Help teach and experience Batak culture and heritage in Pematangsiantar, Indonesia

Details

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  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.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  General Maintenance

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Farmstay help

  Help with Eco Projects

  Hospitality/Tourism

  Charity Work

  Language practice

  Art Projects

  Teaching
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  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.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  Recently I built a new location. I want to make a comfortable place where travelers can come to learn more about Batak culture. In the next few months I am trying to improve and complete my homestay. Help is needed with:
  - Teaching English to local schoolchildren
  - Art projects at my homestay (wall-painting or different creative ideas welcome!)
  - Charity work (spending time with local communities)
  - Farmwork (I aim to make my farm organic and sustainable. Any knowledge/advices welcome!).
  
  Volunteers will help to teach English at local schools and are invited to share their personal and professional stories with the students. The aim is to practice with the English language and to have conversations with the students. In this way we hope to inspire and motivate them. Volunteers are not teacher assistants, the learning methods will be adjusted according to the schools we visit. The most important thing is to help students with their English conversations.

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  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.
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  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 + 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.

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  What else ...

  When I welcome workawayer at my homestay I am so happy to share stories and experiences, and I hope my guests will offer their help in contributing to and taking care of my project. For example, I invite my guests to help in the rice fields or on the farm, to help with the maintenance of my homestay, to decorate my homestay with a nice wall-painting, etc. All your initiative, creativity, input, contribution and enthusiasm is welcome here! :) I enjoy exploring the beautiful area around my town Pematangsiantar with my guests, like visiting the natural springs, drinking delicious local coffee and sharing my culture. If we have enough time, sometimes I join with my guests to visit Lake Toba and Samosir Island.
  
  for more info we can discuss by email.
  
  Thank you :)

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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