Bali Community Service and Action

Saraswati Temple Ubud, Indonesia

Code: WSBS

Overview

Highlights

Work alongside staff at Yayasan Widya Guna Children Centre
Experience traditional Balinese culture in local villages
Cook a traditional Balinese meal with a local chef
Snorkel and take part in a coral restoration project
Walk amongst volcanos and coffee plantations
Batik dyeing workshop

This 9-day Bali service learning program has been designed for students to engage in ethical, community-led initiatives in partnership with the Yayasan Widya Guna Centre. Working alongside local staff and community members, students contribute to meaningful activities that support educational development and wellbeing programs identified by the centre itself. Grounded in responsible travel principles and strict child safeguarding standards, the program prioritises respectful engagement and long-term community benefit. Through structured reflection and genuine cultural exchange, students develop intercultural understanding, empathy and global awareness while experiencing the rich traditions, landscapes and daily life of Bali.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Denpasar

Activities:

Grading:Adventure touring

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Fly to Denpasar

After much planning and preparation the day is finally here! Our service journey begins as we arrive in Bali, ready to immerse ourselves in a meaningful humanitarian experience. Our local team will be waiting to greet you at the airport and welcome you to Indonesia. We'll transfer to our hotel in Sanur to check in, settle and have a full trip and safety briefing with our guides. This evening is an opportunity to rest, connect as a group and prepare for the important work ahead. Tonight we will sample the local cuisine at a local restaurant with a welcome dinner. Overnight: Sanur Hotel

Meals: D

Day 2
Travel to Bedulu and introduction to our work at Yayasan Widya Guna Centre

This morning we travel to the small village of Bedulu and check into our community stay, where we will be warmly welcomed by our host family. After settling in, we attend an orientation at the Yayasan Widya Guna centre to gain a deeper understanding of its mission supporting children with special needs and those from underprivileged backgrounds. A guided tour of the village and centre provides important context about the local community and the impact of grassroots humanitarian initiatives. In the afternoon, we join members of the community at the Balai Banjar for some local sports matches against the village kids. At sunset, we'll head out for a walk amongst the rice paddies before coming back to our homestay to enjoy a delicious Balinese meal. Overnight: Bedulu community stay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Community service at YWG, night markets in Ubud.

This morning we begin with the daily morning ritual alongside YWG students, an inclusive and uplifting practice that reinforces respect and unity. Our group then divides, rotating between assisting in special needs classrooms and undertaking practical service work around the centre. We'll assist both teachers and physiotherapists and tasks may include classroom support, resource preparation, maintenance and helping to deliver engaging learning activities. In the afternoon, groups continue rotating to ensure all students contribute across different areas of need. This evening we travel to Ubud for dinner at a local restaurant, followed by time at the night market. This is a great opportunity to learn about the economy in the community. Overnight: Bedulu Homestay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Community service at YWG, Batik painting workshop

Today strengthens both cultural awareness and service impact. We participate in an offering class to better understand the spiritual foundations that guide Balinese daily life. We then join the YWG students for the morning ritual before continuing our rotations through classroom assistance and centre support activities. In the afternoon, we'll join a Traditional Batik Painting class with the students. This is a fabulous opportunity to be creative, work together, and really understand the lives of the people you have been working alongside. Overnight: Bedulu Homestay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Community service at YWG, evening sports with local community

This morning we return to the centre for the morning ritual that is now starting to feel like regular routine. The majority of the day is dedicated to structured service rotations, supporting the special needs classes and assisting with priority tasks identified by the centre. Our focus remains on reliability, teamwork and meaningful contribution. In the afternoon, we once again join community sport at the Balai Banjar, recognising that shared recreation plays an important role in inclusion and social wellbeing. Overnight: Bedulu Homestay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Community service at YWG, farewell and cooking class

Our final full day at the centre begins with the morning ritual, followed by continued classroom and service support. With a stronger understanding of individual needs and centre routines, we aim to contribute confidently and respectfully. As a thank you for all of our contribution, a children’s dance performance offers a joyful conclusion to our time together. After our final farewells, we will enjoy participating in an organic cooking class, preparing traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The evening finishes off with us sitting together and enjoying the meal we've prepared. Overnight: Bedulu Homestay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Volcano hike, tour a local coffee plantation Kopi Luwak and beach dinner.

An early start takes us north as we bid goodbye to Bedulu for a volcano hike, where we'll aim to get a spectacular view of the island sunrise. We'll then visit a local coffee plantation to learn about agricultural practices and the role of farming in supporting village economies. In the afternoon, we travel to Sanur and check into our accommodation. This evening, we'll gather for a beach dinner and bonfire, where we will have a chance to discuss and reflect on the trip so far and our work in assisting these communities. Overnight: Sanur Hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Snorkelling and coral restoration

Today is a very exciting day as we participate in a full day coral restoration workshop with the Livingseas Foundation. We'll learn about reef ecosystems, environmental threats and community led conservation initiatives before contributing to practical coral restoration efforts. Snorkelling provides a first hand view of the fragile ecosystems we are helping to protect. Overnight: Sanur Hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Fly from Denpasar to home.

After breakfast, there is time for a final swim or quiet reflection before we transfer to the airport for our flight back home.

Meals: B,L,D

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Life Below Water: Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.

Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Peace Justice And Strong Institutions: Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

Reduced Inequalities: To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

International economy group flights (return – as required/requested, organized by World Expeditions Schools)
8 nights accommodation - homestays or twin/multi-share rooms as per itinerary
Professional English-speaking guide and support staff
Community service initiative
All exploration, activities and entry fees as listed in the itinerary
All transfers as described in the itinerary by private vehicle
Tips and gratuities
Community service initiative
Teachers travelling from your school accompanying the program
Tips and gratuities

What's not included

Items of personal nature such as souvenirs, snacks, laundry, etc.
Visas
Travel Insurance - compulsory.
Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary

Grading

Adventure touring

This trip is graded introductory. Any walks are short and at a slow but steady pace. The challenge of travelling in Bali comes from the heat and humidity. Ensuring appropriate clothing and staying hydrated is imperative for handling the environment well.

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