Summer 2012 Volunteer in Borneo Program

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.

Each volunteer team runs for a set period of approximately 3 weeks.* The cost of taking part in the program is $1275.00 to be paid upon acceptance of volunteer’s application. This payment is non-refundable and is meant to hold your spot on the team.

*Members of each team are required to leave the program site the day their program ends.

Dates for 2012

Team 1: May 1 – May 25
Team 2: June 1 – June 25
Team 3: August 1 – August 25

• Members of each team are required to leave the program site the day their program ends.
• Accepted volunteers will receive a 2012 Volunteer Program Manual before they go into the field.

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, typhus, 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. OFI will NOT accept applicants who do not show proof of valid vaccinations against the following diseases: tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, MMR, and potentially others, depending on alert levels at the time. We also require negative tuberculosis test results for orangutan health and safety reasons.
• 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 volunteer experience should not be viewed as a “holiday.”

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)

Go to the video gallery page to see a video of a past volunteer team.
Go to this page to see profiles of past volunteers.

Field Volunteer Program FAQ

Where will I be volunteering?

The volunteer program will take place at sites in Kalimantan Tengah (Central Indonesian Borneo) in the general vicinity of Pangkalan Bun but exact locations will not be confirmed until later in the year and will be specific to the needs at that time.

Will I get to interact with the orangutans?

You will definitely see orangutans. Whether you get to interact with them depends more on the orangutans as they are free to come and go and interact with people as they please.

What are the living conditions like?

Living conditions are very basic, remote, and isolated. There is no running hot water. Toilet and shower facilities will be very rudimentary.

You may be sleeping in the middle of the forest in temporary shelters. You may also be sleeping in an OFI facility. There will be three 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.

How hard will the work be and what kind of work is typically done?

The work is general physical in nature but not too hard for someone who is in moderately good shape. However, due to the remoteness of the location, a lot of modern conveniences are not available.

Will there be an opportunities to visit Camp Leakey or the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine?

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

This program payment includes:

All accommodations, food (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and materials for the completion of the project, local assistance, as well as travel to and from the program site from the town airport.

This program payment does not include:

Snacks, postage, laundry, or 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, Kalimentan Tengah [Central Borneo, Indonesia].

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. OFI will NOT accept applicants who do not show proof of valid vaccinations against the following diseases: tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and potentially others, depending on alert levels at the time. We also require negative tuberculosis test results for orangutan health and safety reasons.

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

• The Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ)
• In 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 2012 will not be confirmed until later in the year and will be specific to the needs at that time.

How to apply:

Fill out online application form and email or mail us your resume and cover letter and send to us via the post or email at:

Orangutan Foundation International

Feel free to call Sarah with questions/concerns!
ofioffice@gmail.com

Apply today

All applications will be acknowledged. Once applications, cover letters, and resumes are received, phone interviews will be conducted with chosen applicants. You then will receive an email once we have received your application/resume to set up a phone interview with you.

After the phone interview, if accepted, you will receive a letter of acceptance and you will need to pay the full amount of $1275.00 to maintain your space on the team.

Once you have been accepted and have paid your fee, you will receive a Volunteer Program Manual. This will include emergency information relating to Borneo, Indonesia, a “What To Bring” list, and information on the program and local community.

Click Here to download the Application Form

Click here to pay online after you have been accepted.

If you are interested in applying for the 2012 program, please send your cover letter and resume along with the application form on our website.