In the middle of the lush rainforest of North Sumatra, you have the opportunity to become part of a community. In the English Teaching Program, you ensure that children learn English and thus have better opportunities for development. But teaching English is also an opportunity for adults to develop and earn a better income. Sustainability, community and inspiration are key elements of the project. You not only impart knowledge, but also learn from the people, the culture and the unique natural environment. Through your commitment and dedication, you promote education and work with the local population to create prospects for the future.
If you feel like contributing your energy, your creativity, then you will find the right place where your commitment can really make a difference. As the needs of the local communities are always at the center of all activities, you will work closely with them, immerse yourself in the culture, make friends and create memories that last.
Our non-profit partner organization focuses on education and nature conservation in rural North Sumatra. In particular, it provides high-quality, free education to local communities. The programs help build stronger and more resilient communities while supporting efforts to protect highly endangered ecosystems. All programs are developed in consultation with and for the benefit of the local population. These are then also supported and implemented by staff from the communities. The aim is to empower the local population and promote sustainable development through educational programs. The aim is to achieve a sustainable balance between human activity and highly endangered natural ecosystems through the implementation of a series of community-led development programs.
In 2003, a severe flood disaster occurred in the project area, in which many people lost their lives. Many were left without a home. The partner organization was founded in response to the flood. The founder had visited the village a few months before the flood and decided to help the people she had met on her travels. She collected donations and returned with her family to provide basic assistance to those affected. Initially, the main focus was on providing medical assistance to the victims of the disaster. In 2007, with the support of volunteers from the founder's home country and together with the local population, a permanent structure was established for the project. Since 2003, the project has been supporting the people of North Sumatra with a wide range of humanitarian aid, sustainable development, environmental protection, education and natural resource management programs. This includes the neighboring communities on the edge of the highly endangered Leuser ecosystem. The overarching mission is to promote the self-determination of local people through education.
Unsustainable, environmentally harmful industries are widespread in the project region. Socio-economic development and access to quality education are rather low, meaning that people are dependent on these industries to survive. For example, people in rural communities have found work with palm oil companies to feed their families. They often have few other job opportunities. Education, on the other hand, creates opportunities for people and enables them to make their own decisions about their lives. Access to free education gives people the chance to find work in sustainable industries. Work that not only protects the environment, but also offers better financial prospects. In addition, the programs spread knowledge and awareness of environmental problems in the region. In particular, the children are informed about the threat to the rainforest and about nature conservation measures in order to show them what a good future can look like.
Accordingly, 5 main educational programs are currently offered and implemented by the local team. This work is supported by the help of volunteers. For over 13 years, free education has been offered to children under the age of 6 in the Bukit Lawang area. The main aim is to provide educational stimulation to promote the physical and mental growth and development of the children. The English-as-a-Foreign-Language programme is the organization's longest-running programme and teaches all age groups. The Youth Ranger Program teaches children the importance of conservation at a young age. This teaches them to better understand the value of nature and the ecosystems around them. The Sustainable Business Program teaches the basics of business management. During the ten-week course, participants are encouraged to develop or adapt a business idea so that it meets certain sustainability criteria. Successful course participants are then offered a grant to invest in their businesses that will have an immediate and lasting impact on local communities. The Eco-Farming program aims to ensure healthy agriculture and healthy food for today and tomorrow through organic farming by protecting the soil, water and climate. As a volunteer, you will support the project in the education and conservation programs, providing free education to hundreds of people in rural North Sumatra. As part of an international team, you will have the opportunity to learn how a non-profit NGO works and also have countless opportunities to integrate yourself into the local community and become a part of it.
Our partner organization is always looking for volunteers to support them in the English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) program. The program teaches all age groups and ability levels. So your students will be in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle/high school, but can also be adults. You will assist directly in English classes and work alongside the full-time teachers. You will assist in the delivery of teaching materials at rural schools in and around Bukit Lawang. Your tasks may include: Providing materials and behavior management, participating in training on effective teaching skills, designing and implementing lesson plans. You can also provide feedback on program strategies to help improve the work in the schools.
The aim of the English Teaching Program is to teach English in an entertaining and practical way together with local staff. This involves a playful approach to learning, with interactive games, quizzes, singing, dancing and sometimes even talent shows. So you can give free rein to your creativity and get actively involved. A structured and project-based curriculum helps you to teach the English language materials. The English Teaching Program is currently conducted in seven communities/rural areas around Bukit Lawang.
As a volunteer in the EFL program, you will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support from the staff at the start of your assignment. We are also working on offering more courses in the future and expanding the scope of the program. You are welcome to contribute your creative ideas to the design and development of these new courses.
The working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 - 17:00. Including a standard lunch break from 12:00 - 14:00. For example, you will be working at a local school in the morning and conduct the lessons you prepared the day before together with a teacher. Always accompanied by staff. After the lesson, you usually go back to the project site, where the lesson is discussed and there is time for other tasks. After lunch, the afternoon session is prepared. This could be a lesson for adults from the local community who have a low level of English. The learning unit takes place in the project's library. After 5 p.m., you have earned your time off and can enjoy the evening with the other volunteers.
The organization attaches great importance to a very open, communicative and supportive working environment. So if you ever feel exhausted, need a break or are in danger of feeling overworked, you can talk to the team at any time. With all the work, take care of yourself and it's not a problem if you take the time you need. There are also weekly 1-to-1 sessions for your professional and personal development.
