Here we change lives

Karangasem covers an area of 8000m² in eastern Bali and is home to around 400,000 people. The area is vast, mountainous and many locals' houses are only accessible on foot. It is Bali's poorest district. It is characterised by its close proximity to the volcano Gunung Agung. The last major eruption was more than 60 years ago, but volcanic activity still characterises the whole region today. Mount Agung regularly emits ash clouds (last major eruption in 2017). As a result, the air quality in this region can be poor and causes respiratory problems. The people here live very modestly and mainly from agriculture and on the coast from fishing (unfortunately the coast is overfished). Agricultural yields are modest and cannot compete with other areas of Bali - not least due to lack of water. Bali's east has - apart from a small stretch of beach - definitely little to offer, the landscape is not predestined for tourism as it is known from the southern tip of Bali.

In practically all statistics, the districts of Klungkung and especially Karangasem are at the bottom, be it in terms of economy, intellect, school education, illiteracy, health - and thus also in terms of life expectancy. It is therefore not surprising that the average income in both regions is at a very low level.

In consultation with local officials, NEXUBA has decided to focus on Jungutan village, Bebandem sub-district, Karangasem district. Jungutan consists of 12 banjars. With our decentralised health care, a catchment area of about 10,000 inhabitants can be provided with medical care.

In the 12 banjars of Jungutan, we encounter widespread lack of hygiene and - due to an unbalanced and vitamin-poor diet - diseases. Malnutrition and undernourishment and their consequences are widespread and child mortality is still high. A large part of the people in Jungutan eat mainly rice and/or sweet potatoes. This is filling, but has no vitamins.