If you're a successful compassionate woman who wants to ‘give back’, see the impact of your giving and enjoy time out for you – join Alisoun Mackenzie on this unique transformational adventure of a lifetime! 
Imagine enjoying a cool drink by the pool and watching the sunset as you take in the sounds and smells of a tropical island paradise...

It’s the end of an incredible day. You've just returned from visiting the school you sponsored in Lombok – a small island to the east of Bali.

Together with the other fascinating women in the group, you're reminiscing about the day – sharing special moments of connecting with people from the school at a celebratory event hosted by the local community. It's only now you're starting to realise the impact of your efforts

Nothing can prepare you for the overwhelming sense of pride and joy you will feel. 

It feels surreal – but you’ve done it!

Thanks to you, a whole community will benefit from the school you've built for generations to come. Plus you've helped clean up the environment and provided local jobs too.

Now it's time for YOU – to reflect and celebrate before heading to Bali for few days of relaxation and pampering.

Imagine how good all that will feel...

Being part of a team of world-changing women who co-fund a school will be one of the most empowering, uplifting and rewarding things you will ever do
Want to 'give back' or be part of an overseas charity project? 

This unique charity challenge, adventure, and retreat gives you the opportunity to embark upon one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life, with an amazing group of like-minded women.

During our time together you will discover how easy it is to combine 'give back' and travel – without being a white savor behaviour (if you benefit from white privilege).

Join us to:
  • Feel a deep sense of purpose and personal achievement when you visit the school and see how you've helped transform lives 
  • Experience an energising yet relaxing, and hassle-free adventure – everything is organised for you so you don't need to worry about practicalities or safety. 
  • Have fun exploring Bali and Lombok – stunning scenery, wonderful people, a cultural extravaganza, and great food. 
  • Immerse yourself in the stimulating and supportive company of like-minded women – so much better than going it alone! 
  • Learn about responsible travel so you have a positive impact and minimise your travel footprint

Tempted to add this to your bucket list? Let's chat...

 

See what previous team members say

 
 
 

The School Giving Retreat Experience

Connecting, fundraising and learning...

As a member of a hand-picked team you will have 6-9 months to raise/donate £2,000 (US$2,600).

But you won't be alone. During this time we’ll get to know each other through monthly group calls and an online group – designed so you can discuss ideas, get support, ask questions, and hear updates about our school. 

You’ll also learn about fundraising plus being a modern day global citizen, humanitarian, anti-racist and responsible traveller.

Then it's time to get excited about going to Bali and Lombok to visit the school!

Our trip to Bali, Lombok, and our school: JUNE 2022

This trip is an exclusive opportunity for the twelve women who sign up for the full School Giving Experience

We start by meeting up in Sanur on the south coast of Bali for a couple of days to connect, relax and get ready for our school visit.  

Imagine recovering from your flights by the pool or on the beach, enjoying healthy food, massages, yoga, meditation, walking along the beach.

COVID19: IT'S IMPOSSSIBLE TO PREDICT HOW BALI AND LOMBOK WILL EMERGE FROM LOCKDOWN. WHILE WE HAVE PEOPLE OVER THERE WHO ARE KEEPING US INFORMED, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO CONFIRM OUR EXACT ITINERARY UNTIL THE END OF 2021. 

Our school visit

I won't give too much away here but visiting our school as guests of the community will be one of the most rewarding, heart-warming and memorable experiences of your life!

We are keen to minimise disrupting childrens' education and avoid white being saviors. That's why it's the community and school leaders who decide the most culturally appropriate way for us to visit the school. We do not volunteer at the school. Every visit is different, so it will be a surprise for us too! 

Ubud: the cultural, creative and spiritual hub of Bali (5 Days)

Now it's time for YOU to enjoy a few days of relaxation, pampering, and exploring central Bali on this optional 5-day Retreat Extension. 

Ubud is in one of the most beautiful parts of Bali – thousands of temples, lush rice paddies, and swaying palm trees with a backdrop of volcanoes.

With its fabulous range of cafes, shops, artists, spas, spiritual experiences, workshops, and outdoor activities it's a wonderful place to chill with new inspiring friends. 

Activities

Most days will be an energising mix of time together (breakfast and dinner), optional activities, meaningful conversations, and time for you to do your own thing. We will be staying in hotels that offer a range of cultural and health/fitness activities. 

