Summer 2013 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.

2011 Construction Team 3 building a boardwalk at Camp Rendell.

Each volunteer team runs for a set period of approximately 3 weeks.* The cost of taking part in each team is listed below and is to be paid upon acceptance of volunteer’s application. This payment is non-refundable and is meant to hold your spot on the team.
* 20-25 days

* Dates for 2013

Team 1: May 1 – May 25 ($1275.00 USD)
Team 2: June 2 – June 22 ($975.00 USD)
Team 3: August 1 – August 25 ($1275.00 USD)

• Members of each team are required to leave the program site the day their program ends.
• Accepted volunteers will receive a 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 venomous 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 provide 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:

6:30am – Breakfast
7:00am – Work Begins
12:00pm – Lunch break
1:00pm – Work
4:00pm – 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.

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, Kalimantan Tengah [Central Borneo, Indonesia]. This does also not include the cost of three days entry into the national park during the trip to Camp Leakey at the end of the project.

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
• Remote release sites
• as well as other sites to be determined

*The projects for 2013 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

Attn: Construction Volunteer Coordinator; Ruth
824 S. Wellesley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Fax: 310-820-4962
Phone: 310-820-4906

Feel free to call or email Kelly 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 will be contacted by email to set up this interview usually within a few weeks of application.

After the phone interview, if accepted, you will receive a letter of acceptance and you will need to pay the full amount of your chosen team to reserve your spot.

Once you have been accepted and have paid your fee, you will receive our program waivers and a Volunteer Program Manual. This manual includes 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 2013 program, please send your cover letter and resume along with the application form on our website.