Support Sidemen

Support Sidemen began as a simple act of care, a way to keep our team and local families supported when Bali’s borders closed and livelihoods disappeared. What started as a small effort to deliver aid packages to those in need has since grown into a long-term community initiative that continues to evolve with the needs of the valley.

Today, Support Sidemen touches nearly every corner of our community, from education and environment to animal welfare and healthcare. What began as a challenge has become one of the most meaningful parts of who we are at Samanvaya.

Our Impact So Far

Since 2021, Support Sidemen has:

• Collected over 28 thousand kilos of recyclable materials — plastics, cans, cardboard, and steel — directly from the community.
• Exchanged this waste for over 5 thousands kilo of rice, providing food security while reducing environmental waste.
• Delivered countless aid packages to families in need.
• Provided wheelchairs for elderly residents who had been housebound for years, restoring mobility and independence.
• Funded school supplies and uniforms for local students.
• Supported training programs and skill development for young people seeking new opportunities.
• Assisted with emergency relief during floods and other local crises.

Connecting Guests & Community

Our guests are at the heart of this movement. Many have asked how they can get involved, and that’s how our “Connect with Sidemen” program was born. Through this initiative, guests can take part in gentle, small-scale volunteer activities such as:

• Helping students practice conversational English
• Joining a local environmental or river clean-up
• Assisting with community gardening or reforestation
• Donating school materials, rice, or uniforms

We also love creative initiatives — like when a visiting vet offered desexing for local dogs, or a dentist volunteered her time for teeth cleaning and checkups at the village school. If you have a skill or idea that could make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Evolving With the Community

Support Sidemen is constantly evolving. When floods hit, we helped rebuild. When families struggled with food shortages, we delivered rice. When waste threatened our environment, we swapped plastic for rice. Whatever the valley needs — we adapt and respond together.

Our goal has always been simple: to support the Sidemen community in ways that are sustainable, meaningful, and respectful.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to get involved, there are many ways to make a difference:

• Bring or donate school supplies, rice, or hygiene materials.
• Join one of our community activities during your stay.
• Share your skills or ideas — we’re always open to new collaborations.
• Or simply reach out to our team to see where help is most needed right now.

Every contribution, big or small,  makes an impact.

Together for Sidemen

Support Sidemen is 100% community-driven and guest-supported. Every donation, every visit, and every kind gesture goes directly toward enriching the lives of those who call this valley home.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey — our guests, staff, and neighbours who remind us every day what it means to be part of something bigger.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, please contact us at samanvaya@samanvaya-bali.com.