Medan Manual

Center Information

IHF Medan specializes in helping the poorest of the poor; people who come from many tribes such as Bataknese, Javanese, Melayunese, Acehnese and Padang. (These are the largest tribes in Medan but there are tens of others.) These people are often now living in inner city poverty.

The parents of the children we teach range from single mothers (father deceased) who work as housemaids or washerwomen to pedi-cab drivers who earn money by driving passengers in their tricycle and other labourers making below living wages. Their income is very unreliable. It all depends on finding customers that day.

Medan is an Education Center rather than an Orphanage but it is full of about 300 wonderful students we love and whom we teach English, Math and Computer.

These classes give these very poor children a better chance of obtaining the certificates that will get them better jobs and help them work their way out of poverty.

In Medan, our goal is to train teachers to motivate our shy students to NOT be afraid to ask questions, to speak publicly, to think creatively, and reach for new heights.

Through Teacher Training, we also show teachers how to teach in a way that invites interaction and communication.

The children and all of the IHF Medan Team are striving to improve their English so they can communicate with you and the world.

Transport to the Center

The Center is located approximately 30 minutes from the airport (Rp 50,000 by taxi). For those volunteers arriving in Medan via ferry service from other areas in Southeast Asia, there are buses from various travel agencies (Kings Travel, Sukma Travel, Trophy Travels etc) costing Rp. 10,000 to their Medan offices. From there you will need to take a taxi (Rp 40,000) or becak (Rp 20,000) to the IHF Center.

If you're coming from Aceh, take the bus route to Pelangi, Kurnia or Pusaka. The bus ride will take 14 hours to Medan and will stop at Pondok Kelapa station. Then you can take a pedicab and tell the driver to take you to Jalan Tempuling No 128 A. If the driver doesn't know Jalan Tempuling tell him it's by Jalan Tuamang Pancing. The price is Rp 20.000.

Work to be done at the Center

Medan is an Education Center rather than an Orphanage. Free English, Computing, and Mathematics classes are available for the children. The English and Mathematics classes are held in the evenings from Monday to Thursday while the Computing classes are held in the afternoons from Monday to Saturday. As a volunteer you assist with these classes. The children are always very keen to come to classes.
Before and after classes there is time to do some much needed international IHF tasks as well as other local tasks. Of course, you can always have fun playing with the children. There is always something to do.

Visiting the TEP children at home is very interesting and the families are often pleased to meet the volunteers.

IHF's founder, Carol Sasaki, will email you regularly with international and local tasks. It is very important to keep her informed on the progress of these assignments in your daily reports as well as to answer any questions she might have. Carol plays a very active role in the running of all IHF Centers. Your local Director will also train and guide you.

The main administrative tasks that need completing are.

* The teaching book: Each day the book needs to be updated with a few sentences on what has been taught in classes during the day and any other activities that have taken place. Check previous entries to get an idea of what is required. This is also a good resource for seeing what the children have been taught and what standard they are at.

* Each volunteer should send a report on their international and local tasks to donatedhours@ihfonline.org by 9am and copy it to Carol

* There is also a Weekly Report that needs to be sent, preferably on Monday. This is a combination of what everyone (Director, Volunteers, Teachers and Staff) in the center has accomplished. It will inevitably include some information from the volunteers' daily reports, some from the teaching book about the Maths and Computing lessons and other tasks that have been done. Check previous reports for an idea of how to do it. Both the 'Weekly Report' and the volunteers' daily reports are best written in conversational prose rather than just listing what was done.

Accommodation

The center is a large house set back from Jalan Tempuling. The big open room at the front is divided into a classroom and the computer study area. The garage has also been adapted for use as a classroom. There is another big room with the office computer and a kitchen. There are two rooms with bunk beds for volunteers - one for males and one for females. Sheets are provided but it is best to bring a mosquito net and a light sheet or sarong to cover you.

There is an air conditioner but you must pay extra to use it. The bathroom is the traditional style with a squat toilet and a tank of water from which you scoop water to wash. There is no washing machine so you must wash your clothes in a bucket. Carol's apartment is upstairs. There is a small balcony at the back where you can hang your clothes and look out towards the minarets of the mosques.

There are many street stalls and small restaurants on Jalan Tempuling and small shops where you can buy necessities. To get to larger shops and other facilities like cinemas you must take a becak or angkot.

