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Health Education Volunteer Program in Bali - Ubud

Health Education Volunteer Program in Bali - Ubud

Interested in Health Education volunteering in Bali - Ubud? International Volunteer HQ’s Health Education project empowers volunteers to teach basic health skills in schools, or, if suitably qualified, to run health campaigns in the community. Volunteers will gain experience in Health Education and teaching, or in the medical field related to their campaign. In turn, the local community will be better equipped to take care of their own wellbeing, helping them live healthier lives with improved access to relevant medical care.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from AU$617 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Improve health by teaching basic health and hygiene skills

  • Explore Bali’s ancient temples, rice terraces, and vibrant arts scene

  • Stay with other volunteers on the scenic outskirts of Ubud

Key information

Enhance community healthcare quality and understanding.
Based in schools in Ubud
Dormitory-style volunteer houses
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$617 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
Introduction Week available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers with an interest in health and teaching basic hygiene techniques. Qualified professionals can also run health campaigns or check-up clinics in local villages. You will need to speak fluent English to join this project.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Learning basic health practices at a young age can go a long way in supporting the wellbeing of children throughout their lives. Volunteers teaching these important skills can make a meaningful difference to children in underserved communities who may not otherwise have access to this kind of information and suffer for it.

As a Health Education volunteer, you’ll play an active role in the promotion of better health and wellbeing among young people. You’ll be based in schools in Ubud and teach basic hygiene and health skills. You’ll need to plan your lessons and get creative to keep the students engaged, remembering they will have limited English. Topics can include:

  • Brushing teeth and oral health
  • Washing hands
  • General body cleanliness
  • Nutrition

There are also opportunities for qualified medical doctors to run health campaigns for the local community. You’ll need to provide transcripts of your qualifications in advance, and should come prepared with an idea of what you want to focus on during your program. If it requires additional resources, you may also need to provide these yourself.

Important dates to note for 2024:

  • 26th of February - 5th of March 2024 - During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in cleaning, repairs and renovation activities in local schools for approximately 4 hours a day and have the remainder of their time free to enjoy the festivities.
  • 4th - 9th March - School Exams: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in the Childcare project.
  • 11th, 12th March 2024 - 11th of March is Silent day (Nyepi day) and you will have to stay at the volunteer center as everything will stop including orientation, volunteering, the airport, restaurants, shops, etc will all be closed. The 12th of March is a public holiday in Bali. Volunteers instead participate in cleaning, repairs and renovation activities in local schools and have the remainder of their time free to enjoy the festivities.
  • 13th to 31st of May 2024 - School Exams: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in the Childcare project.
  • 16th of September to the 20th of September 2024 - School Exams: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in the Childcare project.
  • 24th September - 4th of October 2024 - During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in cleaning, repairs and renovation activities in local schools for approximately 4 hours a day and have the remainder of their time free to enjoy the festivities.
Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

Why do Health Education volunteering in Ubud with IVHQ?

When you volunteer on the Health Education project, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving access to healthcare and health education
  • Helping students develop important health skills
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching and health education experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in Balinese life
  • Exploring Ubud’s rich culture and natural environment

Volunteer requirements

  • It is important to note, if a volunteer will be in Bali for less than 30 days and has chosen to join one of the add ons available such as the Introduction week, Adventure week or theYoga and Meditation Week, the volunteer will be able to join with a visa on arrival.
  • Alternatively, all volunteers joining the Bali program must obtain the Social Cultural Visa (C6B). This type of visa is required to join the program, no matter your nationality or duration in Bali. The visa can typically take up to 15 working days to process and once registered you will be provided with instructions on how to apply for this visa.
  • To respect the local culture and customs in Bali, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

LS
Lisa Sueki
14 Feb 2024

I left Bali feeling inspired and hopeful. It is possible for entire communities to be kind.

I'm amazed that inexperienced solo travelers have the confidence and courage to volunteer on their own. If someone is not confident, I would encourage a hesitant participant to bring friends or attend as part of a group. It is unlikely that our students would have traveled to Bali on their own. The group experience offered enough support for students to build their own confidence. If participants come on their own, I suggest they attend all the cultural/social activities and meet other participants quickly.

...
JF
John Fillis
18 Oct 2023

I did not really know what I was getting my self into. At the age of 64 I had never done anything like this before.

What an adventure, everyday was different with new experiences and challenges that really made me feel good about myself. IVHQ made everything clear and simple to follow, and responses were prompt. I felt like a friend rather than a customer. The people and culture was a complete joy, volunteer's, the local staff and local people made every day special. The young people I worked with were amazing soaking up and sharing so much information in a very happy and positive manner.

