Our Impact
At #BALANCE, we believe that true success goes beyond just ticking boxes. Our goal is to create meaningful impact by collaborating with local action groups to address social and environmental issues that affect the regions where we operate. We are dedicated to offsetting the impact of our events by actively supporting organisations that are already working on the ground to create real change.
Below are some of our relationships and the projects we are supporting them on.
Samui Street Dogs & Rob's Dogs
Samui Street Dogs is a grassroots initiative spearheaded by Jewells and her partner, Rod, a former Australian law enforcement officer with 30 years of service in Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police. Their passion for animal rescue began on their first date when they abandoned dinner plans to save a lost dog running through traffic during a thunderstorm— and the rest is history. They Inspired by the final words of Jewells' best friend, “Don’t wait to move to Thailand. Make the most of your lives and go help the dogs,” they bought one-way tickets to Koh Samui and dedicated their lives to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for the island’s street dogs. Their mission goes beyond rescue—they aim to create lasting change through education, teaching local children about compassionate animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Samui Street Dogs is working towards becoming an officially registered foundation in Thailand to expand their impact and continue making a difference in the community. Rob’s Dogs was founded in 2018 by Rebecca, who was deeply inspired to help after witnessing the suffering of street dogs during a trip to Bali in 2013. Troubled by the overpopulation of unwanted dogs, Rebecca moved to Bali in 2014 to volunteer with BARC (Bali Animal Rescue Centre), where she became dedicated to their sterilization program. Recognising that controlling the street dog population was key to addressing the larger issues of abandonment and suffering, Rebecca moved to Koh Samui, Thailand, in 2016. There, she collaborated with Pariah Dog Koh Samui, another group focused on the rehabilitation and sterilization of street dogs. In 2018, in honor of her late husband Rob, Rebecca established the Rob’s Dogs Foundation (RDF), using funds from Rob’s estate to underwrite the foundation's efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide care for abandoned street dogs on Koh Samui. Today, Rob’s Dogs continues to provide essential care to street dogs, working with local communities to reduce the stray dog population through sterilization and vaccination programs. The foundation has become a recognised force in animal welfare on Koh Samui, creating sustainable, humane solutions to the challenges posed by stray dogs.
#BALANCE, Samui Street Dogs and Rod's Dogs are launching a 5-year project focused on: Formal incorporation of Samui Street Dogs as an official Thai foundation to enhance support and resources. Integrating animal welfare education into universities and schools across Koh Samui. Strengthening relationships with animal welfare initiatives across Thailand and implementing a process for investigating reports of abuse. Project Outline: Foundation Incorporation: Secure legal status for greater impact. Education Development: Create learning programs starting with day tours for university and school students. University Engagement: Launch tours with university students to champion animal welfare initiatives. School Rollout: Pair students with university mentors for joint learning experiences. Curriculum Integration: Develop formal modules with schools and universities. Key Areas of Focus for Educational Content: Street Dog Safety: How to stay safe around street dogs, recognising signs of disease or distress. Rabies Awareness: What to do if a dog is suspected of having rabies, including when to seek medical help. Public Health & Animal Welfare: The importance of sterilization and vaccination to control stray populations and protect public health. #BALANCE’s Role: Strategic Support: Business expertise and operational guidance. Network Connections: Linking initiatives to corporate clients and our expansive network. Volunteer Engagement: Providing volunteers through our event programs. Financial Support: Donating a portion of event profits to fund the project.
Trash Hero Koh Samui
Trash Hero Koh Samui is a community-driven initiative and part of the global Trash Hero Network, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to combating waste and promoting environmental sustainability. Their mission is to create sustainable, community-based projects that remove existing rubbish and reduce future waste by inspiring long-term behavior change. They organise weekly clean-ups, bringing together volunteers and local businesses to collect and properly dispose of litter from beaches and communities. These events not only clean the environment but also foster community engagement and raise awareness about the impact of waste. In addition to clean-ups, Trash Hero Koh Samui implements the "Bottles and Bags" program, aiming to reduce single-use plastics by providing reusable alternatives. They sell stainless steel water bottles to local businesses, which in turn offer them to customers. Participating businesses agree to serve as refill stations, providing free drinking water to anyone with a Trash Hero bottle, thereby encouraging the use of reusable bottles and reducing plastic waste. Through these initiatives, Trash Hero Koh Samui has successfully removed significant amounts of waste from the island's beaches, streets, and waterways, preventing environmental degradation and promoting a culture of sustainability among residents and visitors alike.
#BALANCE is proud to support Trash Hero Koh Samui in a long-term project focused on creating a more sustainable island. Our collaboration will: Expand Clean-Up Efforts: Cover more areas, including remote beaches and urban spaces. Engage Local Businesses: Partner with hotels, businesses, and communities to promote waste reduction and recycling initiatives. Technology Uplift" Increase the usability of Trash Hero's application and website. Raise Environmental Awareness: Educate residents and visitors on sustainable waste management and reducing plastic use. How #BALANCE Supports This Project: Volunteer Engagement: Providing volunteers from our events and hotel partners to assist with clean-up initiatives and educational activities. Network Leverage: Assisting Trash Hero to generate more volunteers from local businesses. Together, we aim to empower communities, inspire environmental stewardship, and contribute to a cleaner, greener Koh Samui. Join us in making a lasting difference—one clean-up at a time.
MAST Human
MAST Human Intelligence is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to combating human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, particularly within the hotel industry. They have developed the MAST Human Intelligence App, a secure and anonymous reporting tool that empowers hotel staff to report suspicious activities without fear of retaliation. By providing training and technological support, MAST ensures that employees can recognize and respond to exploitation, helping to create safer environments for both workers and guests. The MAST Human Intelligence App is a powerful tool designed to assist in worker safety and meaningfully contribute to the fight against human trafficking. Users of the app are able to record their locations as they travel, report their witness of crimes, and send alerts if they are in danger. The app has numerous features, including crowdsourcing communications, registration and education about the jobs users take and their employers, red flag vessel warnings, and weather updates. It is available in English, Thai, Myanmar, and Cambodian languages. With millions of travelers passing through hotels each year, these establishments can inadvertently become venues for trafficking and exploitation. The rise of online platforms has made it easier for perpetrators to operate undetected, emphasising the need for proactive staff training and effective reporting mechanisms. MAST Human Intelligence addresses this need by equipping hotel staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify and report potential trafficking situations, thereby playing a crucial role in preventing exploitation within the hospitality industry.
#BALANCE is proud to support MAST Human Intelligence to combat human trafficking and child exploitation within the hospitality industry. Our support focuses on expanding the reach of the MAST Human Intelligence App and empowering hotel staff to be the first line of defense against exploitation. Through this collaboration, #BALANCE will: Subsidise Training: Provide financial support to subsidise training for staff within our hotel partners, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to recognise and report signs of trafficking. Global Implementation: Advocate for and assist in integrating MAST App training into global hotel operations, creating a standardised approach to worker safety and ethical responsibility across the hospitality sector. Raise Awareness: Promote awareness of human trafficking risks among the local community and our corporate clients, fostering a culture of vigilance and ethical accountability. By embedding MAST’s tools and training within our network, #BALANCE aims to create safer environments for both hotel employees and vulnerable individuals, contributing to lasting, industry-wide change in the fight against exploitation.