“Thanks to the Global Nomadic team, my recent experience volunteering with the Child Welfare Development project in Bali, Indonesia was nothing short of extraordinary. From the minute I arrived I felt welcomed by the organization and completely at home in Indonesia. Bali is rich with culture and offers visitors adventure along with tranquility; you decide which you prefer. The food was easy to adjust to and I came to enjoy eating at local restaurants called Warungs almost nightly. The biggest challenge I faced was not with the language or food, but driving the scooter. The roads can be quite hectic with little traffic lights and even fewer rules however, once you get used to it, you will enjoy travelling around. English is spoken in most places and you can easily get by without speaking Indonesian.
In my past volunteer experiences I always felt that I was on the outside, never really being able to immerse myself in the organization. At the project, it was the complete opposite. The staff sat down with me and asked me what my goals were and what tasks I felt comfortable doing. They then worked with me to create a list of future and ongoing tasks for me to work on daily. This gave me direction and purpose and allowed me to create a timeline to complete everything. A lot of what I was doing was new and challenging but I was supported along the way and had regular meetings to check in on my progress. With some assistance I designed and built a personal Fundraising Kit, Corporate Fundraising Kit, Volunteer Welcome pack and a Press pack. I worked closely with the staff as much of what I was doing required all of our attention. I was also able to interact with the kids at the Street Centre and assist there when needed which provided me with a more hands on experience. As a volunteer, you must be flexible and open to try new things as your role isn’t always defined. However, I think one can use this to their advantage and take the opportunity to challenge yourself and gain some new skills along the journey.
I would not have had this experience had it not been for Global Nomadic and their wonderful team. When I stumbled upon their website, I sent an email to enquire about the internship and was responded to immediately. They offered me continuous support, advice and information while I applied for visas and booked flights. They checked up on me before the project, during and afterwards. I think when volunteering or working abroad, especially alone, the idea can be slightly overwhelming and scary at times. Having the support from the staff at Global Nomadic eased the transition and took some of the weight off my shoulders. I knew that if I had a question or a concern, I always had someone to ask. All in all, I felt that I benefited personally and professionally from the Child Welfare and Anti-Trafficking Internship in Indonesia. The project had such an impact on me that I decided to stay in Indonesia and continue volunteering with them. They are a wonderful organization with amazing people who are truly making a difference in the lives of children. I would absolutely recommend Global Nomadic along with this internship to anyone interested in this type of NGO work and is looking to learn, grow and explore. ”
Posted by Elisha Gauthier – 2013
Child Welfare Development project in Bali