I made so many friends in such a short time, it’s hard to keep up with them all know I have returned to the UK. I will never forget the place and the people, my only regret is I should of went sooner but I will be booking with IVHQ again.

...
SW
Sophia Wittig
22 Aug 2023

I hadn't planned on the program or location that I ended up going to but it was the best summer I've ever had and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I think it was also a super safe way to dip my toes into international travel, especially as a solo female.

...
KB
Kianna Bonal
08 Aug 2023

I got everything and more out of this trip. I feel like I was able to solo travel while also having a great support system. I would recommend this program to anyone!

...
EM
Ellie Mcmahon
03 Aug 2023

Volunteering in a country so different to my own gave me valuable insight into how differences in culture make a huge impact on behaviours. Things that at home we take for granted that everyone understands are not the same across the world. Experiencing a new culture also makes a huge impact on you as a person and I have grown immensely because of this experience.

...
WT
Wen Hwee Elena Tay
26 Jan 2023

My favourite moment was when we were teaching the children about nutrition labels and brought some flavoured milk packets to the class for the children to look at the labels to identify the different vitamins present. The children really loved the treat and kept asking us for more. I think it was really interesting that they were so excited over something that I usually take for granted, such as packet milk. I think what was memorable about the experience was that as we also brought a bottle of cola to teach the children about sugar, some of the boys tried to sneak the bottle off the table or tried to tell us that they only wanted to help us throw it away. I think the playfulness and mischievousness of the students was really adorable and memorable.

It changed my perspective on a lot of things, and made me much more grateful about what I currently have. One of the biggest shocks I had when I first went to the school is how badly furbished their classroom looked. While it had desks and chairs that seemed sufficiently comfortable for the students, the room was lit by a singular light bulb which made it difficult to read and write during rainstorms. However, what stood out to me was how the children seemed to make the most of whatever they had, such as an inflatable toy ball we brought that provided them with tons of entertainment during their break time, as they were willing to play with and share with other students from the different classes. It was wonderful seeing the children play together and made me rethink about what it means to be happy or what one truly needs material wise to be truly content.

What I would say to someone still hesitant about volunteering abroad is that being hesitant is understandable and the fear of the unknown is really real. It would be unrealistic to not approach volunteering abroad with some form of apprehension or uncertainty, but I think that taking the first step really helps, especially to get yourself into the groove. Besides that, I think that the local team working with IVHQ will be able to provide the sufficient support for volunteering abroad, as long as one voices out his or her opinion. For example, the local team were able to advise us on the materials we prepared and gave us suggestions on what we could incorporate into our lessons, which made the experience much more positive both for us and our target audience.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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Volunteer Abroad in Ubud, Bali with IVHQ

Location

Set among lush rice paddies and ancient temples, IVHQ’s Ubud program will send you back in time. The 14 villages that make up the historical town of Ubud have streets lined with statues and ornate temples that ooze old-world charm. Ubud is also known for its artistic flair, with countless art galleries, artists’ workshops, craft shops and markets to explore.

Arrival and orientation

The Bali volunteer program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Bali on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are in Bali prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Ubud or Denpasar on the day before your program orientation.

There are two options for orientation for the Bali - Ubud Program:

1-day Orientation:

The 1-day orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting with the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day. Volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project choosing this option will need to arrive into Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on the Sunday before 1pm. As you will be transferred straight to Nusa Penida for your one-day orientation the following day.

5-day Introduction Week:

The second option is Introduction Week, hosted by our Bali team in Ubud. The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Bali, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off a must-do Bali experiences! The Introduction Week will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

While volunteer schedules depend on the particular projects and placements, a typical day might look like this:

8:00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house
9:00 AM Volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours planning for their projects.
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Volunteers head to their placements.
5:00 PM Work at the project usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping.
5:00 - 6:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer house.

Weekends

Whether you’re into arts and crafts, ancient history, exploring nature or after an adrenaline rush, there’s plenty to satisfy you in and around Ubud. You can fill your weekends with statues, museums and temples, hiking to the summit of Mt Batur, seeing waterfalls, snorkeling, white-water rafting, art galleries, shopping at markets or visiting small farms and rice paddies.

Ubud’s central location also makes it easy to get to other places in Bali like the capital city of Denpasar and the glorious beaches and villages that line the southern coast - all less than an hour away by taxi.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be staying in a volunteer house, located about 15 minutes’ drive from central Ubud. The volunteer houses are set in small villages, which it’s a great way to see typical Balinese life.

