Someone who has some specific skills in nursing, physiotherapy, IT or has an arts & crafts background. However, if you don’t have any of these skills but you're very enthusiastic about getting involved, we can probably assist you. You're very welcome on this project if you are disabled.

The flamboyance of Malaysia is breathtaking - this is a country where the sun shines, the sea is crystal clear and there are endless coconut, banana and palm trees!

Rewarding Care Work with Abused and Disabled Women and Children

This is deserving and very worthwhile live-in residential care project where you'll help children with mental, physical and emotional disabilities as well as some young adults and abused women/children.

The place where you'll assist is a publicly funded residential home near Kota Kinabalu offering care for the underprivileged and helpless community. It serves as a shelter to abused women and children, victims of rape and children with mental and physical disabilities. Some of the children have multiple disabilities and need close attention most of the time. There is a varied range of disabilities including; Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning difficulties, Paralysis and Deafness.

Disability Friendly: This challenging yet rewarding project can accept volunteers with most types of disabilities as the buildings are wheelchair friendly and accessible.

What you'll gain from doing this Project:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into oriental Malaysian Borneo.


• A wide variety of new skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, and invaluable personal and professional development.


• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market


• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged women and children and knowing that you made a difference to them


• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Project Overview

The children are given the necessary care and love (some on a one-to-one basis) according to their physical and emotional needs - bathing/washing them, feeding and general care (e.g washing of clothes, room cleaning and sweeping, cooking and playing). The home is constantly alive with the caregivers tending to the needs of the 48 residents, 33 of whom are either orphaned, abandoned or have no proper home.

Each child is given an Individual Education Plan (IEP) according to his or her needs. They then follow a special educational programme that is modified or particularized for those students with special needs, such as learning differences, mental health problems, or specific disabilities (physical or developmental). Modifications can consist of changes in curriculum, supplementary aides or equipment, and the provision of specialized facilities that allow students to participate in the educational environment to the fullest extent possible. Students may need this help to access subject matter, to physically gain access to the school, or to meet their emotional needs. Support is targeted to the needs of the individual student and can be short or long term.

The home is also engaged in some outreach work to remote communities and a Rural Youth programme to help support individuals in the area and provide them with the skills required to care for those with disabilities.

Your Work

Only 5 of the 48 residents go to normal schools so one of your main responsibilities will be to provide additional support and care for the children during the day. You’ll help by talking, playing and reading with them. You will also assist with mealtimes and some times cleaning up after them.

The main mode of communication is Bahasa Malaysia but English is widely spoken and used amongst the staff.

Accommodation

This is a live-in volunteer programme, so you’ll be accommodated on site and will live, eat and sleep at the Home. In this way you’ll get to know the staff and children and will quickly become part of the community at the Home. You’ll be encouraged to join in with all activities and will be fully immersed into Malaysian culture in a very unique environment.

This is a challenging but incredibly rewarding placement to take part in.

What to do next

Talk to us - We're there to help you. 0845 3 447 585
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It’s as easy as that.

0845 344 7585

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! Help children, animals and conservation around the world. Gain valuable work experience and new skills. All ages & nationalities welcome. EXPLORE a new culture from the inside on worthwhile, well-structured projects. FLEXIBLE: From two weeks to one year - you choose your dates and duration.