I have been reaching out to various wealthy individuals and big businesses to support the project I have created in Indonesia to empower women and girls through education. But I have been confronted with closed doors and empty talk. It truly baffles my mind how big businesses that have so much, do so little. I am but one girl, who has sold all her designer items and most of my worldly processions to ensure that 25 girls in a small village can have access to education. I have given up time with my family, personal relationships and professional progression all so that I can make a difference.

The mistake that I have made is that I have assumed that people do not care. But I know they do and I will keep on knocking until someone lets me come in and have a seat. I believe in this project just as much as I believe in my fashion dream. My mother said to me, ‘all you need is one person to believe in you’. The truth is that I cannot continue to fund this Art Village Education Hub on my own. I have nothing more to sell and I have to begin to focus on my own needs as a woman who wants a fulfilling life outside of her work. I have decided to give it 2 months of putting all my efforts to getting support. If it doesn’t take shape that someone will catch me when I jump. well then I will have a few scratches and close up shop.

The fashion I will always continue but the school for girls I cannot do without financial and management support. I am scaling the heights, but this time I am asking for others to help carry some of the weight. Together we can make a difference, but we must take turns otherwise we will burn out, I will burn out. In the future when I am independently wealthy I will create a fund called ‘change makers’, it will be a company of individuals making big differences in their community and funded to live at a standard comparably to their contributions to society. Why should those that sacrifice so much live on so little, sometimes less then the people they are helping.

Giving a talk and launching the book Bali Fashion Dream on the 15th May.

Radio Interview about the Book

Interview from the Fall during Global Entrepreneurship Week

Building relationships with the University of Arts London in New York over the winter.