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Excellent 4.80rating (5)

Teach English in the Sumatran Rainforest

location
8 - 16 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Inspire young minds in rural North Sumatra through our English and conservation courses
  • Develop your teaching and lesson planning skills under the guidance of our full-time teachers
  • Experience a wide range of rural education settings, and connect with communities in and around Bukit Lawang

Highlights

  • Inspire young minds in rural North Sumatra through our English and conservation courses
  • Develop your teaching and lesson planning skills under the guidance of our full-time teachers
  • Experience a wide range of rural education settings, and connect with communities in and around Bukit Lawang
  • Be a leader in our local English education programme and work alongside our full-time teachers
  • Gain valuable experience working in a community-development based NGO and prepare yourself for a career in education

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Teach English at the edge of the Sumatran rainforest, one of the last places on earch where you can see wild orangutans!

    We are looking for people to join us who share our passion for social projects, who wish to give back and help communities & who care about education as a means for sustainable development – people who'd love to work in and support our team and people who are looking for a challenge and a once in ...

    About the program

    We are looking for people to join us who share our passion for social projects, who wish to give back and help communities & who care about education as a means for sustainable development – people who'd love to work in and support our team and people who are looking for a challenge and a once in a lifetime adventure! You've also got to love children, we work with adults too, but the kids are always around. You should love and care about the environment, love to have new experiences and want to build relationships with the local community!

    • You must speak fluent English
    • We ask all our international volunteers who come for a full 8 week cycle to raise £1000 before coming out to join us in Sumatra. Alternatively, some people choose to pay this fee if they can afford to and are not able to fundraise.
    • No experience or qualifications are needed. But what is essential is that you have a positive attitude, you are willing to work hard and get stuck into whatever is thrown at you.
    • You must have a desire or passion to support others and make a meaningful difference in the world
    • You need to be able to travel to Indonesia for a minimum of two months
    • It's great if you care about the environment or have a love for nature. All our education programmes at the Trust have the aim of empowering local people, so that they can shape a positive, environmentally sustainable future for themselves.

    We are looking for anyone bold enough to bring their English skill to new corners of the globe. The work is meaningful, and you'll grow so much while having the experience of a lifetime:

    As part of your volunteer placement, all of our volunteers receive:

    • Accommodation in a shared dorm (no more than three people per room);
    • Breakfast and lunch served Monday - Friday;
    • Transportation to and from Medan airport;
    • Three fitness classes per week: Jungle Fit, Zumba & Yoga;
    • Full programme training;
    • Weekly 1-on-1s and development sessions;
    • An overnight, 2 day jungle trek in Gunung Leuser National Park;
    • A team building weekend away;
    • A workshop with a local business (basket weaving, carving, fabric painting, etc)

    Why volunteer with us?

    • Our location is unforgettable! Bukit Lawang is a breathtaking community at that borders against the Sumatran rain forest, one of the last places on Earth where you can find wild orangutans
    • We are a small, community-based NGO. Our impact is direct and measurable. We are deeply engrained in our community, and we worth frequently with them to design our progammes
    • Your volunteer fee goes directly into the community!

    This opportunity is ideal for new TEFL teachers wishing to gain experience teaching abroad OR for people pursuing a career in NGO work.

    We are the Bukit Lawang Trust, and we deliver high quality, free education to communities which are run by our local team and supported by volunteers. All of our education programmes at the Trust aim to empower local people so they can shape a positive, environmentally sustainable future for themselves. We wish to create opportunities to turn away from the environmentally harmful industries that have decimated the region.

    We are currently recruiting volunteers for our late 2025 & 2026 cycles.

    • No previous teaching experience is required - but we ask that you have a passion for education and for the environment
    • You must have a positive attitude and be willing to work hard to help deliver our progrmames
    • You must be able to travel to Indonesia for a minimum of two months
    • We ask that our volunteers fundraise GBP 1,000 locally prior to flying out on project. This contributes hugely to our programmes, as we are a small grassroots NGO

    As a volunteer, you will:

    • Have the opportunity to learn about the internal operations of a grassroots NGO
    • Work alongside our full-time teachers in delivering our programme material
    • Spend your time on project supporting our teaching staff and helping implement our community-development programmes
    • Take part in cultural workshops and a two-day jungle trek
    • Receive full training & weekly 1-on-1 sessions for career and personal development
    • Have the opportunity to apply your skills and passions to improve our programmes
    • Bond with a multinational team and form global connections

    Typical day

    Our typical working days start around 08:00 when our kindergarten students arrive. We teach an ESL lesson to them on Monday mornings. 

    On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays we have exercise classes at the Trust in the morning (fitness, dancing or Yoga) and on Wednesdays we have our women’s group, we ...

    Typical day

    Our typical working days start around 08:00 when our kindergarten students arrive. We teach an ESL lesson to them on Monday mornings. 

    On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays we have exercise classes at the Trust in the morning (fitness, dancing or Yoga) and on Wednesdays we have our women’s group, we encourage all volunteers to participate in these if they want to. 

    Typically there is one ESL lesson every morning and one every afternoon, although it can sometimes vary. Outside of lesson times you will work with the ESL Programme Co-Ordinator and your fellow ESL volunteers lesson planning/preparing for future lessons, for example you may need to create resources, games or songs. 

    Lunch break is 12:00-14:00 every day (plenty of time to eat and nap). 

    Lessons resume at 14:00 but you’ll sometimes need to finish lunch at 13:30 to allow for travel time to some of the rural areas we teach in. If you're not working offsite your lesson will be at the Trust building. Once you're finished you will either work on lesson planning or focus on project work. 

