Volunteer program in an orphanage and organic farm in Bali, Indonesia

Overview: Orphanage and organic farm in Bali, Indonesia

An ocean view two stories wooden house surrounded by papaya trees, an organic garden and 10 minutes access to the next village. This is not the brochure description of a luxurious Spa in Bali, but the location of the orphanage in Karang Asem, close to Bali’s biggest volcano Gunung Agung. 

The orphanage was founded by Ibu Tina, a warm hearted woman from Sulawesi, who has already managed an orphanage in Kuta but recently plan to raise and relocate the orphans in the rural area of Bali, where tourism does not have such a strong influence on the children’s development.

As a volunteer in the orphanage you will get an insight into their everyday’s activities and a local community in Bali.

The orphanage accommodates 13 children and 3 staffs. They sleep altogether in 4 dormitories on the second level. The kids ages range from baby to high school age. Most of the children will attend school in the morning. They will be picked up by a school bus every day.

Description: Orphanage and organic farm in Bali, Indonesia

After school you can devote all your attention to the orphans. Volunteers will: 

• help with homework,
• play language-based games to improve their English skills or
• introduce other activities like doing handicrafts. Sometimes other children from the surrounding areas will join as well. 

But don’t worry, as a volunteer in this orphanage you won’t get bored before the children come from school and play group. The orphanage is also a small organic farm under coconut trees.

Although the orphanage is mainly supported by donations from Christian organizations, Ibu Tina shows a lot of initiative to create a sustainable orphanage with self-supplied fruits, vegetables and energy. Therefore, she has already made a vegetable plantation just outside the house, owns a small pig farm and chicken farm to produce bio gas, an organic poultry farm and some papaya, mangosteen and rambutan trees. Her aims are to expand her organic garden. So volunteers with any previous knowledge on agriculture or farming, or who just love gardening, are definitely welcome.

If you participate in this voluntary work program in Bali, you should not be scared to get your hands dirty. You will not only help to play with the kids or improve their English. You may also be asked to: 

• join the orphans cleaning the pig and chicken farm,
• help to garden the vegetables or harvest the fruits,
• do the laundry,
• clean up or help to prepare the food. 

You will become a part of the orphanage and the local community. But moreover, you will experience a part of Bali, which could still keep its traditional magical flair. There are no crowded streets, no crowded beaches like in the tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak. 

Volunteers in the orphanage shall also be understanding and respectful to the religious devotion of Ibu Tina. Nevertheless, the Christian orphanage is a respected part of the Balinese Hindu community, as it gives shelter to those who are in need.

The beach is only within 15 minutes driving distance and you can already enjoy the beautiful turquoise ocean view from the orphanage. The next village is Candidasa. Although it well-known among foreign travellers, it is still an unhurried small village at the ocean. The cozy restaurants invite for a delicious dinner or fruity cocktail at the beach.

Important note:

Volunteering in this remote orphanage is a very satisfying and rewarding experience, as well es very challenging for some volunteers, especially if this is your first volunteer experience or your first time in Asia. As a volunteer you will become a part of the family: you will be a big brother of a big sister to the kids.

Prerequisites: 

• committed and dedicated
• fluent in English
• independent and confident
• have excellent communication skills
• willing to adjust to new cultures and traditions
• have a desire to make a positive difference