On 11th May 2024, the foundation «Bata-Alima Regenerative Living Int’l. Foundation, Inc.» (BARLIF) was established. «Bata-Alima» means «care for children». Nomen est omen, and shortly afterwards the foundation acquired an area of around 8 hectares in Indulang with agricultural land, forest, a river (Pigcutin River), a stream, and several sources of drinking water in order to build a farm.

The Bata-Alima Pigcutin River Farm runs a gentle, regenerative and sustainable agricultural operation. The cooler and rain guaranteed climate is suitable for the organic cultivation of numerous vegetable and grain varieties, fruit trees and coffee.

The task of the new foundation and its farm is to support and promote the work that PIKIFI has been doing for years. This is done independently, but in close cooperation with each other on several levels:

• Highest possible level of care for the children’s village and school in the long term
• Experiential educational activities (weekends, holiday camps) for the children and young people cared for at the children’s village
  • A healing stay in nature (e.g. hikes) helps to process traumatic experiences
  • Helping with planting and harvesting promotes environmental awareness
  • Conscious use of natural resources and protection of ecosystems is learnt, e.g. by reforesting forests
  • Living and working together in a new environment strengthens cohesion within the group
• Time-out places for the accommodation of young people in crisis situations
• Complementing PIKIFI by building several houses for foster families to provide long-term care and support for girls and boys in a family-like setting

In addition to Thomas Kellenberger and his wife Rachel as the founders of the new foundation, the Board already includes long-standing confidants, and the experienced farmer Oni. Together with the Kellenberger family, he lives on the farm full-time and runs the business.

Your support

The start-up and development phase is extremely exciting and rewarding, but also labour-intensive. Every helping hand is therefore very welcome. We are happy to welcome people who would like to share the simple life on the farm for a shorter or longer period of time and work with us. Accommodation and meals are free. If you are interested, please contact us at volunteer@islandkids.ch

Please mark donations to support the independent farm project with the note «Bata-Alima».