Community Volunteering & Homestay
Share your skills. Exchange knowledge. Be part of the community.
Looking for a way to experience local life beyond the usual tourist trail?
Our Community Volunteering & Homestay experience invites you to spend time in Putang Village, contribute to community projects, and learn more about the daily life and culture of the Bunong people.
Our main focus is education, particularly helping local children develop their English language skills. We also welcome volunteers who can contribute to practical projects that improve and maintain the community’s facilities, including the school, accommodation huts, restaurant, and shared spaces.
Whether you enjoy teaching, have practical skills in carpentry or woodworking, or simply want to contribute your time and energy, we welcome people who are willing to learn, help, and participate respectfully.
- Community-based volunteering
- English teaching and practical projects
- Traditional village homestay
- Meals, water, tea, and coffee included
- Flexible stays of one week or more
How You Can Contribute
Teaching English
Education is at the heart of our volunteering project. By helping children practise English, you can support their learning and give them more opportunities to communicate with visitors and engage with the wider world.
Teaching takes place in the afternoon, with classes generally running from 4 PM to 7 PM. Volunteers may work with different age groups and language levels, depending on the number of children and volunteers present.
You do not necessarily need to be a professional teacher, but you should be patient, enthusiastic, and prepared to work responsibly with children. Teaching arrangements and responsibilities will be discussed before your placement.
Ethical Volunteering & Responsible Teaching
We believe that volunteering should be guided by the needs of the local community, not simply by the wishes of visitors. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange while supporting the long-term development of the village and its children.
Teaching with respect and responsibility
Education is an important part of our project, and we want English lessons to be a positive and valuable experience for the children. We encourage volunteers to approach teaching with patience, kindness, and an open mind, recognising that every child learns at their own pace.
Our aim is not to replace local teachers or impose outside ideas, but to complement the children’s learning and help them build confidence in using English. We value cultural exchange as a two-way process in which volunteers share their knowledge while learning from the children, their families, and the local community.
Putting the children’s needs first
Children’s well-being, safety, and dignity must always come first. Volunteers are expected to respect their privacy, follow the project’s safeguarding guidelines, and behave appropriately at all times. Photographs or videos of children should only be taken or shared with proper permission.
We also believe in the importance of consistency. This is why we recommend a stay of at least one week for volunteers who wish to teach English. Spending more time in the village helps volunteers understand the children’s learning levels, build familiarity, and contribute to a more consistent learning experience.
Supporting the community on its own terms
We want volunteering to strengthen the community, not create dependency or disrupt local ways of life. We listen to local needs and organise activities according to the priorities of the project, whether that means helping with English lessons, supporting practical building work, or contributing useful skills.
For us, responsible volunteering is about showing up with respect, being willing to learn, and contributing in ways that are genuinely helpful.
Our hope is that every volunteer leaves with a deeper understanding of the Bunong community, and that their time here brings lasting value to the people who call Putang Village home.
Building, Maintenance & Repairs
There is always work to be done to maintain and improve the community facilities. Depending on current needs, projects may include repairing existing structures, maintaining the school and accommodation huts, improving shared spaces, or helping with new construction projects such as toilet facilities.
If you have experience in carpentry, woodworking, construction, or other practical crafts, your skills may be especially useful.
The work available depends on the project’s current priorities, available materials, and the number of volunteers on site.
Experience Everyday Village Life
Volunteering is also an opportunity to slow down and learn. By staying in the village, sharing meals, and spending time with local people, you can gain a deeper understanding of the community and the everyday realities of rural life.
We encourage volunteers to arrive with an open mind, respect local customs, and approach the experience as an exchange of knowledge rather than simply a chance to teach or help.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
Volunteers generally contribute fewer than five hours of work per day, depending on the activities and needs of the project.
Teaching takes place in the afternoon, usually from 4 PM to 7 PM. Building, maintenance, or other community activities may be arranged at different times of the day.
When several volunteers are present, activities can be shared according to people’s skills and interests. Some may focus on English lessons while others assist with practical projects.
Outside volunteering hours, you will have time to relax, explore the village, and get to know the local community.
Accommodation & Meals
During your stay, you will receive accommodation in the village at no additional accommodation charge.
For $6 per day, we provide three meals, drinking water, and tea or coffee.
Living in the village offers an opportunity to experience a different pace of life and become part of the daily rhythm of the community.
Volunteering Information & Costs
- Recommended duration: One week, particularly for teaching English
- Accommodation: Included at no additional charge
- Meals and drinks: $6 per day, including three meals, water, and tea or coffee
- Arrangement and transport fee: A one-time payment of $20 for coordination and pick-up from and return to the city
- Activities: English teaching, building, maintenance, and repairs, depending on current needs
- Teaching schedule: Generally 4 PM–7 PM, with three classes organised by age and English level where possible
- Daily volunteering commitment: Generally fewer than five hours, depending on the work available
The exact activities will depend on the community’s priorities during your stay and the skills you can offer.
Volunteering costs
One-time arrangement fee
Coordination and city pick-up and return
$20
Daily meals and drinks
Three meals, water, tea and coffee
$6/day
Accommodation
Provided during the volunteering stay
Included
Example: a seven-day stay would cost $62 for the arrangement fee and meals, assuming seven days of meals at $6 per day.
How to Join
We recommend staying for at least one week, especially if you would like to help teach English. A longer stay allows you to become familiar with the children’s learning levels, establish a routine, and contribute more consistently.
Before arranging your visit, please tell us a little about yourself, your interests, any relevant experience, and how long you would like to stay. This helps us understand how you might best contribute to the project.
We will discuss the current needs of the community, available activities, and practical arrangements with you before confirming your placement.
Come with an open mind. Share what you can. Leave having learned something, too.
Before You Join Us
We ask every volunteer to come with an open mind, respect for local culture, and a willingness to listen and learn. Our project is community-led, and all volunteering activities are arranged around local needs and the well-being of the people involved.
Ready to contribute? Contact us to discuss your volunteer stay.