    Working on the ESL programme will take priority, but you’ll also have time to work on other ‘projects’ around the Trust. This could be anything from developing our roof garden, decorating the Trust building, community walk arounds, DIY jobs or anything else you can think of that would be of benefit! We welcome new ideas and creativity.

    Our days finish at 17:00. Maybe you want to go for a swim in the nearby rivers?  Or you can chill on our roof garden? Play cards with the team? Go into town and hangout?  It’s your free time and the choice is yours. We have a very social team though and a real family vibe at the Trust and so we often all hang out together and regularly there are optional evening activities.

    Your weekends are always free time, apart from one weekend in the middle of the cycle where we have a ‘team building away weekend’, but this is super fun and usually a highlight.


    Free-time activities

    The Bukit Lawang Trust is located in an exceptionally beautiful area, from our roof garden you can look out across at the jungle covered mountains of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Exploring the incredible nature the area has to offer is definitely worth prioritising in your free time. From jungle ...

    Free-time activities

    The Bukit Lawang Trust is located in an exceptionally beautiful area, from our roof garden you can look out across at the jungle covered mountains of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Exploring the incredible nature the area has to offer is definitely worth prioritising in your free time. From jungle trekking to see the famous Sumatran Orangutan (you get a free two day trek included in the volunteer package), to visiting the gorgeous rivers, to finding waterfalls and hot springs, to going on snake tours, to exploring caves, you'll be spoilt for choice with what to do!

    There are many rivers in the local area, the biggest, Bohorok River runs through the middle of Bukit Lawang and it's a popular spot to hang out, people often bring a picnic and drinks and relax and swim. But there are some smaller less visited hidden gems that we'll be happy to show you.

    We have a very social team and a real family vibe at the Trust and so we often all hang out together and regularly there are optional evening activities arranged like team cooking nights, karaoke parties, a group or arts and crafts nights. In Bukit Lawang there are multiple bars and guest houses too with extremely friendly locals and live music on most nights and we often go into town together. 

    We have a library at the Trust and volunteers are welcome to borrow books from there. The roof is a nice and peaceful place to do some reading.

    We will also arrange optional weekend excursions for our volunteers like camping, canyoning, cave exploring and jungle treks.

    Simply put, you will not be bored during your stay! 


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently)

    Required Documents

    CV/Resume and Cover Letter

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    The essential things we look for in volunteers are a passion to help others, a flexible and adaptable approach and a desire to work within and support our team. Non-Essential but desirable 'skills' would be... Experience working with children, experience teaching or instructing (any age), relevant qualifications or professional experience, experience living abroad, willingness to work alone and an ability to keep busy using your own initiative.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    We ask all of our volunteers to fundraise £1000 GBP, for the 8 week period, before coming out to Sumatra. Alternatively, some people choose to just pay this amount if they can afford to and are unable to fundraise. We ask for a non-refundable deposit of £150 in order to reserve your space. In addition to this, you will need to pay for the cost of your volunteer visa, which is £180 and lasts 60 days. 

    We understand it's a large amount to raise, but fundraising from volunteers helps us continue our important work and we appreciate every penny donated.

    The placement includes:

    • Accommodation - shared dorm room
    • Breakfast and Lunch, Monday - Friday 
    • Transport to and from Medan airport to the Trust.
    • Exercise classes three times per week at the Trust Hub.
    • Training to teach our programs and support you throughout your volunteering journey. 
    • An overnight, 2 day jungle trek in the Gunung Leuser National Park 
    • A workshop with a local business- e.g basket weaving, wood carving, eco printing, soap making, cookery, painting 
    • A team building away weekend
    • Indonesian language lessons

    Airport Pickup at Kuala Namu International Airport

    We provide a car to collect you from the airport along with your fellow volunteers and a return car for when you leave. We are located a few hours from Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan. 



    Accommodation

    Our volunteers stay in simple dorms within the Trust building, there are 3 beds in each dorm.To abide by local law we have to split the dorms into male and female rooms. Most of our staff also live within the Trust building. All rooms have fans and we provide bedding. 

    There is a large shared kitchen at the Trust which all volunteers are welcome to use, there will be storage space in the kitchen to keep personal food and clear space for all communal food. 

    There are four bathrooms at the Trust, two of which have showers and western toilets.

    There is WiFi at the Trust.

    Food & Beverages

    There are always breakfast essentials provided such as - Bread / CerealFruit / Eggs / Jams / Rice 

    Lunch is cooked for the team, Monday - Friday by our Trust chef

    For other meals volunteers will need to either eat out or cook for themselves. Typically volunteers tend to eat out but we have a big kitchen which everyone is welcome to use, kitted out with everything you need.

    To eat out locally, prices start from 10,000 IDR (£0.50/€0.57/$0.62) for a nasi goreng (national dish of fried rice) or rice, curry and a side of veg.
    Eating out at a guesthouse in Bukit Lawang prices typically start from about 25,000 IDR.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO) in Kuala Namu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Indonesia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Indonesia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Indonesia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Indonesia. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Our volunteer placements run in the following two-month cycles:

    • Orangutan Cycle: January-March
    • Tiger Cycle: April-June
    • Elephant Cycle: June-August
    • Leopard Cycle: August-October
    • Rhino Cycle: October-December
    Visit our website or contact us as [email protected] for more information about specific cycle dates.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $179 per week 8 - 16 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    8 - 16 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.80
    5 reviews

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Indonesia > Bukit Lawang

    Meet your project coordinator

    Head of Volunteering
    5
    reviews
    4.80
    Excellent
    2004
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Indonesian
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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