BASAibu
We engage young people to participate in civic issues using local language, community-developed, digital platforms. While doing so, we reduce the digital divide and help people use the internet more effectively to improve their lives and their communities. BASAibu is a registered 501(c)(3) in the US. We work closely with Yayasan BASAbali Wiki, a charity registered and based in Indonesia.
Milestones and Awards
2023
We received an Appreciation from US Consulate in Surabaya for enganging young people in Indonesia and in the US to work together to improve the enviornment of their own local communities. Participation in the BASAbali Wiki reached 3.5 million.
2022
We received Honorable Mention in IEEE Connecting the UnConnected challenge for helping communities use the internet more effectively to improve their lives and their communities.
2021
With major funding from Fondation Botnar, we started replicating our community engagement approach in South Sulawesi, Indonesia with BASAsulselWiki. Our National Geographic-supported animation of community-developed superhero, Luh Ayu Manik Mas, was selected by the Smithsonian Mother Tongue Film Festival as an official selection and as a staff pick.
2020
The community evolves the BASAbali dictionary-virtual library into a platform which is also used for the community to publicly discuss civic issues. The US State Department uses Indonesian superhero Luh Ayu books to teach creative writing to Indonesian teachers. The Indonesian embassy uses Luh Ayu books to encourage literacy and environmental action among US middle school students.
2019
UNESCO Confucius Price for Literacy and the Government of Bali’s award for using digital tools to strengthen local culture and language. Featured in The Economist’s The World in 2019. We introduce Balinese community-developed superhero, Luh Ayu Manik Mas, with the support of National Geographic.
2018
International Linguapax Award and launched the 1st book of Luh Ayu Manik Mas. The book was launched by the First Lady, Bali Governor, Mrs. Putri Suastini.
2016
The community expands the wiki dictionary to include a virtual library encyclopedia.
2015
Nine country simultaneous and simulcast celebration in Balinese of Saraswati Day, the Balinese holiday of knowledge. Semantic Media Wiki of the Month (Feb)
2014
We create a community-developed Balinese wiki dictionary based on the unpublished dictionary of Fred Eiseman.
2013
We translate Google’s homepage into Balinese and Transparent Language provides BASAbali with state-of-the-art language learning software for Balinese. Language materials piloted in 13 middle schools in Bali.
2011
BASAbali started as a nonprofit organization. Featured the same year in The Economist.