FAQ

We teach English (Preparation, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels), and within those classes we incorporate sports, arts and crafts.

At Program in the Valley there are 5 classrooms (2 volunteers per class).

There are currently approx. 150 ­ 200 children going to our classes at Program in the Valley.

They come from around the whole district and new students are attracted through word of mouth.

This depends on the age group. Most of the students have already studied English at their school but most are too shy to speak in English, even if their knowledge of grammar is good enough.

By the time they are in the Advanced English class, these students can conduct simple conversations and ask proper questions in English.

There are between 15­-25 students per class.

Program in the Valley is located at about 1,5 hour drive from the airport and about 1 hour drive from Ubud. Although Bali is in general a very safe place, we ensure our kids’ (and volunteers’) safety by not disclosing the exact location of the different schools. Because Program in the Valley is located in a small village, we cannot disclose the exact location of the Program. Upon arrival we will inform you on the exact location, so you can inform your family of where you are staying. You are however required to sign a code of conduct stating that you will not reveal the location of the program.

Note: We require all our volunteers to sign a code of conduct which also states that the locations of the schools may never be revealed especially online, on social media, blogs, etc.

Donations of learning material, posters, books and art supplies are always welcome! Check out our wish list.

After we have accepted you in our Program, we will send you the VP Bali Volunteer Prep­kit with everything you need to know about Bali, volunteering and teaching at VP Bali. You will also be allowed to join our closed Volunteers of VP Bali Facebook group to contact your fellow volunteers and you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for the latest news on VP Bali, teaching and tips.

We teach English according to the ESL curriculum, and within those classes we incorporate sports, arts,music and crafts.

At Program Ubud currently we have 20 classes daily.

There are currently around 400 to 500 children taking our classes in Program Ubud. They come from all over the Gianyar district and new students are attracted through word of mouth.

In general the level of English of the students is very basic. Although most of the students have English classes at their regular school, most of them still struggle to be self confident by using the language, being able to speak and have conversations as well as being creative their vocabulary.

By the time they are in the Advanced English class, these students can conduct simple conversations and ask proper questions in English.

There are between 10­-20 students per class. Because it is an extra afternoon class, the number of students may vary due to other commitments such as ceremonies or attendance at their regular school.

All materials in regards to the ESL curriculum is provided by VP Bali. Worksheets, class material and other recourses are available. However, extra donations of learning material, posters, books and art supplies are always welcome! Check out our wish list.

After we have accepted you in our Program, we will send you the VP Bali Volunteer Prep­kit with everything you need to know about Bali, volunteering and teaching at VP Bali. You will also be allowed to join our closed Volunteers of VP Bali Facebook group to contact your fellow volunteers and you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for the latest news on VP Bali, teaching and tips.

All the volunteers are staying at our volunteer accommodation. For more information about the accommodation:
Program in the Valley
Program Ubud

Volunteers will be sharing a bedroom, with one other volunteer (same gender). Couples and friends can request to share a room.

Each room has a private bathroom according to Western standards.

The check-in is on the Saturday afternoon (after 2PM) prior to your first volunteer day. Check-out is on the last Saturday of your volunteer experience before 12 noon.
If you arrive before Saturday or you want to check out later, please contact your volunteer coordinator and please note that volunteers are responsible for extra costs for these nights.

Towels and sheets are provided at the homestay. However we suggest volunteers to bring an extra towel for when going to the pool or beach.

Yes, daily breakfast is included. Breakfast will be served between 7 AM and 11 AM. The breakfast contains a pancake, eggs, toast and Indonesian fruits with tea or coffee.

The volunteer accommodation is very safe and the hosting family is always around. Personal belongings can be stored in the room in a closable cabinet.

All volunteers will be teaching 2 classes of 1 hour and 15 minutes per day . Mornings are free but mostly used to prepare classes together with the other volunteers. Friday until Sunday are free to travel Bali. To have more information about what to do in Bali, see our page: life in Bali

To see the teaching schedule please have a look here:
Program Ubud
Program in the Valley
Children with special needs Project

Overall, Bali is a very safe place with warm and friendly people who will go out of their way to help you if you ever have any trouble. But just like any other place in the world, it requires a few precautions to ensure you stay safe and stay out of trouble. Especially in the tourist areas as Kuta and Seminyak, we would suggest not to go around by yourself after midnight.

There are a number of good hospitals in Bali such as BMIC Hospital, and the new hospital Siloam, that are a recommended place to go to in case of emergency. Other than that there are smaller health clinics in Ubud (such as Toya Media Clinic), that are ready to help you should you suffer small injuries and health related problems.

