Desak Sri Purnamawati
Learn Professionally

This pretty young lady that was born in 1976 is an amicable figure and her hobby is reading and looking out for new friends. It is one of the motivations of Desak Sri Purnamawati, SE, MBus to be involved in the tourism industry. Even though she has a background in economic studies, she has been actively dealing with tourism business by taking part in managing the Puri Dewa Bharata Village.
"Originally, I just assisted in marketing when I had spare time in the midst of my bustles at the campus. It was caused by the fact that I had no experience in managing the hotel in person. That’s why I needed to learn much from my seniors," she observed.
After completing her higher education (1999), Desak Sri continued her study by taking postgraduate program majoring in Hospitality and Tourism at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
At the beginning of 2002, with the educational provision in Master Degree, she commenced to manage her family business in person. "Originally, I just assisted in marketing when I had spare time in the midst of my bustles at the campus. As I had no experience in managing a hotel, I needed to learn much from my seniors," she observed.
"The strategy that I use in managing this hotel is based on the solidarity of the teamwork. It’s crucial because coordination of all departments is very much required," she continued.
She also added that every single section of the hotel has an important function, even a gardener has great significance.
In her mind, a sense of belonging of the entire employees is an asset of great importance for the success of a business. "It can be said that I have insufficient experience in tourism business. Nevertheless, I’ve got many experiences and stay in touch with many communities," she said while adding that experience was the best teacher in life.
Finally, she added again that promotion was a momentous aspect and could extend a positive image to tourists, so we need a great amount of funds to do that. (BTN/Rai)

Claire Dunphy
"I Feel Happy if Children Are Also Happy "

Up until these days, Bali remains attractive to foreigners. Even many amongst them wish to stay permanently on this paradise island. It is not only caused by its enchanting nature and culture of its people or their amicability and religious lifestyle, but more than that, because they encounter their pure love of this island of thousand temples. It is the very same reason that makes an American woman, Claire Dunphy decide to live in Bali. "I’ve come to Bali since 10 years ago and thenceforth I really loved Bali. Ultimately, I made up my mind to live here," Claire told Bali Travel News.
Due to her intense love to Bali, Claire eventually purchased a piece of land three years ago and established a residence at Puakan Village, Tegallalang Gianyar. "I dedicate this residence to the people of Puakan Village to be used for social activities. I also built an art community called ‘Bintang Pelangi’ for children at this surroundings to do learning and exercise," she said.
Claire, a former educator for children in her home country, is an active woman figure having social character and loving children intensely. Nowadays, she deeply involves herself in a social organization for the American Indian community named ‘Manataka’ of which activities focuse on animal and nature’s conservation all over the world.
Within her organization, she is known as an artist, painting animal on stone (intended for medium of worship in the American Indian tradition). In 1999, she released her album entitled ‘The Secret Life of Animals’ in New York and soon plans to make another album at Mengwi, Bali.
According to her, since her arrival at Puakan Village, she was accepted and treated lovingly by the surrounding community. Gradually, positive changes transpire on to the village community, especially on its children. They grow more clever and skillful. "We taught them in order to be clever and have wide perspectives. In essence, I feel happy if these children also feel happy," she observed on ending the interview. (BTN/tar)

Meiko Katayose
Artist and Arts

Caring about the artists and Balinese arts are two major essences coming in the centre of attention of Meiko Katayose, the founder and Director of Puri Suci Yudistira Foundation. "The year 1978 was the first time I stepped down on this Bali Island. I did not do that deliberately. At that time, I planned to make a holiday to Hawaii but due to certain reasons, it was ultimately changed to Bali," she recalled while adding that since that arrival she commenced to get interested and wanted to know more about Bali.
Observing the reality of life of Balinese artists, Mieko, her familiar nickname, feels to have been summoned to help them. "I really feel concerned to see the life of artists with very small income. On that account, I’d like to do a favour to them in order to make them more professional and at the same time motivate them to introduce the Balinese arts not only to local enthusiasts but also the international ones," said this Japanese that has speaks Bahasa Indonesia well. "Balinese arts are extremely exquisite and one of them is the Jegog."
According to her, Jegog, that is originated in Jembrana, is a dynamic art, even if it is combined with other instruments such as ceng-ceng (cymbal), drum and so forth will produce the beautiful fusion and it would be a great pity if this unique art is not preserved.
Meiko said, Jegog draws less attention from young generations in Bali today. As a consequence, through the organization, she will make a cooperation program with schools to bring along the art of Jegog as one of extracurricular subjects. "We are developing this program in order that young generations get interested in Jegog," explained the woman who has married a Balinese man.
"My greatest expectation is to bring the Jegog music to the international sphere. Other than Jegog, there is also a possibility to develop the other kinds of art existing in Bali, considering that one of my purposes is that I’d like to preserve Balinese culture," she said on giving a brief information of the foundation she established. (BTN/Rai)