FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Damara?
Damara Bali is a non-profit foundation support a beer life for the children from poor farming families in
Bali. Damara Bali Foundation was established in 2015 and registered as a non-profit Indonesia Foundation
(Yayasan) with the Indonesia Ministry of Law and Human Rights Indonesia No AHU – 0006690.AH 2015.
Who runs Damara?
Damara was founded by I Nengah Swikrama, who grew up in an orphanage and received education thanks to
the support of other people’s generosity. He has worked for over 30 years to assist children living in
orphanages. For the last 8 years before starting Damara he was the Director of Widhya Asih, managing an
organisation that provides homes and education to over 500 children and helps with many community
projects.
How does Damara help?
Our main aims are:
- Direct sponsorship of children who have dropped out/or are at risk of dropping out of school because
their parents are too poor to provide the cost of books, basic school supplies and uniforms. - Help poor farmers to have sustainable capability for generating income to provide for their children
and send them to school.
How is Villa Bugis associated with Damara?
Villa Bugis proudly supports Damara as its primary charity. Damara started with generous contribution from
Villa Bugis, a villa management company in Seminyak, Bali (www.villabugis.com). Villa Bugis have committed to
continue with annual donations and also with coverage of the cost of all administration of the charity to
ensure 100% of donations go directly to those that benefit most.
How many children are currently supported
Damara supports nearly 100 children for the school year 2019-2020, all living in extremely poor villages in
north and east Bali. All these children had already dropped out of school.
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
The cost is quite small – IDR1,500,000 per year per child – or about AUD$150 per year
How is the donation money managed
Damara works with trusted school administrators who identify the children in need of help. No money is given
directly to the families, but is used for paying for direct expenses for the children to send school. Damara
representative visits regularly to monitor how the children are doing and receive school reports.
How are we matched with the children we sponsor?
Sponsorship is made to those most vulnerable, and in most need, as identified by their school, who’s staff
work very closely with Damara and the community. If you have children, we often try and match those with
similar gender and age group, for reliability.
Are we able to visit the children that we will be sponsoring?
Yes, this is possible after sponsorship has been made – it is a full day trip to and from the rural areas that the
children are living.
What do we receive after sponsorship?
You will receive photos and bio’s of the child you sponsor, it is also possible to communicate via written (and
translated) leers if you wish – as well as 6 monthly school reports and a quarterly newsletter
How do we make a payment?
Please visit www.damara-bali.org/donate-here – all Damara Overheads Finance and Admin services are provided by Villa Bugis. Direct payments can be made into the Damara account, but this is usually costly with fees from overseas, from both ends, not making it worthwhile.
How do we renew each year?
Each year we will contact you to renew your assistance and commitment, and you can then choose to renew the same way as initial payment was made.
DAMARA is a non-profit foundation supporting a better life for the children from poor farming families in Bali.
Damara Bali Foundation was established in 2015 and registered as a non profit Indonesia Foundation (Yayasan) with the Indonesia Ministry of Law and Human Rights No …AHU – 0006690.AH 2015
Apr 03, 2024
We’d love to come back again the villa and level of service was the best we’ve had not only in Bali but anywhere
A perfect holiday in a perfect villa! The villa is truly beautiful, with everything you could need to relax – spacious rooms, a huge garden and a wonderful private pool. The location makes the villa even better, only a walk away from the beach or the shops, cafes and restaurants of Seminyak.
The attentive and welcoming Villa Bugis staff go the extra mile to accommodate your needs.
I would highly recommend Villa Cemara for people looking for a luxurious holiday villa in the middle of Seminyak!
We had a delightful stay at Villa Cemara for 6 nights in late February 2024. The villa itself was absolutely beautiful, with excellent attention to detail in every aspect, from the day bed tucked away for privacy in the corner of the property, to the perfect outdoor dining space giving views of the whole garden. The staff were brilliant, helping us with laundry services and advice on local shopping, and were always incredibly warm and friendly throughout our stay.
The location is absolutely perfect, with the Villa being within walking distance to the beach and to all of the excellent shops, restaurants and bars that Seminyak has to offer. The proximity to the Bintang supermarket is also very handy for those wishing to take advantage of the kitchen facilities. The property feels like an island of privacy and relaxation even despite its proximity to the busy centre of Seminyak.