No special vaccinations are obliged for travelling to Bali; except if you happen to come from a yellow fever area, then a certificate for a vaccination against this disease is required upon entry. However, tetanus, polio, and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended nevertheless for any travel in Asia (they are also useful at home!).
Bali is not a malaria area, but ask your doctor at home if, given your specific itinerary (perhaps you want to visit other Indonesian islands or other Asian countries during your trip?), a malaria prophylaxis is advisable.
Avoid touching dogs and monkeys, as you never know if they may be a rabies carrier. Also, if you visit Monkey Forest or any other place known for its monkey population, don’t wear cameras or jewelry, as these are magnets for these naughty and bold creatures.

For the most recent recommendations, make sure you see a travel doctor before coming to Bali.

In Bali the currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). You can either exchange your money here at an acknowledged money exchange outlet which we will show you during the orientation day. You can also withdraw money from one of the many ATM’s around. Make sure your bank allows you to withdraw money overseas/ Indonesia before you leave! There is a limit of how much you can withdraw at the ATM, so we would recommend to check the exchange rates, and in many cases it is more beneficial for you to bring your own currency and exchange here. If your country allows, try to exchange a small amount of money (around 500.000 IDR) so you have some cash to go by on your first day. When you take a large sum of money from the ATM, try not to bring all your money with you, but leave some safely at the homestay.

Life in Bali is cheaper than in western countries. You can get a main course for prices starting at 15.000 IDR (Indonesian Rupiah). Traditional Balinese street restaurants called “Warung” offer Balinese food starting at very reasonable prices. Restaurants in touristy areas however, are more likely to charge higher prices (starting from 30.000IDR).

That’s a very frequently asked question. The answer is that it completely depends on you. Life can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. Do you like to go into town during the weekends, eat Western food and enjoy a drink? Or do you want live like the locals and keep your stay simple and eat only from local eateries. Also, if you like shopping and/or like to take a tour during or after your volunteering time then you would want to calculate a bit more as well. Then again, if you share your tour/ driver with other volunteers you can cut costs on that. We have made a small overview of some of the prices at the moment (July 2016), please take into account that prices tend to go up and down in line with the petrol prices and also it might be cheaper or more expensive for you depending on the exchange rate at the moment of your arrival.
1 liter of petrol- 7.000 IDR
Bottle of water (1,5l)- 1.500 IDR- 6.000 IDR
Local food in a locai restaurant- 15.000- 45.000 IDR
Western food in a restaurant- 50.000- 120.000 IDR
Pack of cigarettes- 20.000 IDR
Nasi goreng (fried rice) from a street seller- 10.000 IDR
Glass of wine- 60.000 IDR (Australian brand)
5-10 bananas on local market- 10.000 - 20.000 IDR
Motorbike rental 1 month- 600.000/700.000 IDR
Sarong on market- 50.000 IDR
Full day tour w/ private driver- 550.000- 800.000 IDR

In Ubud there are numerous ATM’s where you can withdraw IDR 3. M per withdrawal. (please note: you can do a number of IDR 3.M withdrawals in 1 day but this also depends on your own bank).
If you bring cash with you (USD, AUD, GBP, Euro or CAD) there are a number of exchange offices offering good rates in Ubud.
We will show you reliable ATMs and exchange offices during the orientation day.
Note: please make sure with your bank back home that you can use your ATM and credit cards in Indonesia.

A power adapter/converter to suit a two prong plug at 240V AC is required.

Depending on the area you will be volunteering in, you will be walking everywhere, choose to take a (motorbike) driver, or want to drive a motorbike yourself. Motorbikes are the main means of transportation here in Bali. They are used for all kinds of transport: people, animals, goods and all at once.
You will see them everywhere, from 1 person with helmet to 2 adults without helmet with 2 children and 4 chickens all on 1 motorbike. Motorbike rentals are available anywhere on the island.

If you do not wish to drive a motorbike you can use the drivers and taxi services that are available at each homestay. They are reliable drivers with whom we have been working for years and who have set fair prices. Making use of their service while volunteering is another way of giving back to the Balinese community and is highly appreciated.

Bemo: the main form of public transport in Bali. A generic term for any vehicle used as public transport, it’s normally a minibus or van with a row of seats on each site. Bemo usually hold about 12 people. Ubud is on 2 bemo routes. Orange bemos travel from Gianyar to Ubud and larger brown bemos from Batubulan terminal in Denpasar to Ubud, and then head to Kintamani via Payangan. Ubud doesn’t have a terminal, but it has bemo stops on Jl. Suweta near the market in the center of town.

It is the main mode of transport here in Bali. Due to the number of accidents happening in Bali every year, we can’t call it especially safe. However, with some precaution and common sense you can make your travels a lot safer.
If you wish to rent a motorbike, please be aware of the following things:
VP Bali will not be responsible in any way.
That you have a travel insurance (that will cover motorbike incidents).
some motorbikes are in a very bad condition: check carefully before agreeing to use it.
carry the motorbike’s registration papers while driving, and bring an international driver’s license.
ALWAYS wear a helmet (that fits!), you can use the one you get with the motorbike, but usually they are lightweights and not very good, you may want to consider buying one (around $20-25) locally and leave it for them as you leave.
In Bali we drive on the LEFT side of the road.

