Now is your chance! You can explore the wonders of this country while also helping those in need by participating in an international volunteer program. In Indonesia, there are many programs available, and surely one of them will suit your desires and needs.
Volunteer programs you can do in Indonesia:
If you enjoy being with children, the nursery program is perfect for you. It involves playing with them, engaging in fun activities, teaching them basic English phrases, and improving their fluency in the language. Another program involving children is teaching, where you will assist teachers in conducting classes. This program takes place on the islands of Flores and Lombok. If you are studying or have completed a degree in healthcare and want to put your knowledge into practice, the health education program could be an ideal option. In this volunteer opportunity, you will teach first aid and personal hygiene to prevent health problems and contagious diseases.
On the other hand, if you prefer physical and manual work, the construction and renovation program might be a great choice. In this program, you will be laying bricks, doing carpentry and gardening work, and painting walls.
If you are interested in Indonesia’s wildlife, I recommend one of the programs involving animals. On one hand, there is the Komodo dragon conservation program, where you will assist national park staff in maintaining the ecosystem of the area. On the other hand, there is the turtle conservation and rehabilitation program, which takes place in Nusa Penida. Some tasks include assisting in the release of rehabilitated turtles, collecting information about turtles, or cleaning beaches.
Apart from working in the program, during your free time, which will be during weekends and depending on the program, you may also have free evenings, you can take the opportunity to visit this incredible country.
Unique aspects of Indonesia for volunteers:
Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ocean, bordered by Malaysia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea. This country consists of 17,508 islands, although only 6,000 islands are inhabited. Many of these islands have no human activity, making it one of the most biodiverse countries. It is, in fact, the third most biodiverse country in the world. This is due to its climate, location, and the vastness of its territory, with forests covering 60% of it. Despite this, there has been significant industrialization leading to significant environmental problems.
The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, located on the island of Java. This city suffers from serious environmental problems and overcrowding. Java is the most populous island in the world with 130 million people.
The official language is Indonesian, although most of the population considers it their second language since the country has 742 languages. Therefore, many inhabitants have their local language as their mother tongue. Indonesian is used in business, politics, media, and is taught in schools.
The people of Indonesia have different cultures, developed from the influence of Indians, Chinese, Europeans, Malays, and Arabs, due to its location, trade agreements, and history.
What places can I visit during my volunteer experience in Indonesia?
Nusa Penida
If you want to experience its culture, language, and country, it’s best to travel and discover it in person. Depending on the volunteer program you choose, you will be on one island or another. Therefore, if you find yourself on the island of Nusa Penida, you can go to appreciate the views of Broken Beach. This beach is circular and surrounded by cliffs. Therefore, it cannot be accessed, but the views are incredible, and you can appreciate the contrast of the green color of nature with the blue of the sea. This beach opens to the sea through a large rock arch. On the other hand, another tourist attraction on this island is the “Manta Point Lookout,” which, as its name indicates, is a cliff from where you can admire many manta rays. But if you want to swim in one of those paradisiacal beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water that we all have seen on social media, you should go to Crystal Bay. This beach is famous for the large number of corals, and in front of it is a small island where you can see many fish and marine life.
Bali
If your destination is Bali, you must visit one of its countless and incredible temples. The most important temple on the island is Pura Besakih, considered the mother temple of Bali. If you feel like taking a bath, on this island, you have many options, although we recommend some in particular: Legian Beach is perfect for those who want to rest and relax, as it is very quiet. You can also visit one of Bali’s most luxurious beaches, Seminyak Beach, where you can enjoy incredible sunsets on a white sandy beach, surrounded by luxury restaurants and shops. On the other hand, if you are a snorkeling enthusiast, we recommend Sanur Beach, where you can observe many types of fish.
Flores Island
If you stay on Flores Island, your trip will be very different, as it is not such a well-known island, many places are not overcrowded with tourists, allowing you to enjoy nature and incredible sites without being surrounded by people. One of the cities to visit is Ruteng, where you can see the famous and unique spider web-shaped rice terraces. Another interesting destination on this island is Mount Kelimutu, known for having three craters, in which lakes have formed, and these change color due to changes in the oxidation-reduction state of each lake’s fluid.
Lombok
Lastly, if your destination is Lombok, you can visit the beaches of Senggigi, which are spectacular. Normally, there aren’t many people, as they have a length of almost 10 kilometers, so there are always areas with few people. It is famous for its reefs and perfect conditions for surfing. Also, from the beach, you can appreciate the views of Mount Arung. Another well-known beach is Pink Beach, characterized by its pink-colored sand. On the other hand, you can also visit the Habbul Wathan Mosque, which is the largest on the island.
If you are passionate about traveling, discovering new places, and different cultures, do not hesitate and come to live this incredible experience in this country that has so much to offer in Oceania by volunteering!