Giving Back to the Community – School Deep Cleaning Day at Gili Air

At Slow Private Pool Villas, we believe in the importance of community and the joy of giving back to the beautiful island of Gili Air. On November 23rd, we proudly hosted a meaningful School Deep Cleaning Day, a heartfelt initiative that brought the community together to support local education.

The Spark Behind the Event

This event was inspired by the remarkable Mira Patel, a traveler with a purpose. Mira first visited Gili Air two years ago and felt an instant connection to its people and culture. Her return this year wasn’t just about revisiting memories—it was about creating a positive impact.

The idea for this event came from a deeply personal moment for Mira. As she walked past the local school, she felt as though she had traveled back in time to her own childhood days at a government school. Mira shared how this experience shaped her belief that every child, whether in an international, private, or government school, deserves the same opportunities to succeed. Inspired by this realization, she was determined to give back and help make a difference for the children of Gili Air.

A Day of Action and Learning

The event began with an enthusiastic group of community members, Slow Private Villas staff, and volunteers coming together to deep clean the school. Every corner, from the classrooms to the playground, was given a fresh start. But this wasn’t just about cleaning—it was about empowering the community.

Mira led interactive sessions, teaching children the importance of cleanliness and simple habits to maintain hygiene in their daily lives. The smiles, curiosity, and laughter of the children were a beautiful reminder of how small efforts can create lasting change.

A Platform for Giving: Partnering with @SorayaFoundation

This event was made even more impactful through our collaboration with @SorayaFoundation, a platform dedicated to supporting community initiatives and making a difference where it’s needed most. Through their network, we aim to continue supporting local projects on Gili Air and beyond.

The @SorayaFoundation provides a meaningful way for travelers and organizations to contribute to causes that uplift communities. By working together, we can amplify our efforts and ensure that every initiative leaves a positive and sustainable impact.

A Shared Sense of Purpose

For Mira, this event was more than an act of giving—it was a full-circle moment. She revisited her roots and shared her story, inspiring others with her belief that opportunity knows no boundaries. For the community of Gili Air, it was a day to come together, build connections, and create a brighter future for their children.

Why It Matters

At Slow Private Pool Villas, we are committed to sustainable tourism and supporting the community that makes Gili Air such a special place. This event is a reminder of the power of unity and the difference we can make when we work together.

Thank You, Mira and @SorayaFoundation

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mira Patel for her vision and dedication, and to @SorayaFoundation for providing a platform to make initiatives like this possible. Together, we’re not just cleaning schools—we’re creating opportunities and strengthening bonds.

Join Us in Future Events!

This is just the beginning of many more community-driven initiatives at Slow Private Pool Villas. If you’re visiting Gili Air and would like to be part of our efforts, connect with us or the @SorayaFoundation to learn how you can contribute.

Let’s continue building brighter futures, one step at a time.


Slow Private Pool Villas is more than a destination—we’re a family, working hand-in-hand with the Gili Air community to inspire meaningful change.

The Library Project – Gili Air

Reading is for everyone. Even in the digital age where physical books are quickly becoming antiquated, the ability to read is critical to success in life. Developing literacy doesn’t happen overnight. It requires explicit instruction, practice, and patience. But, the very first step is cultivating a child’s interest in reading and ensuring access to high-quality, engaging text.

Continue reading “The Library Project – Gili Air”

The Berkley Composting Method with Justin Robertshaw

This month, we were very lucky to have Justin Robertshaw, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant and Coach & Permaculture Advisor & Practitioner, visit our little tropical island. As a part of their journey towards a Zero Waste Gili Air, Slow Villas & Spa invited Justin to visit Gili Air Elementary School (SD), where he shared his knowledge on composting and permaculture. 

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Meet the People of Gili: Pak Mus

This is Pak Mus. He teaches at Gili Air SD primary school, but he is much more than that to the community. Everyone knows him and loves him. As a teacher since 1990, he has now taught two generations of people on Gili Air, which means he is now teaching the children of his original students! Mus is a humble, well educated man who travels between Lombok and Gili Air to support his family. When he is not teaching, he is selling bungkus to school staff and the locals,  and bracelets to the tourists.

I see him walking toward me with a big smile. He radiates a coolness, a sense of relaxation and approachability. Continue reading “Meet the People of Gili: Pak Mus”

Hoola Hoops for everybody!

Since the Lombok earthquake, which happened on the 5th of August, we’ve been running a trauma recovery and moving on program. Mainly organising social circus workshops in Gili Air‘s elementary school (SD), and in Camp Pamenang, in Lombok.

Our dream?

Hoola Hoops for everybody!

With lots of help from several volunteers from the worldwide Circus Family, I

We’ve been able to keep the program running, for the people of Lombok and Gili. The best is, the kids absolutely Love it! If you are reading this and you love this idea, or you know someone that would love the idea, please, as we say in French “Faites passer le mot!”, help us spread the word, towards the circus community worldwide! Lets keep creating Magic for the community! Continue reading “Hoola Hoops for everybody!”

Lucky’s Bar our First Regular Sponsor in Gili

Lets Dance at Lucky’s Guys! Its all for a good cause! For Gili Air! Its official, every party organised, Lucky’s Bar has agreed to donate to the Soraya Foundation. Which officially makes them the first regular sponsor of the Soraya Foundation! We couldn’t be happier! It warms our heart to have a regular local sponsor from the island. Gili Air, we love you. Thank you for your support Lucky’s Bar! 

What do we do?

  • Education: Community Classes at Gili Air’s elementary school (SD): English Class, Anglung Music Classes, Social Circus, plastic free paradise kits for the kids
  • Education: Gili Air’s first Montessori Playground
  • Lombok Earthquake Relief Program

Continue reading “Lucky’s Bar our First Regular Sponsor in Gili”

Yoga with Steffi to Repair Gili schools

SDN 1 Gili Indah and Gili Playground is located in Gili Air, North Lombok. One is created to support the other. And yet, both are shaken and need major repair after series of earthquakes shaken the island.

August 5th is the day we were challenged to fix our schools, 7.0 SR quakes shaken our island caused terrifying damage, SDN 1 Gili Indah is the only primary school in the Island so far with more than 240 students. Even before it was damaged the school wasn’t in good condition at all, roofs are leaking, hole on the ceiling, and walls needs to be fixed and repainted. The old house we rent for Gili Playground wasn’t in a good condition either since the beginning. This condition leaves the students in trauma, refusing to study in in the classes.

On October 4th we had a team of engineers and architect to come and check the schools, marking which rooms is safe and which rooms are not, noting down what need to be fixed. A week later, we had the result that most of the classroom in SDN 1 Gili Indah need to be fixed by filling the cracks, then all the fences and gate need to be rebuild. On other hand, the building we rent to have Gili Playground had major damage where all the roof and some walls need to be taken down. Gili Playground is currently using one of our friend’s place to keep it going, it is beautiful how the community helps each other at situation like this, but we know better we can’t use her place forever.

We are urgently looking for donation. All of the money will be donated to Soraya Foundation who will execute the repairmen and construction of both schools. It was a formidable task, being given a task of renovating a school broken down due natural disaster, lack of funding and negligence of government. We haven’t started the work and need urgent need help. Please help us give more than 240 students a new beginning. Any amount to help reach our goal will be greatly appreciated.

We’ll take photos and videos of the school and students, so you can see exactly where your generous donations went!