Could not recommend this property, annd Villa Bugis, enough – would love to stay again, and will be recommending to anyone I know coming to Bali in the future.
We spent 10 days in Villa Cemara in February 2024 – the pictures don’t lie! It is a wonderfully spacious and relaxing villa located in central Seminyak. It doesn’t get better than listening to the surround sound stereo or dining on the outdoor decking area in complete privacy. Only a 10 minute walk to the beach and then all of Seminyak’s shops, restaurants and bars are on your doorstep.
The staff are incredibly warm and helpful, always on hand to make the stay as comfortable as possible and their cooking is amazing.
We booked through Villa Bugis and we will definitely be back for another stay!
Feb 10, 2024 – Google Business
Fantastic villa! Spent a magical week there for my wife’s 50th. It has recently been refurb’d with a gorgeous outdoor dining area and even a place to watch movie screenings complete with Bluetooth surround sound! The rooms are large and comfortable with all mod cons. The staff are what makes the villa – led by Gede, they really go the extra mile to make sure you feel welcome and special. Strongly recommend this villa!
Aug 12, 2023-Villa Bugis Website
Second family trip back to this beautiful villa. Could wax lyrical about the central location for anything you can possibly need ( all within walking distance! ) but for us, it’s also about the peace and privacy. Did I mention the fresh food cooked, clean linen, helpful staff, and daily plunges into the immaculately kept pool ?….. Keep an eye out for wildlife regulars in the garden ( blue dragon flies and a variety of birds) plus the amazing mangoes that fall at your feet to eat…..will be returning to shower with the stars again soon.
July 17, 2023 – Booking.com
The property was amazing – just as good as the photos (perhaps even better). It was spacious and clean and the staff were wonderful.
July 9, 2023 – Booking.com
We liked the swimming pool area and the service provided by the staff. The breakfast was excellent and plentiful. The villa is located in a good spot and easy to walk to shopping and Bintang Supermarket and the beach.
Sep 9, 2022 – Google Business
Incredible villa! Perfect for 3 ladies on a girls break! Would also suit 3 couples really well or a family with older children. Staff were fabulous and breakfast so yummy! Will be back to the bugis group of villas!
July 31, 2022 at 05:22 am – Booking.com
everything! location was great, close walk to Bintang plaza, about 15 min walk to beach. We stayed in Villa Cemara and I cannot fault anything. Fantastic value for money, staff were lovely, breakfast made at villa every morning. Rooms were clean, beds were comfortable. We will definitely be returning
May 30, 2019 at 06:22 am – TripAdvisor
Fantastic accommodation, location and professional 5 star service from beginning to end. Stayed with my young family and the team went out of there way to make our holiday a memorable one. Would highly recommend
Feb 23, 2019 at 06:50 pm – Facebook
Had a amazing stay, the staff were outstanding and the villa was perfect for our needs with breakfast cooked for us every morning. Close to shops, bars and beach all in easy walking distance
Feb 23, 2019 at 06:22 pm – TripAdvisor
Stayed in villa Cemara and it was outstanding. Could not fault the stay, villa or staff. Very friendly welcoming and falling over themselves to help. We stayed for 12 nights the villa was a short walk to Bintang supermarket easy distance for beach shops and bars.
Three of us have just returned from a girls 7 night stay at Villa Cemara. Everything is perfect from the gardens, pool, rooms, location, security and of course the wonderful staff who made our holiday with a special mention to Ketut and Juliarta. Ketut arranged for 3 lovely girls to come into the Villa for our massages by the pool which was the best I have ever had and had them return a few times more. It is like a santuary returning to the villa after the craziness and noise out on the streets and you don’t want to leave. I would definitely return for another stay.
What a lovely Villa. We had pure bliss for 7 days. Breakfast was lovely but simple. Would stay here again.
Thank you All.
We stayed in Villa Cemara for a week and it was absolute bliss! When we arrived we were blown away by the size and the luxury of the villa (especially considering the price). The hospitality was outstanding and the staff incredibly friendly. The Villa is ideally located, just a short stroll from the main road and the Bintang Supermarket. I have never been to Bali before and my experience at Villa Cemara made it so memorable. I will definitely be back and I wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else! Thankyou Villa Bugis!
