RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
We want you to understand what you’re getting yourself into, what we expect from you, and what you can expect from us!
To participate in The Suwandi Foundation’s programs, you must be respectful of local culture, open to learning, and able to follow the Code of Conduct and program guidelines. You should be adaptable, comfortable with new experiences, and able to work well with a team while communicating respectfully. Responsibility, reliability, and commitment to your role are essential. If you cannot confidently say “yes” to all of these, this program may not be the right fit for you.
I understand that failure to follow these guidelines may lead to restorative disciplinary action or removal from the program, at the discretion of The Suwandi Foundation staff.
The Suwandi Foundation reserves the right to immediately dismiss any Participant who places the safety of any other Participant, staff, or themselves at risk by violating expectations while traveling to, from, or on Suwandi Foundation Programs.
When a Participant is dismissed from a program for a breach of our Code of Conduct Policies, no refund will be given for any program costs or other associated costs for early dismissal. All costs associated with a Participant’s departure from the program will be the responsibility of the Participant and their family. There may be additional consequences such as loss of course credit, funding, or reporting of the violation to the institution providing credits or funding. Future participation in Suwandi Foundation programs will not be permitted for Participants dismissed for Code of Conduct Policy violations.
Participants must be able to travel independently, adapt to changes, stay engaged, and communicate effectively with staff. A positive attitude, commitment to lesson planning, and prioritizing the needs of the community are essential. You must recognize risks, follow safety guidelines, exercise good judgment, and take responsibility for your mental and physical well-being. Respect for others, adherence to the Code of Conduct, and compliance with local laws and medical recommendations are mandatory. This program requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of responsibility—if you cannot meet these expectations, it may not be the right fit for you.
The Suwandi Foundation is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all participants, staff, and community members feel valued and respected. We celebrate differences in background, identity, and perspective, recognizing that inclusivity strengthens our mission. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusion of any kind will not be tolerated. We expect all participants to actively contribute to a culture of respect, open-mindedness, and equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in our programs.
As a youth-driven organization, we recognize the importance of self-reflection to uncover and address any biases or exclusions within our operations.We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every staff member and volunteer can freely express their true selves without facing any obstacles or discrimination.
Acknowledging that marginalized communities often bear the responsibility of advocating for necessary changes to achieve equality, we are committed to amplifying those voices. This includes prioritizing our own education and actively listening to determine the actions needed to transform into a more inclusive, anti-racist organization.
In our Service Learning and Teaching Immersion programs, participants will practice allyship through tangible actions. This includes learning the local language, engaging in local rituals and practices, respecting cultural norms, supporting the local economy financially, and maintaining a mindset of learning and growth.
Many of the communities we engage with have experienced historical oppression and exploitation. As visitors from abroad, we recognize that aspects of our identity, such as wealth or nationality, may afford us power in these contexts. Therefore, our approach centers the voices and narratives of those we serve, continuously listening, learning, and critically reflecting on our own identities, privileges, and unconscious biases.
Participants are also required to be allies to their fellow group members. We ask all volunteers to recognize and respect the lived experiences of their peers to foster empathy and understanding for different perspectives. Factors such as race, sexual identity, gender identity, age, nationality, and ethnicity can shape individuals’ travel experiences, and we urge all volunteers to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards the unique experiences of their fellow volunteers.
Finally, we acknowledge that as Westerners, it is never our job to dictate to the local villages and leaders we work with how they should help their own communities thrive. We recognize that there are no Western solutions to Eastern problems and commit to training all our volunteers and staff to act as supporters, not saviors, when on the ground in Bali.
While we celebrate the progress we’ve made—such as providing financial aid scholarships and establishing local pricing systems—we acknowledge that we still have significant work ahead in terms of staff diversity and program inclusivity. Over the next few years, as we expand our organization, we plan to cast a wider net to recruit more diverse staff and participants. We invite collaboration and ideas to enhance this crucial aspect of our work further.