Living conditions are comfortable and all volunteer houses have fans in the bedrooms. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to seven other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender. The bathroom is shared with a hot water shower and western toilets. There is a large outdoor dining area for volunteers to socialise and enjoy their meals together.

WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and there are great internet cafes in Ubud if you would like to access a higher speed connection.

Each volunteer house has a security guard at night and there is 10:30pm curfew every night at the volunteer accommodation, please be considerate and reduce noise.

If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at AU$83 per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.

Private room upgrades are also possible for an additional cost. These are subject to availability and once you have registered you will be able to request an upgrade.

Meals

Volunteers are served mainly Balinese style dishes and should expect light vegetarian meals like:

  • Rice, fresh vegetables and occasionally tempeh/tofu
  • Nasi goreng (fried rice and vegetables - often considered as the national dish)
  • Mie goreng (fried noodles and vegetables)
  • Gado gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce)

Western meals may be served during the week. Breakfast can include fresh fruit, toast, and eggs. Tea, coffee, and toast will be available throughout the day. Purified drinking water is also available in the volunteer house; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water.

On weekdays you’ll get three meals a day, but during the weekend only breakfast and dinner are provided. If volunteers wish to eat out in Ubud, there are a large number of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.

If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and need to be as flexible as possible. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$616 Equivalent to AU$88/day
2 weeks AU$908 Equivalent to AU$65/day
3 weeks AU$1200 Equivalent to AU$57/day
4 weeks AU$1499 Equivalent to AU$54/day
5 weeks AU$1783 Equivalent to AU$51/day
6 weeks AU$2035 Equivalent to AU$48/day
8 weeks AU$2530 Equivalent to AU$45/day
10 weeks AU$3025 Equivalent to AU$43/day
12 weeks AU$3520 Equivalent to AU$42/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Bali - Ubud generally find US$80-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Bali

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Bali! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Bali program.

Bali Adventure Week
Bali Adventure Week

We highly recommend the Bali Adventure program on your Bali trip! The Bali Adventure week is the perfect way to experience the adventurous side of this beautiful little island. Go on a cycle tour, visit an active volcano, tread into spice plantations and rice fields, hike into the mountains and take part in Turtle conservation. The program will unleash the adventure in you.

AU$720
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation

Bali is identified by many travelers around the world as a unique place for reflection and contemplation. Balinese Yoga is about feeling and appreciating the spiritual nature. A good combination of Balinese Meditation and Yoga will make your body and mind feel more relaxed.

AU$672
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week

Many people travel the world to experience Bali as they believe it is a unique place for reflection and contemplation. In fact, they take this a step further and say Ubud is a sanctuary within Bali, an idyllic environment in which you can experience true tranquility. Thus, this program shall help you to get rid of stress, anxiety and physical ailments by engaging in Yoga and Meditation.

AU$672
Ubud Introduction Week
Ubud Introduction Week

Learn more about the Balinese culture and tick off some must-do Bali experiences.

AU$574
Bali Adventure Week
Bali Adventure Week

We highly recommend the Bali Adventure program on your Bali trip! The Bali Adventure week is the perfect way to experience the adventurous side of this beautiful little island. Go on a cycle tour, visit an active volcano, tread into spice plantations and rice fields, hike into the mountains and take part in Turtle conservation. The program will unleash the adventure in you.

AU$720
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week

Many people travel the world to experience Bali as they believe it is a unique place for reflection and contemplation. In fact, they take this a step further and say Ubud is a sanctuary within Bali, an idyllic environment in which you can experience true tranquility. Thus, this program shall help you to get rid of stress, anxiety and physical ailments by engaging in Yoga and Meditation.

AU$672
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation

Bali is identified by many travelers around the world as a unique place for reflection and contemplation. Balinese Yoga is about feeling and appreciating the spiritual nature. A good combination of Balinese Meditation and Yoga will make your body and mind feel more relaxed.

AU$672
Lovina Introduction Week
Lovina Introduction Week

Learn more about the Balinese culture and tick off some must-do Bali experiences.

AU$574

Check what's required to visit Bali

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Denpasar
Population 4.22 million
Languages Bahasa Indonesia
Currency Indonesia Rupiah (IDR)
Time zone UTC+08:00

Weather and climate

Bali has a tropical climate with year-round warm weather and an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). High humidity can be expected during the wet season from October to April. The dry season is between the months of May and September and has the lowest humidity.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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