Your trip includes the trip to the school, a massage, and a one-day tour (of Bali). Optional activities (at an extra cost) could include a rice paddy cycle tour, sound meditation, priestess ceremony, spa treatments, or creative workshop. We'll help you organise activities that appeal. 

Our accommodation 

We will be staying in comfortable 3-star hotels with modern rooms, healthy food options, a poolspa services, and opportunities for you to do yoga and other activities. Plus space for you to chill and connect with other team members. 

Details of the specific hotels will be confirmed in April 2021.

The Cuisine

One of the many things I love about Bali is the scrumptious food – a great range of choices and exceptional eateries for vegetarians, vegans, meat-eaters, pescatarians and gluten free folks alike. The curries, raw food, salads, fresh-fruit (and juices) are especially divine.

The hotels we'll be staying at will all serve a healthy breakfast – including mouth-watering tropical fruit.

Most evenings, we will be eating out at restaurants we've tried before or which come highly recommended. We will of course make sure we cater for your dietary requirements. 

 

Why build schools in Lombok?

THE PROBLEM: Over 600 schools destroyed in earthquakes

In 2018, more than 500 people were killed, thousands of families where left homeless and over 400 schools were destroyed when a series of earthquakes struck the small Indonesian island of Lombok (east of Bali).

Since then our charity partner, Classroom of Hope (who recently built our school in Cambodia), has been helping the island recover by building new schools. But thousands of children are still out of school.

There is also a huge problem with rubbish in Indonesia. 

THE SOLUTION: Build earthquake-resistant schools so children can return to school. Schools that will also help clean up the environment and create jobs too.

We're excited to be partnering with Classroom of Hope again as they have found a solution that tackles both problems: the lack of child-friendly schools and too much rubbish.

Together we will be building one of the first schools in Indonesia made with re-cycled plastic bricks. How cool is that? 

Does being part of this project appeal to you?

What's included in this UNIQUE once-in-a-lifetime experience?

The following are all included so you can enjoy a fun, relaxing, and hassle-free trip
  • A fundraising page - so you can easily collect and track donations and be transparent to your donars. 
  • 10 nights' accommodation
  • Meals - all breakfasts and dinners (excluding drinks)
  • VIP school visit 
  • 1-day tour to a water-temple / volcano in central Bali
  • A special pampering massage to help you relax or re-energise
  • Pre-trip support so you find it easier to fundraise, bond with others in the team and get excited about your trip - monthly team calls and What's App group. 
  • Training calls about Bali and Lombok, responsible travel and avoiding white saviour complex (if you have white privilege) – so can connect with locals with confidence, respect and cultural appreciation.
  • Gifts - for the community and school
  • Entrance fees - for any sites we visit as a group
  • Tips - for all listed group travel and activities
NOT included...
  • Your international flights to and from Bali 
  • Transfers between the airport and hotels at the start and end of your trip. These can be arranged through our travel agent.
  • Additional nights' accommodation before or after the dates of the trip
  • Lunches 
  • Drinks
  • Optional activities - activities not stated
  • Insurance (travel, medical, activities & cancellation)
  • Vaccinations - you may be required to have a Covid-19 vaccine to enter Indonesia
  • Visas - prior to Covid-19, people from most countries could get a tourist visa upon arrival in Bali. We will advise you of visa requirements nearer the time. 
  • Other personal items such as souvenir shopping, personal phone calls/data roaming, extra massages, and spa treatments, personal taxis, and laundry services

Here's what previous team members say...

"

If you’re on the fence about getting involved with Alisoun’s school building project, get off and say yes! It’s a fantastic opportunity to build your network, make new friends, experience a new country and culture, and have a huge impact on the lives of young people. I can't even begin to describe the overwhelming emotion I felt when we visited the school. So many special moments I will treasure forever. I feel so proud to have achieved this and grateful to have been part of such an awesome team led by the inspirational Alisoun Mackenzie. Thank you!"

