My name is Ni Kadek Nia Firnita Dewi, but everyone calls me Nia.

I was born with my left leg shorter than my right leg. Growing up, walking and running were often difficult, but I always tried to enjoy the same activities as other children.

My life changed when my family discovered PUSPADI Bali, an organisation supporting people with disabilities. Thanks to their help, I received a prosthetic leg.

Learning to walk with it required patience and determination, but gradually I became more confident. Eventually, I could walk comfortably, run, and move more freely. It opened a world of possibilities and taught me to believe in myself.

Discovering My Passion

Since childhood, I have loved singing, dancing, and performing. I participated in competitions and school activities, which helped me develop my confidence and courage.

As I grew older, I discovered another passion: beauty and makeup.

I studied Beauty and Makeup at Triatma Jaya Badung Tourism Vocational High School, learning makeup artistry, hairstyling, and professional beauty techniques.

After graduating, I began working as a freelance Makeup Artist. Every opportunity allows me to gain experience, improve my skills, and become more independent.

My dream is to open my own makeup studio or beauty salon, creating a welcoming space where I can help people feel beautiful and confident. I also hope to continue singing, another passion that has always brought me happiness.

My Dream of University

My next goal is to study Makeup Education at university.

I want to develop my professional skills, deepen my knowledge, and learn how to share my experience with others. One day, I hope not only to run my own beauty business but also to teach young people who share my passion.

For me, education represents independence, opportunity, and the possibility of building a better future.

Looking Towards the Future

Living with a disability has taught me resilience, patience, and determination. I do not want to be defined by my physical condition, but by my abilities, creativity, and achievements.

Above all, my greatest dream is to make my parents and family proud. They have always supported me, and I hope one day to give back to them and show that their love and sacrifices have helped me achieve something meaningful.

I also hope my story will inspire others to believe that challenges should never prevent us from pursuing our dreams.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Indira and Graham Zink for choosing to sponsor me and generously funding my four years of university education, giving me the extraordinary opportunity to pursue my studies, build my future, and turn my dreams into reality.

My name is Ni Kadek Dea Ananda. I was born and raised in Denpasar, the second of three children in a humble family. My mother sells prayer amenities at a local market and my father takes on irregular jobs. We never had much, but I always dreamed of continuing my education.

During COVID-19, both my parents lost their income. With only my older sister working, university became impossible. I accepted that I would have to give up my dream and find a job.

Then my high school principal recommended me for a scholarship at PIB College. I was accepted into a four-year Hospitality Management degree with 50% of my tuition covered. It was an incredible opportunity, but my family still couldn’t afford the other half.

That’s when the Shanti Foundation and Pak Kumar changed my life.

The Foundation covered the remaining tuition and helped provide safe accommodation near my campus. For the first time, I could focus fully on studying rather than worrying about whether I could continue.

For four years, I worked hard, completed internships, developed professional skills and built the confidence to imagine a different future.

In August 2026, I graduated.

Today, my story with Shanti has come full circle. I now work in HR Administration with the Shanti Collection and also support the Shanti Foundation as a liaison with its scholars.

I went from being a student who needed someone to believe in her to helping other young people follow their dreams.

To the Shanti Foundation and Pak Kumar: thank you for believing in me when my future felt impossible.

There are so many talented young people in Bali whose dreams can be transformed simply by giving them access to education.

One scholarship can change one life and that life can go on to change many more.

Please join the Shanti Foundation in opening that next door.

My name is Ni Wayan Deva Lestari, and I come from Pejeng Kaja Village in Gianyar, Bali. Growing up with a physical disability that limits my mobility, continuing my education was not always easy. My father drove me throughout my schooling, while my mother worked at a local laundry to support our family.

After vocational high school, I dreamed of continuing my studies, but financially it seemed impossible. Through PUSPADI Bali, I discovered the Shanti Foundation scholarship program, and being selected changed my life.

With Shanti Foundation’s support for my tuition and daily transportation, I completed a Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia at Emerald Informatika Gianyar. Along the way, I discovered a passion for website development and realized it was a career where I could use my creativity and skills while working independently.

Today, I am building my professional portfolio with one big dream: to become a freelance web developer and create a fulfilling, independent future for myself.

I hope the Shanti Foundation can continue opening doors for young people with disabilities and those from underprivileged backgrounds—giving them the opportunity to discover their talents, pursue an education, and build the future they dream of.

Sometimes, an opportunity is all someone needs to change the direction of their life.

Raised by a strong single mother alongside my older brother, I grew up in a humble family where we had enough for our daily needs, but pursuing higher education felt beyond our reach.

I was accepted into university in Bali and even received a tuition discount, but the remaining fees were still more than my family could afford. I thought I would have to give up my dream.

Then came unexpected news: Shanti Foundation had offered to fully support my education. Suddenly, a door I thought was closed opened again.

With their support covering my tuition, accommodation and educational needs, I completed four years at Politeknik Internasional Bali (PIB College), graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Tourism in Convention and Event Management (S.Tr.Par).

Those four years transformed me. Through my studies, projects and professional experiences, I became more disciplined, independent and confident, while building skills and relationships that continue to shape my future.

Today, I work at my former campus in Marketing Communications, managing its social media platforms. My next dream is to build my own business, create opportunities for others and give back to my community.

I will always be deeply grateful to Mr. Kumar and the Shanti Foundation for believing in my potential and giving me an opportunity that changed the course of my life.

Education creates opportunity. Opportunity can change a life.