Visiting Schools near Ubud - Kindergarten age

4 posts  |  Started 2 years ago by sbbali  |   Latest reply from sbbali  |  

1. sbbali
   Member

   We would like to visit a kindergarten school near Ubud...any suggestions? Also, we're interested in bringing something to the kids. What would Balinese kids really like?

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. bele
   Member

   Forgive me for asking, but why a kindergarden? I'm not sure if most western tourists would be comfortable with an Indonesian tourist visiting their kid's kindergarden back in their home country.

   But perhaps you have a special interest in early childhood education in Indonesia?

   What I'd really like is for westerners to stop teaching young Indonesians that all tourists come bearing gifts, particularly western tourists.

   Perhaps instead of handing out gifts, you could assist the teacher with a lesson (assuming your interest in early childhood education).

   If you want to assist the kindergarden, do so discretely with the administration. They are sure to be grateful for books, paper, pens, etc, all of which you can buy locally or in Denpasar to support the local economy. Don't give cash if you don't know them. Too much of a tempataion.

   I'm sorry, I'm sure you are well meaning, but the issue of gifts to children is one that greatly concerns me as I see the result of it.
   I also see the result of the disturbance to the community that visits from tourists can have, perhaps not such an impact in an urban place like Ubud where they are used to tourists, but it still can cause a sensation and be disruptive. In poorer more out of the way places it can be worse. It depends on how it is done.

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. Georgia
   Member

   sbbali
   I spent 3 months in Bali from Oct to Dec last year. I volunteered at an orphanage teaching english (yes i am qualified) I did supply books pens, etc. Instead of gifts I started a vegetable garden. There was limited space so I bought 10 large stryofoam boxes and planted a variety of tomatoes, chillis,herbs, lettuce, potatoes, beans, paw paw etc. I incorporated the planting sessions with English and Bahasa language.

   This way the kids got to learn some English, but also established their own vege garden that they could use. When I left everything was growing beautifully. the only problem I found was accessing seeds. (I had to buy the vege and extract the seeds)so, since then I've been sending fruit and vege seeds to increase their 'home garden'. I've heard from the orhanage since and everything is now ready to 'pick'. The rest of the village has also come to help the kids care for their garden, showing them how to weed etc. Any excess vege, they swap with the neighbors who grow durian etc. I also showed the mhow to start a compost bin to use as a fertiliser. This was great as I hated seeing the constant racking leaves etc and putting them in the bin.

   So perhaps this idea can work for the kindergardens. But if you really want to help contact the many NGOs who work in the poorer areas of Bali.

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. sbbali
   Member

   Yes, being an educator, I know how disruptive it can be to have visitors show up unexpectedly. We would never do that.......I appreciate your honesty, Bele, and your well-meaning concerns. We were told they would like to have us come in to speak English as they can never practice enough....Georgia, I appreciate you sharing your experience and the gift of a vege garden. What a great idea....something they can work on together, care for, and continue on their own....that's a perfect idea :). Thank you again!

   Posted 2 years ago #

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