Volunteer Programs Forever

While the Indonesian island welcomes millions of visitors yearly, many are unaware of the extreme poverty a rising number of Bali’s residents live in. Beyond the tourist hotspots, the poverty rate is twice as high in rural communities and remote villages. Predominantly in the north of the island, the soil is less fertile, and access to education and employment opportunities is scarce. Having started as a pilot project under Volunteer Programs Bali in 2012, Volunteer Programs Forever was founded in 2015. Registered in Belgium, the non-profit organisation has over 11 years of expertise in developing sustainable and culturally sensitive solutions to empower underprivileged Balinese communities.

We support Balinese communities to unlock their full potential by giving them better access to education and the resources to create their own path and a sustainable future.

What we do

By allowing better access to education, pre-employment programs and creating job opportunities outside the tourism sector, Volunteer Programs Forever empowers selected Balinese communities to develop a thriving future resilient towards the risk of epidemics and natural disasters.

We do so by creating long term solutions through different frameworks such as Soul Projects, Fundraisers and Bali Touch, this all together with our worldwide Forever Network.

Increasing access to knowledge and education.

Creating local job employment opportunities.

Targeted Soul Projects to answer community needs.

United through a worldwide network of like minded people.

Learn more about what we do

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How we are set up makes us stand out.

The most powerful answer to end poverty is to spread awareness and empower sustainable change by uniting people from around the world.

The non-profit organisation is run entirely by a network of dedicated volunteers from across the globe who feel passionate about overcoming poverty. They volunteer by contributing their valuable time and diverse skill set to the organisation pro bono. This ensures Volunteer Programs Forever can turn the maximum of funds into aid.

Together we create opportunities to increase knowledge and access to information, in order to help underprivileged Balinese communities in need.

Our Forever Network works directly for and with the underprivileged communities in Bali.

We support communities as a whole instead of just individuals.

Our solutions are integrated in the local culture and traditions of Bali.

We provide mid and long term solutions instead of quick fixes.

volunteer opportunities

Soul Projects

in progress

learn more about our Soul Projects

Testimonials of our local community

Agung’s story, ex student at our Learning Center

“Since I was a child, I have always wanted to be a pilot. When I was in elementary school I joined the Volunteer Programs Forever class to learn English. I continued with my classes during high school where I trained to work in tourism. When I was at one of the English classes one of the volunteers started talking to me about my love of planes and helicopters. They suggested that I do one of the Volunteer Programs workshops on career planning and self development. I met Kimberley who listened to me explaining how I had always wanted to become a pilot. She suggested that I look at what I needed to do to join the Indonesian air force. With her encouragement I applied for a job in the Indonesian Air Force to become a pilot. I was successful and am now a fully qualified pilot based in Java. I cannot thank Kimberley and Volunteer Programs Forever enough for helping me to believe in myself and find a way to make my dreams come true.”

Ni Luh Mas Tresna Sari, ex student at the Forever Learning Center

Tresna has been for 6 years at the school. She was part of the scholarship program in order to continue her studies besides learning English at the Learning Center. Besides learning English she also became a staff member to practise more English and participated in various workshop. It was Wonderfull to see how eager she always has been to learn and grow. Today she is a manager at a hotel, a job she could never dream of before.

Ni Wayan Tari, comes from a farmer’s family in Lodtunduh.

“I am so looking forward for the Forever Learning Center - VP Bali to open here in Lodtunduh. I am happy that I will be able to work there. I have been following the process of the learning center and I am impressed with all the plans. Because of all the activities that will take place there I will be able to supply the center with my vegetables on a daily basis. I will be able to host the cooking classes and support my fellow community members by providing them with jobs as well so we can prepare meals for the volunteers”. - Ni Wayan Tari - comes from a farmer’s family in Lodtunduh.

I Wayan Mudita, ex student at the Forever Learning Center

Mudita has been at the school for over 5 years. His priority was to learn English and continue his education. Thanks to VP Forever, he was able to continue his studies through the scholarship that was provided. When he was excelling in English, he became part of the team by helping during the classes so he could practice more his English. He is now a driver and guide and is able to provide for his family.

Nyoman Juniarta , Father of Balinese family in Lodtunduh

“As a Balinese I am grateful for the opportunities I got from VP Bali. Me and my family have benefited in many ways, my kids can learn English and me and my wife could have a job. I am happy that we can keep working at the learning center and I am thankful for Kimberley and her team.” - Nyoman Juniarta - Father of Balinese family in Lodtunduh.

Gede Suantara, local village leader in Lodtunduh

“The program of VP Bali has impacted many of the members of our community. I am proud to say I am working with this organization and together we can make an impact on the local people. With the new plans of the learning center we can do even more and I am excited to be a part of that!” -Gede Suantara - local village leader in Lodtunduh.

Gio’s story, student at our Learning Center

Gio is 11 years old. He lives in Ubud and comes from a very troubled family background. There is as a lot of violence and alcohol abuse at home. When he first started English classes at VP Bali five years ago, he was disruptive in the classes and unpopular with the other children. And then one of our Australian volunteers took the time to listen to him and to encourage him in his classes. His behaviour started to change; he became motivated to learn English and he started to behave well in the classes. We have seen an immense growth over the years. Gio has been learning a lot and has shown a lot of positive change in his behaviour. He changed from being a troublemaker into a smart and kind kid who is loved by his teachers and his friends. We have a transport system that picks the children up from their homes and brings them to the classes. He chose to come early and played with the other children before the class started. He now has good friends and is developing confidence in himself. He can see a world and future for himself outside of his chaotic, violent family unit. We look forward to seeing how he will grow up and are sure that he will love the workshops at the new Center.

Ibu working at the Warung in the different schools

In all the locations of our Learning Centers, VP Forever provided local job employment. One of these were the ladies that sold snacks and drinks. In each location, Kimberley the founder, sat with the head of the village to ensure a rolling systems for the ladies in the village. All ladies were unemployment and not able to earn money due to difference reasons. Thanks to VP Forever, they could have a source of income and help provide for their family.

10 years of VP Forever

Testimonials of our volunteers in Bali

Our journey started in 2012 with the opening of the Forever Learning Centres in various underprivileged Balinese communities. While the centres focussed on offering English classes to children and teenagers given by international volunteers, they were also an excellent opportunity for the whole community to benefit from as they also created local employment and skill training.

Meeting people from around the world, learning more about different cultures and getting used to different accents was highly valuable for Balinese children not being able to travel. Whereas the English classes were an excellent preparation towards finding employment in the tourism sector, they allowed the international volunteers to gain deep insight into the Balinese culture and traditions. The cultural exchange inspired many to reconsider their careers or empower sustainable change in their home countries.

Empowering communities in Balito build their own future.