IVHQ provide placements working in schools and kindergartens in Bali. My placement was set up by IVHQ's partner organisation: Green Lion. The organisation's co-ordinators were very friendly and helpful. During orientation week the co-ordinators organise a week to learn about the Balinese culture and make friends with other volunteers. This week was one of the best weeks of my life. At the end of the week volunteers are assigned with partners and given a clear curriculum to follow whilst teaching.
All the placements are set in traditional Balinese schools. I found the teachers and co-ordinators both struggled to communicate in English and therefore this proved a barrier to my research. One other barrier to research was the time spent in schools. Volunteers were required to spend three hours planning and only spent 2 hours a day at the actual setting. Good for research, however, was the laid back attitude of the Balinese schools. Teachers were happy to allow volunteers to take videos and pictures at all times, and any new ideas for teaching were welcomed with helpful attitudes.Placement itself was a lot of fun and this enthusiasm was shared by all the volunteers I came across on the program.
The accommodation location was the village of Penestanan Kaja. The Volunteer house was basic, with free wifi, water and a small kitchen to prepare meals. It was comfortable living for the duration of three weeks that I was there. I stayed with 8 other volunteers. Full capacity was 10 people. Also if you love nature, it had the most beautiful garden with an array of wildlife.
It's easy to get around to places by taxi. Walk: it saves money, and little money goes a long way in Bali! Green Lion will provide pick up from the airport and transport to and from placement. In Bali, the main form of transport is scooter, try this!
The social life in the Village is brilliant! Volunteer houses were located in close proximity to each other and over 200 Volunteers lived on one street. Cafes, taxi service, a small bar and travel companies for arranging trips were all walking distance from the house stay. There were also places to interact with others through yoga, meditation and dance. We also had access to a pool at a hotel, 10 minutes from the volunteer house. The best cafes were Vespa and Kopi Desa, both within 5 minutes from the house stay, all the volunteers would hang out here during the day and the prices were as little as £5 for a full meal. There was also nightlife, restaurants and the Ubud market, located in Ubud, only 20 minutes walk from the house stay. Also, the villagers and, in general, Balinese people are some of the most friendliest people in the world, therefore the streets will always be filled with a fun and social atmosphere.
Things to do, things not to do
Take part in the culture, go to the temples, go to see the monkey forest in Ubud (but make sure you do not have anything in hand the monkey may want to take: take only a camera/ phone). Wear mosquito spray at all times of the day, especially if you go to see the rice fields. Do go to see the rice fields. If you have enough time, take the fast boat to Gili Trawangan, and enjoy a weekend of sand, sea, water sports and partying. Spend a week in Kuta (for nightlife) and try surfing, lessons on the beach are affordable and of quality. Be open, friendly and down for anything. The volunteers will come from all around the world, embrace this culture. Do spend all day at Kopi Desa, it is peaceful and with free wifi you can go there to complete work. Do try the indonesian food: the best dishes are mie goreng (noodle) and nasi goreng (rice). Do try the fresh juices, they are refreshing and the equivalent of 70p. Try to go to Alchemy for breakfast (vegan bar serving fresh yoghurt and fruit), it is 5 minutes from the house stay.
Bali is a very religious Island and therefore there are certain rules which volunteers should adhere to. Shoes should not be worn inside, always extend your right hand when receiving from someone or waving, do not touch a Balinese child on the head and respect the rule of wearing a sarong before you enter a temple. Do not pay more than 300,000 rupiahs for a Sarong, or taxi ride. These should cost 50,000 rupiahs. Don't go see the kadek dance twice, once is more than enough.
Kirsty Jaimson from IVHQ: She will help you if you have any problems with the staff at Green Lion
Also both Dian and Dika are very helpful co-ordiantors
Pack clothes and essentials only. Pack toothbrush, shampoo, soap etc. the supermarkets are about 25 minutes to walk to and you will be thankful to have your own when you arrive in high heat. Pack sun lotion and mosquito spray. Get your jabs: Typhoid and Malaria are essential. Also get a jab for rabies, it will make you feel much safer in the monkey forest. Read about Bali and where you want to go and what you want to do: the Island is a paradise Island with something to suit all needs.
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