ReVIVEment

Vital Light Village- Inclusive Activities For All Abiliites

Friends Of Freyr Revivement Village Family Support in Bali invites families to be supported to have time-out together and to join our Inclusive Natural-learning and Cultural activities… People of all abilities are invited to be involved in holistically supported activities and learn about sustainable natural living -all while sharing in the beautiful local culture of Bali. The aim is to support families to have a holiday together, with the goal of creating dynamic community living environments internationally; intentionally based on cooperation, sharing, and being part of the natural environment – with activities including growing food, harvesting it and preparing meals, building, playing music, and celebrating together.

Our future plans involve expanding our network to Ghana and Kenya to engage in cultural traditions, such as dance and music, natural medicine, and mutual learning and support.We are in the process of collaborating with other organizations to establish environments where families can partake in a natural village setting. Our current focus is on building connections through our Bamboo Skills Sharing program in Belega, Bali, aiming to unite people in collectively embracing our interconnectedness with each other and with nature. Additionally, we are partnering with Agatha Armani House in Kenya and One Buuri in Ghana to authentically share in the essence of living as a tribal family.

About the Project

Vital Light Village seeks to address the challenges faced by families with high-support needs, combating social isolation, exclusion and Carer burnout/exhaustion by allowing families to bond without constant caregiving responsibilities through our supported holiday programs. Through eco-cultural learning experiences, workshops, play therapies, and sustainable projects, we aim to empower parents while unlocking the potential of special needs children. Collaboration with volunteers, our workshop participants, professionals, and international and local families is key to fostering a vibrant village environment. This vision not only benefits families but also enriches local communities.

This project aims to expand support for disabled individuals and their families within a village setting. Membership in this program enables the development of this Vision in Bali and in creating a network of reVIVEment villages – co-creating places and events which will enable groups of families to have supported time out and create a wider discussion platform for moving our daily lives collectively towards this reality.

Many families find it challenging to enjoy vacations due to the lack of necessary supports, often sacrificing their own holiday experiences. By providing appropriate care, opportunities for personal growth, and community participation, we empower families and individuals with disabilities to enhance their quality of life. Our approach aims to alleviate exhaustion and isolation while enabling families to embrace joyful experiences together. Vital Light Village offers an alternative to leaving loved ones at respite centres, ensuring inclusive and supportive holiday experiences – also demonstrating/providing a living model for establishing inclusive and supportive intentional community-living environments.

Imagine a place where individuals with disabilities and their families can relax and enjoy being part of a supportive community. Vital Light Village is dedicated to creating an inclusive community supporting families who have members with disabilities. Our priority is nurturing an environment where families feel valued, supported, and connected. Our Family Revivement Gathering Membership model offers pre-purchasable packages and membership for ongoing access to discounted rates, providing exclusive benefits and is a means to raise the funds necessary to launch the project. Inspired by personal experience, we aim to create a disability-inclusive village where families find the support they deserve.

Objectives:

• Inclusive Community Living: Providing Restoration and Support

• Natural Learning Environment: Contributing to Local Communities

• Care Support: Creating a Protective Community

• Co-Contribution and Belonging: Fostering Interdependence

• Peace of Mind for Parents

• A village setting which offers a sense of community and natural support, allowing families to bond and individuals with disabilities to thrive.

• Participation in guided/supported activities, enables individuals to contribute to local life and expand their awareness and social interactions.

Key components of our vision include safe living spaces, engaging activities, comprehensive care support, community farming, local employment opportunities, and inclusive leadership roles. With paid carers, volunteer guides, and teachers, families can engage in a supportive environment tailored to their needs.

Sharing a vision for a sustainable and supportive living community, also known as a Revivement Village/Community, involves fostering an environment where families can thrive within natural settings, promoting collective and mutual support. The aim is to guide and assist families in crafting their own sustainable living plans, and integrating them into supportive communities that prioritize well-being and environmental stewardship.

Membership in this program is more than just a commitment; it’s an invitation to partake in the development of this vision in Bali, paving the way for the creation of a network of ReVIVEment villages. By co-creating events, our programs offer families the opportunity to enjoy supported “time off”, fostering a broader dialogue aimed at transitioning our everyday lives toward this envisioned reality collectively.

The foundation of this initiative is built on the principles of sustainable living, community support, and environmental care. It encourages the sharing of knowledge, resources, and experiences to create a cohesive network of communities that embody these values. Through active participation, members contribute to a larger movement dedicated to redefining the concept of community living, focusing on reviving rather than just surviving.

