The Story

PT. Griya Lumbung Sari (GLS) is more than just a company. It is the living embodiment of a dream—a dream born in the heart of a Balinese child, Gus Kris, who dared to take a step forward when the world stood still.

Born and raised amidst Bali’s rich culture and wisdom, Gus Kris witnessed how his homeland became a paradise on Earth—a place where the smiles of tourists met the warmth of local hospitality, where tradition and modernity harmoniously coexisted. But all of that came crashing down when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. The island, once vibrant, fell into silence. Bali’s tourism-based economy collapsed overnight. Markets emptied, hotels shut down, jobs vanished, and the healthcare system struggled against an unfamiliar crisis.

In the midst of this devastation, came a powerful resolve from an ordinary son of the soil: the desire to do something for Bali and its people. Not just to survive—but to forge a new path forward.

Armed with nothing but passion, conviction, and love for his homeland, Gus Kris founded PT. Griya Lumbung Sari (GLS). The name itself carries deep meaning: Griya means home, Lumbung symbolizes prosperity, and Sari represents the essence of life. Together, these words reflect the noble mission of GLS—to be a home of hope, a granary of knowledge, and a source of new life for Bali.

The journey was anything but easy. With extremely limited resources, Gus Kris initiated a global collaboration program: bringing international students to Bali to learn directly from local health and academic institutions. This initiative was called the Elective Study Program—a program where foreign students would not only observe Bali’s medical practices but also immerse themselves in its culture, understand Indonesia’s healthcare system, and build bridges across nations.

At first, there were many questions: “Who are you?”, “How is this even possible?” But Gus Kris was undeterred. He entered academic forums, built partnerships with universities, hospitals, local communities, and government agencies. He didn’t pitch a proposal—he shared a vision. With heart.

And slowly, trust followed.

Udayana University, particularly its Faculty of Medicine, became an early partner. Teaching hospitals opened their doors. International students began to arrive. They didn’t just learn—they stayed, interacted, dined in local warungs, embraced Balinese customs, supported small businesses, and became unofficial ambassadors of Bali upon returning home. GLS did more than connect academics across borders—it revived the local economy, strengthened institutional accreditation, and elevated Bali as a global center of learning.