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Teaching English- Volunteering in a pre-school in Ubud
Svea had the chance to support one of our volunteer projects in Ubud, Bali. During her time she truly fell in love with the Hindu culture and the nature of Bali!
Bali the paradise
Bali. Whoever thinks of Bali has a paradise-like island in his mind, anywhere in the Indian Ocean – the fewest really know where exactly the island is located. You’re thinking of white beaches with palms and turquoise water. You may also think about gorgeous buildings, big hotels, good weather, a tropical flora & fauna and sunsets.
You’ll find this on Bali! But that’s not all…Bali’s not just brightness and grandiosity but also dirty and poor. Far away from the tourists agglomerations you’ll find the real Bali. There the paradise is about to end: reality – consisting of hard work and poverty. But you’ll only find this reality if you’re looking for it. If you don’t, you won’t get to know it.
Fortunately I had the opportunity to look for the real Bali – I’ve been on the island as a volunteer teaching in several schools – a task not to be underestimated! It was a real challenge every single day. How to teach someone a language who doesn’t speak a word of the same? And without speaking the language that he actually speaks? With using gestures and signs, facial expression, some interpreting of the local English teacher and a very useful Disney-dictionary it finally worked!
Learning with success
…and the kids were practicing. With lots of effort and ambition, grateful for the attention they have been given. Without muttering they practiced their vocabulary or did their speaking exercises. Things they were overextended by in the beginning posed no challenge to them anymore in the end. You can really say that they grew with their challenges which I was witnessing with proud. To work with these children (who were not used to such a “severe school”) really fulfilled me. The sparkles in the eyes of these kids (when they had a sense of achievement – which every one of them had really often), their gratefulness and the love they displayed towards me: all these things made me so happy – but also made me realize that education isn’t a matter of course; it doesn’t have the same standing as is does in Europe.
There’s also no obligation to go to school. The teachers are mostly rather unmotivated – which does not surprise regarding their income. Moreover the schools aren’t good equipped at all; also within the families education doesn’t have such an important standing as every one’s just struggling to cover their basic needs. Nevertheless the locals know that tourism is the big chance for them to earn some money.Therefore they are willing to learn English.
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Discovering the paradise
While I was teaching during the week and getting to know the culture of the Balinese people I was experiencing the island on the weekend. My scooter (which surprisingly turned into my best friend) took me to every place I wanted to go. I’ve been to places full of tourists, to impressive temples, wonderful sunrises as well sunsets, marvelous flowers and foreign animals. On the weekend I lived in paradise. During the week I went back into reality.
But Bali is more than this: the most fantastic thing on this island is the people. The people living and working there. The locals are turning this place into a magical place full of security, to a place where you can feel home. The Balinese People are a hospitable people welcoming every one as long as you bring a smile with you. Just a smile. Not more. Every one who likes to smile will find his home on Bali – not without reason it’s the “island of smile”.
You won’t see a lot of sadness in this place: although of the very simple conditions they live in the Balinese people are mostly satisfied and happy (which may seem strange to Europeans in the beginning). Nevertheless they are worrying about problems like we do. Most of the time it’s any financial issue. But even this is a heavy burden for them – their love of live is still bigger.
The Hinduism, something really magical
Which plays a very important role in the live of the locals is their religion: most of them are Hindus and their daily life is affected by living this religion. The Balinese people pray several times a time making huge ceremonies, making sacrifices. The beautifully colored dresses the locals are wearing during these festivities reflect their love of live even more. Although I’ve never got in touch with this religion before I was welcomed at every ceremony so that I could feel the power of this religion on my own. For me Hinduism is something magical and full of promise – every time I saw someone praying I felt a sort of inner silence.
I thought a lot about my life in Germany and the fact that sometimes we unnecessarily really do it the hard way. Lots of Balinese people may not have a sufficient education but there’s one thing the definitely have the advantage of: the knowledge of how to life.
The time I spent on Bali was definitely the best of my life and I don’t want to miss it under any circumstances. We can learn a lot from the Balinese people and so they can do from us. There’s nothing more awesome than experience this foreign culture – but you also have to be prepared to do so. I’m happy having gained this experience.
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Hard to leave
The people really won my heart so my farewell was really hard for me – and it wasn’t only me starting to cry but also my host family which I’ll never forget. When I remember my time on Bali I feel so fulfilled and hope that I’ll ever get the opportunity to return something for all the things I was allowed to learn there.
Bali may not be a pure paradise, but Bali is my paradise.
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