Margaret Barry OAM: Founder of the Bali Children’s Foundation, Indonesia

Описание: The 2002 Bali bombing changed Margret’s life. As an Australian entrepreneur running a fashion company in Bali she switched lanes and began helping Indonesia’s vulnerable children to access education as a way to fight extremism. She lives in Bali where her foundation assists children in 76 council areas through scholarships and literacy/IT classes so disadvantaged children can succeed in mainstream schools. When COVID-19 struck and devastated Bali’s tourism industry, she saw children from middle class families slide into the same predicament. Margaret is now concerned the pandemic will reverse her work in education and rob Indonesia of future leaders. Initially when COVID-19 struck she mobilized her network to deliver thousands of food packages to struggling people across the island. She then launched a ‘virtual challenge’ fundraising campaign to support middle-class children to stay in school, improve distance education, to help build a more stable region.

The Australian Government has supported Margaret Barry’s Bali Children Foundation since 2016. The Australian Embassy has provided more than AUD $11,000 to support the foundation’s work through the Direct Aid Program (which was given in two lots—AUD $8,871.30 in 2016-17 and AUD $2,872.54 in 2017–18).

Australia is working in partnership with Indonesia to minimise the impact of COVID-19, reorienting our development program. This includes an additional AUD $21 million in support for Indonesia’s health, humanitarian and economic response.