Program Reviews

This was the first time that I got the opportunity to volunteer and to travel by myself, so as you can imagine, I was really scared and nervous at first, but once I arrived here and I met all the other volunteers, the incredible staff, and of course, the whole reason of my trip: the kids, every fear disappeared, I truly felt at home the whole time.
I am about to finish my 3rd and last week here and I can say that this experience has changed me for the better, I'm so thankful for everything that I learned, for every friendship I made, but specially, I'm so thankful with my kids (room 5!!!!), they were the best 2 groups I could've ever asked for. I leave knowing that 3 weeks were not enough, but hopefully I'll be back soon. I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU!!!

I don’t even know how I should start to tell you all about my experience here;
After Eight weeks , I can just tell you one thing; 8 weeks are definitely NOT enough, I would’ve extend for life if I could.
VP bali has been the best and the most heart filling experience of my life.
Teaching to kids it’s an amazing experience, you will not only be teaching, you will also be learning. The kids that you will teach are lovely and really grateful, they always want to learn more and more. It is amazing going to school and receiving hugs, smiles, draws and flowers.
Don’t worry if you’ve never teached before, you will be perfectly fine; you will have a co-teacher that will explain you how everything works. The helpers, Tutik and Kim will always be there to help you to!
Living at a homestay with a local family and the other volunteers it’s amazing; you will get to meet incredible people and to make friendships that will last forever, so don’t be scared to come alone, I came here alone and I think It is the best decision I’ve ever made. You will get to know more about the culture and about the Balinese lifestyle. Wayan and his Wife are really kind and nice, and they will always try to help you all the time.
The founder of the volunteering, Kim, is incredible!! She will always be around and she will always help with everything, don’t worry if you’re having a bad day, just go to Kim’s office and your day, will be for sure better.
As for traveling around, don’t worry during the weekends and the mornings before class you will have enough time to explore the beautiful island Bali is.
I found my happy place, a new home and a new family here and I hope you will to.
Thank you once again to all the amazing people I’ve met in my journey here; the helpers, the other volunteers, Tutik and Kim.

These 5 weeks what I’ve learned is that I didn’t just come to teach kids, I ended up learning more from them, more than I imagined.
I’ve learned so much about their culture and how things really are in here, is not all beautiful beaches and views, trips and pictures. The people in here really struggle. It breaks my heart every time I hear my kids talking about their training because they prepare themselves since young ages for what their going to do later in their lives, they don’t go to college, like kids at my country always do. But at the same time I’m happy cause at least I know they’ll have something to live out of.
VP Bali is the best experience I’ve ever had by far. I love all of my kids from the smart ones to the naughty ones, they all have a huge place in my heart, and I know for sure that I will never forget them. This experience has made apreciate every thing that’s has been given to me, things that I would normally take for granted. I also love all of the volunteers that have been with me along this experience, I’ve made friendships that I know are going to last forever and from whom I’ve learned so much too.
I want to thank Kim for giving me the opportunity of being here, she’s such an inspiration and she has a lot to give to this program and Bali itself. And also I want to thank Tutik for always being there for everting you need, the VP Bali team, Indra, Wayan and his family for accepting us in their home and everyone cause they’ve made all of this the best thing I’ve ever had, I’ve found in here a family and a home, and I’m sure that everyone who has being part of this have found it, and anyone who’s joining the program will. I will miss this place and the people in here so much, can’t believe this has ended but I’m leaving greatfull as hell and tears in my eyes, but very very happy.

How can you describe something that is simply indescribable?

This has to be one of the best experiences I have ever had. Starting with the classes and the kids. All of them are simply amazing, willing to learn and full of energy and passion. The classes are the core of this experience. You can learn as much from the kids as they learn from you. You get attached really quickly to all of them and as you leave the program they make you a better person than the one that arrived. Everything is perfectly organized, all the materials that you need (you can also bring things from home, as donations that are more than accepted) are there for you to make the teaching experience easier and fun, for you and the kids. The school is really close to where you would be living in the time of you volunteering.

