Earth Day is the world's largest secular holiday in the world with over a billion people celebrating in various ways each April 22nd.  An Eco Learning Park sponsored by the recently established ROLE Foundation officially opened to the public on this day in Sawangan, Nusa Dua.  This 1.5 hectare site serves as both an educational venue for school children and visitors, amongst others, and an eco-training facility for needy females living in Bali's southern most area known as the Bukit Peninsula.

As part of the festivities, 25 students from Sekolah Luar Biasa (LSM) which is dedicated to providing a complete education for deaf children were invited to join the event.  As a surprise start to the evening, Bali Camel Safaris kindly gave each student a brief camel ride.  Their eyes widened immensely in amazement at first, but they all departed with an incredible sense of having overcome their initial fear of mounting this large animals.

At ROLE's Eco Learning Park, they were first introduced to the various learning stations, including an organic vegetable and herb garden.  Very boring they all thought, so they immediately joined in the over-sized plastic SNAKES AND LADDERS game with its huge dice.  There was also a krepik eating contest which all of the LSM students enthusiastically participated in.  The many interested games sponsored by Surfer Girl were also a big hit,as well as their freshly made popcorn!

After all the excitement, the LSM students feasted on pizzas sponsored by Lotus Garden restaurant.  This was a very special treat compared to the food they normally eat at the school and home, and it verifies that all children around the world adore pizza.

The students from LSM are very thankful to Lotus for making this afternoon excursion so memorable.