Local Guide

It’s Time To Give Back: Top 11 Volunteer Opportunities in Jakarta

Hello FlokqJune 15, 2020

Giving back is one of the most important things to do in our current society. There are still so many issues that we need to tackle to make this world a better place. Poverty, healthcare, education, basic human rights, animal rights, climate change, equality – you name it. 

Read also: Top 4 Zero Waste Communities in Jakarta
Volunteer Opportunities in South Jakarta
Volunteer Opportunities in West Jakarta

Every country and every city in the world are dealing with at least one of these issues. So you don’t have to go far to make your contribution. Whether it’s volunteering to teach English at a local orphanage or even help build houses for underprivileged families, Jakarta has so many organizations with volunteering opportunities that will welcome you with open arms. It’s time to use your passions and skills to contribute to fighting all these issues and help us get one step closer to being a better Jakarta. 

Here are some great organizations for you to support/volunteer in:  

EDUCATION

1. Taman Bacaan Pelangi (Rainbow Reading Garden)

Taman Bacaan Pelangi or Rainbow Reading Garden is an organization that focuses on providing access to books for children living in remote areas in Indonesia. Established in November 2009 in Flores, Rainbow Reading Garden has built over 60 libraries in 15 islands across East Indonesia. 

What can you do? 
If you have unused Indonesian or English novels, feel free to donate them to Rainbow Reading Garden through their Drive Books, Not Cars (DBNC) campaign. The Indonesian novels will be given directly to their libraries in Eastern Indonesia while the English novels are re-sold during Car Free Day in Jakarta twice a year. All the proceeds will be donated to Rainbow Reading Garden. The location of their drop boxes are listed below: 

• Plaza Indonesia, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.Kav. 28-30, Gondangdia, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350
• Pondok Indah Mall, Jalan Metro Pondok Indah Kav. IV, RT.1/RW.16, Pd. Pinang, Kec. Kby. Lama, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12310
• Mall Kelapa Gading 3, Jl. Boulevard Raya, RW.18, Klp. Gading Tim., Kec. Klp. Gading, Kota Jkt Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14240

If you are looking to purchase novels, go check out DBNC’s twitter page (@drivebooksjkt) where they also sell the donated English novels. These books are sold in bundles for a really great price. Again, all the proceeds will be donated to Rainbow Reading Garden.  

Contact: https://tamanbacaanpelangi.com/ | info@tamanbacaanpelangi.com

2. Sahabat Anak (Children’s Friend)

Sahabat Anak is a non-profit organization relying on a community of volunteers that aim to provide education and basic needs for street kids in Jakarta. They offer a variety of programs such as Bimbingan Belajar (Local Tutorials), Non-Formal School, Pre-School, Children’s Rights Advocation (child trafficking, sexual harassment), Healthcare (vitamins, vaccines), and Health Education. They are located all over Jakarta. 

What can you do? 
Use your knowledge and skills to volunteer for their Bimbingan Belajar/Tutorial program. Through this program, you will be able to provide free basic education and moral/financial support to street kids in Jakarta. You can teach them English, Maths, Science, and many other subjects. There are 7 locations to choose from: Gambir, Grogol, Manggarai, Cijantung, Tanah Abang, Kota Tua, and Rusunawa Cakung Barat. 

YAYASAN SAHABAT ANAK
Jl. Tambak II RT 06/05 No. 23
Kel. Pegangsaan
Jakarta Pusat 10320
Telp. (021) 391 8505, (021) 31934172
Email: info@sahabatanak.com

3. Yayasan Balita Sehat (Foundation for Mother & Child Health Indonesia)

Yayasan Balita Sehat was first established in 2001 by a group of ex-pat nurses wanting to help malnourished children from lower-income families in Jakarta. They provide programs regarding health, nutrition, education, and sustainable skills training. This NGO works under a UK based charity called the Foundation for Mother & Child Health. The Indonesian staff members are assisted by local and international volunteers. 

What can you do? 
YBS is looking for volunteers who are interested and skillful in fundraising, IT, writing/journalism, design, marketing, or PR skills. If you’re interested in lending your expertise, you can reach out through:

Yayasan Balita Sehat (Foundation for Mother and Child Health Indonesia)
Jl. H. Naim II No. 10
Rt. 03 Rw. 11
Cipete Utara, Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan 12150 Indonesia
Tel. & Fax (62-21) 723-2119
Email: info@fmch-indonesia.org

Website: www.fmch-indonesia.org

4. Yayasan Wisma Cheshire

Yayasan Wisma Cheshire is a member of the Global Alliance of Leonard Cheshire Disability – an NGO based in London that campaigns for and provides residential care and vocational training for disabled people. They aim to provide an inclusive environment for disabled people who have been shunned by their own communities due to their disabilities or whose families are unable to financially provide for them. Wisma Cheshire not only provides a safe home for them but also life skills and job opportunities that allow these people to achieve independence.  