Mel Sherwood
Speaker, Author & Trainer

"

Being involved with any of Alisoun’s projects is always incredibly good fun, rewarding and fulfilling. This was a life-changing experience for sure! You’ll love the team spirit. You’ll be amazed at the people who support you. It was humbling to be part of something that affected so many people. "

Bernadette Petrie
Entrepreneurial Life Coach

"

Joining Alisoun’s fundraising team has been an incredible experience–one I’ll never forget and not to be missed! Remembering the children at the school still brings tears to my eyes. Alisoun is an amazing leader, who brought together a great team of people and organised a fantastic trip. I also now have more friends for life and the confidence to plan another trip for myself. "

Caroline McLuckie
Therapist

"

I decided to join Alisoun’s school project so I could do something to improve the lives of women and girls overseas, as part of a team and to have the opportunity to see the impact of working together. Visiting Cambodia and the school really brought the project alive and raised awareness of the long-term impact of having built the school. It’s also been great to raise my awareness around global citizenship and having an impact. I’m so grateful to have been involved. It’s been a joy and privilege. Thank you! "

Angela McCusker
Woman of Impact

"

This is a highly worthwhile experience where your contribution will leave a sustainable legacy – it’s been amazing and trip of a lifetime we will never forget. It’s also helped me realise that having a major impact goal is achievable and how easy it is to have a positive impact when travelling. Thanks Alisoun!"

Jackie Forbes
Leadership Coach & Trainer

"

Joining Alisoun’s group has been an incredible experience that is not normally obtainable. Raising funds to build a school and then visiting it, the pupils, staff and community took the satisfaction of giving to a whole new level. What an experience!"

Laura Thomas
Founder of LT Thomas
About your hosts
Alisoun Mackenzie
The Meaningful Life Guide, TEDx Speaker, Author, Humanitarian, and your Retreat Host

Often described as one of the most authentic and inspiring souls you can meet, Alisoun is on a mission to improve the lives of 100,000+ people and the sustainability of the planet – by making it easy for women over forty to thrive, enjoy a meaningful life and make a difference in the world. 

Alisoun’s keynote talks, training, mentoring, and best-selling books Give-to-Profit and Heartatude have favorably changed the good fortune of thousands of people worldwide.

Having spent five years helping young genocide survivors in Rwanda, Alisoun is now building schools in Asia to help children and communities lift themselves out of poverty. Alisoun's first team funded and visited a school in Cambodia in 2019. This is Alisoun's second school building project and trip. 

Alisoun loves travelling, beach walks, yoga, cycling, skiing, paddle-boarding, having great conversations with interesting women, and living by the beach in Scotland.

Jennifer Main, Transformational Guide, Initiator, Conscious Creator, Author & Retreat Manager

Jennifer is a leading instructor and practitioner of meditation and healing with over 20 years experience of working with clients from around the world. As a catalyst for change, she challenges artists, creatives, healers, and entrepreneurs at the top of their fields to expand into uncharted territory. Her mission is to inspire individuals to recognise their unique potential and calling, to embrace purpose, and to live an aligned and authentic existence.

Jennifer offers individual and group sessions, leads meditation groups, facilitates Initiation Ceremonies, and wrote a best-selling book, for the wanderers of the world. 

Having previously spent 10 years working with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and the effects of poverty, Jennifer's goal is to create impact for children and communities that need it most. She was thrilled to be a part of our first School Fundraising Team (for a school in Cambodia), and is excited to be helping lead this project.

Our FOCUS on IMPACT

We will focus on impact at every stage of planning and experiencing in this journey. 

Our school will have a positive impact on a whole community for generations to come. Plus we'll be doing all we can to minimise our environmental impact, be responsible travellers and respectful global citizens

This will include making conscious choices around our travel, hotels, where and what we eat, carbon offsetting and taking care not to be 'white saviours.' 

Cambodia (where we built our last school) made it easy to have an impact as it has many social enterprises serving tourists and tackling social and environmental problems.

Indonesia is less developed in this respect but where possible we will seek eco and local solutions. We'll share more about our impact through blogs and social media. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The price of your trip depends on your room preference–twin or solo occupancy. 

Prices range from £3,155 ($4,695) for a twin room to £3,500 ($5,250) for solo occupancy. 

25% deposits are payable in April 2022 or upon booking if you sign up after this date.

The remaining balance will be due the first week of March 2022. 

Click HERE to find out more!

I want to make sure that being part of this project is right for you, me and the rest of the team. 