This vision extends beyond individual or family benefits; it’s about creating a scalable model that can influence wider societal changes. The emphasis on sustainable practices, combined with the support of a nurturing community, offers a tangible pathway for others to explore and adopt similar lifestyles. Ultimately, this initiative aims to inspire a shift in how communities are formed and function, prioritizing sustainability, support, and collective well-being as cornerstones of living.

Local Partnership

The partnership aspect with local families enabling a ‘cooperative venture’ approach is central to this initiative. By weaving together the expertise and resources of the community, the program aims to offer participants a rich, hands-on learning experience. These collaborations not only enhance the learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities / diverse abilities/ special needs but also foster a sense of belonging and contribution among everyone involved.

We aim to Co-found and create a post-school program for individuals with special needs as a step towards integrating inclusive community values with practical skill development and cultural immersion. This program is designed to go beyond traditional educational frameworks, focusing on a holistic approach that includes vocational training, social engagement, and cultural exchange within the unique context of Bali’s community and environment.

We will enable local staff to receive training to work with disabilities (support work), and to develop local businesses and partnerships to expand our network. This initiative extends beyond mere employment; it’s about fostering a supportive environment that values inclusivity and understanding. Moreover, by developing local businesses and partnerships, we aim to expand our network and enhance the impact of our programs.

Our strategy involves up-skilling local families, empowering them to manage aspects of the disability care and Supported Holiday Program. This approach not only strengthens the local economy but also fosters family networking and empowers local creators and craftspeople. We will establish a direct marketing channel that minimizes the need for intermediaries and ensures that international members can engage in developing products and small business partnerships within a supportive community framework. In line with this, we will introduce a mentoring program aimed at further supporting and guiding our community members in their entrepreneurial and creative endeavors and will be part of our Post-School Program.

Social engagement programs and local staff training will ensure that participants are not only integrated into ‘daily life’ in Bali but also contribute to its cultural and social fabric. This aspect of the program emphasizes the mutual benefits of cultural exchange, allowing participants to learn from the community while sharing their own experiences and perspectives.

Skill development and family partnerships are crucial components, and will enable participants to gain practical skills that are valuable both within and beyond the community. These skills range from bamboo craftsmanship and sustainable farming practices to more general vocational skills tailored to the interests and abilities of each participant.

This holistic approach to post-school programming for individuals with special needs represents a pioneering effort to blend education, sustainability, and community development in a way that benefits participants and the broader community alike. It embodies a forward-thinking model of education that values diversity, sustainability, and mutual support, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The integration of Bamboo Workshops and Nature-based natural learning programs underlines the program’s commitment to sustainability and environmental education. These workshops serve as a practical platform for participants to engage with wider community programs led through Bamboo Creative Bali Workshop and Outreach programs and learn about sustainable practices, and contribute to conservation efforts.

Outreach Programs

Outreach Programs extend the impact of the initiative, aiming to raise awareness and engage a wider audience in the program’s goals and activities. These programs are designed to engage more local community projects and involve international student programs and showcase the successes and learning experiences of participants, encouraging a broader dialogue on inclusive education, sustainability, and community development.

Join Our Collaborative Journey: A Unique Opportunity to Invest in Community and Sustainability

This is a vision of making a better life for everybody cooperatively by “helping together”, and learning together through “play”; transforming our mindset to embrace joy in shared experiences. We invite collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations to join forces in creating meaningful and lasting impact to build a community-focused and inclusive program which can serve as a model for others looking to make a difference in their own communities

We invite collaborations with local and international organisations, foundations, individuals and families to be part of our awesome programs and activities; Using a Timeshare model, we aim to procure investment to support the costs of building, training and physical developments and to cooperatively organise and establish activities and workshops where we can learn together, help each other and play – making a better life for everybody.

This initiative to foster collaborations with local and international organizations, foundations, individuals, and families for the creation of diverse programs and activities is a powerful approach to community development and support. By inviting a range of partners to contribute, we are setting the stage for a rich, multidimensional program that can cater to various needs and interests, ranging from long stay and short stay to day programs. This approach to inclusivity ensures that everyone, regardless of their commitment level or availability, has the opportunity to participate and benefit.

The use of a Timeshare model for investment is an innovative strategy to secure funding for the essential aspects of the program, such as building infrastructure, training staff, and developing physical spaces. This model not only helps in covering the costs associated with these critical areas but also engages investors in a cooperative venture that has tangible outcomes and benefits for all involved. By investing in the program, contributors become part of a community-driven effort that values sustainability, learning, and mutual support.

