Home » Volunteer Programs » Real South East Asia Encounter

START DATES

EVERY MONTH ALL YEAR ROUND

PRICED FROM

1,770 USD + 249 USD REGISTRATION FEE

DURATION

CHOOSE FROM 6-12 WEEKS

MINIMUM AGE

18 YEARS OLD ON START DATE

REAL SOUTH EAST ASIA ENCOUNTER

PMGY’s Real South East Asia Encounter will take you volunteering to Vietnam, Cambodia & Bali. These destinations are some of the most diverse, colourful and spiritual countries in the world. Southeast Asia stretches across eleven countries from eastern India to China. Every country is unique but across the region, you’ll find blissful beaches and ancient temples. Furthermore, you will enjoy delicious cuisine, lush landscapes and urvban jungles across the continent. Your 6, 9 or 12 week volunteering adventure will take in three of these amazingly exotic but very accessible countries.

 

Spending 6-12 weeks travelling and volunteering around Southeast Asia will give you time to embrace the richness of the culture of Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to revel in each countries history and become immersed in the communities. You’ll live in these countries rather than just passing through and have a hugely positive impact while you’re there. Volunteer in Asia on this once in a lifetime trip and choose the trip duration, volunteer projects and travel experiences that are right for you.

 

ENCOUNTER HIGHLIGHTS

  • VOLUNTEER IN EACH COUNTRY & SUPPORT THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
  • TAKE IN THE BEST OF SOUTH EAST ASIA IN ONE TRIP
  • EXCITING WEEKEND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ACROSS EACH COUNTRY
  • EMBRACE NEW CULTURES, ADVENTURES AND COMMUNITIES WITH NEW FRIENDS
  • VISIT HA LONG BAY, ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE AND GILI ISLANDS IN YOUR FREE TIME
  • FULLY STRUCTURED AND INCLUSIVE FROM START TO FINISH

HOW IT WORKS

The Southeast Asia Gap Year experience has start dates all year round. Moreover, participants can choose the trip duration that is right for them when completing volunteer work in Asia . There is 6,9 and 12 week gap year in Asia options to choose from on the online application. All programs commence on the first Wednesday of each month, but alternate start dates can be considered on request.

 

Should you choose the 6 week option you will spend 2 weeks volunteering in each of Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali. In the same vein, should you choose a 9 week Southeast Asia Gap Year experience, you will spend 3 weeks volunteering in each destination. Likewise, the 12 week program will see you enjoy 4 weeks of volunteering abroad opportunities in each of the three countries.

 

Volunteers will need to plan their flight schedules to match their country-specific trip dates. Therefore, you will need to arrange your inbound flight to arrive in Vietnam for the beginning of the Southeast Asia Gap Year experience. Your outbound flight will need to depart out of Bali once your time on the program is completed.

 

In addition, you will need to budget and plan your intermediary flights for your Southeast Asia Gap Year experience. More specifically, you will need to book flights from Vietnam to Cambodia and then Cambodia into Bali matching your specific trip dates. This may sound a little complicated, but rest assured, the PMGY team are on-hand for assistance.

 

Across your South East Asia Gap Year Experience, you will meet plenty of other travellers and volunteers along the way! The numbers and types of people you will encounter will change as you move from country to country. This will allow you to make many friendships and share experiences with a range of people on your South East Asia encounter journey!

 

You can choose any of the standard South East Asia volunteer programs in each country during the online application process. Please note, some volunteer projects may be subject to availability and you should only select one project to each destination. Additionally, there may be an additional cost associated with some projects. Any additional costs will be made clear next to the volunteer project option during the online application. You can explore your volunteer options in each destination below. It will be an unforgettable 6-12 weeks!

🇻🇳 VOLUNTEER IN VIETNAM (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your first stop will be Vietnam. Lonely Planet described the country as ‘astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling’. For the reason that it is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with a unique heritage. Consequently, adventure travelling in Vietnam quickly becomes addictive. However, the country is still plagued by poverty.

 

Volunteers are vital and you have your choice of where you’d like to help. Ho Chi Minh City may be the capital, but Hanoi is where we feel the maximum positive impact can be made. Consequently, our volunteer programs in Vietnam are based in Hanoi and its surrounding local communities.

 

Whether you’re supporting children at the Friendship Village or teaching English to a community class, you choose how to make a difference during your time in Vietnam. Ultimately, there is so much positive work that can be done in the bustling city of Hanoi. You will be able to select your volunteer in Vietnam project during the online application.

 

🇻🇳 VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN VIETNAM

VIETNAM CHILDCARE

As a childcare volunteer in Vietnam with PMGY, you will work to brighten up the lives of young children, making an important contribution to their daily lives. Our local team and volunteers work with a range of organisations in and around Hanoi. Our international volunteers provide vital support and care for children and young adults in care centres and kindergartens.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

As a participant on the childcare volunteer abroad project in Vietnam, you will be involved in one of two project types during your time. Our volunteers support a range of facilities in and around Hanoi. Not only do participants work with childcare centres, but also facilities caring for young adults and children with disabilities.

 

As in most developing countries, disabled people in Vietnam do not receive the level of support they need. It is estimated that nearly seven million people in Vietnam are disabled (8% of the population). We support projects in Hanoi that provides vital assistance to these vulnerable groups. Volunteers on one of these programs work with local staff to complement their work and enhance the opportunities of both children and young adults that they help care for.

 

Volunteering with disabled people is a challenging but highly rewarding experience. These projects require you to use your creativity, emotional strength and resourcefulness to make a difference. Through your hard work, you will not only change their lives but yours as well. Although challenging, the project offers volunteers the opportunity to showcase their skills in supporting others.

 

In the childcare centres we also support, the aim of a volunteer in Vietnam is to provide daily support in caring for children. In addition, Vietnam childcare volunteers will work to nurture their English, confidence and communication skills. Roles may vary from teaching basic English to leading fun activities, and assisting with tasks such as mealtimes.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Friendship Village – This is a living, health, and educational centre for children and adults living with the effects of Agent Orange. The centre also provides healthcare to war veterans. Friendship Village was founded in 1992 by George Mizo. The American veteran wanted to help repair the damage caused by Agent Orange in the America-Vietnam War. The Friendship Village complex is primarily composed of: two living quarters, two classroom buildings and a health centre. There is also a vegetable garden, as much of the food is grown on-site.

 

The centre provides a home to 120 residents, aged from 4-26 years of age. The residents come from all over Vietnam and suffer from a range of disabilities. This can include Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, physical deformity, and severe mental disability.

 

Volunteers help out in a number of different ways. This can include collaborating with the teaching staff as to new ideas and techniques to help the residents. You can share ideas on how to structure lessons, provide an independent evaluation of the students, and work on updating profiles. If appropriately qualified, volunteer in Vietnam participants can also help in giving individual assistance to the students. Sometimes volunteers will also teach English to the staff, teachers and residents.

 

Khanh Tam Day Care Centre – This project was established in 2006 for early detection and care of mentally impaired children. The centre cares for approximately 80-90 children, aged 1-12. Here, there are a total of 4 classes:

 

Early Intervention – The target group is aged between 2-5 years. The program provides children with basic skills to develop (communication skills, playing with others and etc). Namely, this aims to help children integrate into society at an early age (kindergarten age).

 

Primary/Elementary Program – The target group is aged between 6-12 years. The children in this class will learn how to read, write and calculate.

 

School Function Program – The target group is aged between 6-12 years, with no ability to study standard primary school program.

 

Living Skills Program – The target group is individuals between 10-16 years. These students have no ability to integrate into society or study a standard primary school program. Children will focus on learning living skills to help them prepare for when they grow up.

 

Volunteers will initially begin the project with an observational role. This will become more hands-on after generating a better understanding of the project and the individual abilities of the students. Vietnam childcare volunteers will start to provide a helping hand to run the class activities and lessons. In time, volunteers are encouraged to come up with and run their own ideas, bringing in new perspectives to the centre.

 

Please note that the minimum time commitment to join Khanh Tam Day Centre is 4 weeks.

 

Morning Star Centre (Sao Mai) – Founded in 1995, Morning Star centre is a subsidiary of the Vietnam Relief Association for Children with Disabilities. The centre has nearly 70 staff members caring for approximately 150 children ranging in age from 1-25 years. Morning Star’s mission is to provide opportunities for children and young adults with special needs. Local staff and volunteers work to ensure that individuals receive education and training. This aims to help them successfully play their part in the local community. The centre strives to provide assistance for those children suffering from developmental disabilities including Down’s Syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

 

The children are grouped in smaller classes of around 12-13 children. On average, there are 2-3 teachers per class. The classes are tailored to the needs of the children. Volunteers can get involved in a range of activities from basic education, motor skill development, play therapy and physical education sessions.

 

Where possible, Morning Star strives to prepare the children to enter mainstream education. However, it is quite common for former pupils who have entered mainstream education to return to Morning Star. This is unfortunate because government schools are by no means equipped to welcome special needs students.

 

In addition to their traditional classes, each pupil will also participate in one-on-one occupational and/or speech therapy classes. Volunteers with relevant experience may have the opportunity to sit on in these sessions to provide further guidance to staff members. However, participants with the appropriate experience will not be able to run these sessions independently.

 

Morning Star offers some vocational and pre-vocational courses for teenagers before sending them to outside vocational schools. The courses help increase the student’s independence and confidence, and their abilities to get enrolled in professional training centres outside. Having recently set up a coffee shop within the centre, some of the students help out here. Through this scheme, the students receive valuable experience in working and interacting with the public. Many students have also been participating in cooking lessons, with the eventual to sell these masterpieces within the shop.

 

Chich Bong Kindergarten – This centre is home to children aged from 12 months to 6 years old. The kindergarten’s mission is to explore and develop children’s abilities. This is done through teaching art subjects, languages and various methods of communication. It also has different clubs in the school where the kids can nurture their talents and cater to their hobbies.

 

Generally, one class will hold 15-20 kids. The volunteers are expected to help the children improve their English through songs, dance and informal education. They should be creative in generating fun basic educational materials. Doing this allows the children to become more confident in their communication and mannerisms. This may include arranging drawing, painting and handicraft activities. There will also be a local teacher in the class to help the volunteers if needed.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

Each of our Vietnam volunteer programs mentioned will have different expectations and roles for their international volunteers. In general, you can expect to provide daily hands-on care, interaction and attention for those who need it most. We try our best to outline expected roles under the specific ‘Project Placement Placements’ above. However, it must be noted that these roles can still vary.

 

Whilst each project location is different, as a childcare volunteer in Vietnam you will typically volunteer for around 4 hours per day. Project hours each day will vary depending on the location. Typically, participants will volunteer abroad for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon, although this can vary.

 

Volunteers will usually travel by public bus to and from the project each day. This fee is included in the Program Fee. Volunteers will either be provided with a bus pass in-country or reimbursed their travel fares on a weekly basis. The bus station is around a 10 minute walk from the Volunteer House. The local team will travel with you on the first day to introduce you to your placement.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN VIETNAM

Resources – On the childcare project in Vietnam, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in Vietnam. Some projects (such as Khanh Tam and Morning Star) can have a good amount of resources, but be lacking in human resources which is where the volunteer support is invaluable.

 

Project Commitment – It is important to note that many childcare projects require a minimum commitment of 3 or 4 weeks. Whilst we can accommodate 2 week volunteers, just note your project preferences may be limited to the project settings which accept 2 week volunteers.

 

Project Availability – A childcare volunteer in Vietnam is advised to note that we support a range of childcare projects in and around Hanoi. This is in addition to the examples provided across this overview. Thus volunteers may be located at such placements not listed in the overview. This can be particularly true for our volunteer projects across the summertime, where we have higher numbers of volunteers. With great volunteer numbers, we are able to further our contribution to the community and also prevent overcrowding at current establishments. This is also in line with school holiday periods in Vietnam. During this period, there is more need and availability for community programs and summer classes through the day.

