Volunteer with 4th World Love

  Indonesia

• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Year-round

Description: Wanted: Energy, Ambition and a Sense of Humor to Teach the Locals!

Description:   When you first land in Sembalun, Lombok, Indonesia you will find yourself grinning from ear to ear. Why? Because the villagers embrace you like you are a long lost relative and, in return, you will have a hard time leaving your new family!   Nestled up against the celebrated volcano, Mt. Rinjani, Sembalun is a farming village where adventurous trekkers come from around the world to summit its famous peak.

That said, when global tourists pass through, it is imperative that the locals are able to chat with them in English. The tourists get a better sense of the community (instead of just cruising through) and it helps the villagers gain valuable insight into the world outside of Indonesia. Many people cannot afford to leave the village, so what they hear from tourists and volunteers about distant lands could be all the traveling they ever get the chance to do.

Just opened, our Community Development Center is pulsing with excitement. Housing English lessons, computer classes, a library, a carpenter workshop and a newly opened café, volunteers have poured in from all four corners of the globe, teaching eager students the basics of the alphabet and counting and even some useful English slang!

Worried that you dont have a teaching certificate or know very little about computers? No worries! There are dozens of ways to help. You could spend entire afternoons teaching simple letters, numbers and words. You could lead a drawing class and help the students learn the English word for all the things they drew; you could strum the guitar with them, show the children how to brush their teeth or use soap for the first time. One thing you will never suffer from is boredom. The kids literally line up outside begging for someone to chat with them in English, share stories about their country or play Uno!

The adults in the village are also eager to learn. Teaching them how to handle money or negotiate prices will be invaluable as the tourist industry begins to increase. There are so many small ways to help, all you need to do is show up with loads of energy, a bit of imagination and the desire to give back - ceative thinking is all you need.

Seriously, our goal is not to create English scholars. Instead we need to promote basic conversational skills so when tourists come, the villagers can answer questions and make the tourists feel comfortable and welcome.

Project Details:

Though you will be teaching English and computers to many classes full of excited children (and adults), there will be some downtime (see highlights) for you to explore the area. 4th World Love is very much catered toward those who like their independence and are self-starters. We think it's the best of both worlds--you get to live with a local family and understand their way of life first hand AND you get to create challenges for yourself on a daily basis. The programs structure is flexible and all we really ask is that you be willing to share your skills with the many people in Sembalun who are craving to learn.

Highlights: Volunteer with 4th World Love

Highlights: In your downtime, there is as much or as little to do as you like. For the explorer--you could climb Mt. Rinjani, hike mountains, explore hidden waterfalls, embark on a jungle trek with a third generation explorer, or learn to ride a motorbike. For the culture maven--you could learn the ancient skill of hand-weaving, farm in the fields alongside the locals, or play soccer with the villages best players. For the foodie--you could pick organic strawberries, gather jungle honey, learn to make spicy hot sambal, take a cooking class or visit the Sunday market. There are so many chances for you to immerse yourself into this wonderfully unhurried way of life, you'll find yourself blissfully slowing down your stress factor and just taking each day one happy moment at a time. After all, when you give, you also get back.

These questions will help you understand the program!

-How do I communicate with 4WL if I have questions once Im there!

For the most part, our field director and coordinator are there to help you with anything you need, but in a pinch they have immediate texting capabilities, so we talk to them all the time.

- Was it hard to acclimate yourself into the village, especially since you are from 1st World -America?

Surpisingly, no! We're guessing that most of you have had camping experiences before and realize that air-conditioning, hot water and refrigeration are luxuries that most 4th World villages don't have. But trust us, these people are so warm and wonderful that you forget the modern conveniences you've left behind.

- Will there be other volunteers while Im there?

Although we hope to have other volunteers in an on-going rotation, there have been times where only one volunteer can come in a given span of time. You may overlap with other volunteers, but if not, you'll have new friends in the villagers the moment you arrive.

- When should I come?

The Community Development Center and school is open year round and village projects will always need tending to. If you're looking for a more ideal weather scenario, keep in mind that December to March is the hardcore rainy season.

- How long should I stay?