Organizing and establishing activities and workshops within this framework creates a dynamic environment where learning, helping, and playing go hand in hand. These experiences are designed not just for personal growth but also for fostering a sense of community and interconnectedness. Through shared activities, participants and contributors can exchange knowledge, skills, and cultures, enriching the program and creating a vibrant, supportive community.

To become a FAMILY member of Friends of Freyr Activity Program, you can join here towards the core of the initiative – which will commence the building stage of the project. You will receive monthly updates on the progress of our Revivement build and programs and will always be able to access the special Membership rate of $445 ($510 including tax). You can book your program through our Scheduling Calendar – and Membership guarantees your Accommodation rate at $7 per night per person and meals $22 per day plus platform fees ($38 total) – paid at the time of your stay.

After 12 months subscription (monthly payments of AUD$41, you will have 1 slot (24 hour activity program) in our timeshare membership program (every 5 years); After 2 years, 2 slots and so forth. Subsequent/additional nights/days will be charged at this special membership rate. You can add-on/book extra days/nights (subject to availability). For remaining nights/slots booked (add-on) you will be invoiced After your program for funding claims (pre-approved participants). If you choose not to use your membership program benefits, you may “resell” your benefit/s into our retail program level at up to $680/slot.

In-Kind Contribution/Particiption

If you wish to contribute in-kind or non-financially, you can choose your contribution amount below. You will receive subsequent correspondence from us regarding your chosen contribution.

We look forward to seeing you and having you join our program 🙂 These are exciting times and we would love to know more about your needs and interests so we can plan our programs and schedules to achieve the best outcomes for everybody.

“Vital Life Village is where my daughter Freyr (who has Intellectual Disability/Autism) can be involved in engaging activities that are part of life in a village-type environment; Where she receives “natural” community support, and the care-burden on myself is reduced; I feel supported – by being with other parents/carers of special needs families and I can develop my passion and interests in Natural Building and Regenerative Farming.

Freyr, has friends and other families with special needs children stay also or visit; and she has her role in the Local Foundation – having her jobs in the running of the Special Hotel and Community Farm. Affordable engagement therapies, training and support for people with special needs are available to her, and through this project, funding is channeled towards building this and other communities in our Sister-Village Network with a secure structure and integration with the local community. I hope that when I die, I know she is safe and will always  be looked after appropriately and with care and support from people who are like Family to her. 

The greater Vision – involves the formation of a not-for-profit company/ trading co-operative FRIENDS OF FREYR – open to investment for people with special needs and their families… a supported lifestyle and activity program which includes farming activities, yoga and music program, integrated with Community Business activities in areas such as hospitality skills (meal preparation, front desk customer service, cleaning, housekeeping, life skills).

Through ‘mainstream’ bamboo & natural building workshops & programs (Bamboo Creative Bali), we will build Bamboo Villa Homestay room prototypes on the land which will provide accommodation for families and guests coming to join our activities. Ordinarily, parents/Carers and family members can arrange their own accommodations which are plentiful around Gili Meno Island.

Vital Light Village strives to enrich the lives of families with disabilities while contributing to local communities. Our inclusive approach fosters a sense of belonging and empowers caregivers to realize their own potentials. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels valued and supported in their journey towards conscious living.

We work with local and international care/support workers and therapists and can assist with complex needs and nursing care and/or onsite 24 hour medical support, support with visual communication for transitioning and social stories. Care is offered/provided for children as well as adults with special needs disabilities on a full-time or part-time basis,

See more about our current HOMESTAY PROGRAM in Bali… Our inclusive program offering Respite – in-house stays – hourly, daily, weekly and monthly.

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First Pop-Up PROGRAM: 2023 – Gili Meno

Our Family Revivement Gathering Retreats will take place at Gili Meno Island, close to Lombok (which has International Airport 45 min from Mataram harbor; 20 min by boat) and Bali (3 hours boat ride plus car/minibus transfer from hotel/ Denpasar Airport). Arrival/Departure flexible/transitioning days are scheduled for a day before and after each program on 30th November and 11th December.

The activity program for the retreat includes:

• Thera-play natural building with cob and clay: sculpture, music, yoga, dance and theatre
• Walks, swimming, snorkeling, (Optional: diving. Experienced special needs instructor on the island)
• Painting, drawing and fabric-making classes
• Community cooking class, camp fire and singing
• Turtle sanctuary visits and walks around the island
• Yoga and Relaxation
• Peer support and discussion groups

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