 

Please note that although we do our best to place volunteers at their chosen project, this is not always possible. This can be requested under the ‘Special Requirements’ section of your application. Vietnam childcare volunteers should expect to be placed at either a childcare centre or facility for individuals with special needs. Participants must note that it is possible that participants may work with young adults and/or children.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Vietnam runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Vietnam Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

VIETNAM ENGLISH TEACHING

As a volunteer teaching English in Vietnam with PMGY, you will work to encourage students to develop skills that will help them to achieve their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves their language skills, essential for future employment. This project provides the perfect opportunity for international volunteers to teach English in Vietnam, putting their leadership skills into practice across schools and communities in Hanoi.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

Education is becoming an increasingly important issue in Vietnam. Traditionally, agriculture has provided jobs for the masses, but this sector’s growth has plummeted. Nowadays, international commercial trade governs the Vietnamese economy, especially in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This economic shift has created a greater demand for skilled labour and a workforce that is multilingual. In such circumstances, English is frequently the main language required.

 

In recent years, access to primary and secondary education has risen significantly, and schools have received increased levels of funding. Furthermore, there is a greater focus on physical, psychological, social and emotional growth, alongside general educational achievement. English language training was introduced into the national curriculum in 2010. This follows continued recognition from the government for the importance of the ability to speak English to young people.

 

PMGY supports a range of educational establishments and classes, from government high schools to universities and education classes for the local community. The aim of our teachers in Vietnam is to create an environment that encourages students to practice their English and improve their confidence. We encourage volunteers in Vietnam participants to keep the lessons fun. Being creative to make the lessons interesting will encourage the students to engage and improve their confidence.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Community & University Classes – Alongside our work with schools in Hanoi, our volunteers in Vietnam contribute to a number of community classes. These take place within the local community and nearby Universities. There are typically four different levels of classes per Community/University setting. Each class will attend two sessions per week. Every day, volunteers will engage in two classes: one morning, and one afternoon. The first hour of the lesson will typically focus on learning and understanding English vocabulary and phrases. The second hour tends to concentrate on putting this into practice.

 

The community classes are attended by high school and university students wishing to improve their English. Unfortunately, these individuals cannot afford private tuition. Most of the students come from rural areas and move to the city to attend university. The aim of the classes is to create a fun and interactive environment for the class participants to practice their English. On average 5-20 people attend each class.

 

High Schools – The main school we support is Nguyen Tat Thanh (NTT) project. NTT is a secondary school (11-18 years of age), home to over 2,500 students. English language skills are of growing importance at the school. However, the local teachers tend to focus on teaching listening, reading and writing skills, rather than focussing on communication skills. This is often because this is an area they are limited in themselves.

 

NTT is fairly well-resourced, but the school cannot afford to hire enough native speaking English staff. Furthermore, with large class sizes, it is difficult for teachers to give students the individual attention they need. Therefore, English speaking volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the school’s ambition to improve the English of their students. There may also be the chance to help with sports classes: badminton, basketball, football and volleyball are the main sports taught. If willing, as a volunteer teaching English in Vietnam, you can also spend time helping improve the English of the teaching staff. This helps bring about long term development at the school.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

As a volunteers in Vietnam, you will be responsible for preparing and leading your own activities within the lessons. Depending on the volunteer project location you may be required to follow a curriculum. Communication with the local teachers and staff is therefore key, ensuring they can support you with the lessons and activities you prepare.

 

As an English teacher on this Vietnam volunteer program, you must be proactive in taking the lead around the topic. Our local team will be on hand to guide you as you plan your lessons. They will give you an idea of what former volunteers have taught and what students wish to learn. We will also give you ideas on what activities you can implement when teaching. To teach English in Vietnam, there is no requirement to have taught before. Where possible our local team aims to segment the group the students relative to their ability and level of English. This helps to improve the structure and productivity of the classes.

 

Whilst each project is different, the typical working hours for a volunteer teaching English abroad are 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday. In school settings, volunteers will be expected to teach up to four classes per day. Typically on the volunteer abroad programs, two classes will be taught in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Each class lasts approximately 45 minutes, with a 10 minute break between two consecutive classes. Lunch is taken between the morning and afternoon sessions. With up to 50 children in one class, experience and confidence are great skills to have and develop. Volunteers must also be flexible, creative and show determination to succeed!

 

The university and community classes both follow a similar structure. Volunteers who teach English in Vietnam will lead two classes per day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each class will last 2 hours (4 hours total per day). In general, volunteers will be at the project from 9am-4pm each day, with an extended lunch break. Volunteers will teach 4 different classes each week. For all teaching projects, Fridays are usually not spent at the project and are instead used to prepare lessons for the following week.

 

Local transport to and from the project each day is included in your Program Fee. Most placements are located within a 1 hour commute of the Volunteer House. Volunteers will either be provided with a bus pass in-country or be reimbursed their travel fares on a weekly basis. The bus station is around a 10 minute walk from the Volunteer House. The local team will travel with you on the first day to introduce you to your placement.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING IN VIETNAM

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Resources – On the teach English in Vietnam project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Project Availability – When you participate in your volunteer work in Vietnam, your project location will be dictated based on the greatest need at the time. Where possible, the local team will place participants on their preferred project, when this has been noted within their application. However, this cannot be guaranteed in any case, and participants must be open to working in any location.

 

During June and July, most schools in Vietnam and universities will be on summer vacation. During this time, volunteers on Vietnam English teaching program will be placed within one of our community classes or a summer camp. Each summer camp lasts around 2 weeks within a relatively relaxed and casual setting. In these cases, there are usually three levels of students, with each level taught separately: Primary, Middle School and High School. Every group receives ten lessons, one each day over a period of two weeks (Monday to Friday).

 

Weekends – Your project work in Vietnam runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Vietnam Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

🇰🇭 VOLUNTEER IN CAMBODIA (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your second Southeast Asian country is Cambodia. Cambodia is a country emerging from years of turmoil and civil unrest. Yet, it has the most beautiful and blissfully undeveloped coastlines in the region. Moreover, the country is blessed with one of the most spectacular temples in the world, Angkor Wat. Spend time at weekends during your gap year travel exploring such iconic sites! In contrast to all its beauty and adventure travel opportunities, Cambodia is also one of the poorest countries in the world.

 

With PMGY you can contribute to grass-roots development projects in Cambodia. These are projects that take place in a rural community around 2 hours from Phnom Penh. Teach English in a community school or help give children a head start at a kindergarten style project. Ultimately, by volunteering in Cambodia, you will be providing disadvantaged young people with the tools to gain meaningful employment and break out of the cycle of poverty. You will be able to select your volunteer in Cambodia project during the online application.

 

🇰🇭 VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA

CAMBODIA CHILDCARE

As a childcare volunteer in Cambodia with PMGY, you will educate and work with children between the ages of 4-7 years at a time before they begin formal schooling. International volunteers with children in Cambodia help to brighten up the lives of young children in Takeo Province. As a childcare volunteer in Cambodia organise educational activities and games that will positively promote stimulation and productiveness in young ones.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

The first few years of a child’s life are fundamentally important. This time is critical for forming the foundation that helps shape their future health, happiness and learning achievement. As a childcare volunteer in Cambodia, you will have the opportunity to think and act creatively. As a consequence, you have the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of young ones within the local community.

 

Tourism in Cambodia contributes a tremendous amount to the economy. This means those who are able to converse in English with foreigners have far more prospects than those who do not. Exposure to the English language at a young age helps initiate the development of this life-long skill of multilingualism. Engagement with native English speakers, therefore, provides a great starting point for this. Our PMGY childcare project in Cambodia helps local children develop skills that they will benefit from for the rest of their lives. This includes an introduction to the fundamentals of the English language, assistance with social integration and the development of motor skills.

 

Each day as a childcare volunteer in Cambodia is different and you will get out of the project what you put in. It is a good idea to join the project well prepared with lots of ideas for activities so that you can get stuck in as soon as possible. Volunteers with children in Cambodia will have the opportunity to think and act creatively. As a consequence, they make a positive impact on the lives of young ones within the local community.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLE

Hope School – Our main program in Cambodia is based in Takeo Province, south of the country’s capital city, Phnom Penh. The kids attending the childcare program are from villages nearby. The childcare centre is located on the same campus as our team’s teaching English program for older children and teenagers. It is hoped that the younger children will continue their journey with our team in the future. The childcare project, therefore, aims to also help with this eventual transition and integration.

 

Our team’s community education program was established in 2010. The aim was to provide accessible English classes to children in underprivileged villages. The opportunity to learn and develop English is so low in this rural area that children are prepared to travel 7km each way for a one hour lesson each day. The school usually has over 150 children attending each day.

 

As a volunteer with children in Cambodia, you will be based within a classroom setting. This responsible volunteering project focuses on developing core English skills, promoting social interaction and routines from a young age. Our international volunteers will work to advocate all of these aspects through itineraries set by the local staff. For volunteer work in Cambodia, there is an office of resources and textbooks that you can use to assist you. A volunteer with children in Cambodia is encouraged to introduce creative and engaging ways to manage the class.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

As a childcare volunteer in Cambodia, you will be required to prepare, deliver and lead activities and basic English lessons to support local children. Volunteers with children in Cambodia can expect to spend 3-4 hours on the project each day. The typical hours of work as a childcare volunteer in Cambodia are 1-4pm. Time on the Cambodia volunteer work will include various roles and tasks for the volunteers.

 

Days will usually begin with a lively and energetic first hour of songs, games and basic hygiene tasks like teeth brushing. After burning off any excess energy, approximately 1 hour will be dedicated to learning. This may include activities such as learning and recognising the alphabet, understanding phonics and the coaching of basic greetings. Combined, these tasks help to familiarise the children with this foreign language. Furthermore, it advances their learning ability for other subjects in the future. The day will usually end with various activities that focus on practising fine motor skills and dexterity, perhaps through arts and crafts or group games.

 

Volunteers and coordinators have also introduced a Fun Friday aspect to the program. For this, fellow volunteers can come together to organise entertaining activities for the children. Sometimes volunteers will organise and fund an afternoon trip outside of the program for the children. Volunteers usually contribute a small expense to facilitate this, but contributing and participating in Fun Fridays are by no means compulsory.

 

When you volunteer in Cambodia, you should spend time planning for each day. This will allow them to get the most out of their project time. This also provides focussed learning activities for the children. As a childcare volunteer in Cambodia, you will also have the opportunity to assist or lead an older class on our English Teaching project. However, this is optional and not a mandatory requirement of the program.

 

The project is located on the same grounds as the house for participants on our volunteering programs in Cambodia. Participants therefore only have a short walk to project each day. Free time can be used to prepare sessions, chill in the Volunteer House or explore the nearby villages.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA

Accommodation Setup – Our Cambodia volunteer programs are based in a rural setting in Takeo Province, approximately two hours south of Phnom Penh. The accommodation is very basic, based in a remote location and in a dormitory-like form. There is a sense of community on the program, with volunteers responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the living area. This includes completing morning chores. This can involve tasks such as gardening, cleaning and renovation work. Together, this contribution from volunteers helps to maintain a happy and clean living environment for everyone.

 

Resources – On the childcare project in Cambodia, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in Cambodia.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Cambodia runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Cambodia Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

CAMBODIA ENGLISH TEACHING

As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia with PMGY, you will encourage students to develop a skill that will help them achieve their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves their language skills, essential for future employment. This project, therefore, provides the perfect opportunity for a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia to put their leadership skills into practice and make a profound impact in a teaching position.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

The reign of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s devastated the education system in Cambodia. Since then, the Cambodian government has invested a lot of time and money into rebuilding its education system. However, change is slow and Cambodia still has one of the poorest literacy rates in Asia, especially amongst women. High dropout rates, lack of qualified teachers and classroom overcrowding are all significant factors that negatively impact the country’s education system.

