Volunteer
At Sacred Childhoods we have run a Volunteers Program since our projects first began three years ago, and it's proved to be very successful. The volunteers, the team and the children alike get a lot out of interacting and learning from each other. If you are considering volunteering with us in Indonesia then please download the PDF below which should answer most of your questions and then fill out our Application Form, also at the bottom of this page. And if you can't leave home because of work or family ties then there are always things you can do to help from your very own desk and within your existing networks, so send us an email and tell us more about yourself and how you'd like to get involved!
In the meantime, here are some testimonies from a few previous volunteers...
Getting involved with Sacred Childhoods was so much more than simply a volunteering experience. Having volunteered with other organisations before the small and intimate structure of Sacred Childhoods was amazing! As a small team from all over, Australia, America and the UK, we were all empowered to try to promote the same things: rights, fairness, health, and the freedom of what it means to simply be a child.
Coming into this experience, I had no idea of what to expect. What the others would be like; if we would get along; if I would enjoy the experience or feel overwhelmed? But I was at home the moment I landed. Natalia was hospitable from the first morning I saw her till our very sad goodbye (until next time).
The experience taught me so much, but mostly it confirmed to me that I just want to help, in any way shape or form. I want to share what I have been blessed with, by giving back to others. If you end up coming along for the journey yourself one day, you'll see the children and know exactly what I mean When you're really there, all you want to do is give...
Anna-Rica Floro
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
In December 2008 and September 2009 I spent time volunteering with Sacred Childhoods in Bali. I had the most amazing time! I was so impressed with
the work
the foundation is doing. The staff and other volunteers are lovely & genuinely passionate about what they do. The kids & wider Balinese community
are absolutely gorgeous!
I loved getting to know the kids & find out what their lives are really like.
Helpful tips:
I think the main requirement is to love kids & be genuinely interested in their welfare... ensuring that they have safe, secure &
happy childhoods. As you encounter cultural differences, I think it´s really important to be easy-going, open-minded & to always respect
the local people & their culture. This is particularly important because Sacred Childhoods places great emphasis on their relationship with the local
community. As Sacred Childhoods works as a team, it´s also really important to be flexible, cooperative, reliable, enthusiastic, willing & wanting to
contribute.
My volunteering mission with Sacred Childhoods introduced me to how an NGO
functions & the issues they are dealing with. Even without formal qualifications I got to get involved in
the projects & learnt about the complexities of trying to help different communities.
I got lots of practical experience, insight into the Balinese culture, unforgettable memories & life-long
friendships. I would definitely recommend Sacred Childhoods to anyone looking to volunteer. Anna Spear, Australia
They say you get more pleasure in giving than receiving and by God that is
so true and so far its come in two parts:First, the success of the fundraising with friends and family showed me the generosity of people and
especially of my children who gave me far in excess of what they could
afford (actually it brought me to tears…so we did bring them up right after all)!Second, when I got to Indonesia it was great to spend so much time at the orphanage and in the Slum communities meeting the children and their extended families.
Yes I will probably be back doing a "Real Job " soon but not at the expense
of my work with the Foundation. Help if you can, you will love it…and no excuses.
Sean Morgan, UK
