Volunteer job in an orphanage in Bali
Photo reportage from Katharina Bauer, Feb. 2010
Simon, a 19-year old high-school graduate spent the past 2 months in an orphanage in Bali. He speaks about his experiences:
When a young Australian woman lost her life during the Bali-bombings in 2002, her parents decided to open up an orphanage with the help of many charitable donations from people, to cherish her daugther and to open up the future for other children.
Since the opening of the orphanage in 2005, 44 children in the ages of 2-18 moved in. The children, from which some are from Sumba and other poor party of Bali, experiencing great alterations and feel well.
They always have enough food, they play together , and the most important, they learn. They have an almost normal life. But they also depend on donations and volunteer workers a lot. This is where studentsgoabroad.com helps. Our organisation of volunteer workers helps the orphanage and the children.
Simon (...link to Simon's testimonial), a 19 year old high-school graduent spent 2 months in the orphanage, coped with the children, helped them with their homework, and explained the computer to them.
„The children are all very interested and are always eager to listen and learn. They try hard to learn the English language, and I've tried to use the words I've learned in Indonesian. That was always very funny“.
All the children are going to a local school and come back the latest at 02.30 pm. At that time lunch will be served and after that the 'reading time' starts. That's the time when the children do their homework and the older ones help the little ones. Also the volunteers are willing to help at any time.
Franziska (24., from switzerland) is a nurse and wanted to get out of her normal life for a couple of months. She wanted to get involved in a helpful project, and wanted to get to know Bali. At the moment she is working in the orphanage, prepares lessons, and tries to use her knowledge in an efficient way.
"Not long ago I made a first-aid course, in English, but on of the orphanage employees translated the content to everyone. The children were very interested and asked a lot of questions. Of course the communication is sometimes difficult and challenging, but it somehow always works out."
In general, the employees of the orphanage find English a very important subject. "It is the future of the kids and the earlier they learn it the better they will be able to speak it. "
Bonnie was always really committed to help children in Bali. Also her brother Luke Stedman, who is a pro surfer, supported her sister and came to Bali a couple of times to surf with the kids.
„Just the smiles and the joy of the children made my life in Bali very enjoyable.“ To get a greater amount of donations for the orphanage, Bonnie and Luke organised a party in Sydney. The food and drinks here were donated as well.
„Luke good good connections to the surfing industry. That's how we could manage to invite more than 200 really important persons. The entrance fee wasn't cheap at all and we started an auction. That's how we got all the money for the orphanage.“
„We can always use young and motivated helpers. And isn't it a great chance to combine your holiday with some lifetime experiences and help people who can well use it?!" comments Bonnie.
Simon says it is a great experience. He had fun with the children, got to know the balinese culture, and worked in a beautiful environment. "Of course I also came because of the surfing, but it was just perfect to combine the surfing with work."
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