Philanthropists, entrepreneurs and founders of Feed Bali

Feed Bali has given us faith in humanity when so many terrible things are happening.
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
Originally from Canada, I (Frances Tse Ardika) met my future husband, I Made Adi Ardika, on my third day in Bali on October 8, 2000. Over the 23-years, we’ve started several successful businesses including Taksu Bali Travel & Weddings, Tresna Bali Cooking School, and two lovely Little Wooden Cottages in Ubud, which is where you’ll find us now!
When Covid hit, we pivoted our businesses to create Feed Bali, a charity that provides two weeks’ worth of nutritious food for Balinese families. Since March 2020, Feed Bali has given over 700,000 meals to feed over 6,300 families devastated by the pandemic.
Uniquely, I’m the first foreigner to become a Balinese Pemangku (Temple Priestess). Because so many have asked about our story over the last two decades, I finally published my first memoir, “TRESNA, Gate of Love“, from which all profits go to Feed Bali. “TRESNA, Gate of Love” is the first memoir in Chronicles of a Balinese Priestess. Full of hope, courage – and even a touch of black magic – my memoir is a vivid, inside account of the unexplored beauty, culture, and food of the “real” Bali in the early 2000s, before the age of digital nomads and Instagram influencers. But more than anything, it is a love story.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Our 17-year-old daughter, Santi. She’s not our accomplishment, but she is our pride. Now in her last year of high school, Santi is the elected School President. We’re constantly amazed with how she leads by example; she gives 200% of herself, an immense amount of time and dedication to her school community. We’re proud to see Santi exemplify the next generation of Balinese leaders with her confidence and excellence.
When the first Covid death hit Bali, we closed all our businesses, sent our team home with pay, and encouraged everyone to isolate for two weeks. I fell into a deep depression, but Santi, 13 years-old at the time, reminded me that we had a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and savings to wait it out. But our neighbours and the majority of Balinese lived day-to-day with little savings. So on her 14th birthday on March 23, 2020, Santi came up with the idea of feeding 20 families around our cooking school. We asked family and friends to donate USD 23 to feed a family of four for two weeks, dug up our garden, and started giving massive food packages so they could stay at home safely.
Three years later, we’ve given 709,744 meals (a family of four eating twice a day for 14 days) to 6,337 families all over Bali. We’ve dug water wells, created Baa Baa Goat farms, and built homes high in the mountain jungle. We’re completely transparent so donors can see exactly who they help in Bali, and how. And we’ll continue to give, as long as there’s one person reaching out to help another.
So I guess our pride led to our greatest accomplishment: Feed Bali.
What impact have you made in Bali?
When we first started giving food to families, people questioned, “what difference does it make giving two weeks of food to one family when so many are starving?”
What if that was your family? What if everyone in your household lost their jobs overnight? And your island closed completely for two long years? When you were forced to sell everything you have, give back the car to the dealership that was your livelihood and closed your family business for good? How would you feel when Feed Bali shows up with food for your kids?
We learned that true impact is when you give, again and again. And when you share significantly with your community.
We gave to over 6,300 families across Bali and continue to do so. There is wide-spread poverty across the island where the majority of people live day to day. When you see crowded restaurants and jam-packed roads, local Balinese are sadly not the ones who profit.
When thousands of you reached out from the other side of the world crossing the bridge that Feed Bali built, you fed not only their hungry tummies but also lifted their spirits. Thank you for your kindness and generosity, and for continuing to give back.
Feed Bali has given us faith in humanity when so many terrible things are happening.
What does the future look like for you?
Our entire team has been with us years before the pandemic and we’re all together again, not only giving with Feed Bali, but sharing the rich Balinese culture and the meaning behind our ceremonial food. We’re also adding more of our Pure-plant Balinese Vegan classes at our Tresna Bali Cooking School, where participants gather unique ingredients from Adi’s organic garden before cooking up a massive nine-course feast! Guests get to experience Bali’s deep culture and indulge in authentic Balinese food that you won’t find anywhere else.
We’re also building another Little Wooden Cottage so more people can stay in peaceful nature, away from the crowds.
We continue to feed families and grow our sustainable solutions for a better Bali. Our “Baa Baa Goat” program gives goat shelters and goats to impoverished families to breed. Goats require little space, water and eat wild vegetation that can be found in all areas of Bali, even in the driest villages. We have four “Baa Baa Goat” farms. A dedicated sponsor will give a male goat and two female goats for every goat shelter that we fund. Each goat shelter costs IDR 6,000,000 to build and this sponsor will give enough goats for up to five shelters. Please donate any amount to Feed Bali with a note to “Goat Shelter”.
We’ve expanded our “Adopt a Family” program, focusing on families with children who need support for school and nutritious food for their healthy development. At this point, we have 10 dedicated sponsors who’ve adopted families for a minimum of three-months. Each month, Feed Bali gives each family a two-week package of food and IDR 400,000 cash for essentials.
What do you love most about Bali?
How Balinese people touch the hearts of so many who’ve visited Bali. When we give food to one Balinese family, we know that it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll share their bounty with their extended family or neighbours in their village.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
That would be my husband, Adi Ardika. He’s been my romantic hero since the first day I met him. After more than twenty years together, Adi continues to amaze me and prove there are no limits to generosity or human kindness. I once read that the definition of generosity is “giving more than you can and taking less than you deserve.” This is Adi, and that’s why he’s my Local Legend.