Bali – Education in Bali

At the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands between Java and Lombok, Bali is one of Indonesia’s most admired islands. The green, terraced rice fields, coconut forests and endless beaches are only part of the island’s natural beauty, making Bali a very popular destination for domestic and international tourism. Artistic and cultural interactions, such as traditional Balinese dance performances, are experiences you do not want to miss. This project is in southern Bali, in the rural town of Ubud, which is surrounded by small farms, rice paddies and dense forests.

Primary School Project: Volunteers will be placed in a school in the community. You will work with children aged 7-11, who know very little or no English. The primary focus of your role is to teach basic English comprehension skills and prepare them for primary and secondary school. We teach them English through creative games and the skills to become serious and successful students. Volunteers work independently and tasks can include:

• Creating lesson plans
• Tutoring children
• Teaching classes
• Running sports activities

Kindergarten Project: You will work in an informal school setting with young children between the ages of 2-5 years old, who are mainly from poor villages in and around Ubud. The primary focus of this kindergarten school is to get children excited about education and prepare them for primary school. You will teach basic English phrases such as simple greetings and sentence structures. By facilitating games, singing songs and creating art projects, you will prepare these children for a brighter future. Please note that this project is not available during the months of June, July, August and September.

A typical day: A typical day: Volunteers typically work 2-3 hours per day and plan lessons for another 2 hours. Other volunteers work approximately 4-5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Your weekends are free to explore Bali or travel to other destinations.

Important note: During public holidays, one or both programs may be closed. During these times, you may join the Construction program or enjoy free time in Bali.

Internet: Wi-Fi is available at the accommodations.

Laundry: There are laundry facilities in the village for a small fee.

Accommodations: Volunteers will share single-gender rooms at the volunteer house with four-eight volunteers. Rooms are equipped with bunk beds, electricity, a kitchen and western style toilet facilities. There is a pool open year-round that is less than a five-minute walk from the accommodation. The pool is free to use and is for volunteers only. We can arrange a private room for an additional fee. The accommodation is a 15-30 minute ride to the different project sites. Volunteers will be transported from the accommodations to the project sites.

Food: During the week, you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner, while on weekends, only breakfast and dinner are available. You also have the option of buying your own groceries and cook for yourself in the kitchen. Indonesian food is tasty and diverse and volunteers can expect to experience a myriad of flavors and meals during their stay. Typical dishes included miegoreng (fried noodles and vegetables), nasigoreng (fried rice and vegetables) or gadogado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce). For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybeans). We also provide some western dishes. We provide a varied breakfast, including pancakes, fresh fruit, toast, etc. You should be wary of drinking the tap water. Tea, coffee and purified water are available at the volunteer house.

• Minimum age of 18
• Good level of English
• Police clearance
• Good physical fitness
• Work well in a team
• Motivation to work with children
• Enthusiasm and to be open-minded
• B211 Visa is required for all volunteers regardless of duration (around $50). You will receive the documentation after registration and approval.
• All participants must bring along with them 4-5 COVID-19 self-test kits (average 1 per week) to cover their stay.

​Bali has something for everyone. However, if you are looking to explore beyond Bali, you can head west on a 30-minute ferry and visit Java. With over 450 different bird species, Java is a birdwatcher’s paradise, surrounded by endless rice fields and volcanic mountains. For a more cultural experience, you can explore Lombok Island, which is famous for its wooden masks, traditional hand-woven textiles and pottery. You could also visit Sanur, an east coast town south of Bali; a worthwhile visit for an early sunrise hike overlooking the white sandy beaches and beautiful scenery.

Bali Culture Week (Highly Recommended):

A week-long introduction to Bali and Balinese culture. This week is the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow volunteers and get to know the local Balinese community! Orientation will take place in Penestanan Kaja village (just five minutes from the Ubud center) where you’ll familiarize yourself with Balinese culture, traditions, and living. The orientation includes walking tours, a traditional Balinese dance show, a mini language course to learn common Indonesian phrases and words, an art class and tours of famous temples. The orientation program runs from Monday through Friday, giving you the weekend to relax or explore the area on your own before you are driven back to Ubud to begin your volunteer program.

Program Add-Ons:
Consider joining one or more of these special programs to add another dimension to your Balinese experience:

• Yoga and Mind Week: Learn yoga and meditative practices to improve your health and well-being.
• Bali Adventure: Jump into an adventure- filled week of trekking up volcanoes, cycling through town and then enjoy a relaxing massage at the end of the week.

Please note that there is an additional fee for these programs. See additional options below.