Pioneering Responsible Tourism
A$11,260
of $9,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 16th Apr 2015 at 12:47PM.
Thank you for your support in this successful campaign. To begin funding the next hut please go to https://www.givenow.com.au/mercyhuts
To See more here or to simply donate
By building a beach hut in traditional island style, we will have a place to lease out to guests on a weekly basis providing a means of income. With 100% of this income we will continue projects in the area that comply with our attitude toward social responsibility.
Before we came to you for help we thought we had better make sure we could do it, whilst ironing out any bugs on the way.
So, we did.
Here's a short clip of the first hut under construction. It is now complete. As you can see we have a number of generous corporate and small business' supporting us in varying degrees.
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So, we have built a family bungalow on our beachfront property and our major supporters above are free to come and use our facilities and all the island has to offer. In order to share the adventure we need to build more bungalows. And you're invited!
We will build one at a time unless we raise enough to build more.
You can be part of this exciting adventure with us into sustainable tourism in one of Indonesia's hidden gems.
About our Team and Advisors
Matt: Professional firefighter with experience as a home builder and cafe owner among many talents. He is Indonesian speaking with 30+ visits to Indonesia.
Nat: Co-owned a Dive School, Professional Scuba diver and host on luxury yachts. A love for embracing the community, language and a knack for determining the true needs of the locals.
Paul: Construction industry Project Manager, OHS Manager, Training and assessor and shop-fitter detailed joiner.
Sally: Sales, marketing, global project administration and health professional. Paul and Sally spent 2 months in 2012 living in Indonesia and then 7 months campervanning around Australia and fundraising for Mercy Huts.
Michael Devlin brings his extensive experience in management and business strategy to the mix. He is a true leader and has held the position of CEO for Gloria Jeans Coffees, Australian Aluminium Finishing Pty Ltd and Wilh Wilhelmsen Investments. Michael, as well as holding a longstanding relationship with Mercy Indonesia, has an interest in community development in poorer nations with experience as an investor in Indonesia.
Danielle has a passion for tourism and hospitality. She has worked in the travel industry for most of her adult life. Danielle and her husband have managed chalets in Austria and Canada and undertaken numerous gourmet cooking ventures. Danielle has exceptional cooking skills with an eye for detail and menu construction and has been a partner in a cafe business.
Stephen Pearce and his family have been actively committed in supporting Indonesian church and community projects since 2004. Stephen’s senior roles working with the Boral and ANI corporations and his current involvement with Directors Dashboard virtual leaders has assisted our organisation implement robust systems and processes into Mercy Huts operations.
Simon Beaufils: Director of Ray White Helensburgh, recently visited Rote with his family. Simon, his wife Danielle and their 3 kids fell in love with the Island and want to keep returning year after year.
Steve McKnight: Professional investor and Australia’s most accomplished business and real estate author, credited as shaping the Aussie property market with his #1 best-selling book From 0 to 130 Properties in 3.5 Years.
John Menzies: Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing R&D Manager has a heart to see the people of Rote island cook and eat food that is nourishing and clean from harmful bacteria. Sanitarium are supporting us through provision of micro-businesses that also combat malnutrition.
Joel Warren: talented web designer and developer. With a keen interest in water sports, adventure and working with organisations that think outside the box, Joel generously donated the awesome website to Mercy Huts.
Nat: Co-owned a Dive School, Professional Scuba diver and host on luxury yachts. A love for embracing the community, language and a knack for determining the true needs of the locals.
Paul: Construction industry Project Manager, OHS Manager, Training and assessor and shop-fitter detailed joiner.
Sally: Sales, marketing, global project administration and health professional. Paul and Sally spent 2 months in 2012 living in Indonesia and then 7 months campervanning around Australia and fundraising for Mercy Huts.
Michael Devlin brings his extensive experience in management and business strategy to the mix. He is a true leader and has held the position of CEO for Gloria Jeans Coffees, Australian Aluminium Finishing Pty Ltd and Wilh Wilhelmsen Investments. Michael, as well as holding a longstanding relationship with Mercy Indonesia, has an interest in community development in poorer nations with experience as an investor in Indonesia.
Danielle has a passion for tourism and hospitality. She has worked in the travel industry for most of her adult life. Danielle and her husband have managed chalets in Austria and Canada and undertaken numerous gourmet cooking ventures. Danielle has exceptional cooking skills with an eye for detail and menu construction and has been a partner in a cafe business.
Stephen Pearce and his family have been actively committed in supporting Indonesian church and community projects since 2004. Stephen’s senior roles working with the Boral and ANI corporations and his current involvement with Directors Dashboard virtual leaders has assisted our organisation implement robust systems and processes into Mercy Huts operations.
Simon Beaufils: Director of Ray White Helensburgh, recently visited Rote with his family. Simon, his wife Danielle and their 3 kids fell in love with the Island and want to keep returning year after year.
Steve McKnight: Professional investor and Australia’s most accomplished business and real estate author, credited as shaping the Aussie property market with his #1 best-selling book From 0 to 130 Properties in 3.5 Years.
John Menzies: Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing R&D Manager has a heart to see the people of Rote island cook and eat food that is nourishing and clean from harmful bacteria. Sanitarium are supporting us through provision of micro-businesses that also combat malnutrition.
Joel Warren: talented web designer and developer. With a keen interest in water sports, adventure and working with organisations that think outside the box, Joel generously donated the awesome website to Mercy Huts.
How The Funds Will Be Used
To complete each additional bungalow we will need $8,400 for materials like timber, grass roofing, cement and nails etc.
Due to the somewhat isolation of the place we will also be up for delivery costs of approximately $500. Unforseens we set a budget of $1,000.
The labour for each bungalow at current rates is $3,500 and thus provides employment to a number of local craftsmen.
