Volunteer Vacation in Bali
June 22-July 7 2009

Danu Enterprises now offers to our traveling friends, old and new, a wonderful opportunity to give something of themselves back to a little piece of the world that is in need of their services. Over the past few years travel organizations have discovered a surge of popularity in service programs, where travelers from privileged nations seek to lend a hand to the less fortunate, while immersing themselves in new cultural experiences. Our “Volunteer’s Vacation” is now included with our other Bali programs, and we have found some local projects and NGO’s that can use assistance from enthusiastic and willing volunteers.

The first week is spent with intensive orientation sessions that will prepare participants in understanding the customs and culture of the Balinese, as well as some cursory Indonesian, There will also be some island touring, as no holiday to Bali should exclude visiting the local sites.

The second week our group will divide up, according to the projects you have selected to work with. There will also be some extracurricular activities,and socializing. There will be a farewell party for those departing at the end of the 2 weeks. An optional third week will end with another island tour, and additional work with your organization or project.

The Projects:
The Senang Hati Social Group. Biography Compilation Program for Writers.
This Indonesian NGO, recently formed from a mixed-age group of Balinese people with various disabilities, has currently rehabilitated a school to house the group’s classes and other activities. This school—located at a lovely site in Tampaksiring (about 30 minutes drive north of Ubud)—had been unoccupied for five years. The seven rooms, kitchen, bathroom, and courtyard garden have undergoine a complete renovation by members of Senang Hati and by volunteers. Besides working on their new school, members continue to meet at their community center, to engage in physical exercise at their own pool, and to organize spiritual, cultural, and recreational field trips.

Senang Hati currently numbers between more than 100 members from all parts of Bali; however, the group is rapidly growing, due to aggressive recruitment. The average age of the membership is 27 years. Due to disabilities, some of the members have no profession and have never been able to attend school. On the other hand, several members do have skills; such as, painting, wood- and handcrafting, shoemaking, and tailoring.

Participants in the Volunteer’s Vacation would interview Senang Hati members regarding their lives, spend time with time with them during their daily activities, and where possible, visit their family homes. The center wishes to compile profiles of each of the members, so that there is a record of each. This is essentially a writing project--each participant is expected to create a written biography in English of 1 or more members, and to present it to the organization. Participants need to bring their own laptops. Writing experience is not necessary, just passion and curiosity. Translators will be provided. This is an opportunity to get to know local people personally and experience a window into their lives.

BARC Bali Street Dogs Rehabilitation and Adoption Center The Bali Adoption Rehab Center aims to relieve suffering, starvation, abuse and neglect for the islands abandon animals. The animals are nursed to health by professional veterinarians and socialized at the center, and when healthy, vaccinated and neutered, put up for adoption at no cost. There are also quite a few puppies that need medical care, food rehabilitation, and love. The center also educates families in Bali about caring for animals. Volunteers in this program would be feeding, cleaning, and caring for healthy dogs and puppies and assisting in the adoption process. A love of dogs is all that is necessary.

Environmental Quality Upgrade Project
Trash is a problem all over the planet, but on an island as beautiful as Bali, it becomes an especially apparent eyesore. When I first visited Bali in 1978, only organic garbage was visible. Local people did not own trash cans, and we had to request them at our early accommodations. Women went shopping at the market with their baskets, and items that needed containers were wrapped in banana leaves, which were subsequently thrown in the ditches. Then plastic bags were introduced, and as tourism grew, plastic water bottles. In many areas, the old custom of dropping trash (formerly organic) in the ditches continues, only the trash is made of plastic. Ubud has a big problem in this arena. Those who participate in this project will adopt a location in Ubud to keep clean, meanwhile watching to see where they trash comes from with an eye to correcting the problem through education. We will also visit a local Montessori School that has been successfully teaching principles of recycling to their students.

Itinerary:

Monday June 22
Day 1: Depart USA via SFO, LAX or NYC.

Tues. June 23
Day 2: Ubud Arrive in Bali, where you are met by a  driver and escorted to your accommodations in Ubud, Bali’s “cultural center.”

Wed. June 24
Day 3: Ubud  First language class and orientation session (on manners and customs). Then a walking tour of Ubud, cultural center of Bali, to familiarize you with the local amenities: money changers, postal pickup, community organizations, clinic and market, followed by optional group lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. Afternoon and evening are free to relax or experience a traditional massage. At  7:30, your first experience of traditional classical Mask dance and Gamelan music.

