COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE

CODE OF CONDUCT

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.

  1. I will avoid engaging in risky or harmful behaviors, including renting or driving motorcycles, participating in unapproved activities, breaking laws, or disregarding the rules set by the Suwandi Foundation and Yayasan LMU. I will also refrain from any form of physical abuse, bullying, or harassment of others.
  2. I will not participate in sexual assault, sexual misconduct, or physical abuse of any kind. I am committed to reporting any incidents I witness to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
  3. I will follow local cultural expectations and guidelines set by the Balinese Government to be a responsible tourist. Visit: https://www.indonesia.travel/id/en/news/new-rules-for-foreign-tourists-in-bali-a-summary-you-dont-want-to-miss.html 
  4. I will not use drugs, including psychedelics, marijuana, CBD products, or any other illicit substances. I am committed to reporting any drug use I observe.
  5. Following Indonesian law, if I am under 21, I will refrain from drinking alcohol. If I am over 21, I will drink responsibly, ensuring that my consumption does not interfere with my participation or engagement in activities or volunteering. I recognize that my primary purpose here is to volunteer, not to party.
  6. If I am uncertain about my behavior or actions, I will seek feedback from others on how I can improve. I am committed to being the best version of myself, a valuable volunteer, and a positive community member.
  7. I am committed to restorative justice, which means that when I make a mistake, I will take full responsibility and make a deliberate effort to repair any harm caused. I will go above and beyond to address the issue, learn from it, and restore trust with those affected.
  8. I will take full responsibility for managing my health and well-being independently by maintaining self-care routines, therapy, medications, and activities that support me in being the best version of myself.
  9. I will commit to serving others who serve me, even when it is inconvenient. I will remain mindful that my role in this program is to serve, help, and provide care and support not only to the students at Yayasan but also to the staff at accommodations, Suwandi team, local program managers, and the community members I engage with.
  10. I will be respectful in all interactions with local community members and other participants by being on time, staying adaptable, embracing new cultural experiences, and practicing empathy and patience.
  11. I will actively engage in all activities by asking questions, showing genuine interest, being fully present, and minimizing my phone use to ensure I am an active listener.
  12. I will embrace new experiences by stepping out of my comfort zone, staying open to trying new things, maintaining curiosity, and facing challenges with a positive attitude to remain flexible and go with the flow.
  13. I will practice inclusivity by creating brave spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. I will engage in intentional reflection, both for myself and for other participants and local community members.
  14. I will actively learn, practice, and use Bahasa Indonesia. I understand that by doing so, I will demonstrate a genuine commitment to the experience and to the people I am working with.
  15. I will remain self-aware of my cultural biases, recognizing that my automatic reactions or responses to situations may be perceived differently than intended and may need adjustment. I will approach new cultures with an open mind, actively seeking to understand and embrace differences with greater consciousness and respect.
  16. I will avoid forming exclusive relationships, including clique forming. This is not permitted on a Suwandi Foundation program. This includes sharing beds with a partner, asking others to leave a room to be alone with a partner, removing oneself from group experiences to be with a partner, or publicly displaying affection during group activities or in situations where it is inappropriate.
  17. I will not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with any person outside of the group I am volunteering with. Different cultures have different expectations and values around physical and romantic relationships and it is important to respect the fact that I might not fully understand them.
  18. While on the program, I will sleep at Khrisna Sunrise Homestay, returning by 12 am every night. I will not bring guests back to sleep over, acknowledging that I am here to serve the community and am prioritizing my ability to teach.
  1. I will adhere to the Child Protection Policy at all times.
  2. I will commit to spending the time necessary to create excellent and engaging lesson plans that align with The Suwandi Foundation and Yayasan LMU pedagogy. 
  3. I will appreciate, welcome, and embrace different ideas from everyone, including students, staff, and teachers. I will recognize that the style of education I have experienced in my life is not the “correct” style and will remain inclusive of other approaches to delivering education.
  4. I will be collaborative and proactive on campus and in the classroom with staff, students and other volunteers. I will share responsibility and leadership in the classroom, striving to find a balance between myself, my co-teachers, and the local teachers.
  5. I will embody the creative, innovative, and activity-based pedagogy of Yayasan LMU and The Suwandi Foundation both on and off campus.
  6. I will act intentionally in my interactions with staff and students. I will keep in mind that my interactions with students can have lasting impacts and will ensure they are always thoughtful and motivated by positive intentions.
  7. I will appropriately and mindfully share my experiences on social media, should I choose to do so, ensuring that I do not compromise the privacy or dignity of staff, students, other participants or community members.
  8. I will communicate with the Suwandi Foundation team about any inappropriate incidents in the classroom, regardless of the form they take.
  9. I will act as a role model and practice responsible behavior in front of any children and students in the community.  
  10. I will dress appropriately when on campus, ensuring not to wear tight or transparent clothing and covering my midriff, shoulders, knees, and chest. I will also be willing to wear traditional Balinese attire when asked by local staff and weekly on Thursdays.
  1. I will complete the Weekend Travel Form, acknowledging my weekend time is a departure from Suwandi Foundation programming and I will be considered an independent traveler even if I choose to stay at Khrisna Sunrise Homestay.
  2. I will ensure that my actions on the weekend do not interfere with the program’s weekly schedule and responsibilities and I will return to Khrisna Sunrise Homestay by Sunday at 9pm ready for my week ahead.
  3. I will be a responsible traveler and continue intentional practices that have been discussed on the program, such as not engaging in illegal or risky behaviors.
  4. I will maintain active communication with program staff through regular updates. In case of emergency, I will notify staff immediately, knowing that they will assist to our greatest capacity but cannot guarantee they can fix all your problems.
  5. I will make conscious efforts to prioritize local businesses and vendors to avoid contributing to exploitative tourism practices.
  6. I will actively continue to build inclusive communities to ensure group dynamics remain respectful.
  7. I will continue to uphold program policies and expectations, as I acknowledge that despite independently traveling, I am still in the country on the visa provided by Yayasan Loka Mawa Upadhi and am a representative of the Suwandi Foundation.