We will supply the funds for the labour if we don't tip the scales on our target.
In summary, each additional bungalow we build will come to $13,400.
Due to the somewhat isolation of the place we will also be up for delivery costs of approximately $500. Unforseens we set a budget of $1,000.
The labour for each bungalow at current rates is $3,500 and thus provides employment to a number of local craftsmen.
We will supply the funds for the labour if we don't tip the scales on our target.
In summary, each additional bungalow we build will come to $13,400.
The Challenges
Our biggest challenge is dealing with foreign government bodies but to overcome this our local friends are acting on our behalf.
A challenge we foresee is the increase in tourism development along the beachfront here in Rote. At the moment the island is going through a transformation, where once only a few brave adventurers would journey, the government and tourism board is now promoting the beauty of the island. Are they ready for this? Well, this is a major catalyst for Mercy Huts inception, to try help equip long time traditional lifestyle communities in readiness for it.
We believe this all begins with education.
As with any social enterprise, we need to juggle both our social responsibility and the operation of the business.
We are realistic about the challenges we face, and in addition to our combined gifts as a team, we also have a strong team of business advisers supporting us.
Holiday makers will always leave a footprint on the paradises they visit, as indeed those much needed holidays will have an impact on them. If Indonesia’s islands are to maintain their social and ecological well-being, then we need to ensure that the local inhabitants and their environments are of the utmost importance, not the brief visits of the happy-go-lucky holidaying hordes.
Only then will paradise be preserved.
A challenge we foresee is the increase in tourism development along the beachfront here in Rote. At the moment the island is going through a transformation, where once only a few brave adventurers would journey, the government and tourism board is now promoting the beauty of the island. Are they ready for this? Well, this is a major catalyst for Mercy Huts inception, to try help equip long time traditional lifestyle communities in readiness for it.
We believe this all begins with education.
As with any social enterprise, we need to juggle both our social responsibility and the operation of the business.
We are realistic about the challenges we face, and in addition to our combined gifts as a team, we also have a strong team of business advisers supporting us.
Holiday makers will always leave a footprint on the paradises they visit, as indeed those much needed holidays will have an impact on them. If Indonesia’s islands are to maintain their social and ecological well-being, then we need to ensure that the local inhabitants and their environments are of the utmost importance, not the brief visits of the happy-go-lucky holidaying hordes.
Only then will paradise be preserved.
Facebook mention
We will give you a personal thankyou on our FB page. Go here to donate any amount http://www.givenow.com.au/mercyhuts Keep an eye on our page for progress updates and to see a thankyou shoutout to you once payment processed
1 chosen / 99999 available
Est. delivery is May 15
T 4 2 with spice
Known in its early trading days as the Spice Islands, this part of the world was busy with old wooden ships from all over the world seeking spices to take home. Add some spice to your life with 200g sachet of ginger tea. Know for its many benefits such as.. Fights Cancer Helps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease Stimulates Appetite Helps with Weight Loss Relieves Tired Muscles Helps Manage Glucose Levels Helps the Body Absorb Nutrients .....and the list goes on.
2 chosen / 98 available
Est. delivery is May 15
Stunning 8 x 10 print
You will receive a beautiful 8 X 10 print to remind you of your contribution to our next hut. Choices available of landscape, seascape, people or surfing snaps.
8 chosen / 692 available
Est. delivery is May 15
Island Calendar
A calendar with beautiful images of the people, the landscapes and magnificent beachscapes of Rote Island. The first month will be April 2015 and the calendar will roll on until March 2016. With the calendar you will receive a complimentary entry to our six night accommodation giveaway for 2 pax. We'll shout you a drink on our beach to boot if you're the successful entry. One month will have our logo on the reverse side, if yours has then you get to stay free for six nights, bring a friend.
0 chosen / 200 available
Est. delivery is May 15
A T-Shirt with our logo
Not the tea you get for a $25 pledge but a T you can wear.. That's right! We'll send you out one of our new T shirts with the groovy "Heart Waves" logo that is loved by all wearers of Mercy Huts T-shirts. Let us know your size when you choose this reward. Shirts are white with blue logo as depicted in image. As an added bonus to this particular reward we will put you into the draw to spend a six nights in our hut once finished. The winner will be randomly drawn and notified by email.
9 chosen / 691 available
Est. delivery is May 15
Bungalow Stay for 2
VIP reward limited to 10 only. First in best dressed. See for yourself what we are doing with this campaign. Take this great opportunity to enjoy a relaxed island atmosphere, soak up the culture while taking well deserved time out from your busy schedule. We invite you to stay with us for five nights absolutely free. Valued at roughly $1,300, five nights accommodation for two people in the actual hut that you will be contributing toward by supporting this project. Dates subject to availability
2 chosen / 8 available
Est. delivery is Apr 16
1 week family holiday!
VIP reward limited to the first 20 lucky families supporting our project at this level. See for yourself what we are doing with this campaign. Take this great opportunity to enjoy time out in relaxed island atmosphere with your family (up to six people). Come up and enjoy the fishing, the surfing, the diving or just kick back on private beaches We invite you to stay with us for one week absolutely free. You will be jumping with joy! Flights will need to be booked at your own expense.
0 chosen / 20 available
Est. delivery is Apr 16
VIP Partner Benefits
You will be treated as a part owner of our island retreat. With this comes all the benefits of a $1,000 donor times by 7. So, what does that mean for you? For seven years you will be welcome to bring your family to Mercy Huts Bungalows in Rote once a year for a week stay without paying anything. Make this an annual trip away that will create memories you and yours will treasure in the years to come. There are only two of these rewards available. Let a friend know and lock in an exclusive treat.
0 chosen / 7 available
Est. delivery is Apr 16