Chapter 39

• Several weeks had passed since the first training was held. The village, usually bustling only on market days and during traditional ceremonies, now felt different. In the corners of warungs, on the household bale-bale, even by the rice fields, groups of young people gathered in small circles, holding phones, discussing content, or happily practicing English phrases with one another.
• New TikTok and Instagram accounts began to emerge—under names like @voiceofbali, @ourvillage_story, @balinesekitchenbyibuayu. Their content varied, but all shared a common thread: honesty and pride in their village identity.
• One of the viral videos came from Kadek, a shy young man who had initially been reluctant to speak in front of others. He uploaded a short video capturing a quiet morning at home—his mother preparing canang, his father feeding the chickens, and his little sister sleeping soundly on the bale. He added a simple narration in English: “This is my home. It’s quiet, peaceful, and full of love.”