Give us an idea of what your time line is and we will certainly work with you.
It takes almost two days to travel and get acclimated, so we'd really like if you could commit at least a week with us. Our goal is to benefit the villagers, but we realize that this is also an opportunity for you, too, so we want to offer you full immersion and want you to get the most out of this experience! On the flip side, one of our volunteers could only stay 24 hours and the locals STILL talk about how great she was.

- How do I get there?

You fly into the international airport in Bali (DPS) and then you can take a ferry to Lombok (5 hours) or jump a short flight to the small airport on Lombok. Once you have decided you want to volunteer, we can help you sort out all the travel arrangements.

- Who will pick me up?

A field representative from 4th World Love will pick you up--most likely via motorbike, unless you've brought over so many goodies that a van is in order!

- Where will I stay and what is it like?

You have a couple of options. We always recommend home stays with local families in the village--they treat you like one of their own, include you in on their traditional meals and offer you a bed in which to sleep. You really get full immersion into their day-to-day lifestyles and activities and, though the accommodations are modest, by the time you return home you'll be a full-fledged local.

The other option is bunking at the adorable Lembah Rinjani, a small guest house perched directly at the base of Mt. Rinjani. These quaint little cottages are just down the road from the village and the cost includes breakfast, your own room, and Western-style bathroom accommodations.

- What will it cost me to stay?

Homestay is USD 100 per week; hotel is USD 150 per week

- What if I get sick?

The village is equipped for cold and sniffles, but if you require more in-depth medical attention, we can easily get you proper medical care in surrounding towns.

- How do I get in touch with the outside world?

We have Blackberry's with international plans and the connection is clear as a bell. So much so, that after a two day trek to the top of Mt. Rinjani, we were shooting off emails left and right.

Semablun doesn't have net service, but that is something that we are working on. Texting works great, though, so if you want to keep in touch, you most definitely can.

- What will I eat and drink?

Perhaps the best part of your volunteer adventure starts at the dinner table. Delicious rice (nasi), fresh-picked fruits and veggies, line-caught fish, corn-fed chicken and other local delicacies you'll wish you had at home. And, of course, lots of yummy noodle soup.

- What should I bring?

- Documents
Passport remember to leave a copy of your passport at home or with family and also email one to yourself
Alternate form of ID in case of lost or stolen passport
2 photocopies of your passport one for you and one for us

- Clothing
The average temperature is 85 degrees, but it gets cool at night so pack like you would for a camping trip. Remember this is a small village where items may not be readily available so pack smart.

Bring:
- Comfortable shoes
- Towel and Pillowcase
- Tampons (hard to find here)
- Contact solution
- Medication
- Insect Repellent and Sun Screen

Optional
- Treats for the kids (we brought balloons last time and it kept them busy for days)
- Books/Supplies/Materials for the school
- Special gifts for your host family
- Lots of energy

- What if I have never volunteered before?

That's cool. Everyone has to start somewhere!

Qualifications: Here's what we ask of you:
- You're a motivated, self-starter who isn't afraid to get you hands dirty (both literally and figuratively).
- You'll be ready to work at least 40 hours a week because there is a lot to accomplish.
- You're patient, open-minded, and strong in spirit.
- You're excited to share YOUR ideas and talents with 4th World for the greater good of the village.
- You're okay with living in rustic conditions.
- You have a terrific sense of humor because there will be a lot of laughs.
- You're eager to spread plenty of 4th World Love and lots of good karma.

Any and all skill levels are welcome. Don't worry if you don't speak Indonesian, you'll pick some up in the village quicker than you can imagine. So, if you are open to reaching deep into your soul and promoting change, then we are delighted to have you join us!

Cost in US$: 100/week homestay OR 150/week hotel

Salary / Pay: These are volunteering so positions are unpaid.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Free-spirited and independent self-starter.

Age Range: All ages

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Indonesia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other

4th World Love's Mission Statement: We totally embrace the needs and wants of indigenous villages. Most times, they already have a solid set of ideas about how to improve life as they know it. We just come in and help them facilitate. We've found that people don't always need a load of outsider thoughts and plans and schemes. What they need most are caring souls to assist them in realizing their own dreams and ideas. It's their village, meaning, they know it better than anyone in the world. We're like the middleman; think of us as the helping hand that listens intently, utilizes local and global resources and then finally, helps execute accordingly.

Year Founded: 2008