We hope we have covered most of the queries volunteers have in the Volunteering and Program sections of our website, but here are some answers to regular questions we get from volunteers.
1. How many students are usually in the classes?
Generally there are between 5-15 students per class.
2. When do classes occur?
Class occur in the afternoons between 3pm and 6pm, usually going for 1 hour per class.
3. What accommodation do you offer?
We have a bungalow with two separate rooms, which have lighting, power points for charging electronic equipment, a small fan and insect netting over the bed/ electronic insect repeller. In addtion to these rooms, there is a room in the house for guests with the same amenities.
4. What bathroom facilities do you have?
We have the traditional style squat toilets and showers (buckets) in the house. And we have recently built an outside toilet and shower for volunteers and students which is located close to the bungalows (volunteers no longer need to run inside to use the toilets) For more information on how to use a squat toilet please visit this website.
5. How do you get to Bajo or Palopo? (Depending on when you plan to volunteer)
Makassar has an international Airport, Sultan HasanUddin (UPG). flights from Bali are around $60 and take about 1.5 hours, from Jakarta they take around 2 Hours. I recommend flying with Garuda Airline because it’s meant to be the safest.
Grab a Taxi taking you to Daya Bus Terminal. This is a short ride and will cost you 90’000 IDR ($7).
Ask for the bus going to Belopa/ Palopo. There is a Bus leaving at around 10 am and a night bus at 8 pm. If you arrive at another time there are cars that can take you to Belopa / Palopo. but they often stop to pick up other passengers on the road along the way. The whole ride takes 7-9 hours. All options will cost around 150’000 IDR ($11).
There is also the option to take another flight to Palopo. However the company is not the safest. You will find flights on www.traveloka.com to Bua Indonesia airport. If you need any help with the booking, let me know.
6. What is the $3 cost used for?
The $3 helps to cover breakfast, lunch and dinner costs. For more information about the food offered please go here. Accommodation is provided FREE in exchange for help with the English and Environmental programs.