From Food Aid to Dreams of Becoming a Hotel GM, Mercure Kuta Bali Inspires Bali’s Youth

BADUNG – In celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence, Mercure Kuta Bali, part of Accor Hotels, reaffirmed its commitment to social care and community sustainability by delivering direct assistance to two social institutions in Bali.

This initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Social Services Office of Badung Regency and Denpasar City.

The Mercure Kuta Bali team first visited the Sunya Giri Orphanage in Denpasar, where they were warmly welcomed by the head and manager, Ketut Alit Rahadiana.

He shared that since 2001, he has dedicated himself to ensuring the children under his care can receive an education. Their primary need, he explained, is funding for school fees.

The donations included basic necessities, cash for educational expenses, and daily essentials aimed at easing their burdens while supporting their daily activities.

“Thank you to Mercure for providing food packages and education funds,” Ketut Alit expressed on August 14, 2025.

He further emphasized that the 24 children currently enrolled in school require significant financial support. Sunya Giri Orphanage is under the guidance of Denpasar’s Social Services Office.

“We don’t only take in children without parents. Most of them come from underprivileged families who cannot afford schooling. Some are orphans, others still have a single parent, but simply lack the means for education,” he explained.

Pantri Arini, Hotel Manager of Mercure Kuta Beach Bali, was delighted to see the children’s enthusiasm for learning.

“Study hard, okay? Someday, after you graduate, you could work in the hospitality industry—maybe even in our hotel,” she encouraged.

“This activity is our way of showing gratitude for our nation’s independence, as well as a tangible form of Mercure Kuta Bali’s social responsibility to the community,” Pantri Arini added. “We hope this assistance brings both benefit and renewed spirit to the recipients.”

The second stop was in Kapal Village, Mengwi, Badung, where the team was welcomed by I Gede Eka Putra, Secretary of Kapal Village.

“Thank you to Mercure Kuta. I hope this CSR contribution benefits our orphaned children,” he said.

According to Pantri Arini, this CSR program carries a strong focus on education for the younger generation, which she believes is essential for sustainability.

“Accor’s CSR is still managed centrally, but hopefully, in the future, it can be more locally tailored to the hotel’s surrounding communities,” she added.

Accor’s global network spans over 5,000 hotels worldwide, with hundreds in Indonesia and 21 in Bali.

I Wayan K. Sugita, Director of the company managing Mercure Kuta, revealed in a brief interview that they have begun establishing a foundation in the Baturiti area.

“This foundation will help underprivileged communities and support sustainability programs, including training children to one day become General Managers in Accor hotels,” he explained.

The event concluded with the presence of I Nyoman Adi Setiawan, S.STP, Head of Kapal Village, who warmly welcomed the Mercure team. He stressed the importance of assistance like this, especially since government aid in Badung has so far focused on people with disabilities, leaving orphans without sufficient support.

“Educational aid in tourism can help develop our children’s potential and improve our local human resources,” he concluded. (Ray)