As parents, we often find ourselves struggling to get our teenagers to “unplug” and step outside their screens. Between social media, games, and endless texting, it feels like a battle just to get them to connect with the world around them. But sometimes, all it takes is the right experience—a journey that’s not just about sightseeing but about truly connecting with people and making a tangible difference.
When we decided to travel to Bali with Hands Up Holidays, we had no idea how transformative it would be. We wanted an adventure that combined luxury with purpose, so we chose a volunteer project where we could make a real impact on someone’s life. Our mission: to help build a disabled-accessible bathroom for a paraplegic man who lived in a rural village in Bali. This trip wasn’t just about exploring the island’s stunning beaches or its iconic temples—it was about helping someone gain independence and dignity.
When we arrived in Bali, we were immediately struck by its beauty: lush rice paddies, dramatic cliffs, and vibrant culture. We stayed in a private villa with views over the jungle, enjoying luxury at its finest. But the real experience began when we met Made, the man we were helping.
Made had become paraplegic after falling from a palm tree collecting coconuts. He lived in a modest home with his wife and children, and their daily life was filled with challenges. One of the biggest obstacles he faced was the lack of accessible facilities. The bathroom was small, cramped, and impossible for him to use comfortably.
The Hands Up Holidays team arranged for us to work with local builders and Made’s family to construct a bathroom that would provide him with the space and accessibility he needed. Over the next few days, our family worked alongside the team, mixing cement, laying tiles, and building ramps that would allow Made to move freely.
At first, our 13-year-old son was unsure. He wasn’t sure how to help, or what the project really meant. But when he saw Made’s face light up as we made progress on the bathroom, everything changed. It hit him in a way that we hadn’t expected—this wasn’t just about construction; this was about giving a man his independence back.
As the project neared completion, our son spent more and more time talking with Made, helping to install the final touches and ensuring everything was done right. By the time we finished, the bathroom was not only fully accessible but beautifully designed, with a shower that Made could easily use and a ramp that led directly to the door.
It was a rewarding experience, one that deeply impacted all of us. We saw our son’s attitude change. He began to understand what true empathy meant—not just through words, but through action. He asked questions about Made’s life, about his challenges and triumphs, and started to see things through a different lens, and learn valuable lessons about resilience.
And perhaps the most incredible transformation was the way our son put down his phone. For the first time in a long while, he was present. He wasn’t distracted by notifications or messages. Instead, he was engaged in the project, talking to the local workers, and asking about the culture and people of Bali. We could see his connection to the world around him deepen in a way we hadn’t expected.
By the end of the week, it wasn’t just the bathroom that had been transformed—it was our family. We had bonded over the shared experience of doing something meaningful together, and our son had gained a new perspective on the world. He learned that a simple act of service can change lives, and that empathy comes from truly understanding and helping others.
As we left Bali, we realized that the trip had given us something far more valuable than souvenirs or Instagram photos. It had given us a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and connection—a gift that we would carry with us for years to come.
- Audrey Szyszkowski traveled to Bali with Hands Up Holidays in July 2024