Best of Bali (Bali, Indonesia, Asia)

In a Nutshell
Australians loooove Bali. They are not alone in this sentiment. Japanese, Koreans, Germans, Brits and of course, Americans put it very high on their bucket lists too. The reason seems obvious- Bali has so much to offer: naturewise – volcanoes, rivers, lakes, palm trees, and beautiful white beaches abound; culture wise – the Hindu culture of Bali (within the broader Muslim culture in Indonesia) is evident everywhere – in the festivals, the national holidays, palaces and thousands of temples scattered all over the island.
Feeling inspired? What if you could use this inspiration to give back? To be more than a tourist and immerse yourself in this great culture. And what better way for a cultural immersion than teaching, and what better students than children!

Project I.D

In this Bali adventure we will make a difference through teaching children in underdeveloped villages, participating in community construction projects, teaching health education and inspiring community members to strive towards a brighter and more sustainable future via broader horizons. In between these meaningful encounters we will enjoycooking, painting, language and even ceremonial flower arranging classes. We will also enrich ourselves with visits to forests, palaces, markets, coffee plantations and temples. As for the teaching, if you end up actually learning more than you have taught, well, that’s a professional risk…

This meaningful adventure has a sweet three day anchor in the shape of a well-deserved, pampering eco-resort for our devoted teachers, builders and mentors to relax and rejuvenate. You’ve earned it!

*This program does not require any prior qualifications or experience. Your attention and warm heart are all that is needed. Lessons will be prepared in advance by teachers and participants together, each morning.

Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday: Arrive into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to your new home in the village of Ubud, to settle in and meet your fellow participants.
Day 2, Monday: Following breakfast, participants will receive an orientation of the area and local culture and introductions to their program of choice.* After a visit to the Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace and the Ubud market, we will have a Bahasa language class, that will enrich our communication skills in the days to come. A festive dinner will mark the end of a culturally rich day.
*See the contributional work options under the “Fast Facts” below.
Day 3, Tuesday: Rewarding contributional work at your placement of choice. After a short rest in the afternoon, we will regroup and enjoy another useful language lesson.
Day 4, Wednesday: Teaching and community restoration day. After a short break in the afternoon, we will enjoy a traditional cooking class.
Day 5, Thursday: Continue with teaching and community restoration. At the end of the day, we will enjoy a dancing class.
Day 6, Friday: Final day of contributional work. Come afternoon, we will enjoy some group activities, a closing ceremony with the children and a traditional Balinese dance after dinner.
Day 7, Saturday: Culture & nature weekend ahead! In the morning, we will participate in a ceremonial flower arranginging class. Then, we will head to Tirta Empul and Gunung temples. The day will end with some community and village beautification.
Day 8, Sunday: After an early start we will cycle at the Kintamani area. After a Balinese massage to help us wind down, we will evaluate our contributional activity as a group. A festive goodbye dinner will mark the end of this portion of our adventure.
Day 9, Monday: This morning we’ll settle in the final phase of our adventure – a super-pampering eco friendly resort. A traditional Mandi Lulur massage and floral bath will help us get in a tranquil mood**.

Day 10, Tuesday: A full day of wellness: sunrise meditation and yoga; Ayurveda wellness consultation; Abhyanga Oil and Sunset yoga
Day 11, Wednesday: Another full day of Ayurvedic wellness.
Day 12, Thursday: A Sunrise Sail (with the hopes of spotting dolphins?; Ayurvedic facial; transfer to and departure from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)

**As a complement to the calm and relaxed nature of this portion of our adventure, further activities and excursions are available upon request, for an additional fee.

  Fast Facts

  • Location of the Project: Bali, Indonesia
  • Project length: 12 days
  • Arrival Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
  • Volunteer Work: Education and community renovation
  • The kindergarten and teaching placements can accept families with children as young as 5 years old.
  • Number of Volunteers:  This adventure requires a minimum of four participants.

Contributional Work: This adventures offers several contributional projects:
Teaching Project: Volunteers will be placed in a community school, working with children aged 7-11, who know very little or no English. The main focus of your role is to teach basic English comprehension skills and in so doing, prepare them for primary and secondary school. Teaching is made fun by creative games, but students also learn the necessary skills to become serious and successful scholars. Volunteers work independently and tasks can include creating lesson plans, tutoring children, leading classes
and 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 come from underprivileged villages in and around Ubud. The main focus of this kindergarten school is to get the children excited about education and prepare them for primary school. You will teach basic English phrases such as simple greetings, alphabet and counting . By facilitating games, singing songs and creating art projects together, you will prepare these children for a brighter future.
Health and hygiene: Lack of medical care and healthcare resources is a significant problem within the Ubud community. This project encourages and inspires local children to improve their personal health and hygiene. This could include teaching them how to properly brush their teeth, wash their hands as well as how to keep their bodies and clothes clean. You will help improve the healthcare situation by leading informational health sessions as well as showing them ways they can live healthier lives.

Construction Project: At this project, you will help to improve the local community infrastructure by renovating and repairing existing buildings. You will work as part of a team, with construction workers and local laborers, helping to build a sense of solidarity within the community.

A typical day: Participants on the teaching and kindergarten placements typically work 2-3 hours per day and plan lessons for for an additional two hours. Other participants work approximately 4-5 hours per day, Monday through Friday.

What’s Included

  • Accommodations: A comfortable, en-suite room with A/C and onsite swimming pool
  • Food: Three meals a day
    Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is included on arrival day.
  • Orientation: Participants will receive an orientation of the area upon arrival and an introduction to their program of choice the second day.
  • Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s Not Included
Flights, visas (required), travel health insurance, personal expenses. All participants must apply in advance for a B-211 Social visa.

Adventure Departure Dates

  • May 5th, 2019
  • July 29th, 2019
  • August 18th, 2019
  • September 1st, 2019
  • October 5th, 2019
  • November 3rd, 2019
  • December 1st, 2019
  • January 5th, 2020

Adventure Cost :  $2900 USD

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