What can you do? 
The residents at Wisma Cheshire are taught to create quality handicrafts and woodwork that are sold in their little in-house store called The Red Feather Shop. Volunteers are placed to supervise their work and help advertise the store. Other than that, Wisma Cheshire also opens volunteering opportunities for those who are skilled in design, event coordination, English language training, and counseling

For more information: 
Yayasan Wisma Cheshire 
Jl. Wijaya Kusuma No.15 RW.9
Cilandak Bar. Kec. Cilandak
Jakarta Selatan 12430 Indonesia
Tel. & Fax: (62-21) 822-725-14829
Email: contactwisma@gmail.com

Website: https://wismacheshire.com/

5. Yayasan Sayap Ibu

Yayasan Sayap Ibu is an orphanage in Jakarta for children with mental and physical disabilities. They provide educational programs and therapy (physical, occupational, speech, behavioral, hydrotherapy) to the kids who need it. Other than that, Yayasan Sayap Ibu also hosts educational seminars and public service programs about children’s rights, adoption, and how to care for disabled children. 

What can you do? 
Become a staff member at YSI and help out with the educational and therapy programs. This position allows you to be more hands-on with the kids. You can also volunteer in their logistics team to help sort out donations or be a part of their managing team to brainstorm ideas on how to further develop the orphanage. 

Yayasan Sayap Ibu
Jl. Barito II No.55 
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan 12130
Tel. & Fax: 021-722 1763 & 021-722 1763
Email: admin@sayapibujakarta.org

Website: http://sayapibujakarta.org/

HEALTHCARE 

1. Rachel House 

Established in 2006, Rachel House is an organization that provides free home-based palliative care for children from unprivileged families with serious long-term illnesses such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. Their only vision is to never see a child live or die in pain. Furthermore, they also provide medical professionals and local communities with education about palliative care so that they can do their part to contribute to the cause. 

What can you do? 
Rachel House invites you to use your skills and experience to volunteer. They have opportunities for medical support, English-Bahasa translator/interpreter, graphic designer, event organizer, psychologist, IT support, content writer/copywriter, photographer/videographer, and PR. 

Rachel House Foundation
Graha Indramas, Lantai 1 No.77 
Gedung, Jl. Ks. Tubun, RT.14/RW.5, 
Slipi Jakarta Barat, 11410Telp: +6221 5365 2197
Email: info@rachel-house.org

Website: https://rachel-house.org/

2. Komunitas Taufan (Taufan’s Community)

Komunitas Taufan was established in 2013 by Yeni Dewi Mulyaningsih; a mother who lost her son to leukemia. With the help of local volunteers and donors, she was able to create an organization that focuses on providing moral, financial, and material support for families of children suffering from cancer and other high-risk diseases. They have a variety of programs such as routine hospital and home visits, facilitate fun field trips for the children, help families of these children start micro-businesses, social-media support, and organize campaigns/charities.

What can you do? 
Volunteers are welcomed to join the hospital and house visits. These visits allow you to create relationships with the families, give them moral support, and hear their stories. As you make an impact on their lives, they will also do the same for you. 

Komunitas Taufan 
Jl. Kayu Manis No. 6, RT. 002 RW. 005, Kav. 7,
Kel. Balekambang, Kec. Kramat Jati
Condet, Jakarta Timur 13530
Telp: 021-2983-8093
Email: info@komunitastaufan.org

Website: https://www.komunitastaufan.org/

ENVIRONMENT

1. Clean Up Jakarta

Clean Up Jakarta is an annual event that brings communities and individuals together to volunteer in making a rubbish-free Jakarta (at least for one day). Their aim is to spread awareness to citizens of Jakarta about the polluted state of its city. This city-wide cleanup also allows people to understand more about the importance of recycling. 

What can you do?
This campaign is 100% carried out by volunteers. So this annual day will not happen unless the people of this city take charge. So do pick a clean-up site and sign-up to be a volunteer for this year’s campaign! 

Clean Up Jakarta
Andi (+62 819-0532-4305)
Desta (+62 818-0785-6883)
Email: cujdcoordinator@indonesiaexpat.biz

Website: https://cleanupjakartaday.org/

2. Habitat for Humanity 

Habitat for Humanity is a well-known international NGO that focuses on building houses and improving housing conditions for underprivileged families. They aim to provide access to housing, clean water, sanitation, and open-defecation programs to 100.000 families in Indonesia by 2020. 

What can you do? 
Habitat for Humanity opens volunteering opportunities for those wanting to help build houses for people in their community and also in communities around the world. There are many volunteering options such as short-term building near you,  travel with them to build, group volunteer opportunities, long-term volunteering, and build events. 

Habitat for Humanity 
Hajadi Building, Level 2 & 3,
Jl. Palmerah Utara No. 34, 
Palmerah Jakarta Barat, 11480
Telp: +62 02129916074
Email:  info@habitatindonesia.org

Website: www.habitatindonesia.org

OTHERS

1. Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)

JAAN non-profit, non-governmental organization that focuses on improving the lives of animals in Indonesia. They advocate rights and conservation of domestic, wildlife, and marine animals through various programs and campaigns. One of their more well-known programs is the domestic animal shelter in Jakarta. They take in stray dogs and cats to groom/nurse and prepare them for adoption. JAAN aims to spread awareness about animal rights & suffering and promote compassionate treatment to all animals. 

Read also: Animal Rescue Groups in Jakarta

What can you do? 
JAAN is looking for volunteers to help them in areas like fund-raising, donation logistics, PR, event coordinator, educational outreach, and foster home research. 

Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)
Jl. H. Hasan No.48 
RT.2/RW.1, Baru, 
Kec. Ps. Rebo, 
Kota Jakarta Timur 13780
Email: info@jakartaanimalaid.com

Website: https://www.jakartaanimalaid.com