Yes, we will not accept any international volunteer unless they have proof of current Travel Insurance for South-East Asia.

To volunteer in Bali, Indonesia you must obtain a Social/Cultural Visa before your arrival in Bali.

There are always 2 volunteers in one class. Currently there are about 20-25 volunteers at Program Ubud.

No, you are not required to know the Indonesian language as all classes are taught in English. The local coordinators are always available in the schools to assist the volunteers should there be any translation needed.

No special experience is required for the programs. However, any special skills which you could use as a volunteer would be both helpful and welcomed. Motivation, flexibility, patience, and personal initiative are the most important qualities you can offer as a volunteer in our programs.

We only accept volunteers between 18 and 35 years old. Most of our volunteers are between 20-25 years old.

Currently we have 3 programs available:
Program Ubud
Program in the Valley

Children with special needs Project

Usually volunteers co-teach with another volunteer. For their first week in the program, they will be “assistant” to another more experienced volunteer. This is to ensure a smooth overlap from volunteer to volunteer. The transition that is created by doing this is not only helpful to the volunteers (allowing them to slowly get used to everything and the way things are going), but also for the children (they get used to seeing a new face, while still being with someone they already know, and it ensures continuity in the curriculum). Our local coordinators as well as our volunteer coordinator is always available to help and assist in the classes when needed.

In every school we are using the ESL curriculum which gives a structure that allows for consistency and routine. Most children are in the basic level, followed by the intermediate level and we have small classes of advanced level. So mostly volunteers will be teaching very basic English (think: words, time, places, names, family etc) and we do this in a creative and FUN way. To keep the classes interesting and fun we ask volunteers to bring in their own skills and talents into the classroom (think: yoga, music, dance, sports, arts and crafts).
The children are working through a program with changing topics and depending on their level of English, specific worksheets and lesson plans of the curriculum are used. Each class is provided with a folder about the class which includes lesson plans, worksheets and volunteer diaries. Volunteers are always teaching with an another volunteer. This co-teaching is very important and volunteers are expected to work as a team in their class. Besides the curriculum, volunteers are free and also excepted to use their own creativity to organize activities such as games, songs and other creative learning, related to the subject of the curriculum.

We encourage all of our volunteers to incorporate art, music and other activities to enhance their teaching experience with our students. Have a look here for more information: Teaching English

After we have accepted you in our Program, we will send you the VP Bali Volunteer Prep-kit with everything you need to know about Bali, volunteering and teaching at VP Bali. You will also be allowed to join our closed Volunteers of VP Bali Facebook group to contact your fellow volunteers and you can follow us onFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for the latest news on VP Bali, teaching and tips.

In most cases you can extend your placement, however please note that this depends on availability at our programs at that time. If you want to extend your placement, please contact your volunteer coordinator.

Yes! We have a closed Facebook group to which you will get access once your placement has been confirmed. In this Facebook group the past, current and future volunteers come together to share their experiences, tips, photos and other beautiful memories.

Volunteers will have to arrive in Ubud, Bali on Saturday. The orientation program will take place on Sunday morning and their teaching placement starting on the following Monday.

Yes there will be an orientation day on the Sunday before the start of the volunteer placement.

We know from experience that coming to a foreign country can be strange and maybe even intimidating. That is why we want to make sure that our volunteers are welcomed in a caring way and are shown the way before starting their big adventure! During the orientation day we will show you reliable ATMs and exchangers, we will tell you all about the Do’s and Don’ts of Bali and teaching in Bali, and we will answer all your questions regarding the placement, different Program locations etc.

Local orientation takes place on Sunday, the day before starting the volunteer placement, in Ubud.

After we have accepted you in our Program, we will send you the VP Bali Volunteer Prep-kit with everything you need to know about Bali, volunteering and teaching at VP Bali. You will also be allowed to join our open drive for volunteers as well as our closed Volunteers of VP Bali Facebook group to contact your fellow volunteers and you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for the latest news on VP Bali, teaching and tips.

You can apply to teach at VP Bali through our application form by clicking here

You can apply via the application form here

Please fill in the contact form and write down which subject you would like to address and when. Contact

There are a few steps that follow after filling in the application form, to see all of the steps please have a look here.

Please see our use of funds page

If you would like to raise money to support the children with school supplies or Scholarships we recommend using volunteerforever.com or Gofundme.com for your fundraising.
* Please note: VP Bali does not receive any payments or commissions from either of those media.

VP Bali can not accept direct donations in money. Our kids are very happy with any kind of donation from our
Wish list or with an individual sponsoring of a scholarship. For more information, please contact us through our
Contact Form.