Thur. June 25
Day 4: Ubud  Depart for a 1/2 day walk through the Monkey Forest and by the temple to Durga, Goddess of the cemetery, to Pengosekan and Nyu Kuning village, home of basket makers, painters, and carvers. Visit to the Yayasan Bumi Sehat midwives NGO, and hear about their programs including their village recycling program. Lunch with a second orientation session (on social structure and caste system) &  language class at our lunchtime restaurant. Afternoon visit to Bali Hati, an Ubud based NGO. We hear about their programs, and each member will have a body treatment at their beautiful Spa that  benefits the program.

Fri. June 26
Day 5: Ubud Meet for third language and orientation session (on history), followed by excursion to Tampaksiring and Gunung Kawi Temple, and lunch and tour at Yayasan Senang Hati. On return visit the “Elephant Cave” at Goa Gadjah, (an 11th century temple) a local orphanage, and BARC facilities. Evening performance of Legong classical dance by the islands best dancers.

Sat. June 27
Day 6: Ubud Meet for 4th orientation and language session, with talk on Rites of Passage in Balinese life and family structure. Field trip to the Heron Preserve at Petulu village. Sunset walk back to Ubud through rice fields and small villages. Evening performance of the Frog Dance.

Sun. June 28
Day 7:  Ubud Free Day

Mon. June 29
Day 8: Ubud First day of island tour. We leave at  9:00 am for the state temple of Mengwi, surrounded by a beautiful moat. Following this, we wind our way through the volcanoes to Bedugul where we visit the fruit and flower market and  Ulun Danu, Bali's most beautiful temple dedicated to the Goddess of Lakes and Streams. Proceed to Munduk mountain village for lunch and a waterfall trek . During the trek we pick up any trash on the trail.

Tues. June 30:
Ubud You begin your volunteer projects.  Each project lasts 1/2 day. You will have transport to each locale. In the evening we will meet at a different Ubud restaurant where you can share your experiences with other trip members. We will also include a performance of Jegog (giant Bamboo) Gamelan, and Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry.

Wed. July 1-Sunday July 5:
Ubud Volunteer projects continue.

Mon. July 6:
Ubud Island Tour to East Bali. Our first stop is the Recycling Theme Park for Ubud area, created and sponsored by Rotary International, a pioneering and award winning project.  We wind our way through Bali's Eastern district, stopping to observe the double ikat weaving demonstration and the making of traditional palm-leaf books at the aboriginal village of Tenganan. After lunch in Candi Dasa at the Ashram, we travel on to Amlapura and visit the Raja's water palace at Tirtagangga, with an opportunity to swim in the olympic sized pools. Back to Ubud for our final dinner.
Tues. July 7:
Return to the USA or spend more time with your NGO project.

Not Included:
Visa Fees ($25.00), laundry, most meals, extra excursions, tips.

TRIP COST AND FEES:
The trip price $2900.00 per person is based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath ( Hotel has hot water, western toilets, swimming pool). Full breakfast, excursions listed in the itinerary, services of Balinese and USA guide, several orientation and language sessions.  Ground only deduct $1400.

DEPOSIT:
A deposit of $350.00 per person is required at the time of booking along with a registraiton/release form. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:
A cancellation fee of $75.00 is assessed up to 30 days prior to departure. A fee of $100.00 will be charged after tickets are issued. Medical evacuation insurance is recommended.

TRANSPORTATION: On Singapore Air. If you wish to stay further in Bali or take advantage of stopovers, contact  Wendy Simon at Pacific Harbor Travel 1-800-435-9463.

ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations are based on two persons sharing a twin bedded room with private, western-style bath.

ROOMMATES:
As participants are traveling on their own schedule, single people must be aware the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $175.00 TIPS AND TAXES: Tipping is not customary in Indonesia. YOu may wish to gift your driver  and bungalow staff at the end on the trip.

PASSPORT, VISA AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
A passport, valid six months from date of entry to any country visited with proof of onward transportation. Indonesia visa is presently not required for tourists staying less than 60 days. No inoculations are presently required or suggested.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Extensive pre-trip packet is sent to all those enrolled.

NOTE: Fees may go up due to fluctuation of exchange rate or fuel surcharges.

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information and rates.
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