Rescue 2000: Creating Homes and Changing Lives, One Family at a Time

Oliver Heliste

FOUNDER

Hello dear friends and colleagues!

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Investland Bali is excited to introduce a wonderful friend and a partner of ours—Elias Araya from Rescue 2000. It's a charity organization based in Bali, founded by Elias's brother Cristobal Araya in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown. Today, it consists of 4 best friends, whose mission in life is to share love by giving back to those in need.

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The organization's main focus is shelter construction, food distribution, and clean water projects. The built homes are newly furnished, families are provided with means of transportation, and their children are given all the resources necessary to continue their education. Over the past three years, Rescue 2000 has helped more than 5,000 families, distributed more than 50 tons of food aid, and built over 30 local homes for families in need.

The inspiration behind Rescue 2000 is inspired by the legacy of Elias' father and dates back to the year 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then, the Araya brother's father has been feeding the homeless every weekend for 24 years. Today, Elias and his brother, Cristobal Araya, have expanded the charity to an international level.

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Rescue 2000 x Investland Bali

*Finns football tournament. Elias is in the bottom right corner.*

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Investland Bali builds small local house for a local family in cooperation with Rescue 2000 for every villa we sell. Construction has already started on the first house, and we'll keep you updated on the progress.

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But today, we would like to introduce you to our dear friend and partner. Get to know Elias, the kind man from Rescue 2000. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet Elias through a mutual Estonian friend Ivo during the Finns Football Tournament. Over two months of tournaments, we had a chance to meet during numerous matches. Our similar values and wish to give back to the community laid a foundation for our friendship and beautiful partnership.

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Elias’ life path is dedicated to helping people. It seems this path was chosen for him a long time ago. The theme of helping others has been a part of Elias' life since he was a young boy and is deeply rooted in his family tradition. Let us and Elias inspire you with the following interview and learn more about the man who is creating beautiful homes for the people of Bali.

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*Interview with Elias Araya*

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How did you end up here in Bali?

I was in my last semester of college, feeling quite lost living in the States and needing to figure out what to do with my life. When my brother invited me to join the company here and manage projects, the decision came easy. I was in a completely different mindset back then, and coming here felt like a true calling, like an answer. So, I changed my life completely—I left school and came straight to Bali to work with my dear brother. It was definitely the right thing to do. I'm happier here. Struggling in the States versus giving back to the people here—it's different. Here, even during tough times, I can go to the beach to clear my head. Bali has been supportive in every way.

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How did Rescue 2000 begin?

We have a family pattern. Our father's actions have shaped me and my brother. I am originally from Chile. When I was young, my father moved from Chile to the United States to help the homeless. Every weekend he gave out food packages to the homeless people and my brother often went along with him. I grew up watching him feed and support those less fortunate throughout my life. It made me the person I am today.

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So, just as my father moved from Chile to the United States to help people in need, I moved from the U.S. to Indonesia to do the same. I run Rescue 2000 with my brother. Initially, we focused on food distribution and fundraising through social media. But at some point, it all just kind of blew up. Now, people find us—they want to work with us. Initially, it was about food distribution. Now we can focus on much bigger projects too. Being able to build homes for people brings me so much joy. Seeing the smiles on the faces of people when they receive their new homes is incredibly rewarding.

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My brother has been living in Bali already for 5 years, and running Rescue 2000 here ever since the COVID-19 lockdown, it was during then that he invited me to join him as well. Now, he’s focused on growing the organization even bigger, while I handle project management, overseeing construction, and communicating with families to ensure the quality of the homes we build. It’s a good teamwork.

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Has your father visited Bali?

Yes, he visited recently for the first time. He was amazed to see what we have built over the years and how big the impact is. My brother and I took him around and showed him the houses we had built for the community. It was a great experience. Of course, our family sometimes struggles with us being so far away and missing us, but hey, I guess that's the price we pay for following our calling.

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Did you know from an early age that helping people was going to be your calling?

Actually, yes. I remember being about 13 or 14 years old, helping our father at the homeless shelter. I told my brother, "We're going to do something much bigger than this." I wasn't wrong. I've also experienced homelessness with my family; we didn't come from a wealthy background. In my opinion, life has given us the experiences we need to understand the people we work with. I have a lot of empathy and understanding from my own life experiences.

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Do you have a favorite spot in Bali?

I do. It’s an old Balinese village called Pedawa. Pedawa Village is one of the old Balinese villages in Bali (Bali Aga) that has maintained its unique culture and traditions. The authenticity of Pedawa Village has been preserved to this day, making it one of the old Balinese villages in Buleleng. I find it to be a place where you can still connect with true Balinese heritage.

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The spirit and kindness of the people who live there are unbelievable. It’s an ancient village, and many of the people have never had any contact with the outside world. My team and I were their first contact with the so-called Western world. Having the opportunity to build houses there made me very happy. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind building our headquarters there—it’s a dream of mine.

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What are some recommendations you would give to people visiting Bali?

Respect the locals. If you've ever traveled to Bali, you'll know that the Balinese people are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. I highly recommend making friends with the locals; they can offer valuable advice on what is appropriate. Also, make sure not to pollute—leave places cleaner than you found them. Always be kind and considerate of others.

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Show Your Love

Investland Bali’s team calls on you to help Elias with his mission. The organization's work is made possible by donations. For example, $1,000 can supply food for 30-40 families for up to a month. Building a house in Bali typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000. Rescue 2000 is characterized by its dedication and transparency, with 70% of donations going directly to those in need, while the remaining 30% covers operational costs such as transportation and marketing.

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Isn't it heartwarming to know that not only did you build a villa in Bali, but you also helped build a home for a local family?

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Stay tuned for our future blog articles where we’ll share more about our cooperation with Rescue 2000. You can show your support and spread awareness via the following links:

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