Our centers' food and facilities are often very different from Western style. Volunteers eat local food and meal times are not tightly scheduled. Toilets are squat toilets and volunteers can shower using a bucket of water in the shower area. Beds are usually on the floor, or on mats in the Asian style. IHF Medan has thin mattress on wooden plank bunk beds. Unfortunately facilities and sleeping arrangements cannot be adjusted for volunteers who prefer Western styles. It is advisable to bring a mosquito net if you are concerned about insects.

Please note it is forbidden to smoke in all IHF Centers.

Costs

IHF charges $35 US a week to stay at the Medan center. Please note that in Indonesian culture, taking money from a 'guest' can be awkward. Of course you are not a guest in the usual sense but you may need to be quite insistent that they accept the money. The $35 US a week is to help cover food costs for volunteers so we do not use money donated for the children! This amount does not cover the use of the air conditioning so if you want to use the air conditioner you will have to pay extra. The Director will advise you how much extra for use of this utility. The $35 does also not cover special foods, sightseeing trips, international calls, nor airfare to the centers, or any such form of transportation. In the beginning we made no charges but unfortunately ended up with some huge bills for the telephone etc from a few volunteers.

All the food provided at the centers is traditional local food. The staple food in all the centers in Indonesia, three times a day, is rice. It is supplemented by fish and vegetables, and sometimes chicken, meat and eggs are also included.

Additional personal costs could include any special foods you need, sightseeing trips, international calls, or airfares to the centers, or any such form of transportation, travel insurance, vaccinations, visa, etc.

Things to bring for the children at the centers

The children and centers will greatly appreciate anything you wish to bring. We need items such as electronic goods, donated global cell phones, old cameras, radios, CD players, laptops, etc. Also, any games and toys will be wonderful. English as a second language CDs and DVDs would be great and very useful, as would any learning materials. Used or new clothing is so enjoyed by the children (if you choose to bring clothing please remember girls' clothing must be modest). As in the centers there are limited computers to work on (for both staff and volunteers) and for the children's classes; a (second-hand) laptop to donate to the center is one of the most valuable gifts you can bring. Check with your Center Director for any specific current needs.

Documentation you will need upon arrival at the center

We ask that you bring a copy of the following:

* Your acceptance letter.
* A copy of your signed waiver.
* A copy of your signed MOU
* A paragraph summary of your at home tasks completed before arrival to the center, along with your tasks assigned by Carol Sasaki that are to be worked on during your stay at the center.
* A copy of your pre-trip hours certificate.

Staff at the center

Computer Teacher - Robhi and Norman
English Teacher - Ira
Math Teacher - Ariadi

Contact information

Jl. Tempuling 
128 A Medan 
20222 
Indonesia
Tel: +62-62-6626469
Internet and phone access.

Visa for Indonesia

Before applying for a visa or entering Indonesia PLEASE contact visa@ihfonline.org and carolsasaki@gmail.com. They will give you information you will need before going to the Embassy. Visit www.travel.state.gov for current visa info. The Indonesia government has a tourist visa system with three different categories. The pay-for-visa-on-arrival will most likely be the visa type volunteers will be using. Pay-for-visa-on-arrival - Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Suriname, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. The cost of the 30-day (only) tourist visa is US$25/person for a 30-day visa and US$10/person for a 3-day visa. The fee must be paid in cash (no credit cards) on arrival at the airport. Visitors from countries with visa-on-arrival facility will have to go to a special counter to have their passports stamped with the on-arrival visa before going to the immigration clearance desk. This visa is NOT EXTENDABLE OR RENEWABLE. If you want to stay in Indonesia longer than the 30 days you must exit and re-enter the country on a new tourist visa. Visa purchasing takes 15-30 minutes per applicant, depending on the number of persons applying.

Payment counters, a bank counter, and a money changer have been set up to process payments. Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Payment must be made on arrival. An onward or return trip ticket must be shown on arrival.

