Bali WISE impressed us so much that we wanted to hear at least one story from a girl who went through the program. So we reached out to Lili.

Lili (24) is incredibly kind, but above all, unbelievably strong. Her desire to join Bali WISE began back in 2018, when she heard about the program from her mother. A family acquaintance had a sister who had gone through it. It stayed in her mind. But knowing about an opportunity and actually seizing it are two completely different things.

Lili is from Flores in eastern Indonesia (Nusa Tenggara Timur), from an environment where dreams often remain just dreams. When she was a child, her father left, and her uncle became the main male authority in her family. He forced her to work in his small construction material business every day from 7 AM to 6 PM for a negligible amount of money. He controlled her life and repeatedly forbade her from joining Bali WISE. Eventually, he offered her a deal. If she worked for his company for one year, then she could go. But it turned into three years.

But Lili wanted more. She wanted to stand behind a reception desk, speak English, become independent. She wanted to build her own life. So in 2023, she took a step that changed everything – she applied to the program via Instagram. This time, without permission.

When she was invited for an online interview in Bali, she knew that if she didn’t go now, she might never go. Bali WISE accepted her. The only thing each girl must arrange for herself is transportation to the Bali WISE Educational Center in Bali.

At first, we wondered: “How is a young girl from a poor family supposed to afford such a journey?” But eventually, we understood. Not everyone will agree, but the girls must show determination and overcome some obstacles before being given the chance at a better life. After all, we all know that nothing comes for free.

Coming from such a distant place required tremendous courage. The first obstacle was money — she needed a plane ticket. Her mother, a single parent caring for her younger sibling, could not help financially. Eventually, her mother suggested she could sell her pig. Lili sold the pig and bought the plane ticket. She then embarked on her journey. From a remote island, traveling by small plane to Bali.

And that’s where her new life began.

How does she live now?

After completing the program, she got a job in a hotel, although her first experience wasn’t ideal. Not everyone lands the perfect job right away. Today, however, Lili works as a bellhop at the Grand Hyatt in Bali, where she is very happy and has made many friends. She has bigger ambitions – she is currently learning front desk procedures, such as check-in and check-out and guest complaint handling. Her goal is to become a front desk agent.

And outside of work? She bought a motorcycle on lease. And something as simple as being able to buy a whole chicken just for herself now fills her with immense gratitude.

And her family?

Her uncle still contacts her. But today, he no longer has the power to control her life.
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“Don't be afraid to chase your dreams, even when it's tough. Keep moving forward, keep fighting, and believe that your dreams will come true. You're stronger than you think, braver than you feel – and you have to believe in yourself.”
- Lili