 

Cambodia’s economy is shifting from that of traditional sustenance farming to an economy driven by industry and service. This economic change has further enhanced social inequality within the country. This follows the drive of less educated and economically poorer members of society into lower-paid jobs, that rarely offer career development. The demand for skilled labour calls for a greater need for children to develop English language proficiency. This is particularly true within the service sector, to keep up with Cambodia’s growing tourism industry.

 

For many children living in rural villages, learning English is seen as the only way to progress in life. This is since it helps individuals achieve better jobs in Cambodia. Individuals often desire to source jobs in accounting and hotel work, to bring an overall higher standard of living for themselves. As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you will help to provide free English lessons to children from low-income families in the region. The children will still attend public school in the mornings. However, in the afternoon, they continue their education at our English education program. Our team’s project provides a key focus on English language development. During your time as a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Many of the students will benefit from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Cambodia.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLE

Hope School – As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you will be based at a community education program, established by our local team in 2010. The aim of the school was to provide accessible English classes to children in underprivileged villages. The opportunity to learn and develop English is so low in this rural area that children are prepared to travel 7km each way for a one hour lesson each day. The school usually has over 150 children attending each day.

 

Volunteers teaching English in Cambodia are required to prepare, deliver and lead lessons and learning activities for the children. Classes are divided based on ability and age range and the size can vary from 5-30 children. The children’s ages range from 7-18 years. Younger children tend to come at the start of the afternoon and the older children come late afternoon. There are ten classrooms in total across both school sites. You will usually be based at one of the school sites only during your time.

 

As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you will teach a variety of different classes throughout the day. When each class finishes, the children from that lesson will return to their nearby village. Your next class with different students will then begin. Typically, volunteer work in Cambodia involves leading four classes per day. Participants may also choose to work one-on-one with students during their 1.5 hour break.

 

Teaching the same classes daily within the same time slots allows you to ingrain structure and build rapport with the children. Furthermore, this enables you to witness the development of the children, from the start of your program to its end. Even after the lessons, you will find a lot of the students stay at the school, to socialise and play games. Some pupils will undertake one-to-one tuition with volunteers.

 

As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you are encouraged to make your lessons fun and engaging. This may include storytelling, singing songs and arts and crafts activities. There is plenty of outdoor space at the project. Here, volunteers can take the class out to enjoy some playtime at the end of a lesson. If you have a specific skill as a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you are welcome to teach this to students too. There is an office of resources and textbooks that you can use to assist you. A volunteer with children in Cambodia is encouraged to introduce creative and engaging ways to manage the class.

 

To successfully teach as a volunteer teaching in English in Cambodia, you should spend time planning for each day. This will allow you to get the most out of the project time and will provide focussed learning activity for the children. Ultimately, the more time spent planning, the easier classes will be to run. You can use the mornings before the project or your afternoon break as preparation time.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

As a teaching volunteer in Cambodia, you are required to prepare, deliver and lead lessons for students in Cambodia. The typical working hours are 1pm-6:30pm Monday to Friday. Volunteers will usually teach 1 hour lessons across this period with a 1.5 hour break in between to rest. As a volunteer teaching English in Cambodia, you will also need to dedicate time to plan your lessons in advance.

 

The village school is based on the same grounds as the Volunteer House. International volunteers here, therefore, have a short walk to the project. Free time can be used to prepare sessions, chill in the Volunteer House or explore the nearby villages.

 

Volunteers and coordinators have also introduced a Fun Friday aspect to the program. For this, fellow volunteers can come together to organise entertaining activities for the children. Sometimes volunteers will organise and fund an afternoon trip outside of the program for the children. Volunteers usually contribute a small expense to facilitate this, but contributing and participating in Fun Fridays are by no means compulsory.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING IN CAMBODIA

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Resources – On the teach English in Cambodia project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Most volunteers lead their own classes. However, if requested, our team can buddy you up with a more experienced, long term volunteer to start with. Note, however, that this will be dependent on volunteer numbers at the time.

 

Accommodation Setup – Our Cambodia volunteer programs are based in a rural setting in Takeo Province, approximately two hours south of Phnom Penh. The accommodation is very basic, based in a remote location and in a dormitory-like form. There is a sense of community on the program, with volunteers responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the living area. This includes completing morning chores. This can involve tasks such as gardening, cleaning and renovation work. Together, this contribution from volunteers helps to maintain a happy and clean living environment for everyone.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Cambodia runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Cambodia Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

🇮🇩 VOLUNTEER IN BALI (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your final stop is Bali. With a population of less than four million, Bali is an island of soft white sands. In addition, the country also boasts crystal clear waters, lush tropical forests and ancient temples. Many say that Bali is not so much a place but a state of mind. In the same vein, people talk of Bali being a feeling of wonder and a mood of serenity.

 

Our programs in Bali aim to provide a true insight into the Balinese way of life. Most noteworthy, all international volunteers can experience Bali’s famous beauty and white sand beaches whilst also giving back. By volunteering in a local community of Bali, you will get the opportunity to see a side of the country the tourists don’t see.

 

Stay in the rice bowl of Bali in the traditional town of Tabanan. Use your volunteer experience to give the most precious commodity of all, your time. The children in the community projects will be desperate to learn from you. Teach English set amongst rice paddies, steep ravines and forests. Invest your time in Bali’s children and help to ensure their future is bright! Alternatively, choose to help out at a wildlife rescue centre or learn about the Balinese healthcare system in a government hospital. You will be able to select your volunteer in Bali project during the online application.

 

🇮🇩 VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN BALI

BALI CHILDCARE

Want to share your time, energy and enthusiasm with children across the world? As a childcare volunteer in Bali, you can make a positive impact in the local community of Tabanan. From supporting daily care, organising crafts and creative activities, to teaching English through songs and music. You’ll have the opportunity to volunteer with children in Bali between 1-8 years old, giving them an amazing head start before they begin formal schooling.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

In Bali, it can be difficult to afford a high standard of care or education for their children, particularly for families in the relentless farming and fishing industries. Therefore as a childcare volunteer in Bali, you can support struggling families and childcare centres. By complementing the work of local staff members we can ensure that these children receive the attention and support that they deserve.

 

Increased tourism in Bali has meant that local people who are able to converse in English with foreigners have far more prospects than those that can’t. As a result, education at this level will allow them to improve their future and that of their families.

 

It has been suggested that pre-school years are the most important years of a child’s life and an ideal time for learning a foreign language. Above all, this makes time with international volunteers invaluable. Subsequently, as a childcare volunteer in Bali, you can focus on educating the children with very basic English skills. For example speaking and vocabulary, such as colours, shapes and animals.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Cornellia Foundation – Cornellia Foundation was founded in 2009 by a Christian church. Each day, the centre can receive up to 60 children and the care provided here is free of charge. With up to 20 children in each class, the children can sometimes be a handful to manage alone! Consequently, as a childcare volunteer in Bali, you can provide invaluable assistance to the quality of care that the facility can offer.

 

Children attending this centre range from the ages of 6 months to 6 years. In the morning, the facility cares for children up to the age of 4. During this time, your volunteer work in Bali will involve helping to run basic English lessons for the toddlers, in preparation for starting school in the future. You can also expect to help with feeding and playing with the children, naptime and anything else the local team may ask for assistance with.

 

In the afternoon, children aged 4-8 visit the centre after school whilst their parents remain at work. Meanwhile, volunteers will usually lend a helping hand with the youngest of the children, aiding the staff with bath-time, and entertainment. There is however the opportunity on your Bali volunteer program to spend time with the older children, especially those who may need some additional help with their studies.

 

Mutiara Ibu Daycare – Mutiara Ibu Daycare Centre was also founded by a local Balinese couple aiming to provide affordable childcare, hosting up to 40 children per day. In the morning, volunteers will run basic English classes for the children who are due to begin primary school within the next year or two.

 

In the afternoons, our volunteer’s work in Bali will often be spent with the children aged anywhere from as young as 6 months to 13 years. Volunteers will usually lend a hand during meal times, to encourage the fussy eaters and clean up the messy ones!

 

In addition, assistance is also often required during bath times. However, help is appreciated in all aspects of the centre. As a result, each childcare volunteer in Bali may be asked to spend time with the older children, or even assist staff members in daily chores.

 

Akasa Bali Foundation Daycare – In September 2011 Ketut from our local team, developed her own Community Learning Centre in Tabanan called the ‘Akasa Foundation’ to provide underprivileged children in the area with free after school education and activities. This program has been Ketut’s devotion and passion to this day and with the support of PMGY volunteers she looks forward to developing the Akasa Foundation further into the future. The Akasa day care center hosts up to 55 children between the ages or 4-6 who are full of energy and ready to share this with our volunteers!

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

As a childcare volunteer in Bali, your main role will be sharing your time, enthusiasm and skills to help encourage and care for these children. By exposing them to the English language you are providing them with an early opportunity for social interaction and educational development.

 

You will be volunteering from Monday-Thursday, usually starting around 8am-12pm, with the afternoon session from 1pm-4pm. You will be transported to the project via minivan, which takes about 10 minutes.

 

The childcare program is a hugely rewarding experience and very enjoyable. As a volunteer in Bali, you are encouraged to structure the day to ensure you get the balance right between keeping it fun with play activities, whilst keeping it controlled and routined with some basic learning activities.

 

Above all, lesson planning is essential. Get creative with different enrichment activities to foster positive social development. You can use songs, music, puzzles, interactive props and educational resources to get the kids engaged. Local coordinators will be on hand to support you at the project as well.

 

Balinese children are an absolute joy to teach and work with, their enthusiasm for learning is guaranteed to make you smile! Working with this age group is not as structured as teaching older children. In other words, their language can be improved simply through play and interaction. As a result, just a few words or phrases will stand them in good stead for learning English in the future. If you volunteer with children in Bali, you’ll need to prepare activities for this accordingly.

 

We generally find that the more volunteers prepare for their day then the more they and the children get from the whole experience. Depending on the number of childcare volunteers in Bali at the time, the children will be divided into smaller class sizes. In addition, you will have local coordinators/teachers at the project to assist.

 

The most important thing is that you engage the children, get them excited about coming to kindergarten and learning new things. Your role is not limited to just teaching and volunteers are actively encouraged to get involved in other areas such as arts & crafts, physical education and helping local staff in their day-to-day role. What activities you choose when you volunteer in Bali is completely up to you.

 

You can find resources and inspiration at the office and there may be some materials and props available at the childcare centres. The local team also run weekly lesson planning sessions, providing volunteers with a fantastic opportunity to both share and discuss ideas, as well as plan for the upcoming week.

 

PMGY’s volunteer work in Bali focuses on making learning a fun and enjoyable experience so be creative, there are so many ways to educate these children in a way that will make a huge impact. Our childcare program is an empowering and rewarding one to really make a difference to those less fortunate. Balinese people are warm and friendly, you can expect the children you teach to welcome you into their community with open arms. They will be excited to get to know you!

 

As a childcare volunteer in Bali, you should have a genuine passion for working with children. Working with such friendly and excitable children can get overwhelming so it is important to be happy and completely immerse yourself in this once in a lifetime experience!

 

With the heat and high temperatures that exist when you volunteer with children in Bali, shorter sessions split throughout the day are seen as beneficial all round and allows for volunteer energy levels to remain high with positive intensity in each morning and afternoon session. Volunteers are encouraged to use the lunch break in between to relax, refresh or plan future activities to maximise time at the project.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN BALI

Major Holiday Destination – With Bali being our most touristy destination we often find that volunteers would like to travel as part of their trip to Indonesia. Being in a more affluent and holiday destination means that our volunteers often do not feel as engaged in the project work as much as they can in more developing locations such as Ghana, Tanzania and India where they feel a clearer need for international volunteers. Therefore we recommend participants to potentially sign up to volunteer for a shorter period to allow the chance to potentially travel as part of their experience and if the volunteer project is of particular importance then to perhaps consider a more high impact location.

