Debora and Bradley T. Gardner

Debora and Bradley T. Gardner, the creative forces behind the world-renowned Begawan Giri Estate on the Indonesian island of Bali, founded the Begawan Foundation in 1999. Their experience at Begawan Giri Estate inspired them to start programs that would benefit local people, beginning with conserving the natural environment and meeting their educational and healthcare needs. However, those programs have now expanded with the establishment of the Begawan Breeding and Release Centre for the endangered Bali Starling, followed by the Melinggih Kelod Village Learning Centre. Begawan is expanding its efforts to develop the local community, with plans to establish regenerative farming, cultural heritage, a restaurant, and retail. The Gardners sold Begawan Giri Estate in 2004, and they have since devoted their time and energy to bringing the Foundation’s Vision and Mission to fruition. The scope of the Foundation’s work is steadily expanding as a result of their dedicated efforts and financial support, with Begawan now progressing to establish regenerative farming, cultural heritage, restaurant, retail, and community tourism experiences.

Ni Luh Ariani

Director

Ni Luh Ariani has spent fourteen years with the Begawan Group. She has risen through the ranks as a result of her dedication and loyalty, and she is now in charge of the overall management of Begawan Foundation’s Bali Starling Breeding and Release Site in Melinggih Kelod, Gianyar, Bali. Her assistance with the Community Breeders Group and the local community is invaluable as a Melinggih Kelod resident. She has been a shining example of the Begawan Foundation’s motto, “Learning by Doing.”

Rusmiati Sintia Dewi

Foundation Management Officer

Rusmiati Sintia Dewi, better known as Tia, is from Solok, West Sumatra. She holds a Master of Development Studies from the University of Melbourne in Australia. She is driven by a desire to constantly learn from others and enjoys working on community-based projects. Tia believes that development should be inclusive of the community’s marginalised groups. She engages directly with the founders about the current state of Begawan and the programs, including its development, monitoring, and plans. She is also responsible for growing Begawan team and their productivity at Begawan office in Banjar Pengaji.

Ikhsan

Photographer & Videographer

Ikhsan comes from Banda Aceh, Aceh. He graduated from the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Aceh. He has been involved in photography, videography, and graphic design projects since 2014. At Begawan, he is responsible for photography, videography, and graphic design.

Mochammad Ircham Maulana

Senior Education Officer

Mochammad Ircham Maulana, known to us all as Irham, graduated with a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) from Monash University, Australia. Before joining the Begawan, he has worked as an English teacher teaching students from various levels of Indonesian formal school in Bandung, Jakarta, and Kudus for approximately five years. His interests include community development, curriculum development, character education, and work-integrated learning. At the Begawan, Irham holds a role as a senior education officer. He is responsible to develop, implement, supervise, and evaluate the overall educational programs at the Begawan Learning Centre based on the Begawan’s curriculum.

Ketut Desy Pramita

Education Officer

Ketut Desy Pramita holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universitas Indonesia. She has three years of experience empowering women and children survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Jakarta. Desy creates modules and materials for the theme-based curriculum, teaches on a daily basis, and implements mindfulness-based education in her role as education officer. She has received training as a counsellor to provide psychoeducation, psychosocial support, and to conduct child and adolescent counseling. She is also responsible for fostering collaboration and engagement with students, teachers, volunteers, parents, and members of the community.

I Kadek Sanjaya Winangun

Birdkeeper

I Kadek Sanjaya Winagun, from Banjar Pengaji, Melinggih Kelod, works as a bird keeper at Begawan Foundation’s Breeding and Release Centre. Working at the foundation has given him new perspectives on conservation. He enjoys successful pairings and bird births, and he has created a number of new pairs that are now breeding in captivity. He is a knowledgeable bird watcher who was once a bird collector and is now using his skills to identify wild birds in the village for a bird watching program and to monitor the free flying pairs released in Melinggih Kelod in 2021, in addition to being responsible for site maintenance.

I Gede Padang Subadra

Karate Facilitator

I Gede Padang Subadra is currently studying at the Faculty of Law, Udayana University. Bobo, as he likes to be known, is interested in sport, especially martial arts. He holds two bronze medals in Karate, and has participated in the Governor’s Cup. In addition to studying and being the karate facilitator at Begawan Learning Centre, he is an active member of the Indonesian Kushin Ryu M Karate-Do (KKI) Black Belt Assembly, in the Gianyar District branch.

Adrian Hartanto Setiadi

IT Officer

Adrian Hartanto Setiadi, also known as Adrian, holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from Universitas Surabaya (UBAYA). He has 5 years knowledge as a Creative Marketer in the automotive industry located in Surabaya, and has now chosen to use his expertise to assist Begawan to be recognised globally.

Assabti N. Hudan M.

Education Officer

Assabti N Hudan M holds a Bachelor of  Arts Education from Yogyakarta State University. She has three years of experience as an art therapist and one year of experience working in a remote area. Sati creates modules and materials for the theme-based curriculum, creates proficiency and computer programs for the teenager curriculum, and teaches on a daily basis in her role as education officer. Her work in social community development and art has allowed her to meet many people and learn many skills. She enjoys facilitating the teenager class, giving her the space to develop the program, and increase the students’ interest in much needed skills, personal awareness, and social issues.

Wayan Sutini

Maintenance Person

Mbok Wayan is trusted with many things at the office. She keeps  Begawan’s office neat and tidy daily.

Made Suwitri

Cook

Made Suwitri, also known as Mbok Made, supports the foundation by cooking delicious meals for the student’s lunch at the Learning Centre as well as for the Begawan Team.

Desak Nyoman Mintari Ningsih

Garden Officer

Desak manages and maintains the permaculture garden for Begawan. Responsibilities include landscaping, horticulture, pest control and equipment maintenance.

Ni Wayan Diantari

Gardener

Ni Wayan Diantari, commonly known as Linda, is responsible for the planting and maintenance of gardens. Her duties include planting, spreading solid fertilisers (such as compost, dolomite, and salt), watering, and removing weeds.

I Made Murti

Farmer

I Made Murti or commonly known as Leo, is responsible for the cultivation, management and harvest of rice crops. He works to ensure optimal growing conditions and use regenerative practices to maintain fertile lands.

I Made Neraka

Farmer

I Made Neraka is responsible for the cultivation, management and harvest of rice crops. He works to ensure optimal growing conditions and use regenerative practices to maintain fertile lands.

I Nyoman Wartawa

Farmer

I Nyoman Wartawa is responsible for the cultivation, management and harvest of rice crops. He works to ensure optimal growing conditions and use regenerative practices to maintain fertile lands.