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. 

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME? 

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.

  1. Navigate and travel independently to and from the program destination. 
  2. Maintain a positive attitude and exhibit a willingness to participate in all program activities. 
  3. Effectively communicate with program staff if I am experiencing distress and/or needing assistance. 
  4. Dedicate my full effort to the creation of lesson plans and engagement with students and staff in the classroom. 
  5. Prioritize the needs of community members, local students, and even local staff. 
  6. Recognize the hazards and risks as presented by the Suwandi Foundation and US Department of State Travel Advisory, and comply with the recommended measures and directions. 
  7. Tolerate significant levels of ambivalence and ambiguity that naturally occurs when encountering new situations and locations. 
  8. Maintain a reasonable level of situational awareness appropriate to circumstances. 
  9. Remain alert and engaged in the program to the best of my ability. 
  10. Handle short notice about itinerary and scheduling changes as needed. 
  11. Recognize the needs of the group supersede the desires of any one individual. 
  12. Exercise sound judgment and follow Code of Conduct expectations in the absence of direct supervision. 
  13. Exhibit self-care techniques in relation to mental health while on program. These include healthy de-stressing activities such as exercise, journaling, mediation, yoga, deep breathing, proper sleep routines, healthy eating/hydration, abstaining from or reducing use of alcohol, appropriate peer interaction, maintaining contact with a support system, etc. 
  14. Show respect through speech and actions for other participants, staff and local residents. 
  15. Accept full responsibility for physical and mental health including complying fully with medication routines and self-care strategies recommended before the start of the program by medical or mental health professionals. 
  16. Seek out, as needed, consultations with medical or mental health professionals while on the program or fully comply with our recommendation to do the same. Follow all treatment advice secured from these consultations.
  17. Abide by our Code of Conduct and all local, national and international laws while on the program.
BUILDING COMMUNITY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

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.