 

Resources – On the childcare project in Bali, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in Bali.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Bali runs from Monday-Thursday and weekends are free (Friday-Sunday). You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Bali Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Bali. We offer the Gili Paradise Island Trip along with the Ubud Trip with opportunities running every month.

BALI ENGLISH TEACHING

Volunteer teaching English in Bali to encourage students by developing skills and achieving their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native speakers greatly improves student’s English language skills, a tool essential for future employment. The ability to speak English has become essential as a language to learn for Balinese people to move forward in life. As a result, it enables them to have direct contact with tourists, enhancing the country’s recognition and visibility on a global stage.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

English is a key component in both the formal and informal industries that exist in Bali, as well as the communication mediums that underpin them. This ranges from the schools, offices and banks to the shops and restaurants that make up much of the booming tourist industry in Indonesia today. Bali is a destination that has become not only a hub for tourists from across the globe, with its beautiful scenery and traditional authenticity, but is also recognised as an ideal location to hold international conferences and seminars.

 

PMGY’s English teaching program gives volunteers the chance to really make a difference by opening up possibilities of developing English for local children in Tabanan. The explosion of tourism in Bali means the need to speak English has never been greater. Though English is taught in school by a local Balinese teacher, the opportunity to converse with a native, fluent English speaker is invaluable.

 

Balinese people are warm and friendly. You can expect the local community, the staff you work with and the children you teach to welcome you into their community with open arms. They will be excited to speak with you and hear all about your life! Your volunteer work in Bali can benefit your future prospects as much as it does the people you teach. You will come away with skills that are easily transferred into the workplace, such as leadership, time management and organisational skills.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Your schedule will be mixed when you volunteer to teach English in Bali. You’ll spend your time across the different projects where we provide free English lessons in Tabanan, with the main placement being at the Akasa Foundation. Moreover, the PMGY Bali volunteer program runs additional English teaching projects across the year. As a consequence, we can help to maximise the positive impact you have throughout the local community when you volunteer in Bali. These run on an ad-hoc basis and your timetable may be varied throughout the week. Here are some examples of where you could be teaching:

 

Akasa Foundation Program – Akasa Foundation is a Community Learning Centre, founded by Ketut in 2011. Until recent years, Ketut ran this within her family home. However, the centre now has a permanent location only a 5 minute walk from the Volunteer House. Having lived within the Tabanan community her whole life, Ketut had noticed a lack of opportunity for children from less well-off families to thrive within the educational system. Consequently, this drove her to set up the Foundation and to seek the help of international volunteers. As a volunteer teaching English in Bali, you can support the quality and diversity of the knowledge that could be shared with these children. First of all, a major goal of the centre is to provide basic education to preschoolers from low-income backgrounds, in preparation for primary education. Another goal is to offer additional learning for students already attending school.

 

Junior High School Summer Program – The PMGY Bali volunteer program offers Junior High School students, the opportunity to participate in a 12 week program during summer. These sessions are hosted 4 times a day to accommodate as many students as possible, aged between 13-15 years. Volunteers in Bali work together with the students through a 12 week structured course to fully prepare the students for senior high school. However, when you teach English in Bali you are also welcome to introduce additional subjects. The course is mainly focused on improving the students’ conversation and grammar skills, as well as giving them a confidence boost and head start before they are off to senior high school. Subsequently, each student that completes the course gets a certificate at the end of the 12 week course to reward them for their hard work and dedication.

 

Senior High School After-School Program – As a volunteer teaching English in Bali, you can often team up with a local Senior High School. Above all, this gives volunteers a chance to interact with older and more advanced English students. Once a week, the high school hosts a free after school English club and as a PMGY volunteer in Bali you are invited to help students with their pronunciation and conversation skills. The students are typically aged between 16-17 years old. Most of the English that these students have learned comes from textbooks, with little opportunity to practice English in day to day conservation. As a result, this is a unique opportunity for students to interact with other English speakers. This is particularly important since Tabanan remains a traditional town, meaning inhabitants don’t often encounter English speakers in their daily lives. This project is open for volunteers to create their own activities and subjects, as there is no set curriculum.

 

Summer Village Program – From around late May to early July, during the school summer holidays, participants may be required to teach English in local farming villages. Lessons are hosted within community halls or schools. Volunteers will spend one morning per week in each of these locations. Consequently, this means volunteers will need to prepare lessons and activities accordingly. Most importantly, be ready to learn lots of names and faces in your time on the teaching program. The schools are located within a 20-30 minute drive away from the Volunteer House.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

Your main role as a volunteer teaching English in Bali will be sharing your time, knowledge and skills to the local communities. Moreover, by boosting their confidence in spoken and conversational English you can help to maximise their potential. The projects run from Monday-Thursday, with class times varying from 8am-4pm. Your timings will be based on your individual schedule. You may have a 5 minute walk to your placement, or for further distances like the Summer Village Program, you will be transported by minivan.

 

When teaching English in Indonesia you may be leading the class alone, working in pairs, or part of a small group. Volunteers are usually scheduled to teach two or three classes per day. These factors depend on the current project need, availability and volunteer numbers. Timetables tend to be split between two of the placement locations for each volunteer across the week. The Akasa Foundation program tends to be the main teaching project.

 

The Akasa Foundation runs 3 classes: Kindergarten (3-4 years) and Beginners (5-7 years) classes are usually in the morning and Advanced (8-14 years) classes in the afternoon. Depending on the number of volunteers at one time, each volunteer in Bali may be required to teach each class.

 

It has been suggested that pre-school years are the most important years of a child’s life and an ideal time for learning a foreign language. This makes these Kindergarten classes invaluable, with a focus on educating the children with very basic English vocabulary, such as colours, shapes and animals. As a volunteer teaching English in Bali, you are required to be creative and very patient, although a local teacher will act as a guide. The difficulty of the content is taken up a level within the Beginner’s class, focusing on similar topics to Kindergarten, but introducing the basic concept of sentence formation.

 

PMGY’s advanced community classes aim to make the learning of English an enjoyable experience, especially after the children have had a long day at school already! Get creative and teach English through songs, art and sport. You will usually work with another volunteer and teach as a team.

 

We expect there to be at least 60-100 children across these classes at this program each day, aged from 3 to lower teens. We generally find that the more volunteers prepare for their day then the more they and the children get from the whole experience. Depending on the number of volunteers at the time, will depend on how we segment the group into smaller class sizes if applicable. We will have local coordinators/teachers at the project to assist.

 

In all cases, Balinese children are eager to learn, this thirst for knowledge can sometimes turn into extreme excitement so it is important to be able to control the class to maintain focus. This is an empowering and rewarding project which really makes a difference to those less fortunate in providing free English education to the children of Tabanan. Inspire through your methods and give these children the confidence to converse with tourists. This, in turn, will improve their future and that of their families.

 

The presence of an English speaker really benefits the children’s pronunciation and can also help empower local teachers who may be looking for additional assistance with their own education. As a volunteer teaching English in Bali, we encourage you to make lessons as engaging and interactive as possible by being creative and proactive in your preparation.

 
Use fun educational games like interactive word searches or Hangman, or a bit of class competition in Hot Seat or team quizzes. Games, songs, art, sport and music are all great tools. The presence of volunteers gives the children an insight into different cultures; a global perspective they greatly benefit from. Use your creativity and knowledge to help these eager young minds reach their true potential.

 

What you teach when you volunteer in Bali is completely up to you, though there may be a topic or curriculum materials that you can follow if you need some inspiration and guidance, from a general syllabus or past volunteer examples. We have a library of resources located in the PMGY office at the accommodation for volunteers to use and the children are provided with exercise books and learning books to help facilitate their learning. The local team also run weekly lesson planning sessions, providing volunteers with a fantastic opportunity to both share and discuss ideas, as well as plan for the upcoming week.

 

With the heat and high temperatures that exist during your Bali volunteer program, shorter sessions split throughout the day are seen as beneficial all round. In addition, this allows for volunteer energy levels to remain high with positive intensity in each morning and afternoon session. As a volunteer teaching English in Bali, you are encouraged to use the lunch break in between to relax, refresh or plan future activities to maximise time at the project.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING CHILDREN IN BALI

Major Holiday Destination – With Bali being our most touristy destination we often find that volunteers would like to travel as part of their trip to Indonesia. Being in a more affluent and holiday destination means that our volunteers often do not feel as engaged in the project work as much as they can in more developing locations such as Ghana, Tanzania and India where they feel a clearer need for international volunteers. Therefore we recommend participants to potentially sign up to volunteer for a shorter period to allow the chance to potentially travel as part of their experience and if the volunteer project is of particular importance then to perhaps consider a more high impact location.

 

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Resources – On the teach English in Bali project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Bali runs from Monday-Thursday and weekends are free (Friday-Sunday). You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Bali Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Bali. We offer the Gili Paradise Island Trip along with the Ubud Trip with opportunities running every month.

BALI WILDLIFE RESCUE & ENVIRONMENTAL

Bali wildlife rescue volunteers help to care for a variety of different species of animals as well as working to restore key environments in Bali such as beaches and mangrove forests. Volunteers help enrich and improve the wellbeing of animals at the wildlife rehabilitation centre, get involved in opportunities focusing on environmental sustainability, plastic pollution and increasing awareness in the local communities.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE WILDLIFE PROGRAM

Indonesia is home to hundreds of different species of animals, many of which find themselves dispersed by deforestation whilst the country expands its exporting of goods, such as palm oil and rubber. As a result, there are now seven centres in the whole of the country that rehabilitate and care for these displaced animals.

 

PMGY Bali volunteers will gain great insight and opportunity to join in on the care of these animals at the wildlife centre. In addition, they will also work alongside people who are passionate about teaching and sharing local practices whilst taking care of some of Bali’s vital ecosystems.

 

As a volunteer in Bali you will gain experience across all of our project networks in wildlife and conservation. During your time you will participate in several of the many projects we work in and learn about a wide variety of topics.

 

WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Wildlife Rescue Centre – Within the centre, you will find a range of animals that were victims of poachers and traffickers. The primates and birds looked after have usually been rescued from markets, private homes and businesses where they were kept as pets or for entertainment purposes. This is a huge problem in Indonesia, displacing wild animals from their natural habitats and separating them from their families. Most importantly, these animals need extra care, attention and enrichment in order to improve their well-being and daily lives.

 

The focus here is on the daily care, well-being and rehabilitation of many different species, with the goal to release them back into the wild if they are healthy and equipped with the necessary skills to survive. It is important to note that many of these animals will not make it back into the wild due to the trauma they have experienced and consequently their lack of survival skills. In these cases, we work to maintain the highest quality of life possible for the animal creating enrichment.

 

This wildlife centre is the only one of its kind in the area, therefore the range of animals can be quite wide depending on rescue needs at the time. Animals can be brought to the centre without warning and therefore you will see how they must adapt to provide the best enclosure and space possible for that specific animal. Within the centre you may see Saltwater Crocodile, Sea Eagles, Sun Bear, Starling Birds, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle, Asian Palm Civet, Bear Cat, Palm Cockatoo and more. The Program Fee involved helps provide upkeep and care for these beautiful creatures.

 

Beach Cleans – Did you know a plastic straw takes one minute to manufacture, will be used for ten, before being disregarded and taking hundreds of years to decompose? Millions of plastic straws are found on the beaches of Bali every year and they are just one of the many items that are littered and washed ashore on this island and across national parks every single day.

 

Plastic pollution is becoming a huge problem worldwide and our Bali volunteers aim to fight the battle against this environmental catastrophe. Our team promotes this by hosting regular beach and forest cleans with our volunteers and the local community. Every day, our volunteers visit different areas to collect disregarded items, before correctly disposing and recycling these.

 

The processing of litter and waste in Bali is a developing system. Education on how to dispose of different materials in an efficient and eco friendly way is in the early stages of development in Bali and having volunteers to collect and recycle waste is a great way of leading by example; helping to promote a permanent change in the way they dispose of household waste in their daily lives. In addition, we also work with local people to create an even bigger impact, by educating them about environmental conservation and recycling. Above all, education and awareness is a crucial factor in encouraging a sustainable lifestyle to tackle this global issue.