In addition to your work as an EFL teacher, you will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of traditional workshops, including organic soap making, bamboo weaving, tree planting, eco-brick making and traditional Indonesian cooking classes.
The project is located in rural North Sumatra, near the small village of Bukit Lawang, where the Bahorok River flows through. The area is on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, a biodiversity hotspot. The only place on earth where tigers, elephants, orangutans and rhinos live together in the wild. You even have the opportunity to go in search of tracks. A two-day jungle trip to Gunung Leuser National Park is part of your stay.
Embedded in the tropical landscape, the area around the project location is characterized by lowland rainforests, river valleys and gentle slopes. In terms of climate, you can expect a tropical rainforest climate. There is consistently high humidity with high temperatures. Regular and often heavy rainfall dominates, especially in the monsoon season. The river valleys, e.g. along the Bohorok River, offer some shade and are ideal for cooling off. The landscape around the project site is consistently impressive, ecologically valuable and there is a lot to discover.
It is less than a 10-minute drive from the project site to the village of Bukit Lawang. It is often possible for a team member to take you to the village, but you can also walk there in a short time. There are some beautiful rivers, cafés and a very popular bakery nearby. In Bukit Lawang there are small guesthouses, homestays, small warungs (local restaurants) and restaurants for tourists with Indonesian as well as Western dishes. You will also find small stores selling snacks, drinks and toiletries. Medical care is rather basic, there is a small health center in the town. Hospitals can be found in Medan. You can also run all other kinds of errands there. The journey there takes around 2.5 hours.
At the weekends, you will have time to explore the fascinating area. The project sometimes organizes optional activities such as hikes, river trips, canyoning or camping, which you can take part in. However, if you prefer to relax and switch off, you can of course also do your own thing. You certainly won't get bored during the week either and you will have plenty of opportunities to spend time with the other volunteers and staff. Weekly cooking evenings are organized at the project location, where you are welcome to prepare your favourite dishes for everyone. Or you can go swimming together at the river after work and then to Bukit Lawang for dinner. There are quiz evenings, fitness and language courses and various local workshops. As you can see, there is a lot to discover and experience in addition to your work in the program.
Although the project itself is an open space and open interaction is also cultivated, Bukit Lawang itself is a male-dominated, conservative village. Women are advised to cover their shoulders in the community. You should also not wear shorts or skirts above the knee. Men should always wear a top, except when bathing or swimming. Long pants and closed shoes must be worn during classes in the communities, and arm tattoos must be covered.
Arrival:
The best and quickest way to get to Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, is to take a flight from Jakarta. The journey to the project location will be organized for you. As soon as you arrive at the airport in Medan, you will be picked up by project staff and your fellow volunteers. During the journey, you will be able to gain your first impressions of your new surroundings.
You should be at least 18 years old for the English Teaching Program. Beyond that, you do not need any pedagogical training or teaching experience. What you should bring is a willingness to make a difference and make a meaningful contribution to the community. Of course, you should also enjoy teaching. As most of the programs are currently aimed at children, a general interest in working with children is an advantage.
You should be flexible and have a positive attitude. Be committed to your work and open to all unplanned tasks. As the basis of all programs is the protection and sustainable development of natural ecosystems, you should have an environmental awareness and a desire to make a positive difference. As you will be dealing with many different people, openness, tolerance and a certain cultural sensitivity are essential. With this attitude, you will have great, intense and lasting experiences.
You should have a fluent command of English for your assignment. As the program is aimed at all ages and ability levels, it is important that you are able to communicate well at all times so that you can co-lead the courses and teach the language lessons. You don't need to speak perfect English, but a good level will help you to feel confident, communicate with other international volunteers and staff and build a community. You are sure to have a good time.
The accommodation is located on the project site. You will be accommodated here with the majority of the team during your stay. You will share the accommodation with other volunteers, separated into men and women. There are sleeping places for 3 people each. In total, you will be a maximum of 6 volunteers on the project site. The accommodation is simple but adequate. Great importance is attached to a very sociable and welcoming atmosphere. You will quickly feel at home and become part of the large project family. There is plenty of storage space for your belongings in the bedrooms, bed linen is provided and there are fans in the rooms.
The project site has three bathrooms, a laundry room and a large communal kitchen. You can relax on the huge roof terrace or balcony and spend time with the other volunteers.
Wi-Fi is available on the project site, as well as in many guest houses and restaurants in the village. So you should have no problems staying in touch with your loved ones. However, it is also advisable to buy a local SIM card so that you can use your data volume. The staff will help you to get one and register it.
Lunch is provided from Monday to Friday and is eaten together on the project site. Lunch is freshly prepared every day and is different every day, but always excellent. Traditionally, there are various dishes that are placed on the table for you to choose from. There are always vegetarian/vegan dishes too. You can have as much rice as you like. You have to take care of your own food for breakfast, dinner and at the weekend. Although the most important breakfast ingredients are provided, most volunteers buy their own favorites and store them in the communal kitchen. In the evenings, there are many options for eating out in the surrounding area and in Bukit Lawang. Most of the time, the volunteers go or drive into town together to eat. There is enough time to chat, play cards or enjoy the evening atmosphere.
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