Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort has marked a meaningful milestone with the official opening of a new school in Southwest Sumba, built in collaboration with Bali Life Foundation. The inauguration took place on 15 July 2026, less than a year after the project began through an evening dedicated to fundraising and community support.
Located within the Tambolaka community, the school was created as a safe learning space for children to study, grow, and build a clearer path towards the future. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Regent of Southwest Sumba, Ratu Ngadu Bonu Wulla, and attended by representatives from Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, including General Manager Jean-Pierre Joncas, Director of People & Culture Nia Edward, and Senior Director of Marketing Communications & PR Aulianty Fellina. The Bali Life Foundation team, local community leaders, teachers, students, and residents also gathered for the occasion.
The school was funded through Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort’s inaugural charity gala, An Evening of Elegance & Empathy, held on 14 November 2025. The event brought together hospitality figures, corporate partners, media, philanthropists, and supporters, raising IDR 500,000,000 for Bali Life Foundation’s work in education and opportunity-building for underprivileged communities.
For Sofitel Bali, the opening turns a single night of giving into something more lasting. As Jean-Pierre Joncas noted, the project reflects the idea that luxury can extend beyond guest experiences and into the communities where hospitality brands operate. The new school stands as a practical example of that belief, translating funds, partnerships, and shared goodwill into a place with daily impact.
The collaboration also continues. Building on the first gala’s outcome, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort will host the second edition of its annual charity gala, An Evening of Purpose & Possibility, on 11 December 2026, again in partnership with Bali Life Foundation. The next event will aim to create further opportunities for children and families across Indonesia.
For Bali Life Foundation, the Sofitel Bali Sumba school is more than a building. It is a place where children can discover their potential, continue their education, and imagine a wider future. In Southwest Sumba, that makes the project both a local milestone and a reminder of what sustained generosity can leave behind.
For more information, visit sofitelbalinusadua.com.