city. Prior to the pandemic, most of them have already carried out a heavy burden to survive as they work in the informal sector with daily-basis income. However, as the pandemic shut down Bali’s tourism industry since March, they are one of the most vulnerable groups. The support for single-parent women is part of IDEP collaboration with Bali Startup, Small Medium Enterprise One Stop Shop

Up to 29 September, the buckets have been received by 18 families. They spread over three districts and one city, including Karangasem, Buleleng, Gianyar, and Denpasar. With continued support from donors, the distribution will be carried on to reach out more widows in the upcoming weeks.

A mother and her son in Denpasar is receiving Family Bucket (Photo: Wira Utama)

The Family Bucket consists of daily basic needs, including main food and drink ingredients (rice, vegetables, eggs, cooking oil, spices, and milk), sanitary equipment (antiseptic soap and hand sanitizer), medicine and vitamin, growing kit (6 types of local-organic seeds, dolomite limestone, and bamboo polybag), school kit, and educational media related to COVID-19 and clean-healthy behavior. It is estimated for 2-4 weeks. To ensure the safety, both for the team and beneficiaries, the distribution was carried out under the COVID-19 protocols.

IDEP team Sagita is informing the family about organic seeds as part of Family Bucket that they can grow in their yard (Photo: Wira Utama)

Other than distribution, the IDEP team also shared educational information about COVID-19 and how to prevent it through clean and healthy behavior. The information are also featured on the educational media packaged in the bucket.

A mother and her son in Gianyar posed in front of their house after receiving Family Bucket (Photo: Wira Utama)

Bali Province is one of the tourism areas that has severely suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the rising number of workers being laid off and lost their daily income as the tourism industry shut down since March, IDEP has conducted a Family Bucket distribution for 328 affected-families (approximately 1,300 people). They live in 7 districts of Bali, including Gianyar, Bangli, Karangasem, Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan, and Klungkung.

A mother and her daughter in Gianyar after receiving Family Bucket (Photo: Wira Utama)

Thanks to all the donors for supporting this effort. Visit IDEP on Facebook Page for more stories and photos. (Ed)