The mission of the R.O.L.E. (Rivers, Oceans, Land & Ecology) Foundation in Bali is to educate, re-skill and create alternate
eco-friendly jobs and business opportunities for local communities, enabling the poor and disadvantaged to make a comfortable income, while reviving the health of the environment. Founder Mike O’Leary explained to Expat Indonesia how the project came about and where it goes from here.
What was the inspiration behind setting up R.O.L.E.? What was your motivation?
“I first visited Bali in 1979 and opened my first factory in 1985. I have employed and trained hundreds of local staff and managers over the years through my company P.T. D Classic.
Over the last 27 years, I witnessed first hand the accelerated destruction of the environment and the ever growing pool of poor and disadvantaged in Bali. I believe that there must be a balance between a comfortable income for all people, use of natural resources, and preserving untouched lands and ocean for future generations and wildlife. My idea is that Eco Friendly Jobs and Small Business is the best medium to create a world without poverty and revive the health of the environment. So, instead of leaving my children an inheritance of monetary value, I decided I would rather leave them a sustainable environment. So, I decided to start R.O.L.E. Foundation.”
What were the challenges of setting it up?
“There have been many challenges setting up R.O.L.E. Foundation. The 1.5-hectare Eco Learning Center’s construction has been a challenge to keep entirely eco-friendly. The vast size of the park would have taken too much time to build without the use of concrete and electrical tools. Tough decisions had to be made on some building designs because we wanted to get the Eco Learning Center operational. From here on out, new projects will be built following these principles. It is also difficult to keep long-term interest for the Center. Because ROLE was started in 2007, many people have been waiting for the construction to finish, so our programs can begin.
What kind of impact does R.O.L.E. expect to have?
“The impact of R.O.L.E. can touch all aspects of the community. Through education in literacy and vocational skills of women, we hope to raise [the] livelihoods of their entire family and keep them and their families healthy. Through environmental teachings and awareness, we can build a sustainable environment, taking care of the oceans, lands, animals and trees, and create business practices that benefit everyone. We would like the community to live comfortably, and at the same time, be aware of their natural environment and how it can take care of them, if they take care of it.”
What are the main challenges in maintaining R.O.L.E.?
“Money and funding. Since this is a new foundation and idea, it is difficult to keep the long term interest during the building phase. Once the education and small business is fully operational, then people will see the results and we hope the funding is easier to raise. Everyone who wants to help disadvantaged people and the environment, will be able to see that R.O.L.E. is playing its role in helping and we hope this in turn will motivate people, companies and others foundations to donate to R.O.L.E. and its programs.”
What is the dream that you are striving to achieve?
“A sustainable world where everyone can live comfortably, while preserving the environment for future generations.”
An abridged version of this interview with Mike O’Leary is published in Issue 5 of Expat Indonesia.