This includes making sure you are happy with the scope and limitations of the project. Part of my role is curating an amazing group of women. I need to make sure you and others are a good fit for the team.

  • Positive, proactive successful women from all cultural backgrounds, who want to make a difference in the world.
  • Women who have lived an interesting life (typically over 40). 
  • Women who are interested in having more impact in the world, want to connect to a deeper sense of purpose or to take time out to do something meaningful. 
  • Women who enjoy travelling, experiencing new places and cultures, and meeting other fascinating women, from all cultures.
  • Women who value peace, love, kindness, diversity, community inclusiveness and minimising our environmental footprint.

What you 'do' is not important although most women on the trip are likely to be womenpreneurs, business owners, leaders, founders, volunteers, consultants, professionals, career changers, thought leaders, authors, artists, well-being specialists, film-makers, non-exec directors, investors, or women who have sold their business, lived overseas or retired early. 

This experience is NOT for:

  • Men or children (under 18)
  • Women who want to travel with their children or male partners
  • Women with significant health issues (physical, mental or emotional). Bali and Lombok are in Indonesia. It is a hot humid country and may not have health facilities or hospitals up to the standards you experience at home. Facilities for disabled people are almost non-existent. If you're prone to illness when travelling to a developing country, or when you experience a different diet/water, please consider this before signing up. Fitness wise, Bali is a volcanic island and is hilly in the central region. That said, we're staying in locations with transport so unless you choose to do optional physical activities (when a moderate level of fitness is suggested) this need not be a concern. Please seek medical advice for any health issues prior to signing up. 
  • Negative women, women who are not interested in learning about and experiencing other cultures, women who want to spend most of the time drinking, partying, or gossiping. 
  • Women of white privilege are not interested in unpacking their unconscious bias

No. It is illegal to volunteer in Indonesia as this is seen to be taking jobs from the locals. 

Even it if were legal, many well intended Westerners volunteering overseas actually do more long-term damage than good. I'll be explaining more about this as part of the Global Citizen training that will be delivered to all team members. 

Thanks but I don't need any volunteers. 

I've already got a list of friends and business associates I've known for years who will be assisting as needed. 

No. 

As we're likely to be travelling from different places, our trip will start in Sanur, Bali.

However as you'll be getting to know other team members over the month's you're all fundraising, you may well decide to travel out with other team members. 

You can fly to Lombok's international airport and get an airport shuttle or transfer to the hotel. You are responsible for travelling to the hotel in time for the start of our trip. Our travel agent can help you book the best flights and arrange your hotel transfer. 

No. This is a woman-only trip, specifically for successful women over forty who want to have more impact in the world. You can of course arrange to spend time with family in Bali before or after our trip. 

The trip is an exclusive experience for those who raise/donate at least £2,000 for the school. 

How you source the money is up to you. You could fundraise or make a donation (personally or through your business). 

No. There are only 12 spaces available on the trip. These will be allocated to the first 12 women who apply and are accepted onto the team. 

You will forfeit your place on the trip and any funds you've paid towards this, subject to our cancellation policy. 

Any funds you've raised/donated through your fundraising page will still go towards the school. 

If we receive your written cancellation 120 days before the first day we are due to meet in Bali, this will result in a total loss of your deposit. 

If we receive your written cancellation between 46-89 days before the first day we are due to meet in Bali, this will result in a loss of 50% of the price of this experience.

If we receive your written cancellation between 1-45 days of the first day we are due to meet in Bali, this will result in a total loss of funds paid. 

Cancellation due to COVID: In addition to usual travel insurance, we recommend you take out insurance that covers the trip being cancelled due to a government ban on travel to Bali, the Indonesian Government shutting international borders, you needing to self-isolate or being tested positive, and therefore being unable to travel. 

What happens to donations if the trip is cancelled?

If the trip is cancelled at any time (by either party, the funds you’ve already raised through your fundraising page will still go towards building a school in Lombok.

You are advised to take out insurance and book flights with reputable airlines/travel agents to minimise any potential risk of loss.  

Yes of course!

Anyone who pledges to raise £2,000+ will be set up with their own fundraising page you can use to gather, process and track donations. 

If you don't want to commit to raising this much, you're welcome to process donations through our team fundraising page. 

Please do however get in touch so we know what you're doing and can keep you updated with info about the school. 

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