 

Mangrove Conservation – Mangrove forests are an essential part of our worlds eco system. Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the rising sea levels linked to global warming. These vital plants stabilizes Bali’s coastlines and plays a large role in protecting the island from storm surges.

 

Volunteers work to restore existing mangroves, which have been affected by deforestation, climate change and littering. Our conservation volunteers work directly with the locals to educate the villagers about maintaining ecosystems and environmental conservation. As a result, the knowledge will pass on from generation to generation. Such activities include planting mangroves, cultivating new plants and picking up litter to keep them thriving. This is another important way to raise awareness and support sustainable development across the world during your Bali volunteer program.

 

AREC Centre – This is a developing project which houses some domestic animals in the hope to have them adopted in the future. The land here is also used to grow different types of fruits and vegetables to support the local community and help to educate them on healthier eating and lifestyles. Here you will help to train dogs and ensure they have the means to live a healthy life, create enriching and safe spaces for other animals and learn how to farm numerous plants and natural areas.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

As a wildlife volunteer in Bali, you will rotate across several of the projects and locations we work in, gaining a wide range of insight into the many ways volunteers can make an impact during their time on the program. The daily shifts will vary depending on each project. While on the project you will work alongside other staff members who have years of experience on each project.

 

Transport to and from the projects are included in your Program Fee. The beach cleans are about 20 minutes away by bemo, the mangrove restoration is about an hour away so you will be transported by private car and the wildlife centre is 5 minutes away by bemo.

 

In general, Bali wildlife rescue volunteers are expected to work for around 3-5 hours per day from Monday-Thursday. The activities you will get involved in during your time on the volunteer in Bali projects include:

 

Feeding – These animals are fed based on the species and time of year. For instance, the crocodiles are fed two times a week with things like chicken or duck, while monkeys are fed daily with fruits. You will be able to cut and prepare meals based on the species you are working with and learn about the types of food that are best.

 

Enrichment – Many of these animals are endangered and have come from the loss of their native habitat or poor treatment in the black market. Their displacement often leaves these animals irritable and at times depressed, causing them to have poor eating habits or behaviour. Your time interacting with them and coaching them on things such as eating, foraging, play or social interaction with other animals is imperative. Over time these animals may just learn to trust you and in turn, you could find one of those pretty Parakeets on your forearm.

 

Enclosure Cleaning – These enclosures are made for each animal based on the feedback of the veterinarian during the first assessment. You may find the enclosures to be small, but some animals who are irritable and find it more comfortable to be in smaller spaces. Over time the enclosures will be expanded and eventually, they will be released back into the wild. The crocodiles tend to need the brush cleared back to keep them from being confined to one area, so an example of this upkeep would be cutting the brush back, while the staff keep the crocodile occupied. In the bird enclosures, the branches and chains may need to be replaced and cleaned as they begin to rot. If you are comfortable they will let you clean and make repairs in the enclosure with these beauties flying all around you!

 

Maintenance – The rescue centre is a great place, but with limited funding, it could do with some tender loving care. Volunteers will be asked to help with creating a better atmosphere for the animals by clearing up the grounds. While you are doing a bit of upkeep this can include fixing the hinges on enclosure doors, relining the fencing, adding new gating on the enclosure, repairing the habitats or cleaning the grounds of rubbish and weeds. Beach cleans are an integral part of keeping Bali’s coastlines pristine, you will be collecting and properly disposing trash that litters Bali’s beaches and forests.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING WITH WILDLIFE IN BALI

Major Holiday Destination – With Bali being our most touristy destination we often find that volunteers would like to travel as part of their trip to Indonesia. Being in a more affluent and holiday destination means that our volunteers often do not feel as engaged in the project work as much as they can in more developing locations such as Ghana, Tanzania and India where they feel a clearer need for international volunteers. Therefore we recommend participants to potentially sign up to volunteer for a shorter period to allow the chance to potentially travel as part of their experience and if the volunteer project is of particular importance then to perhaps consider a more high impact location.

 

Alternative Wildlife Programs – The Bali wildlife and environmental program provides an entry level role into conservation activities and an introductory volunteer experience. If you are looking for a short program with a high travel element and a more diluted volunteer role then this project works well for the majority of participants. However, if you are looking for a more focused-volunteer role and want to get more involved in conservation efforts then we would recommend you look at alternative PMGY wildlife projects such as Thailand, Greece or South Africa. We find participants in these locations are able to contribute more, get a lot more from the overall volunteer experience and are still able to travel over the weekends.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Bali runs from Monday-Thursday and weekends are free (Friday-Sunday). You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Bali Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Bali. We offer the Gili Paradise Island Trip along with the Ubud Trip with opportunities running every month.

ITINERARY

You should arrive into Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (airport code HAN) on the selected Wednesday start date.

 

The following itinerary is based on a standard 6-week Real South East Asia Encounter (i.e. 2 weeks per destination). If you opt for the 9 or 12 week options then you will split your time equally across each of the 3-destinations. For example, the 9-week option involves spending 3 weeks across the destinations and the 12 week option involves 4 weeks per destination. The itinerary for the Southeast Asia Gap Year experience will follow a similar format as below.

 

Day 1 (Wednesday) Welcome to Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam! You will be met at Noi Bai International Airport by a driver from our local team, holding a sign with your name on it. They will take you straight to the Volunteer House where you can relax and meet your fellow volunteers. You will also receive your locker key and house key.

 

Should you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, our local coordinators will give you a brief guide of the local area via a neighbourhood tour. If not, you will get the chance to explore the local neighbourhood on Thursday!

 

After getting your bearings, you will have the rest of the day to relax and get to know other volunteers in Vietnam.

Day 2 (Thursday) Orientation Begins in Vietnam

Your orientation as a volunteer in Vietnam will begin on Thursday and will commence until the end of the weekend. The first day (Thursday) will cover all the theoretical aspects, with an insight into the overall program, Vietnamese history, culture and language. The team will go through all the relevant safety protocols. This will include staff contact details, ‘do’s and don’ts’ and advice for staying safe in your free time.

 

You will meet various coordinators across the day who will take different leads during this induction to the program in Vietnam. The rest of this jam-packed day will cover an overview of your volunteer project and useful tips for your placement. The team will talk you through how to deal with potentially challenging situations. This will be ended with a fun and interactive Vietnamese language lesson.

Day 3 (Friday) Orientation Continues in Vietnam

On Friday, your project coordinator will take you to visit your volunteer project and meet the local staff. Today will be a great opportunity for you to get a feel for the program before officially starting on Monday. If you are feeling confident, it may even be possible to begin the project in full on this day!

Day 4-5 (Saturday-Sunday) Hanoi City Tour and Free Time

On Saturday, our local coordinators will take you on a tour of Hanoi. You will get to see some of the best sights this famous city has to offer, whilst learning more about safety and how to use the public transport system.

 

Depending on the day’s schedule, you may get the chance to visit places like the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). Here, you can learn about the philosophy of Confucius, whose principles shape traditional Vietnamese culture. Alternatively, you may spend time exploring the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This museum first opened in 1997 and focuses on the 54 officially recognised ethnic groups that exist in Vietnam. It is recognised as one of the finest modern museums in Vietnam. Across the day, you will also get a chance to visit Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter and the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake – a cultural and social focal point in Hanoi.

 

Sunday is then a free day. Take this time to further explore the local area with fellow volunteers and prepare for your first day of volunteering on Monday.

Day 6-10 (Monday-Friday) Volunteering in Vietnam

Now your volunteering begins! Should you need anything whilst at the project, our local team are only a phone call away. You will see our coordinators throughout the day at the Volunteer House; they are always happy to help. You will also be assigned to a specific coordinator from the team, who will help you settle into your project initially. They will then visit you across each week, and will also be available for advice back at the Volunteer House.

Day 11-12 (Saturday-Sunday) Weekend in Vietnam!

After a hard week of volunteering, it is your time to explore the wonders of Vietnam. Whether you are looking to soak up some culture, relax by the lake or cruise around Ha Long Bay, Vietnam has it all! As a volunteer in Vietnam, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips. There are also set dates across the year in which our local team help to organise trips to Sapa and Ha Long Bay.

 

Day 13-19 (Monday-Sunday) The Following Week

Your next week will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday-Friday. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it. Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

Day 20 (Monday) Goodbye Vietnam - Hello Cambodia!

Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye to Vietnam but get ready for Cambodia! We can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee.

 

Welcome to Cambodia You will be met at Phnom Penh airport by a member of our local team or an appointed driver who will be holding a name sign. The journey to Bakod village will take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Upon arrival at the volunteer in Cambodia accommodation, you will be shown around the volunteer grounds and have your initial introduction with fellow peers.

 

After getting your bearings, you will have the rest of the day to relax and get to know other volunteers in Cambodia. Depending on what time you arrive on Monday, you may be able to observe and get involved in the project, if you are not too tired!

Day 21 (Tuesday) Orientation in Cambodia

Your orientation as a volunteer in Cambodia will usually begin on Tuesday. The local team will teach you about the program setup, ‘dos and don’ts’, the local area and give an idea on what to do on weekends. Your orientation will in Cambodia is quite brisk as it intertwines with a normal project day. It is therefore likely that you will find yourself involved in the day to day of the project from Tuesday onwards. The Tuesday afternoon will therefore provide you with a chance to get your first full taste of how the project works. You will begin to meet your fellow volunteers, local staff and children that attend the projects. Where possible, our team will look to buddy you with another volunteer for your first couple days at the project. However, there can be occasions where volunteers must independently take the lead at the project. Although this can appear a little daunting, our local team are always on hand to support you. It doesn’t take long for volunteers in Cambodia to get to grips with the project life!

 

You can also have the chance to pop into a local town, around 7km away from the project. Here, you will have the chance to visit the local market, go to the ATM, buy a local phone or SIM-card and visit the convenience stores. The cost of a tuk-tuk into town is usually 8 USD. The price of this can be shared between those catching the tuk-tuk at the time.

Day 22-24 (Wednesday-Friday) Volunteering Begins in Cambodia

You will start your work as a volunteer in Cambodia more formally on Wednesday. Depending on the number of volunteers at the time, our team will try and buddy you up with other participants whilst you settle into the program. Should you need anything whilst at the project, remember our local team are only a phone call away! However, members of the team can always be found walking around or assisting at the project, meaning that there will always be someone on hand to help!

 

Across the evenings, volunteers in Cambodia will often relax around the dinner table, play games, or perhaps organise movie and quiz nights. There is also a local cafe for volunteers to pop to for a change of scenery.

Day 25-26 (Saturday-Sunday) Weekend in Cambodia!

Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend by the beach, some adventure activities, or a more cultural experience – Cambodia has it all! As a volunteer in Cambodia, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips.

Day 27-32 (Monday-Saturday) The Following Week

Your next week will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday-Friday. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it. Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

Day 33 (Sunday) Goodbye Cambodia - Hello Bali!

Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye to Cambodia but get ready for Bali! We can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee.

 

Welcome to Bali! You will be met at Ngurah Rai Airport by a member of our local team who will be holding a name sign. The journey to Tabanan will take up to 2 hours, depending on traffic. You will have the rest of the day to relax and get to know your fellow volunteers.

Day 34 (Monday) Orientation in Bali

Your orientation as a volunteer in Bali will begin on Monday. The local team will start the day by teaching you about life in Bali, the “dos and don’ts”, the local culture and religion.

 

Your orientation will continue with an introduction to the local language and safety advice whilst you volunteer in Bali. Our team will also talk through all the projects we support in the community. After lunch, you will visit the local Subak museum. Your tour here will offer you the chance to learn more about traditional Balinese agriculture.

 

Later in the day, our team will conduct a local tour of the area. Your coordinator will teach you how to locate every essential you may need during your time as a volunteer in Bali. From the nearest supermarket, ATM, and even a bakery, you will become an expert in the local area. You will have your first glance of a traditional Balinese market, and the chance to also get a local SIM-card.