You would be amazed by the other volunteers. All of them have a story to tell and I'm sure, as it happened to me, you will make friends that will last a lifetime. Please, talk to everyone, including the founder and the staff, because from this, you will learn a lot about everything. The city is just the perfect spot to make memories of a lifetime. A lot of places to see and a lot of things to visit.

Make sure you stay a long time. I personally participated in the program 3 weeks, but I swear 3 weeks is simply not enough. If you can, please stay for at least a month (you can extend your volunteering while being there; and trust me, you will have the thought of doing it). If I can recommend something is, enjoy everything the program has to offer. Enjoy the classes, the kids, your fellow volunteers (and soon friends), the city, the traveling, the activities, everything. You will not want to leave as soon as you get there, so please, make every second of it last.

I do not regret traveling 15,000 kilometers to get to Bali, and trust me, I'm sure that no one that has participated in the program will hesitated to come back.

•I learned about the program on Google & it seemed so great I decided to enroll.
•The moment we arrived at Wena Homestay, we met so many volunteers from all over the globe, besides we got to live with a Balinese family. Little by little, the people we met started to become a second family.
•Orientation is very helpful and you won't feel alone.
•Most important of all, the kids are so welcoming & friendly. VP Bali is teaching in a fun way. Classes are very interactive with a communicate approach.
Overall, this is such a rewarding experience. Not only will you teach but you'll also learn a lot from the kids. You'll notice how small things really matter. A smile, a hug or a high 5 will make your day. You'll help & grow a lot. Don't miss it!.

I was recommended by my friend to have a look at VP Bali. I did some research about the programme and then applied. I was in Bali only a month later!
I volunteered for 12 weeks from 8th of Feb to 4th of May. Below is a little overview of my time... (For those that don’t want to read lots and just find out good from bad... I Loved it)

The application process ran smoothly. I received an email with a step by step preparation list which I personally found very helpful!

I had no experience in working with or teaching children and I thought this would be an issue. I absolutely loved my experience at school. The kids are amazing and have such a passion for wanting to learn. You really do build a special bond with your kids to the point where you don’t want the class to end! They are the easiest hellos and the hardest goodbyes.

You have to prepare your classes and tailor them to suit your kids and this is something that is really rewarding when the kids love the classes. You get all the help you need with the helpers and staff and you also have your co-teachers so your are never alone. It’s really a lot of fun being at school, there’s always something going on every week, from a cultural exchange where you learn about the Balinese culture to a full on school water fight... never a dull moment!

Being on the program is mainly about volunteering. But it’s also about learning about a new culture, weekend trips away, meeting new people and becoming a family.

I can’t speak highly enough about Vp Bali and the experience I’ve had. I’ve loved every moment and if your thinking about doing it then there’s lots of positive things about Vp Bali and I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time like I did!

VP Bali will always hold a special place in my heart.

This experience was the best I did so far, I met incredible people, and connect with the kids really quick ! Living with strangers from all over the worlds is really enriching and really special. That's why I think if you want to go to VP Bali, you should go alone or with only one friend, that's what I did and it is better because like that you will better enjoy discover new people and you will speak English more often. Like that it's better to be integrated.
The Wena Homestay was really nice with a lovely family. I want to do it again ! You should stay a month minimum to live this experience completely.
The best memories that I have, is the farewell because it was so intense and I won't forget it for sure. Vp Bali is more than giving class to some kids, it is learning so much from them, giving but receiving so much, there is not enough words to speak about this. YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT TO UNDERSTAND IT.

