Matthew

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello hello! My name is Matt, I'm 31 y/o, a musician and general creative from the UK currently volunteering at Bukit Lawang Trust in Summatra, Indonesia.

I left a life by the sea working in offices in the UK to pursue meaningful work and outstanding nature across the world. I don't know what my plans are yet but I've already experienced so much and met so many wonderful people on my journey.

My work here involved teaching and also incorporating creative skills into teaching - for example - improvising music around story reading to encourage children here to pick up books. There's also the practical side of painting, cleaning and organising. The building is in a small village next to Bukit Lawang and the work, though a lot, is very rewarding.

I'm looking for people to travel with, so if you're currently in Indonesia and looking for someone to travel somewhere new with, drop me a message for sure! My eyes are on Vietnam, and also Japan if I could make that happen.

Until then, selamat jalan, I look forward to meeting some hosts and workawayers alike

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Indonesian: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I would love to learn any language other than my own. Right now I'm learning Bahasa Indonesian. I have some grounding in German, and perhaps some deep-down French and Japanese since I tried to learn both, but never spent enough time in another country to learn a language from native speakers (until now)

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Charity Work

Gardening

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Hospitality/Tourism

Eco Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Helping around the house

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Art Projects

Languages

More details about your skills

CREATIVE SKILLS:

Guitarist & singer for 10 years, including both original and covers, weddings and festivals, and many more. Been played on the radio a couple of times and have an active solo project at the moment. In Indonesia I'm incorporating music into teaching, as well as playing in local bars.

Art and Design (drawing, digital art, basic animation, logo design)

Performance (theatre) - degree in Drama so I'm comfortable with public speaking and meeting new people

Writing (songs, poems, short stories)

PRACTICAL SKILLS:

Administration and management (worked all my adult life in an office)

Painting and decorating basics - have done some painting an organising at the Bukit Lawang Trust and some for friends & fam back home

Can ride a bike

Age

32

What else ...

I have a love for reading, as well as video games, films, honestly anything creative. I love hearing about local folklore and found a love for spooky and historical podcasts in my later years in the office. Here in Bukit Lawang learning about Muslim culture, Pamali superstitions and village life has been super interesting to me.

Spiritually I'm so keen to learn more about Taoism, Animism and Buddhism.

I produce music, and have been for a year for an artist friend of mine. I have got really into rollerblading since lockdown. I love music and therefore gigs and festivals.

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Not that I know of

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  Special dietary requirements
  I prefer to eat less meat though this isn't a dealbreaker