The first thing you do when you open the door to Villa Cemara is go ‘Wow’. A beautiful property with a huge pool & gorgeous gardens. The main bedroom upstairs is huge with an amazing outdoor bathroom, the living area below is very spacious with plenty of room to entertain. The 2 separate villas are also lovely overlooking the pool. If you have children there is plenty of grassed area as well for them to play. In a perfect position situated down a quiet lane way, its a 2 min walk to Bintang supermarket, shops, restaurants & Legian St. The beach is a leisurely 15 min walk. Villa Bugis who manage the property were awesome, very professional & friendly. The staff were also amazing, always smiling, ready to sing a song or 2 (thankyou Oka….you have such talent) & cooked a great breakfast for us each morning. We have been to Bali many times & I find it hard to fault this villa, it really is breathtaking. We would have no hesitation recommending booking a villa through Villa Bugis, if Villa Cemara is anything to go by I’m sure the other villas they manage will be just as spectacular. Terima kasih to all staff at Villa Bugis for making our stay so memorable.
Third time back to Villa Cemara and ninth trip to Indonesia.
Katut the driver was all smiles picking us up from the airport after a delayed arrival got us in after midnight.
Katut and the security guys made us feel welcome, helped with bags and settled us in to the Villa.
Since our last visit the villa has been fitted out with new comfy couch, better wifi and the gardens are immaculate.
The villa staff Kadek and Kadek catered to our every need or wish.
I celebrated my birthday with an Indonesian banquet cooked in the villa by the amazing staff for us and 6 of our friends for a very reasonable price. All the staff came in with a delicious birthday cake and sang to me which was an absolute surprise. Best birthday ever is an understatement.
If you are thinking about staying in the heart of Seminyak among funky shops and quiet bars and close to Bintang supermarket (5 minute walk) then look no further. Villa Bugis always will make your stay special and unforgettable.
After checking out of the villa and arriving in Penestanan village up North I realised I had left my great grandmothers gold wedding band on the nightstand in the upstairs bedroom. I emailed the villa admin and yes the staff had found my very sentimental ring and it was stored waiting for me at head office to collect before I fly home.
Good, honest, helpful service. I’ll be back next year
Stayed May 2016, traveled as a couple
My partner and I with another couple stayed here for 7 nights. We stayed in Villa Cemara, the 3 bedroom villa in Seminyak. It was in a quiet area of Seminyak close to the action, beautiful location, pool and villa, friendly and helpful staff, large living area and rooms. I highly recommend this villa. We booked with Vila Bugis through Ministry of Villas and it was all very professional. We will be dealing with them again next time we head back to Bali.
Stayed in villa bugis at Cemara for the second time.
What can I say, I’m planning my return visit in September.
Perfect oasis in the heart of Seminyak. Friendly staff who will go out of their way to make your cherished holiday perfect in every way. Nothing is too much trouble. Beautiful breakfasts daily, and had the occasional Indonesian banquet cooked for us in the villa for just a few dollars.
5 minute walk to Bintang supermarket and close to great boutique shopping, restaurants and the hustle and bustle of Seminyak. But great to then get back to the tranquility of Cemara and have a swim in the private pool and a couple of cold bintangs.
Highly recommended, nothing bad to say about it. Can’t wait to go back.
My partner and I just took out first trip to Bali and stayed at Villa Cemara. Our villa was absolutely beautiful and completely exceeded our expectations. The villa itself was well appointed with everything we could possibly need to make our stay in Bali just perfect. The pool was amazing and the grounds were beautiful. Our villa and pool had complete privacy with no surrounding villas able to look in. We had friends staying in other Villa Bugis villas (as we were here as a group for a wedding) and out of the four different pools we swam in ours was by far the nicest temperature. All of the other pools were warm like baths however at villa Cemara the pool was cool and refreshing, which was such a relief after being out and about in the Bali heat. The location of our villa was perfect too as it was less than a 2 minute walk to the main street of Seminyak.
All if the Villa Bugis staff were so friendly and helpful with no request too large or declined. Absolutely anything we asked for was catered to and super quick too.
We have now decided that we will be returning to Bali many more times and we will only ever stay at Villa Cemara as it was just perfect!
We had a wonderful stay at Villa Cemara for 3 nights from 21 March to 24 March 2014. The air-conditioning in one of the rooms was faulty the day we arrived, but when informed, the problem was solved quickly.
I did ask for an iron only to be told that there is no iron at the villa, but other than that, I would recommend Villa Cemara, and would stay here again.