It is no secret that volunteering is an experience full of learning. My biggest learning? Maybe be much more aware, in the broadest sense of the word. It is possible that my time at VP Bali does not mean a radical change in my life, but it is undeniable that the experience, although brief, pierces your soul and opens your mind, eyes and heart. Take down any wall that prevents you from seeing the reality of the world and the priorities of life. It makes you a simpler, more human, empathetic and sensitive person and, perhaps, of all this, you will only realize when you go back to your bubble, where you start to rethink everything. It reiterates the idea of "they teach me" but it is so true. I admired and admire their gratitude and generosity, both of the children and of the family with whom we stayed. It has helped me to value immensely what matters. But above all things, it has helped me to realize how lucky I am, how much love can be shared and how well it feels. It has helped me to grow and to meet incredible people who will stay in my life... To value more everything you have and take for granted, but that at a stroke life can take you away. I lived in my flesh for the first time that the needs are relative. I traveled with a backpack full of clothes, but I discovered that almost everything was left over, I just wanted good company and surprised me at every step. Before doing this volunteering I had two fundamental fears: that the organization was not really transparent and how long I stay should last. Well, now I am directly addressing you, future volunteer, you will only need to talk for a while with the founder, Kim, to realize the clear mission and vision of this volunteering and all your fears about possible double intentions leave. And finally, extend your stay as much as you can, for me, two weeks are not enough, so I just want to come back for much longer.

VP Bali was my first volunteer outside my home country and I could not imagine a better start. I only had the opportunity for be there for 2 weeks. It is better if you stay longer but if as me, you are not able to stay more time, it is a beautiful experience anyway. One of my concerns before coming to Bali was where I was going to stay. You stay with a Balinese family. However don’t imagine a house similar to yours. It is a rectangle with a lot of individual rooms and bathrooms that share a courtyard . So you will share your room and bathroom with only one volunteer more. The breakfast is included. You have to buy your own lunch and dinner but Balinese restaurant are super cheap and you can find any type of food. Another worry was about what clothes I should bring to Bali. The weather in Bali is hot and super humid so bring floppy clothes. There is no restriction for clothes in your free time. Girls can perfectly wear short skirts or tank tops. However in the school your shoulders and knees have to be cover. Balinese consider their foot the “dirty” part of the body, so they don’t go into any room with shoes, this means you will teach without shoes. For this reason, it is recommendable to bring flip flops. About the English classes, you don’t have to worry if you don’t have any precious experience because you will have a co-teacher and all the VP Bali team to help you. The kids are just amazing. You will fell in love with them from the first second. In my opinion, VP Bali is the best place you can go if you don’t have a lot or any experience but you want to feel useful. It is also a good opportunity to travel and really learn about the Balinese culture. VP Bali organize cultural exchange activities and living with a Balinese family and interacting with the kids helps you a lot to understand their traditions and way of living. What I personally found incredible. Moreover you have free weekends and Fridays where you can travel. I will always thank the VP Bali family for let me live this experience. I truly hope I can go back.

I can say it now : participate to VP Bali was the best experience ever in my life.
I had so many questions before leaving for Bali. Am I a good teacher ( because my level in English was not amazing maybe a B2 level ) ? Can I adapt myself to a country as different from mine ? Aren’t 4 weeks too long ?

Finally, I can tell you that I learned more from the children than I taught to them. Thanks to my co-teacher who was here one week before me, it made me more comfortable for my first days in class. I got to watch her and see what I would have to do for the next 4 weeks. Once my co-teacher was absent and I was afraid about teaching alone, but it ended up being very easy : I could ask to one helper to translate some words in Indonesian and stay with be at the beginning. Tutik and Kim were also here to help me, during the meeting on Monday I saw what I could do with my class with them. Don’t worry about being left on your own, it will never happen!

I’m so grateful I got to meet beautiful people such as the children, the volunteers from all around the word, helpers, the locals at the homestay and also the founder of the organization Kim. During these 4 weeks I saw children always smiling with sparkles in their eyes even thought they live with almost nothing. I will never forget the smile of the students from both my classes. Living in Bali for 1 month taught me a great deal about the balinese culture, I understood a new mentality and a worldview that is completely different from mine. I also realized that the balinese people are living happily without clear drinking water, warm water, unlimited clothing options and all the kind of stuff we are used to living with.
I would like to say thanks a million to vp bali for giving me the chance to live this amazing adventure. You gave me so much that I could ever give for you.