Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 May 2025
Reply rate
93.8 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
22
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hi, my name is Daniel and I'm from Pematangsiantar, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Since July 2016 I started my project. The aim of my project is to let travelers experience local Batak culture and empower the Batak people. Recently I built a new place for visitors to come and stay at my homestay in combination with experiencing some main aspects of Batak culture. My wish is to maintain the Batak cultural heritage, and therefore I offer the possibility of participating in Batak dance, cooking, farming, fishing, weaving and language.
The beauty and history of Batak culture should be preserved, I hope with my project I can teach travelers about our rich culture as well as find a way to preserve our traditions.
Pematangsiantar is quite near to Lake Toba (about 50 km) and can be traveled in about 1 hour. When visiting Lake Toba from Kuala Namu airport, you will have to pass through Pematangsiantar. However, Pematangsiantar itself is not that popular among tourists and travelers. This is also why I am excited to introduce the beauty of Pematangsiantar.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Interests
Events & social
Sustainability
Pets
Fashion or beauty
Culture
Self development
Farming
Charity work
History
Gardening
Animals
Adventure sports
Dancing
Water sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Batak culture is very rich, and in North Sumatra it is one of the oldest still remaining cultures. We are very proud to be Batak and we respect our heritage. My project is focused at sharing my love for Batak traditions. I hope any guests visiting will share my passion and soon start to love Batak culture as well!
I love meeting new people, having interesting discussions, gaining new perspectives on my project and working together to keep improving every day. I believe in the power of collaboration, and the more we work together, the more we can help each other and other people.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I recently built a new location, and my goal is to create a comfortable space where travelers can come to learn more about Batak culture. Over the next few months, I am working on improving and completing my homestay, and I would love some help with various projects, including:
Teaching English – Volunteers will help teach English to local school children by engaging them in conversations and sharing personal and professional experiences. The goal is to improve their confidence in speaking English. Volunteers are not teacher assistants; instead, they will interact with students in a way that fits the schools we visit.
Art Projects – Creative contributions are highly encouraged! Volunteers can help decorate the homestay with wall paintings or other artistic ideas to enhance the space.
Charity Work – Spending time with local communities and participating in social projects to give back and create meaningful connections.
Farmwork – I am working towards making my farm fully organic and sustainable. Any knowledge, advice, or hands-on help is greatly appreciated.
Animal Care – Assisting in taking care of the animals on the farm.
Homestay Maintenance – Helping with cleaning, gardening, and general upkeep to keep the place welcoming for all visitors.
Ecobricks & Sustainability Projects – Helping with eco-friendly initiatives like making ecobricks to support environmental conservation efforts.
This experience is not just about volunteering but also about cultural exchange. I welcome enthusiasm, creativity, and new ideas to make this place even better. Volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and immerse themselves in Batak culture while making a positive impact on the community.
Looking forward to welcoming you! 😊
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Indonesian: FluentThis 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
My homestay is situated in a quiet area of Pematangsiantar, between the ricefields. You can enjoy the sounds of nature and the birds, as well as see the sunset over Mount Simbolon from the backyard. The homestay provides enough privacy, as you will enjoy your own private room/shared room + bathroom. The other areas (such as the balcony, patio's and garden) are shared with other guests and visitors.
I often take my guests out to eat food at local cafe's or restaurants. Other times I will bring food to the homestay or will provide meals at my family home.
When staying here you can experience traditional Batak culture. Our guests are invited to learn how to do Tor Tor (Batak dancing), practice speaking Batak language, weave their own Ulos (traditional clothes), learn to cook Batak food (such as Arsik, Lappet and Mie Gomak) or go fishing in the fishpond and grill their own fish afterwards. Volunteers can help and participate in these activities.
For your additional info, At Jabu Sihol, volunteers have a maximum working schedule of 15 hours per week. Because of this, we offer an optional meal contribution of IDR 50,000 per person per day, which includes three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). However, this is entirely optional—volunteers who prefer to cook their own meals are not required to pay this fee.
What else ...
During their time off, volunteers can explore the beautiful surroundings of Pematangsiantar. I love taking my guests to visit natural springs, enjoy a cup of delicious local coffee, and share the rich Batak culture with them.
At Jabu Sihol, I am always happy to share stories and experiences, and I truly appreciate when my guests contribute to and take care of my project. There are many ways to get involved, such as helping in the rice fields or on the farm, assisting with the maintenance of the homestay, or even decorating with creative wall paintings. I welcome all initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm!
For a unique cultural experience, volunteers can also try being a muse for Batak Toba traditional clothing—a fun and memorable way to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Volunteers at Jabu Sihol also can explore the beautiful surroundings and experience the rich local culture. One of the main attractions nearby is Lake Toba, which is just an hour away from Jabu Sihol. It’s a perfect destination for a day trip to enjoy the stunning views, take a boat ride, or visit Samosir Island.
Transportation is very convenient. Since the new toll road was built, travel from Kualanamu International Airport to our location takes only about an hour. Getting around Siantar is also easy, as public transportation and ride-hailing services are available. Additionally, there is a train station in the city, making it even more accessible for volunteers to explore different places.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing an unforgettable experience together!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Dog
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
Jupita and Daniel took great care of us, sharing their captivating Batak culture. They are always enthousiastic, comprehensive and warm : caring and wonderful individuals – we will miss you.
We enjoyed wonderful moments and engaging conversations. Jupita and Daniel took us to the colorful market, the oldest… read more
When I arrived I recieved a warm welcome and immediately got to know Daniel and… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
Jupita and Daniel took great care of us, sharing their captivating Batak culture. They are always enthousiastic, comprehensive and warm : caring and wonderful individuals – we will miss you.
We enjoyed wonderful moments and engaging conversations. Jupita and Daniel took us to the colorful market, the oldest… read more
When I arrived I recieved a warm welcome and immediately got to know Daniel and… read more
We were welcomed here by the team and shortly became like family. Working together in this serene setting towards a common goal to make this place a haven for visitors and locals in the area who often frequent this space.
Daniel is a very impressive and driven man, aiding in building up sustainable ecotourism… read more
Cheers,
Daniel and… read more
Thank… read more
The projects they have for the future, the projects already in place are really nice, interesting and good for the locals.
Daniel is a wonderful person who really cares about helping others, that's a chance to meet such a kind and nice person !
Will come back for sure next time I… read more
The living conditions were very good, as far as accommodation and food were… read more
Our main tasks were teaching at a Senior High School and doing mural art. We also had the possibility to take part of the several batak experiences like dancing, weaving, cooking and farming.
Daniel is very open to hear possible improvements regarding his… read more
