To be continued, volunteer in Bali

The whole process and people you met are the real significance where the travel lies. I have been to several countries these years, due to the volunteer work, Balinese is the culture that I have touched most. The factors of religion and caste system influence this area a lot, maybe that why most of Balinese people are kind and friendly. However, the economy in the country is limited by its technology and education, I was always wondering where the government spend the money in, cause their educational conditions are so poor and roads in rural area are inconvenient. When I was teaching English in the primary school, it was hard to communicate to the children (in grade 4) for they could barely speak basic English, even they do have English text books, they don't have a completed system in learning English, just volunteers coming there to teach and then leave. So it's important to know what they have learnt before start teaching, and if their English remains in greeting and simple words, it will be better to translate the new words in Bahasa and ask local people (coordinator) for help. What's more, some blackboards are in really poor condition and it's hard to write down or for students to read. I recommend you who may has interested in teaching in Bali to choose the period at least for three weeks (including the orientation week if you have) that you can know what and how to teach little by little.
Students there would be crazy about stickers so prepare some before you come for you can't find them in Bali, and make sure they understand the reward principles. Review is quite necessary in teaching and correct pronunciation again and again. I also did the kindergarten program in Bali, the it was totally different from teaching, because children in the kindergarten know nothing about English and not that much in that mother tongue, what we can do is do the coloring with them and sing a song. Perhaps what you can bring them would be less then you expected but it would be worth trying and you can meet some really nice people during the trip.
Some tips:
1. Bring enough medicine
2. You wouldn't have place to hang up a mosquito net
3. Drink clean water and avoid street food
4. Indonesia may shut down the airport because of the volcano and earthquake happens a lot, so check the news and don't forget to tell your family about the news.
5. Read the booklet before departure!