anyone in indonesia?

[Gunter]

i volunteered there last year and i am thinking about going back soon.

[MamaRabbit]

Oooh, I hopefully will next summer. I applied for June/July. How long does it usually take to hear back from them or do I need to call? It's been almost 2 mo since I sent in my application!

[Gunter]

well, i am not sure if i filled out an application. i did fill out something online at one point, i think. I just called the number on the website and Robin answered. She said that I could come within 2 weeks. it was surprisingly simple somehow. maybe they have tightened things up?

it would be a good idea to call.

are you learning some indonesian? it will be helpful and it's an easy language to learn.

not sure when next year we will be there. it would be so great to work with you there after being online together!!!

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit

Oooh, I hopefully will next summer. I applied for June/July. How long does it usually take to hear back from them or do I need to call? It's been almost 2 mo since I sent in my application!

have you heard back from anyone?

[MamaRabbit]

I called, there was confusion, so they said to email. I emailed and then the volunteer coordinator answered back that the website for applications was messed up. Soooo, I redid the whole application last week. I hope I'll know soon since they know I applied two months ago.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit

I called, there was confusion, so they said to email. I emailed and then the volunteer coordinator answered back that the website for applications was messed up. Soooo, I redid the whole application last week. I hope I'll know soon since they know I applied two months ago.

oh, i am so sorry about that! they have serious web issues, still, i bet. DH tried to fix some while he was there. i hope that you find out soon!

we hope to be there next year, too. just trying to figure out exactly when though?

[MamaRabbit]

How much did it cost since you went in as "student"? Did you have to wear scrubs? Any supplies of your own that you needed? I"m trying to get an idea of the costs other than transportation, food, housing, etc.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit

How much did it cost since you went in as "student"? Did you have to wear scrubs? Any supplies of your own that you needed? I"m trying to get an idea of the costs other than transportation, food, housing, etc.

the biggest expense was housing. we paid $300 a month. we bought bicycles, too and they were about $100 total with an kid's seat attached. it was nice exercise and great for transportation. someone from bumi sehat picked us up at the airport. occasionally, we would get a ride into town or home from town with a friend. there was only one church and it was quite a ride up a mountain to get there so we always arrived exhausted. we got a ride one sunday. then, we would hang out in town after if there weren't any laboring women. so the ride back wasn't as bad.

don't have to wear scrubs. you can wear anything you want just no sleeveless shirts. i brought my own stethascope, BP cuff and fetascope with me. I would highly recommend doing that! they are low on supplies, for sure.

organic yummy food is super cheap and you can have it delivered to your doorstep. or walk/ride bikes into town. there is a grocery store and a weekly farmer's market.

[Gunter]

i just got an e-mail from robin last week about some of the details with volunteering these days.

they have a new volunteer coordinator. (she is a CPM who spends half her time and bali and the other half in vermont. i volunteered with her when i was there and she works really hard.)

they have gotten more attention from the govt. of indonesia so they have to be stricter about their volunteers. not sure what else that means but that can be a reason for the scrutiny.

those two things may be part of the delay you are experiencing. hope you hear something soon though!

[MamaRabbit]

Thanks for that bit of information. I totally understand, as living in a different Asian countries with immigration issues, a time for processing makes sense.

[MamaRabbit]

I was accepted for next June/July!!! I'm so so excited! And it's all thanks to you or I would've never heard of Bumi Sehat!

[Gunter]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We may get to meet up! I am talking with Robin about coming in June!