OFI Summer in Borneo Volunteer Program

  Indonesia

• Jakarta: 
Jakarta

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: (Team 1) June 7 to June 26 (Team 2) July 23 to August 10 (Team 3) August 11 to August 30, 2010

Description: The volunteer program will take place at sites in Kalimantan Tengah (Central Indonesian Borneo) in the general vicinity of Pangkalan Bun.

Volunteer projects will take place at one of the following sites:

* The Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ)
* The Dayak village of Pasir Panjang
* Camp Leakey
* Park Guard Posts
* Plant nursery facilities

As well as other sites to be determined. The projects for 2010 will not be confirmed until later in the year and will be specific to the needs at that time.

* Each volunteer team runs for a set period of approximately 20 days.

A Volunteer's Typical Daily Schedule:
7:30am - Breakfast
8:00am - Work Begins
12:00pm - Lunch break
1:00pm - Work
5:00pm - Work ends, time to bathe
7:00pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Discussion of day's events and discussion of next day's work
9:00pm - Bed (at volunteer's discretion)

*There will be opportunities to visit Camp Leakey and OFI's Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine during the 3-week program.

Highlights: Orangutan Foundation International has volunteer opportunities available for active individuals who want to get their hands dirty and help save one of the earth's most bio-diverse areas.

Qualifications: The following will be expected of every participant:

* Flexibility
* Ability to adapt to new and changing conditions
* Teamwork
* Ability to withstand working in hot humid tropical conditions
* Patience
* Sincerity
* Cooperation
* Attentiveness
* Good physical and mental health

The Basics: In order to participate in our Volunteer Program:

* You must be a member of the Orangutan Foundation International.
* You must be 18 years of age or above.
* You must be in good physical condition and be prepared for hands-on manual work in a hot, steamy, equatorial environment that may occasionally have buzzing and biting insects and other inconveniences as well as the occasional danger [such as the rare poisonous snake].
* Volunteers should also be cognizant that Borneo's endemic diseases consist of such tropical diseases as malaria, dengue, hepatitis, etc.
* Volunteers are responsible for their own vaccinations and should bring anti-malarial prophylactics and medications as well as medicines for common conditions such as diarrhea.
* Volunteers do not need experience in the field, just a willingness to help, a sincere interest in forest conservation and orangutan survival, and a passion for the work OFI does.
* Volunteers are expected to work approximately 8 hours per day with one day of rest on Sunday. This should not be seen as a "holiday."
* Living conditions are very basic, remote, and isolated. There is no running hot water. In fact, there is no running water at all. Toilet and shower facilities will be very rudimentary.
* You will be sleeping in the middle of the forest in temporary shelters. There will be two hot meals per day cooked by a local staff member. Both meals will consist of rice and vegetables, possibly supplemented by eggs, chicken, or fish. There will be no red meat in keeping with local practice.
* The cost of taking part in the program is USD 975 to be paid upon acceptance of volunteer's application.

Cost in US$: USD 975

This program payment does not include:

* Snacks
* Postage
* Laundry
* Activities outside the volunteer experience

This program payment also does not include international and internal travel to the town airport. You must purchase your flight tickets to and from the closest airport which is located near the town of Pangkalan Bun, Kalimantan Tengah [Central Borneo, Indonesia]. You will also want to purchase travel insurance and bring extra money for any personal spending you may want to do while there. Also, medical travel insurance and evacuation insurance is a good idea.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Hardworking, willingness to help, physically and mentally fit, ready for anything, high level of tolerance and patience, courage, strength, generous, independent, go-getter, problem solver, stamina to cold/heat/thirst/exhaust, has love for the orangutan and the rain forest.

Age Range: 18 +

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Indonesia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10 to 12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Orangutan Foundation International's Mission Statement: Our mission is to support the conservation and the understanding of orangutans and their habitat, tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia, while caring for and rehabilitating ex-captive orangutans for release into the wild. In order to preserve forest ecosystems we empower local communities in Borneo through economic development and education initiatives. We raise awareness of orangutan and forest issues throughout the world through field research, publication of books, scientific reports, articles, and newsletters as well as lectures, conferences, events, and seminars.

Year Founded: 1986