There was a time when the circus was a travelling show with performers, freak shows, and a herd of animals as good old family entertainment. In the early 20th century, though, television and cinema stole the audience and so the performers found other places of employment and the activists returned the monkeys, bears and lions [...]

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Ever wondered what it is like to come to Indonesia for a volunteer abroad programme or contribute your time to a worthy cause as a local expat in Jakarta? International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is a not-for-profit children’s charity with ever growing projects in Indonesia, Thailand, and Kenya. Founded in 1985 by Carol Sasaki in the [...]

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There are two kinds of men in the world: those who can pull off a moustache and those who can’t. Movember, a month-long campaign to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer around the world, is a great way to let those men who are clearly nowhere near Burt Reynolds or Tom Selleck, dabble for [...]

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It cut through the night like a knife with a vengeance and silence fell in two; the dogs woke, pricked up their ears, barely whined and curled up tighter, eyes searching fearfully. A baby cried, but the village slept on. In the deadness of that 13th hour, the slow measured breath of each villager resounded [...]

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Individuals from all over the world come to Indonesia for a variety of reasons. Some arrive for the purpose of exploration, some for the purpose of employment, and oftentimes for the purpose of accompanying one’s partner who has to relocate to the country. Whatever the reason for the extended stay in Indonesia, some expatriates may [...]

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Running to some frees the mind and to others is a painful chore best avoided. Running on a treadmill indoors however, can take the pleasure away from even the most hardcore running fan, as there’s no freedom and no scenery to stimulate. Now imagine three men taking it in turns to run on a treadmill [...]

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I had the pleasure of drinking myself to a better conscience as animal lovers gathered together on Sunday 2nd of September to drink for a cause! A Beer for a Stray is a collaboration between Let’s Adopt! Indonesia (LAI) and Alcoholics Bar & Grill. This annual event was initiated by the owners of Alcoholics, Judith [...]

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When writing about aid projects words like ‘uplifting’, ‘inspirational’ or ‘downright bloody fantastic’ rarely, if ever, enter the vocabulary of cynical development consultants. That maxim held true until I visited the East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) located on the remote and inhospitable northeastern slopes of Mount Agung and Mount Abang in Bali. The project is [...]

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The Family at Lestari Sayang Anak Orphanage I think a lot of us, although we may not like to admit it, take things for granted, most importantly the love and support we have from our parents. Every child deserves to be loved unconditionally, even if not by their birth parents, and down a little alleyway [...]

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