Volunteer Bali is dedicated to provide educational opportunities equally for Indonesian people, children and adults. For several years we have provided a wide range of educational services to various rural villages of Bali. In doing this our volunteers have taught English, art, and life skills to the Indonesian children and adults in the areas where we work. We strongly believe that it is important to work is assistance and cooperation with local communities, therefore local leaders, educational figures and families are also involved with our programs.

Our program philosophy is twofold. Our first and foremost priority is to serve the educational needs of the Balinese communities in which we work. These needs are met through our well-qualified and dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers are committed to their work and teaching. It is the hopes of Volunteer Bali that our volunteers also receive a unique and integrative experience in the villages. Our volunteers have the opportunity to live with Balinese families and immerse themselves fully into local culture and language. This experience is extremely valuable as it brings our volunteers beyond ‘tourist life’ in the heart of Balinese community, religion, and family life. From this our volunteers take with them a rich and memorable experience that they will always remember.

Working with the Volunteer Bali is a unique opportunity to experience life in Bali, share your expertise, and contribute to a very important educational goal. Pride in our volunteers is the foundation of our project and its success.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE/BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Recommended Pre-requisites
Classroom teachers should preferably have TEFL (or equivalent) or experience teaching children. It is especially helpful if volunteers have previous teaching experience in Asia. Other positions require more experience, and are relevant to the position. Knowledge of the Indonesian Language (Bahasa Indonesia) is a plus, but not essential.

(a) Volunteer English Teachers/educational project developers (10 positions)
Volunteers will teach up to 15 hours a week at the maximum. We encourage our teachers to use a very hands-on and fun method of teaching, combining games and activities with a very basic level of English. We provide assistance with the curriculum, often collaborating with schools in designing an appropriate curriculum. We also train teachers in the first week of orientation as part of the program. Depending on where volunteers are placed, they will be living in a shared volunteer house or with a local family and teaching English in village Elementary and Junior High Schools.
Along with teaching ESL, this position is also responsible for general development work related to education. For example, there will be times when the school will have breaks or the volunteer may have less classroom hours. In this case, the volunteer will work under the guidance of the BCP to improve certain conditions in the villages where they are placed, such as curriculum development, teacher training, community classes, and creating a general relationship between the BCP and the village.

(b) Non-classroom volunteers (4 positions)
Non-classroom volunteer positions will be based in Ubud, Bali. These positions are more independent and require enthusiasm, experience, self-motivation, and creativity. These volunteers will be responsible for the design and promotion of developing projects. Examples of projects currently in development and that need attention are:

(i) Environmental awareness project for children.
Construct lesson plans and activities to educate local children about environmental issues. Minimal materials will be provided, as well as funds. This position will also set up and maintain a small eco-garden (compost, medicinal and other plants). This position requires someone with a degree or experience with environmental issues. Experience with gardening is also necessary.

(ii) Children’s art program.
Volunteers with special skills and interests, such as music, art or yoga, will have an opportunity to develop programs for children in these fields. This position may also require teaching local community English classes to adults and children.

(iii)_ BCP Administrative assistant.
This person will work in the field and behind the scenes, as well as running the BCP office in Ubud. Responsibilities will include fundraising, working with village community leaders in developing new programs and promoting the BCP worldwide. Networking skills, computer literacy, documentation, web and brochure design experience will all be a distinct advantage.

(iv) Curriculum development
There is also an opening for someone to create fun lesson plans and a new curriculum, and to expand our resource center. This person will also co-construct and co-teach a teacher-training program for local schoolteachers and help support our sponsorship program. This position requires experience in networking as well as in teaching.

Commitments involved
To work as a volunteer in Bali requires commitment. The island’s reputation as a vacation paradise sometimes attracts volunteers with private agendas that consume resources but contribute nothing to our programs. We therefore need to know something about you, your interests and your aspirations

We ask for volunteers to commit for a minimum of seven-weeks after the training course is completed, thus an eight-week commitment. This is the minimum period required; however if volunteers wish to stay longer they certainly may do so.

We also ask that all volunteers pay a fee. We attempted to not ask this from you, but we feel that is important for us and for you. The fee pays for the salaries of those who will teach and lecture during your training week (i.e. language teachers, speakers, drivers, etc), and also all food expenses during training week. This fee, along with raised money and donations, allows the project to run. We must also cover all of our own costs such as project, office, and teaching materials. This also ensures that you are serious and willing to commit fully during your stay with us in Bali.

The program does not wish to complicate the lives of Balinese children with the coming and going of new faces. If you are only available for a short time, please inform us and we can try to arrange a different way for you to help

What is provided by the organization?
We provide a ten-day intensive training- cum- orientation course for our volunteers. During this week volunteers will study basic Indonesian language skills, TESL skills as well as a general introduction to Balinese life and culture (excursions etc.). Our training emphasizes a very hands on and active way of teaching, integrating songs and games into an organized lesson. Also, we feel it is very important to be culturally aware, as the Balinese village way of life is probably very very different from your own!

We also provide accommodation. Where you will live depends on your position. For example, ESL teachers generally with host families where as the project developers will live together in a volunteer house in Ubud. When staying with a family, the food cost is approximately $100USD per month, per volunteer. This is part of our agreement with our families, and it is not flexible. If you are staying at our volunteer house, then your can choose a food plan option ranging from 60-100$ US a month, or choose to find or prepare your own meals. Please be flexible, and we will try our best to accommodate you. During certain times choices are more limited, and you may have to stay with a family or vise versa.
Unfortunately we do not cover airfares or food costs (which in Bali can cost you between 1$-$3 a day). Being a non-profit foundation we cannot afford to help with airfare. You must be willing to pay for your food costs. We will also try our best to arrange airport pick up for you, but this will not always be possible for us. If we cannot meet you then you will be sent detailed instructions to guide you to us.

While working as a volunteer, we provide ongoing support with on site visits and consultations. Continuing Indonesian lessons are also available at minimal cost.

You must also have insurance. We cannot take responsibility for your health or medical expenses. Ideally, we would love to provide this for you, but at this point we cannot. Any insurance is acceptable, short-term travel insurance etc., and this can be bought before you leave your country or in any country you are residing in.
You will be asked to sign a release of liability form and agree to certain Terms and Conditions prior to your participation in our training and orientation week.

Besides these things, please remember to be flexible and patient. Concepts of time and space in Bali are very different from most places. If you arrive here with an open mind and heart, then your volunteer experience will unfold before you, offering you many priceless memories.