My first experience with Worldpackers | 2 weeks in Sulawesi

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is a platform that connects travelers with hosts around the world who need volunteers to collaborate on their projects. In exchange for a few hours of work a day, volunteers receive free accommodation and, in many cases, food or other benefits.

Created in Brazil in 2013, Worldpackers has grown to become a global community with more than 3 million travelers and 9,000 hosts in 170 countriesThis platform offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic cultural experiences, allowing travelers to contribute to local projects while exploring new cultures. It's also a way to meet and connect with other travelers and travel affordably while exploring a place slowly.

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Learning and (dis)connection in Toraja culture |  Worldpackers Experience In Indonesia

Volunteering in Sulawesi was one of the most transformative experiences and complete in my life. I spent two weeks doing a combination of work between eco-farming, where I learned more closely about all the properties of many of the tubers they grew, like ginger, along with English classes in a village completely isolated from technology and with international colleagues. Added to this is an extraordinary location for discover a little-known culture, the Toraja culture. 

Mornings in the garden learning home remedies and other curiosities

The day started around 8 a.m. with breakfast in the lounge for all colleagues. Dutch, Japanese, Australians and Indonesians They were our colleagues at the time. A completely international environment that allowed us to continue improving our English.  

After breakfast we started with our first tasks in the garden with the great host NatsirA good and wise man who has spent his entire life helping others. His main crop was coffee and root vegetables like turmeric and ginger, essential for traditional medicine. For the coffee beans, we processed all the harvested beans and separated the skin from the bean. This was then dried so we could roast the coffee beans. A simple process, but one that took time at every step. 

Regarding the tubers, we peeled them and left them to dry.car in the sun. Finally, a final baking was done to finish the seasoning.car the wastewater to then turn it into powder. Other tropical fruits such as avocado or pineapple were also processed, each with its own growth rate that Natsir knew perfectly. 

Afternoons having fun, learning English  

After lunch, around 14:XNUMX p.m., the volunteers split up to cover the different centers where we would hold classes. The different centers were cabins built by Natsir, a school terrace, and a typical Toraja house. where children between 5 and 13 years old took free classes and voluntarily. 

In most cases there was a local volunteer interim who coordinated the classes with a syllabus to follow, so we only had to give creativity a go to be able to teach this subject matter in a fun and dynamic way. 

The handkerchief game with numbers, animals, colors. Songs to learn the parts of the body and all kinds of interactive activities We came up with activities to keep their minds entertained for an hour and a half for the younger children and another hour and a half for the older ones. The children were enthusiastic and eager to learn, which made everything much easier. They understood that learning English was a great opportunity for them, and although some were a little shy at first, it didn't take long to gain their trust, and after two weeks, their carchild. 

Facilities and coexistence in my experience with Worldpackers

The accommodation that Natsir offers for the stay are private cabins, simple but cozyThe bathroom and showers were shared, but everything was very clean. Be prepared to not have hot water for two weeks. 

The three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, were very varied and sufficient for even the most greedy. Generally homemade dishes prepared with many of the garden products which were vegetables, rice or noodles and chicken, fish or tofu. 

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More than volunteering, a life lesson

These two weeks in Sulawesi have been an incredible, immersive experience in the Toraja culture and the entire region. A great experience, and one I was fortunate to have shared with wonderful people like my colleagues, who, despite being from different parts of the world, We all came with the same purpose: to help and learn.  

I learned about the thousands of properties of the tubers they used as traditional medicine, but what I found most fulfilling was that no matter how little you think you can contribute to English classes, you are helping many children and young people who may never have the opportunity to speak with people from other countries because of their limited opportunities to leave their surroundings. 

My first experience with Worldpackers I feel was in a very special placeA great opportunity if you're thinking of volunteering alone or as a couple. You'll contribute to the community and gain invaluable new experiences and learning opportunities. So yes, I definitely plan to repeat the experience of volunteering with Worldpackers somewhere else in the world.

After two weeks there we continued touring Sulawesi, one of the most incredible islands in Indonesia, full of lovely people and paradisiacal places like the Togean beaches or Paisu Pok Lake in Banggai.

Who should live their first experience with Worldpackers

Worldpackers is the perfect option for those who want to travel more affordably, with more immersion and flexibility. But of course, It is not for everybodyHere we tell you what kind of people we think would be a good fit and enjoy volunteering.

Budget Travelers

If your goal is travel for a long time without spending too much moneyWorldpackers is ideal. You can find free accommodation in exchange for work. This will allow you to continue exploring different destinations without worrying about hotel costs. A common example is working a few hours a day in a hostel in exchange for bed and breakfast.

Digital nomads seeking 'stability'

If you work remotely, but only a few hours a day. It might be a good idea for those starting a project or working a few hours a week as a freelancer and would like to have "stability on the road" for a few weeks or months, as well as being able to meet new people. However, for those who work long hours and are just looking to "sleep for free," I don't think it's ideal. An alternative is to do a petsitting.

Travelers looking for authentic experiences

For those who want to disconnect from mass tourism and live like a localWorldpackers is an excellent option. You can collaborate on rural, ecological, or volunteer projects. For example, on an organic farm or a school in a remote village (like we did), and experience the true essence of the place. It also allows you to focus on practical applications.car Worldpackers experiences in remote areas, which are not usually accessible to tourists.

People who want to learn new skills

If you are interested in developing new skills while traveling, Worldpackers offers many opportunities to gain experience in fields such as agriculture, photography, hospitality, event planning and much more. These practical assignments can improve your CV if you're thinking of changing jobs. carretera. Don't take credit away from yourself to everything that experiences with Worldpackers can teach you. It's also very interesting for those who want to practicecar Your English, for example, volunteering as a receptionist will help you a lot to achieve it.

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Interested in social and environmental causes

If you have a genuine interest in social causes, Worldpackers connects you with projects such as working in animal shelters, restoring ecosystems, or supporting disadvantaged communities. It's a way to do something meaningful while traveling and make a positive impact.

People seeking community while traveling

If traveling alone doesn't appeal to you that much, or after a few months you need something different, Worldpackers also has an important community aspectMany projects offer the opportunity to work alongside other volunteers, allowing you to make new friends and share experiences, creating a network of travelers with similar interests. For this reason, it's important to ask how many volunteers are available and read reviews from others before applying.car.

We hope that the Daa's first experience with Worldpackers inspired you! If you have any questions, or if you'd like to share your own, please let us know in the comments. Happy adventures!