Voluntourism with a twist
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Jan 25, 2013 4:21 AM Last Post By: lukemackin
jump to
Voluntourism with a twist
I recently visited Cianjur in west java through the home stay program recommended by lonely planet and although i was quite unimpressed with the program I met some very interesting people along the way. One of who was Hadi Sutrisno who is the principle of the local hospitality school there. He informed me about a program starting up first of its kind that actually works with inmates in the local jails (mostly in their for petty crimes) and teaches English and a diploma in hotel studies to enable them future prospects when they are released. I unfortunately was not staying long enough to partake in this program (as it is not starting until next week) but took great interest. I spent time with hadi and his family and they are fantastic people who all speak very good english. If interested in this program Hadi is more than willing to provide accomodation in his family home as well transport etc to and from the jail. The program will run 3 days a week and there is no minimum time you must stay. TEFL course qualifications are not required but would be ideal. Anyone interested in this can either email Hadi at- hadi_strisno@yahoo.com or telephone him on +62263266455.I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in making a difference during their travels and also for those who want to get to know life in a non touristy indonesian town
3
I agree sitiamina, in both parts... i was going for the more gentle approach :-)OP - we're not trying to put a downer on this - just safeguarding those who may spend time looking into this.. and even taking part in the program while on a non-working (whether paid or not) toursit visa..... immigration laws are there to be obeyed... a foreign person who is caught doing this type of work on a tourist visa would be in serious trouble if it went as far as court time.
5
Long term might be a problem but for a few days, less than a week, it shouldnt be.My friends from Singapore regularly join volunteer programmes, not this specific one, in an unofficial way on tourist visa. They spent their time with friends of friends "talking " in English and these friends provide free accomodation and food, as most Indonesian friends do. Technically theres no money involved. They have not stayed longer than a week at any particular time.
6
I agree YumSeng, living at a homestay and talking to friends of friends in a non structured learning environment (learning each others languages and cultures) is probably okay, let's face it we've all done this at some point of our travels while in Indonesia (but i would personally never do it if it was part of a volunteer program).. but to be part of the type of program highlighted with the opening post goes against the immigration laws.For the benefit of people who are heading to Indonesia for the first time; to work even as a volunteer (non money making) while in the country on a tourist visa contravenes that visa.
8
No links to government laws but if you read up on the visa regulations is states very clearly that you can NOT work on any kind of visa except a work visa and that requires a KITA. Volontary work is equalled with a normal job. There is no such thing as a volunteer tourism visa, so no way around the regulations. Many does volontary work anyhow but it's not legal. If found out a person can be brought to court, have to pay heavy fines and then face deportation.13
Found the 2010 (new) version here, although it's not as defined as I would like. http://www.kemenkumham.go.id/attachments/article/143/M.HH-01.GR.01.06%20Tahun%202010.pdfA clearer copy here: http://www.expat.or.id/info/VisaKunjunganSaatKedatanganbn12-2010.pdf
"Visa on Arrivals can be granted to foreign citizens who intend to visit Indonesia for tourism, social and cultural visits, business visits, or governmental duties, considering the foundation of being mutually beneficial, and not posing a security threat." (that's my poor translation attempt)
I feel like volunteering short-term would fall somewhere within a social-cultural or even business definition if you're a stickler, right? So, I'm still curious why VOAs aren't good enough for short-term volunteering, and if they aren't, which visa would be?
14
Here's another link:http://www.deplu.go.id/Pages/ServiceDisplay.aspx?IDP=7&IDP2=21&Name=ConsularService&l=en
"This visa can be obtained directly when you arrive at certain airports and seaports in Indonesia, regardless of the purpose of your visit (Business, Tourist, Social-Cultural)."
Again, why isn't volunteering allowed?
