English skills and organic farming while staying with our family in Tana Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia

  • Favourited 1327 times
  • Last activity: 29 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    *Couples/ Pairs Preferred*
    * Families are also welcomed *
    *3 weeks minimum stay*

    My name is Natsir and I live with my family in a small village called Rembon - about 8km away from Makale, the main town in Tana Toraja. I am an organic farmer and a teacher. I teach in the local school in my village and I also run a free Nature School (where we teach English and run classes on the environment, arts & crafts, music, etc...) for kids living in the surrounding villages.

    I used to be a volunteer for an international organisation, help children born with cleft palet to receive free surgery. I hope to do this again in the future.

    My project is non-profit and is based on the principles of learning, sharing and empowering.
    We offer a caring and friendly environment and are open to you helping us in ways that interest you and that match your abilities.

    The help needed whilst you're here is a mixture of working in the garden and teaching english in my nature school.
    The garden work involves planting, digging ponds, building paths, harvesting turmeric, coffee and cocoa. Plus whatever is needed for the project at the time!

    The nature School runs every Mon, Wed and Fri at 2.30pm to 4pm with English lessons, arts & crafts, music - basically anything that involves creativity and imagination.

    Although not the expectation, resources for the classroom are greatly appreciated, for example colouring pencils/pens, non-permanent white board markers, A4/A3 white paper, pencil sharpeners, scissors, glue sticks etc. Should you be able to bring something, please contact me prior to your arrival as I will have a better idea of what we are running low on.

    Since I also teach in the school in my village, volunteers may sometimes get to accompany me to my classes (once a day) in the school, where English based lessons will be taught.

    While staying with us, we will provide you with three delicious, healthy meals each day, prepared by my lovely wife Diana and daughter Irma (vegans and vegetarians are easily accommodated). You will have the choice of staying in one of the 4 bamboo bungalows overlooking the garden. We provide a mattress, a mosquito net, electricity and warm sheets and pillows. The bathroom is local style (cold shower and squat toilet). For laundry please bring your own laundry powder/ gel to clean your clothes (we can provide the water and buckets) :-)

    You can reach us by taking a flight to Makassar (UPG) and a direct bus from Makassar Daya Terminal to Makale Terminal. Previous volunteers have booked Litha &Co and also Borlindo.
    We will pick you up at the terminal and take you to our house on top of a beautiful mountain overlooking rice fields.

    UPDATE - November 2023
    In addition to the regular stream of volunteers, we are currently looking for people who could make a longer term commitment - somewhere between 3-6 months would be perfect.
    In particular, we need someone to help promote and build the existing project, for example updating the social media, fundraising, promoting our chocolate making classes, running the air bnb bookings.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Tana Toraja is full of history and culture, with many places to visit. You may have the opportunity to learn and see a lot about our traditions and culture. You may also have the opportunity to see and learn traditional Torajan dance, music, art etc.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    When teaching the local children, please free to incorporate your own ideas. Although we have a book here that collates the ideas of our past volunteers, teaching ideas seem to work best when the teacher has ownership of the creative input.

    Please remember that the children will often come to class straight from school so keeping the sessions fun and interactive is the way to go! The child love learning new skills, so if you have a particular artistic skill - a recent volunteer made her own jewellery and taught the children to make their own - you could base some of your sessions around this skill/hobby.

    Volunteers can get involved in the process of making our raw chocolate, from harvesting the cacao to customising the chocolate with the flavours they prefer (ginger, peanut, chilli and coconut) and of course enjoy the results!
    We also roast our own coffee, make "crazy tea" and grow traditional medicinal plants, turmeric, lemongrass, ginger and many other varieties.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Indonesian: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have 4 bamboo houses next to each other, so you can choose in which one you want to stay.
    Volunteers will get a private room with mattress, blanket, pillow and electricity.
    Toilets and shower are local style (cold water only), but always clean!
    Our house is on top of a small hill with a great view and nature is all around the place (very quiet).
    It really is a great way to discover our lifestyle - you will live with the family and be a part of it!!!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Tana Toraja is one of the largest tourist destinations on Sulawesi Island, less than 10 km from our place. In the area, you can do cultural visits, sports (trekking, motorbike, fishing, rafting, ...).
    From Toraja you can also reach other destinations by bus, plane or motorcycle.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Average 6 hours a day, to be discussed.

  • ...

    This host charges a fee

    read more
    contribution towards costs of US$5 per day
Host ref number: 172851463463

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