 

Your evening is free to relax, catch up on sleep, and get to know your fellow volunteers. You may even start preparing for your volunteer in Bali placement.

Day 35-37 (Tuesday-Thursday) Volunteering Begins in Bali

You will start your volunteer work in Bali on Tuesday morning. Should you need anything whilst at the project, remember our local team are only a phone call away. You will see our coordinator throughout the day at the Volunteer House and they are always happy to help.

Day 38-40 (Friday-Sunday) Weekend in Bali!

The weekend is your time to explore the wonders of Bali. Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend by the beach in Canggu, some adventure activities, or a more cultural experience in Ubud – Bali has it all. As a volunteer in Bali, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips. There are also set dates across the year in which our local team run structured trips on a Gili Island and Ubud & Mountain weekend trip.

Day 41-45 (Monday-Friday) The Following Week

Your next week will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday-Thursday. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it. Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

 

Friday will be a free day for you. Take the time to travel one final time on your Real South East Asia Encounter! Alternatively, stay local and pick up some last-minute souvenirs!

Day 46 (Saturday) Last Day

Saturday is your last day in Bali and on the Southeast Asia Gap Year experience. If you are heading home then we can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee.

* This itinerary is subject to change as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

CHOOSING A VOLUNTEER TRIP

Can people from outside of the UK or USA volunteer with PMGY?

Of course! Although PMGY was founded in the UK, with offices now extending between the UK and US, we welcome participants of all nationalities onto our programs. Within the last decade, we have hosted tens of thousands of volunteers from across the globe. From France to Italy, Mexico to India, Namibia to Russia and Ireland to China – these are only a handful of the countries volunteers have joined us from! We want everyone from across the world to have an equal opportunity at experiencing a different perspective on life, and make friends across the world.

Why are PMGY’s fees so much more affordable than other organisations?

The PMGY International Team works hard to ensure that our fees are kept as low as possible. Consequently, this makes our experiences affordable and accessible without sacrificing the safety and quality of the overall experience.

 

Registration Fees to join our programs are assigned to the high levels of comprehensive support that we are renowned for. This includes telephone and online support staff available 24 hours each day, as well as detailed hand-guides and interactive webinars. Therefore, the remaining Program Fees to join the program go directly to our in-country teams, covering everything for your time volunteering. In general, these fees are reflected in your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country support and project upkeep during your time abroad. Furthermore, we make sure our fees are transparent, which is something our volunteers really appreciate.

 

Similar organisations offer fancy brochures, run large high-street offices and are usually owned by larger travel organisations with many shareholders. As a result, participants are charged an extremely high price to cover all of these overheads. Therefore, at PMGY, we have embraced the online age by focusing everything around an online presence. We have done away with out-dated brochures, an unnecessary high street presence and we are an independent organisation without any outside financial interests.

What are the requirements to join the Real South East Asia Encounter?

PMGY welcomes Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers of all nationalities, religions and backgrounds. The minimum age to join the program is 18 and there is no upper age limit. Furthermore, all volunteers need to have a good level of English, although it does not need to be your first language. Of course, you do not need to speak the local dialects. However, you will find that learning a few local words in each destination in your days with us will go a long way.

 

As a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, you must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. Thus, we are unable to accept anyone who has any previous criminal convictions. In general, no formal experience or qualifications are required for the projects, just lots of energy, enthusiasm and preparation! However, medical and healthcare projects usually require additional documentation before participation begins in-country.

 

Volunteering overseas can be both physically and mentally challenging. Therefore, all participants must be fit in both areas. Consequently, if you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas, then these must be declared to us during your online application. If you have any queries regarding your suitability to participate, we recommend that you contact us before committing to the program.

What are the Real South East Asia Encounter volunteer program start dates?

The program start dates as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer are as follows –

 

4th January 2023
1st February 2023
1st March 2023
5th April 2023
3rd May 2023
7th June 2023
5th July 2023
2nd August 2023
6th September 2023
4th October 2023
1st November 2023
5th December 2023

 

3rd January 2024
21st February 2024
6th March 2024
3rd April 2024
1st May 2024
5th June 2024
3rd July 2024
7th August 2024
4th September 2024
2nd October 2024
6th November 2024
4th December 2024

What date should I arrive and leave the Real South East Asia Encounter?

For your Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer trip, you should book your flights to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on the Wednesday start date. The airport code is HAN. You will be met at the airport by a member of the local team or an appointed driver, who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure.

 

The program ends in Bali on the Saturday of your final week. Therefore, you must depart the accommodation on this day. As a result, your final flight as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer should depart from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. The airport code is DPS.

When is the best time of year to join the Real South East Asia Encounter?

Feedback from Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers often suggests that it is best to join a PMGY project outside the European summer months. This is since June-August tends to be when we have peak numbers at each of our projects and volunteer accommodations. Conversely, outside of these months, there is typically the greatest opportunity to become fully immersed in the project and within the local community.

Are there any age restrictions on the Real South East Asia Encounter?

In order to join as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, you need to be at least 18 on the program start date. Typically we find 75% of PMGY volunteers are aged between 18-22 years old.

 

There is no upper age limit to our programs, and in the past, we have hosted participants up to the age of 70-years old. Whilst we have found that our more mature participants get a lot from the experience, at times individuals have found it more challenging to integrate with a younger crowd. Furthermore, some participants have perhaps expected a higher level of accommodation, the structure within the local community, and general overall communication at the project setup. Consequently, whilst we welcome volunteers of all ages, we stress that all participants should remain open-minded and flexible. Additionally, participants must appreciate that the majority of our participants are across the 18-22 age range.

When should I apply to be a Real South East Asia Encounter volunteer?

For the majority of our programs, you can apply at any time. However, we advise that you apply as soon as possible to ensure we have availability on the program. This is since some of our programs only have limited capacity, meaning that spaces get filled very quickly. Therefore, it is particularly important that you apply in good time if you’re looking to travel between our peak period of June and August. This is because spaces can fill up very quickly during this period. Furthermore, please only apply if you are 100% committed to joining the program. You need to apply online by locating the “Apply Now” button on the individual project page. This will guide you through our online Application Process.

 

Indeed, once you have applied and confirmed your place on the program, it may be possible to change your start dates and this will not incur a fee. However, please note that this will be subject to availability and any changes should be made at least 60 days prior to your start date.

Can I volunteer abroad with my friend/parent/boyfriend/girlfriend?

You’re more than welcome to travel and volunteer with friends, family members or with a boyfriend/girlfriend. If required, we can make sure that you stay in the same accommodation and volunteer for the same project. However, please note the majority of our volunteer accommodation is on a single-sex basis. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that you would be able to be placed in the same room.

 

Please outline in the ‘Special Requirements’ box of your online application if you’d like to make sure you’re placed alongside another applicant/s.

Is it safe to travel to PMGY destinations?

Although our volunteers work in the developing world, we work hard to ensure that our host locations are safe. Firstly, volunteer safety in each of our destinations is monitored regularly. Each of our volunteer programs has been inspected by a member of the PMGY International Team. Additionally, PMGY closely follows advice published by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Alongside the frequent contact we have with our local teams, we are able to ensure that our volunteers are never placed in unstable or unsafe regions.

 

The PMGY International Team have visited and participated in every program we offer. Thus, we have carefully inspected every little detail of our set-up, from the living conditions to local neighbourhoods and even the food you’ll be eating. Through these checks, we are able to ensure that all of our projects are up to scratch. Furthermore, all of our local teams are experienced development professionals, with years of experience hosting international volunteers. They are PMGY’s representatives on the ground and assist volunteers 24/7 throughout their stay. Our teams are therefore always on-hand to assist in any emergencies that may occur. Additionally, our 24 hour international emergency telephone line is always accessible. PMGY’s in-country staff also have access to local medical professionals should these be required during a participant’s time with us.

 

When you join as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, we will send you a Volunteer Handbook. This document addresses a range of issues such as health, safety, visas and dress codes. For any unanswered or specific questions, PMGY offers a comprehensive support network, with online and telephone support staff available 24 hours each day. Our advisers welcome participants to ask as many questions as needed for them to effectively prepare for their trip overseas. On a monthly basis, our International Team also hosts both an Introductory Webinar and Safety Webinar. These are interactive opportunities for international volunteers to learn more about our projects and managing their safety overseas.

 

When you arrive in-country, you’ll be given a comprehensive introduction to the general volunteer program and your specific project. During this session, our team will also cover important safety advice specific to your country. You’ll also be given the opportunity to purchase a local SIM-card. This is something we strongly suggest, so you’re contactable at all times. In like manner, we will provide you with a full list of the important contact numbers that you’ll need to know.

 

Although we cannot guarantee your volunteer experience to be 100% trouble-free we have taken all the necessary precautions to make sure each program is as safe as possible.

When do I pay for my volunteer program? Can I pay in instalments?

In order to confirm your place as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, you need to pay a deposit of 249 USD
. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated free of charge. If you’re applying within 60 days of your program start date then you’ll need to pay the full amount to confirm your place. Likewise, in the unlikely event that we are unable to offer you a place on the program then your payment will be refunded in full within 48 hours of applying.

 

Payments made in advance of the 45 day window can be made in one lump sum or in several instalments. Payments can be made directly through our website using all major debit and credit cards. We will outline instructions to make payment in our email communication with you. Please note credit card payments are subject to a 5% additional fee to cover the bank charges that PMGY incur. Bank transfers can be accepted by UK participants only.

Can I use the program as part of a university or college placement?

It is certainly possible to be a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer as part of your university or college placement. However, PMGY is unable to guarantee that your time as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer will fulfil the requirements of your establishment. Therefore, participants are encouraged to speak to a member of the International Team to establish whether the required parameters can be met. This should be done in advance of applying to the program. When appropriate, school/college/university representatives are welcome to contact PMGY to discuss further the suitability of the program in meeting the participant’s requirements.

 

First of all, the PMGY International Team are able to complete paperwork after a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer has confirmed their place on the program. Additionally, project staff in each destination can also sign-off any paperwork that is required by your course tutors. However, while our team will do their best to complete any paperwork, we are unable to guarantee that we will be able to comply with every learning objective and requirement or your university/college. PMGY regularly receives medical, nursing, childcare and psychology placement students on our projects globally, with ties with some leading universities.

 

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of PMGY’s programs could meet the placement requirements for your course, please contact us directly to schedule a meeting.

BEFORE YOU DEPART

Do you offer an online TEFL course?

For PMGY Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers, the only real ‘qualifications’ you need are bags of energy, commitment and enthusiasm. However, if you have chosen an English teaching volunteer program in one of your destinations and would like a chance to do some preparation work before you hit the classroom, we’ve got the perfect introductory online TEFL course for English language teaching abroad.

 

At only 60 hours and completed online, this course is obviously hugely convenient. The course can be done in your own time, at your own pace and you don’t even need to leave the house! You have got a whopping 75 days to complete the course, so there is no rush and you can fit it in when you can. Obviously, an hour here and there certainly adds up. Therefore there really is no pressure.

 

Once completed, you’ll not only have acquired key skills for teaching English abroad but also an internationally accredited certificate. If you find that teaching really is your calling, this course can be built upon with more modules in the future. There are 5 modules to this 60 hour course, covering aspects including ‘The Roles of the Teacher’ and ‘Lesson Planning’.

 

The cost of the course is 150 USD. If you’ve already signed up for one of our programs and would like to enrol on the online TEFL course then please contact us.

Can I fundraise for my volunteer trip?

With PMGY, the money our volunteers pay goes towards the structure you receive on the Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer program. The fundamentals of this cover aspects such as accommodation, airport pick-ups, around the clock support from our international and in-country teams, pre-departure training as well as the implementation and monitoring of the projects.