If you are staying in Indonesia longer than 30 days you will need to get a visa (social cultural visa) at your home country's Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. These visa's are for 60 days and can be extended once you are in Indonesia. For USA consult the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, 2020 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202/775-5200) or the nearest Consulate General: CA (213/383-5126 or 415/474-9571), IL (312/595-1777), NY (212/879-0600) or TX (713/785-1691). Internet: www.embassyofindonesia.org

Suggested airlines for travel to Indonesia

Flying from USA -Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and China Airlines. If you travel from USA you will always have to connect somewhere in Asia before arriving in Aceh. You can also contact IHF Travel Coordinating Task Team for current special/consolidators fares that may be available to volunteers. There are direct flights to Bali or Jakarta from Australia and then you can get connecting flights to either Medan or Aceh. If you are flying to other destinations in Indonesia it is often cheaper to buy your tickets in Indonesia. If you are visiting different places in Asia there are many discounted airlines e.g. www.airasia.com , www.tigerairways.com.

Currency

The Rupiah. Notes 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000. Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. See current exchange rates on oanda.com. Its advisable not to carry large denominations as small vendors don't always have the change to give you back.

Changing Money

We suggest you exchange money at the airport as it will not be that easy to exchange money near the center. Changing money is quick and easy in the major tourist centers where money changers often offer better rates than the banks. Be Warned: foreign bank notes are often refused if too crumpled, folded or stained. It is advisable to carry notes in small denominations to exchange. Away from the tourist areas changing money can be more of a hassle.

Always count your money before you leave the premises. The rates for cash are slightly better but remember, traveller's cheques can be replaced if they are stolen or lost - while cash is gone forever if you loose it. Always ask if there is an extra commission to be paid for cashing cash or cheques.

ATM cards can be used and it is best to check with your home bank what the fees are for withdrawing money from foreign ATM's.

Credit Cards

You will be staying at the center therefore you will need cash to pay for your food contribution to the center. It's advisable to have local cash currency for purchases and transport. Credit cards are accepted in most larger hotels along with American dollar traveller's cheques. Check with your credit card company to see what extra charges you will have if you use your card in foreign countries, some credit cards companies add a surcharge.

Tipping

This is not a general practice in Indonesia. In restaurants tips are not expected. However, if the service has been good, a small token would be appreciated. Porters at the airport should receive Rp. 10000 - Rp. 15000 per bag (depending on size).

Medan Time

GMT + 7 hours.

Electricity

220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance.

Getting Around

A becak (motorbike with cart attached to the side) is the common form of transport, there are also small public bus/ vans that can also be used.

Driver's License

If you wish to hire a car you must be over 18 years of age and posses an International Driver's License. You will need a motorbike license if you rent a motorcycle.

Clothing

Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Indonesia's often humid conditions. It is vital that dress in Aceh is modest - sleeves (short or long) and trousers/ skirts below the knees for in the center. When leaving the center you are expected to dress traditionally covering your arms, legs and chest and a headscarf for females.

Climate

Day temperatures between 20 to 33 Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit. December - March, the monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings.

Etiquette

Always dress modestly and observe the traditional dress standards. There are some things that should be avoided; one of them is not touching other people's heads, e.g. do not pat little children on the head. This is because the head is viewed as sacred. Give and receive things only with the right hand, and never point at anything with the left hand. The left hand is considered impure. Never photograph people that are bathing. You will see this very often, as a lot of Indonesians have no bathrooms of their own and they have no other way to get a daily bath than going to a brook or a river. This is always to be discreetly ignored by passers-by. It's polite to ask if you want to take a photo of someone. Indonesians do not blow their noses (at least not in public) and you should also avoid it. Laughing loudly is not appreciated.

Shopping

There are small shops, markets and merchants found in Banda Aceh some close to the Center, but shopping there can be quite exhausting because the Indonesians prefer a hard-sell sales technique and there is always a lot of pressure to buy. Bargaining is essential in these small shops. You "loose face" when you just agree to the first price asked. But, on the other hand, try not to bargain too mercilessly. Remember, most of these small merchants are actually very poor people. You should not buy things that you do not want, but try to refuse merchants offers in a friendly and polite way nevertheless.

The center is approximately 15 minutes walk to the nearest shops, supermarket, photo shop, and internet (Approx Rp 6,000 by becak). To get to the central market and mosque it is approximately Rp15,000.

Passport Loss

Always keep a copy of your passport and driver's license somewhere separate. This way you can prove who you are to your consulate in the event of theft. If you do lose your documents then go to the police who make out a report for your consulate.