(4/19/2008)
In a unique program to provide employment opportunities to the physically handicapped in Bali, three leading hotels in Ubud have joined forces with the Senang Hati Foundation, a group that assists the disabled based in Tampaksiring.
Senang Hati or, in Indonesian, Happy Heart, is working with The Four Seasons Resort at Sayan, Amandari and Alila in creating three-month long work experience programs that will help disabled members of the community gain practical skills needed by Bali's tourism sector.
At its inception, the hotels offered six training places - 2 at each hotel, but, after interviews, 8 applicants, all with polio-related physical disabilities, were offered positions working in different departments ranging from housekeeping, kitchens, accounting to purchasing.
To ensure a smooth transition into the work place, line managers from the participating hotels attended a Disability Awareness Session held at the Amandari conducted by the staff of Senang Hati and volunteers from Volunteer Service Organization Indonesia (VSOI). Managers were given a chance to discover the problems that their new staff members may face and how to evaluate their premises for access problems.
VSOI, an international development organization which works with Senang Hati and other disabled people's organizations throughout Indonesia, report that they are overwhelmed by the positive positive reaction of the hotels in Bali who have offered employment to people with disabilities.
The Four Seasons Resort at Sayan, Amandari and Alila have taken what is hoped will be the lead in working with Senang Hati with interest now being shown by other hotels. As a result, plans are underway for three more hotels in Nusa Dua and Jimbaran to soon create training experiences.
Discussions with the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) are also planned to look at other ways in which the hotel community can help people with disabilities to achieve their full potential.
Show on Balidiscovery.com are pictures of 'Senang Hati' members at work at various hotels in Bali.
For more information on this very worthwhile program, contact Donna Gelardi at VSOI at telephone ++62-(0) 81 338 945354 or Ida Ayu Wiadnan Manuaba at Senang Hati at telephone ++62-(0) 81 337 259399.
Senang Hati
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