 

We do our best to keep our program costs as low and affordable as possible, without sacrificing quality and safety. However, with flights, travel insurance and spending money to factor into your overall budget, you may find you need a little bit of help with the finances. Consequently, a large number of PMGY volunteers decide to fundraise for their trip. In these instances, we recommend that Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers set up an online fundraising page to notify friends and family of your trip.

 

PMGY have partnered with the online crowdfunding website GoGetFunding for volunteers to create a personalised fundraising page for their trip. This professional online fundraising service allows you to set financial goals and get the message across about what you’re doing. You can also share your PMGY fundraising page across various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word.

Can I raise money for the projects?

The PMGY Foundation is a UK registered charity (1169415). This charity has been created to help provide financial aid and assistance to projects we work with on an ongoing basis. Importantly, the objective of the PMGY Foundation is the prevention or relief of poverty for people living in the communities we support. This is achieved by providing or assisting the provision of education, training, healthcare and general living support. Therefore together, we hope that the support offered by the PMGY Foundation helps to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient. Consequently, donations made to the PMGY Foundation will be directed to the projects most in need. This is determined by the trustees of the charity during our International Team overseas visits.

 

If you are looking to help raise money directly for the PMGY Foundation, you can do so via our Virgin Money Giving fundraising page. 100% of all money raised will be donated directly to the projects we support around the world. However, please note that participants are unable to raise money through the PMGY Foundation to help finance the cost of their trip overseas. For Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers looking for further information on how to raise money for their trip abroad, please visit our fundraising page.

How do I register for your online webinars?

Every Tuesday at 4pm (London time), the PMGY International Team hosts one of four pre-departure webinars. These last approximately 45 minutes each and importantly provide Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers with invaluable advice on their upcoming trip. The webinars are hosted by a member of our International Team, who all have extensive knowledge of our projects around the globe. You can attend (and even ask questions) from anywhere in the world, simply by logging in through your own computer. All you need is a computer, a good internet connection and a pair of headphones. In addition to this, if any family or friends would like to attend the session as well, they are more than welcome to do so.

 

For individuals who have not yet signed up to one of our programs, but would like to learn more about us, we encourage you to join our Introductory Webinar. Across 45 minutes, a member of the International team will introduce you to the concept of volunteering abroad, our destinations and both social and safety aspects of our programs.

 

For Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers who have already confirmed their volunteering role on the program, there are three for you to choose from. Please note that you need to sign up for the webinar a few days in advance.

 

Travel Essentials Pre-Departure Webinar – covers all the basics.

 

Program Preparation Webinar – covers specifically childcare and teaching community work programs.

 

Safety & Wellbeing Overseas Webinar – covers the risks associated with overseas travel and how you can keep as safe as possible.

Will I require vaccinations and malaria tablets for my volunteer work?

It is possible that as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer you may require a course of vaccinations in preparation for your volunteer work. However, unfortunately, PMGY is unable to legally advise on these matters, since we are not medical experts. Therefore, it is vital that you contact your local doctor or travel clinic a few months in advance of your intended travel. Your local doctor/nurse will be able to advise you on vaccinations and malaria prevention you may need for entry into your volunteer destination. Additional information can be found on the NHS Fit For Travel website.

How do I arrange my flights to join the Real South East Asia Encounter?

When you apply to be a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, we cannot guarantee your place on the program immediately. Indeed, on receiving an application, we have to liaise with our local team to ensure there is space available on the program and to assess your suitability for the specific project. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not make any flight and/or travel arrangements until your program has been confirmed by us in writing. Of course, once your place as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer has been confirmed, you are then free to book your flights either with PMGY or through a third-party travel agent.

 

After confirming your place on a PMGY volunteer program, we strongly advise that you book your flights as early as possible. This is since it will help ensure that you get the lowest airfare. You can choose to book your flights independently or we can help you with arranging them. PMGY has a wealth of experience in travelling to and from our host countries. Therefore, we know the most affordable ways to travel and the best airlines to use. Therefore, if you would like any assistance booking your flight, you can request an optional flight quote during your online application. Alternatively, feel free to contact us on the phone or by email.

Do you offer travel insurance?

Importantly, having an appropriate travel insurance policy during your time abroad is essential. Therefore, it is mandatory for all of our international volunteers to be appropriately covered across all of their trip dates. This includes your travel to and from the host country, as well as any onward travel. Although PMGY does everything to ensure your trip is safe, inevitably things can go wrong. Therefore, having a travel insurance policy in place helps you effectively deal with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

 

We have partnered up with the insurance company battleface to create an affordable and comprehensive optional policy. This has been designed with our international volunteers in mind, to cover our participants for all of their travel essentials. The policy is available to anyone across the globe, up to the age of 65 years. The document will cover you for your time on any PMGY destination and any onward travel (excluding the US and Canada). You can purchase PMGY Travel Insurance during your online application or you can contact us directly to arrange it.

How do I obtain a background check?

To become a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, you’ll need to provide us with a clean DBS or Police Check before you travel. This is a check that must be issued by an official Governmental or Police Body. PMGY have a commitment to the projects we support to ensure the volunteers we send are trustworthy and of sound moral character. Consequently, we are unable to accept participants who have had any previous criminal convictions.

 

If you hold a current DBS or Police Check, then we can accept this, providing it is clear and issued no more than 18 months prior to your program start date. You will need to upload a copy of this to your online portal after confirming your place on the program. Furthermore, the DBS or Police Check must be submitted to us no less than 21 days prior to your program start date.

 

If you don’t have a valid DBS check, then you will need to apply for one. UK volunteers need to apply for a “Basic Disclosure” through Gov.uk (which serves all people in the UK). This costs 23 GBP and takes around 15 working days to process. Full information on how to obtain a DBS check through Gov.uk is outlined in the Volunteer Handbook, received once you have confirmed your place as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer.

 

For Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers from the US, you can apply for a background check through Sentry Link. It costs 19.95 USD and is usually processed immediately. Alternatively, you are welcome to arrange your own background check through your local Sheriff’s Office or governmental body.

 

For all other international participants, we recommend you obtain a Police/Criminal Background Check through your local police station or official governmental body.

When will I receive my Volunteer Handbook?

All Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers will receive a PMGY Volunteer Handbook for each destination they join us in once they have paid their deposit and confirmed their place on the program. We will send you an email entitled ‘Welcome to PMGY’ which will include a link where you can download the Volunteer Handbooks. Please note that we do not send a hard copy of the PMGY Volunteer Handbook.

 

Each Handbook contains everything you need to know to prepare for each of your destinations as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer. Ranging from what to pack to how to obtain a visa, we do our best to ensure you are ready to hit the ground running. Therefore, it is really important that you read through the Volunteer Handbooks for each destination carefully once you’ve downloaded it. If you find any of your questions unanswered after reading through this, then our team are always on hand to assist you. You can contact us via email, telephone, Zoom, Facebook, online chat…whatever works best for you!

ON YOUR TRIP

Can I arrange a private room?

All of our accommodation options on the Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer program involve sharing a room with other participants (usually same-sex). Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange private room options for our Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteers.

Can you cater for my dietary requirements?

Our teams will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements. However, this cannot be guaranteed as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer. Consequently, there may be instances where you need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense. Any dietary requirements should be noted within your application and re-iterated to the local team on arrival into the country. Importantly, any concerns for major requirements should be raised with the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.

Are there any public holidays that affect project availability?

We aim to communicate as clearly and accurately as possible all holidays that impact project availability. This information can be found via our Holiday Dates page and in the Volunteer Handbook. However, due to the nature of developing countries, holidays can often be sporadic or prone to change. In turn, these can unexpectedly affect project availability. Therefore in such instances, we ask our volunteers to be flexible and appreciative of this. These periods often provide volunteers with a unique experience to enjoy the festivities and holidays themselves. However, our local teams will always do their best to find alternative project work if applicable/possible.

What is the dress code at the projects?

Dress code varies from country-to-country and sometimes from project-to-project. Importantly, we ask that our volunteers adopt a smart and responsible image during their time in the communities. Of course, we will outline the specific dress code requirements in your Volunteer Handbook so you know exactly what to pack. In addition to this, our local team will also brief you during your in-country orientation on arrival in each of your destinations.

 

The general rule of thumb for girls is to cover shoulders, chest, stomach and thighs. In a like matter, for men, shorts should not lie above the knee and shirts should cover shoulders. Whilst we do not wish to impose strict regulations on our volunteers, we do ask that you respect the local culture during your travels. Moreover, dressing appropriately will earn you the respect of the people you’ll be working with. Therefore, our Volunteer Handbooks, outline preferred dress-codes in detail.

 

Additionally, it’s also a good idea to take some nicer clothes for the weekends and special occasions. However, please avoid tight and very short clothing. You should also avoid clothing that may have potentially offensive slogans on it. Tattoos and piercings should be covered where possible whilst you’re at your placement, particularly if you’re working with children.

How much spending money will I need?

The amount of extra spending money you should take with you as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer can depend on a multitude of factors. Considerations include what you undertake during your free time and how many souvenirs you purchase! Therefore, if you plan to go for a safari in Tanzania or perhaps go trekking in South Africa, you will need to budget accordingly. However, for general expenses and some independent travel, you should find 100-150 USD per week a suitable amount.

Will I be able to travel whilst on the program?

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel during your time with PMGY. In fact, we encourage you to travel during your free time! Most of our programs have been designed so that you have weekends off. Therefore, this gives you the opportunity to explore the local area or even travel further afield within your host country. Our local coordinators will provide you with all the weekend opportunities and travel tips you need to help you plan any independent adventures. During your time as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer, you are sure to make some travel buddies along the way!

 

Before booking your flights, we recommend that you look into travel opportunities across dates on either side of your volunteering placement. It is always great to spend some time travelling and seeing more of the country you wish to volunteer in. However, if you plan to travel extensively, please factor this into your flight itinerary. This is since we only encourage travel during weekends while you’re volunteering, as you have made a commitment as a Southeast Asia Gap Year experience volunteer.

ACCOMMODATION

VIETNAM

Volunteer House

 

On the Vietnam volunteer program, you will live in our Volunteer House. Our accommodation is based within a quiet and friendly neighbourhood of Hanoi, approximately a 45 minute bus journey from the Old Quarter of Hanoi (the main tourist area). There are a number of restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs only a walk from the Volunteer House. Our Vietnam volunteer programs are also located in various locations around the city.

 

As a volunteer in Vietnam, you will be living with other international volunteers. The Volunteer House is large, basic but comfortable. Bedrooms conform to a single-sex dorm-style setup, with up to 8 people per room. Air-conditioning is available in each room and individuals will be provided with the bed linen. During the winter months, participants are recommended to bring additional bedding, such as a sleeping bag. Each bedroom in the Volunteer House has its own shared bathroom, with a western-style toilet and shower. Hot water at the accommodation is provided in the winter months only. There is some, but limited hanging space in each room.

 

There is free Wi-Fi within certain areas of the house, including the main communal area. This can be intermittent, therefore volunteers in Vietnam are also recommended to purchase a local SIM card in-country to use with an unlocked mobile phone. There is a large designated communal area within the Volunteer House where volunteers can relax and socialise. Within the accommodation, there are two washing machines that can be used free of charge, and participants can purchase detergent cheaply from shops nearby. Alternatively, there are laundry services around the neighbourhood, available for a reasonable price.

 

Each volunteer will be provided with a locker to keep valuable items. Volunteers are asked to pay a deposit of 50,000 VND or 5 USD for the locker key which can be reclaimed at the end of your program. However, volunteers are encouraged to only bring essential items during their volunteer work in Vietnam. There is fridge space within the accommodation for volunteers to cool items they need to keep chilled. Please note that power cuts are fairly commonplace in India although they tend not to last more than a couple of hours.

 

In our main Volunteer House, our local team have an office on the ground floor. This makes for a great atmosphere and ensures that volunteers are well supported throughout their stay. Each volunteer is provided with a house key (subject to a deposit of 5 USD) so the house is accessible at all time and to ensure general volunteer safety. We also have a member of staff (usually a nanny or an intern from the local team) present in the house overnight. Please note if you arrive late in the evening on the arrival day at our Volunteer House, it is likely our local team will not be present and you will meet them the following day.

