On episode 4, we are honored to welcome Ibu Sari, the founder of PKP Community Center — an NGO dedicated to empowering Balinese villages, providing a safe space and thriving home to champion emotional and financial support for vulnerable women and their families. Driven by a mission to build women by building the entire community, PKP runs diverse programming and social enterprises to lift up marginalized Balinese members of society. 

A staggering statistic indicates that 80% of divorced women in PKP Community Center left marriages that inflicted financial struggle, mental and physical abuse. 20% of the divorced women suffered other causes.

In this conversation, we explore Ibu Sari’s experience of being separated from her daughter for 12 years following an incredibly traumatic divorce. This is the story for most (if not all) women in Bali. It is very difficult for women to be accepted back into their communities and rebuild a life afterwards, which was the driving catalyst for her life’s work.

Other topics we explore in this deeply moving talk: 

• How her traumatic experience inspired her to start PKP Community Center 

• Why most Balinese are not equipped with the tools to enter a healthy, happy and sustainable marriage 

• How to reconcile the traditional Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (harmony with self, community & planet) with the painful inequality resulting from divorce culture

• Her philosophy of “head” versus “neck” in looking at the role women play in relationship to men 

• The significance of “LAF” (Look, Ask & Feel) and how this tool empowers women to grow into their highest potential and leadership in the community 

• The program(s) within PKP that support the greatest breakthroughs for those seeking a better life and future forward 

• How she believes Balinese culture will need to shift to support divorced women who have taken the courageous step of claiming their independence and happiness 

• The sage wisdom she would give to her 20-year old self now 

• What she is most grateful to Bali for during these COVID times