 

Most of our volunteer projects in Vietnam are not within walking distance of the Volunteer House. In these cases, you will need to travel to and from the volunteer placement each day. The local team will introduce you to different options during your orientation. Most participants will reach their project via public bus. The cost of a bus pass for the volunteer project is covered in your Program Fee.

 

During our busiest months you may be placed at alternative accommodation. For instance, you could be placed in one of our secondary Volunteer Houses.

CAMBODIA

Volunteer House

 

On the Cambodia volunteer program, you will live on our Volunteer House. Our accommodation is based in the remote village of Bakod, around a 20 minute tuk-tuk ride from Takeo. In Takeo, you will find local restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs. Our main volunteer projects in Cambodia are based on the same site as the Volunteer House. You’ll be living and working with other international volunteers from around the world.

 

The volunteer accommodation is very basic. Bedrooms usually conform to a single-sex dorm-style setup, with up to 16 people per room. Within each room are fans, and each bed will have its own mosquito nets. Bathrooms at the volunteer accommodation are communal. There is no hot water, however, this shouldn’t be a problem as Cambodia is hot and humid all-year-round! The bathrooms are separate from the volunteer bedrooms.

 

There is Wi-Fi within the accommodation but it can often be intermittent and unstable. Volunteers are recommended purchasing a local SIM card in-country to use with an unlocked mobile phone. There are several communal areas across the accommodation where volunteers in Cambodia can relax and socialise. There is also a small cafe just offsite of the accommodation. There is a local laundry service available, with a cost per person usually only a couple of dollars. Alternatively, hand-washing can be performed on-site of the volunteer accommodation. Each volunteer is provided with a trunk to place their items. These trunks can be locked, and volunteers should bring a small padlock for these. Alternatively, valuables can be stored with our local team in their private area. Volunteers are advised to note that cupboard space is not available within the dorm. Please note that the accommodation volunteers live in is within very close proximity to a lot of animals, including dogs, cats, cows and chickens.

 

The Volunteer House is located on the same campus where our local coordinators live. Although volunteers have their own private space there is still the security of living next to our local team who can assist you if need be. It is also a great way to learn more about Cambodian culture and practise your new-found language skills! Most of our volunteer work in Cambodia is also based on the same grounds as the volunteer accommodation. If you are based in our second volunteer project location, our local team will transport you to and from the project each day. The cost of this service is included in your Program Fee. Transport to our volunteering opportunities in Cambodia may be via tuk-tuk or mini-van.

 

During our busiest months you may be placed at alternative accommodation. For instance, you could be placed in one of our secondary Volunteer Houses.

BALI

Volunteer House

 

During your time on the Bali volunteer program you will live in one of our Volunteer Houses, which are located in Tabanan. Here you will find local restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs. Tabanan is a more traditional town, so you won’t find many other tourists around. You’ll be living with other PMGY volunteers from around the world, so you’ll make plenty of friends along the way.

 

The accommodation is basic but comfortable with free Wi-Fi. Each room has bunk beds with up to 8 people per room in same-sex rooms. Volunteers are provided with air conditioning in the room and their own mosquito net or curtains (to avoid the mosquitos) and bed linen. Bathrooms are shared, with a shower and western style toilet. The water is often cold, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you volunteer in Bali, as the climate is hot and humid all year round!

 

We encourage you to bring some small padlocks and/or store any valuables within the lockers provided within the volunteer accommodation, however, volunteers are encouraged to only bring essential items during their volunteer work in Bali. There will also be fridge space available for volunteers to store any items they need to keep chilled.

 

International volunteers have several communal spaces to relax, hang out with new friends or prepare lesson plans if you are teaching English.

 

The Volunteer House is located right next to where our local team live. Although volunteers have their own private space there is still the security of living next to our host family who can assist you if need be. It is also a great way to learn more about Balinese culture, get immersed in the local community and practise your new-found language skills!

 

Some of our projects are within walking distance of our Volunteer House and some are not. PMGY will take you to and from your volunteer placement each day if it is not within walking distance, via minivan or private car, and the cost of this service is included in your Program Fee.

 

Please note during our busier times of the year we will be running multiple accommodation sites all of which are located in Tabanan. All the Volunteer Houses will provide the core features you would expect but will all have small differences in terms of location, amenities, capacity etc. Due to the popularity of our Bali programs we are unable to take specific requests in terms of the exact property you will be staying in and you are assigned a house on arrival. We are always able to accommodate friends and small groups in the same accommodation.

MEALS

VIETNAM

During your volunteer trip to Vietnam, you will be provided with three meals per day. Meals will be traditional Vietnamese dishes – this means a lot of rice! All food will be nutritious and freshly cooked. Free drinking water is available 24/7.

 

For breakfast, you can expect fruit toast and tea/coffee. Some of the volunteer opportunities will provide you with lunch. In other cases, participants will either eat at the Volunteer House or take lunch at a nearby cafe. In the latter circumstance, the local team will reimburse you up to 40,000 VND. When lunch is taken at the Volunteer house, the dish is usually always a Vietnamese dish, which will include soup, rice, vegetables and sometimes meat or fish.

 

Dinner is served at the Volunteer House. Generally speaking, meals are served in the early evenings and usually divided into equal portions by the nannies to ensure everyone gets an equal amount. You can expect a variety of dishes, so there will be always something to suit even the fussiest eaters! A typical meal will have pork, fish, beef or chicken and tofu or egg and at least two different kinds of vegetable dishes, along with rice and soup. On an ad-hoc basis, our team also serve a western meal – our volunteers always appreciate this.

 

If you fancy eating out there are plenty of cafes and local amenities in the surrounding area or you can take a bus or taxi into the main tourist area, the Old Quarter, in the city of Hanoi.

 

Here is an example of the meals you can expect:

* Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements. However, this cannot be guaranteed. This means that there may be instances where you need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense. Any dietary requirements should be noted within your application and re-iterated to the local team on arrival into the country. Any concerns for major requirements should be raised with the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.

CAMBODIA

During your volunteer trip to Cambodia, you will be served with breakfast and dinner from Monday-Friday at the volunteer accommodation. For breakfast, you’ll be provided with toast, eggs, jam, noodles, coffee, tea. In the evening you will be provided with a traditional Cambodian dish with the odd western meal. Filtered drinking water is available free of charge for you to help yourself as you please.

 

You will need to purchase your own lunch during your time on the Cambodia volunteer project. Volunteers will usually head into town/the local market a couple of times a week and stock up on lunch supplies such as noodles, pasta or snacks to bring back and store at the accommodation. Alternatively, a few meals can be prepared at the accommodation and purchased at a small fee. Some food is also available from the local cafe just off-site of the accommodation.

 

Across the weekend, you are welcome to stay at the volunteer accommodation. However, you are asked to note that during this time, local staff may not be available on site. This means that no meals will be provided across these days. Meals will need to, therefore, be prepared/purchased at a volunteer’s own expense. However, in most cases, volunteers will travel across this time anyhow.

 

Here is an example of the meals you can expect:

* Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements. However, this cannot be guaranteed. This means that there may be instances where you need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense. Any dietary requirements should be noted within your application and re-iterated to the local team on arrival into the country. Any concerns for major requirements should be raised with the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.

BALI

During your volunteer trip to Bali, you will be provided with three freshly prepared meals per day. Most meals are traditional Indonesian dishes that can be typically quite spicy. Balinese cuisine consists of a lot of rice and the meat is mainly fish or chicken – vegetarian options are always available.

 

There is a large choice of restaurants and local warungs (authentic, local food stalls) in Tabanan. The food on offer is traditional Balinese cuisine – typically amazing and mainly vegetarian! There may also be a western option served once or twice every week and there are restaurants serving western food available around a 20 minute walk from the Volunteer House.

 

Here is an example of the meals you can expect:

* Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements. However, this cannot be guaranteed. This means that there may be instances where you need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense. Any dietary requirements should be noted within your application and re-iterated to the local team on arrival into the country. Any concerns for major requirements should be raised with the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.

FEES INVOLVED

DURATION

PROGRAM FEE

REGISTRATION FEE

TOTAL

6 weeks
1,770 USD
249 USD
2,019 USD
9 weeks
2,325 USD
249 USD
2,574 USD
12 weeks
2,580 USD
249 USD
2,829 USD

* These fees apply to each individual application.

 

In order to apply to join PMGY you are required to make your Registration Fee payment of 249 USD. In the unlikely event that we are unable to offer you a place on the program then your Registration Fee will be refunded in full within 48 hours of applying. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated for an admin fee of 60 USD. Please note any changes will be subject to availability.

 

If you’re applying within 60 days of your program start date then you’ll need to pay the full amount to confirm your place. Likewise, in the unlikely event that we are unable to offer you a place on the program then your payment will be refunded in full within 48 hours of applying.

 

Any remaining payments must be made no less than 60 days prior to your start date. This payment can be made in one lump sum or in several instalments. If you chose to take our insurance or book a flight with PMGY then these must be paid for (in full) at the time of booking.

 

Payments can be made directly through our website using all major debit and credit cards. We will outline instructions to make payment in our email communication with you. Please note credit card payments are subject to a 5% additional fee to cover the bank charges that PMGY incur.

 
 

OPTIONAL TRIPLE CARBON OFFSET SCHEME - 55 USD

PMGY provide participants with the opportunity to contribute towards our Triple Carbon Offset Scheme. This not only helps eliminate your carbon footprint but helps the planet with a positive contribution every time you fly. The Triple Offset Idea for volunteers works as follows -

 

🇰🇪 Kenya - 70 mango trees are planted in Kenya. These are capable of absorbing the total carbon emissions for a volunteer trip to South East Asia and also help provide a sustainable income for local farmers.

 

🇮🇳 India - 80 days of access to a solar cooker are provided to a family in India. This means the family don't have to spend on firewood and thus reduce their dependence on trees.

 

🇺🇸 USA - 1.25kg of rescued meals are provided to the homeless in the USA. This recycles wasted food reduces methane emission from food waste which is equivalent to 1lb of CO2 emissions.

 

This optional add-on can be added during the online application process or can even be added on at a later date. The offset platform is provided by our charity, the PMGY Foundation and ensures that 100% of contributions are put towards high impact projects around the world.

VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH EAST ASIA REVIEWS

COSTS INVOLVED

WHAT'S INCLUDED

PROGRAM FEE

  • ACCOMMODATION YES
  • VIETNAM MEALS (B, L & D) YES
  • CAMBODIA MEALS (B & D) YES
  • BALI MEALS (B, L & D) YES
  • AIRPORT PICK UPSYES
  • IN-COUNTRY ORIENTATIONSYES
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO PROJECT (VIET)YES
  • PRIVATE TRANSPORT TO PROJECT (BALI)YES
  • 24 HOUR IN-COUNTRY SUPPORTYES

REGISTRATION FEE

  • 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SUPPORT YES
  • DEDICATED PMGY TRAVEL MENTOR YES
  • EMAIL & TELEPHONE SUPPORT YES
  • VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK YES
  • LIVE PRE-DEPARTURE WEBINARS YES
  • 100% FINANCIAL PROTECTIONYES
  • REGULAR PROGRAM INSPECTION YES
  • CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETIONYES

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • CAMBODIA LUNCHNO
  • FLIGHTSNO
  • TRAVEL INSURANCENO
  • RETURN AIRPORT TRANSFERSNO
  • VISASNO
  • CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKNO

WEEKEND TRIP ADD-ONS

TRIPLE CARBON OFFSET SCHEME

OPTIONAL 55 USD PAYMENT

  • TREES PLANTED IN KENYA70
  • DAYS OF SOLAR ACCESS IN INDIA80
  • HOMELESS MEALS PROVIDED IN USA1.25KG