Matang Volunteer Project

8/18/2019 Matang Volunteer Project

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Matang WildlifeCentre VolunteerProject


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Contents

Page 1. Title page

Page 2. Contents

Page 3. Project summary

Page 4. Who we are

Page 5-6. our role ! general in"ormation

Page #. $atang Wil%li"e Centre

Page &-'. our %aily wor(Page 1)-11. *rangutan at $atang

Page 12-13. *ther animals you will meet

Page 14-15. Where you will li+e

Page 16. ,ree time

Page 1#. our arri+al %ay

Page 1&. Project itinerary

Page 1'. Things to ringPage 2). eality chec(/

Page 21-22. Testimonials

Page 23. 0ont ta(e our wor% "or it/ ,in% past

+olunteers


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Project summary -Matang Wildlife Centre

$atang Wil%li"e Centre opene% in 1''# an%

is the secon% rehailitation centre "ororangutan in the state o" arawa(. ts partner emenggoh ature eser+e opene% in 1'#5 an% is a

rehailitation centre "or orangutan with currently 2) in%i+i%uals li+ing semi-wil% ne+er returning to

cages or enclosures an% ree%ing in the trees. 7owe+er the carrying capacity o" this "oreste% area

has long since een reache% which inspire% the construction o" $atang. 8oth the animal centres

an% all the national par(s in arawa( are owne% y the go+ernment an% manage% y arawa(

,orestry Corporation.

$atang Wil%li"e Centre is uni9ue among the orangutan

rehailitation centres on 8orneo in that as well as caring "or

an% rehailitating orangutan it is also a rescue an% reha

centre "or any an% all protecte% species. This is a +eryamitious man%ate "or such a centre an% its "unction as such

is not going to e realise% without a lot o" har% wor(/

7owe+er the potential o" $atang to e a conser+ation tool

"or en%angere% species almost unlimite%. This is why we ha+e

een ase% "rom here since our wor( starte% on 8orneo in

2))6 an% why we continue to nee% +olunteers to help oth

physically an% "inancially.

This +olunteering program as(s "or participants who %o not min% wor(ing incre%ily har% an%

applying themsel+es to a multitu%e o" %i""erent tas(s many o" which you will ha+e ne+er %one

e"ore perhaps to help animals that you ha+e ne+er hear% o"/ t will e a challenge ut one that

you will "in% hugely worthwhile as many o" the tas(s you will wor( on ha+e a +ery o+ious

imme%iate impact on the wel"are o" the animals you will get to (now well. ou will also assist on-

going construction projects at the centre lea+ing a tangile impact ehin% you.

,or the majority o" the construction local uil%ing companies are employe% as o+iously s(ille% an%

e:perience% wor(men are re9uire%. ;olunteers sometimes assist the local wor("orce though more

commonly wor( on separate in%epen%ent projects that ring something e:tra an% a%% +alue to the

site. *ne o" our philosophies is that +olunteers on site shoul% only e pro+i%ing a ene"it< they

shoul% not e a %rain on "inancial or management resources o" the authorities an% their presence on

site shoul% not ha+e a %etrimental impact in any way. We wor( +ery closely with our partners to

ensure our +ision is share% ut on the groun% we operate as in%epen%ently as possile to pro+i%e a

positi+e impact without re9uiring their management time which is est spent on their own =rather

sustantial/> tas(s an% goals.


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Who we are

*rangutan Project %n 8h% is a $alaysian conser+ation company

specialising in operating meaning"ul an% responsile tours an%

+olunteering projects in or%er to generating "un%ing "or wi%er

conser+ation ojecti+es. *ur wor( is currently "ocuse% on 8orneo

an% though the primary "ocus has historically een orangutan

wel"are an% conser+ation we are intereste% in helping any an% all

protecte% wil%li"e where+er possile.

We are prou% to present a mo%el o" true eco-tourism where "un%s generate% y the +olunteers an%

tourists that we wor( with are spent %irectly on our conser+ation an% wel"are wor( at the centres

an% in the areas that we are ase%. Though a lot o" our wor( resemles that o" charities or ?*s we

ha+e chosen to operate as a commercial company to promote a more charitale means o" running a

usiness. We see no shame in a company aiming to achie+e a pro"it ut our choice is to spen% that

pro"it on a cause in nee% an% the cause we care passionately aout is the plight o" en%angere%

species.

@s state% ao+e we elie+e that +olunteers

shoul% only e pro+i%ing a positi+e impact to

the centres an%Aor animals they wish to help.

@ll too o"ten tra+el agents will sell the theory

that y simply turning up an% +olunteering

your time you are eing help"ul y %e"ault.

This is a mo%el that allows the agents to ma(e

ma:imum pro"it "or minimum wor(loa%. The

truth is the management o" a +olunteer

program that pro+i%es oth a tangile

positi+e impact to its location an% ameaning"ul memorale e:perience to the

participant re9uires a team o" sta"" %e%icate%

to the project on the groun%. @ team o" Bnglish-spea(ing "acilitators is essential as well as all the

e9uipment that the person will nee% while wor(ing =paint rushes sho+els wheelarrows wor(

glo+es saws etc>. B:pecting the centres to pro+i%e all o" this actually places a ur%en upon them an%

pre+ents them continuing their %aily wor(.

;olunteering is perhaps a mislea%ing name "or the opportunity we o""er to wor( with us at the

orangutan rescue an% rehailitation centres. t is more than wor(ing "or "ree ! +olunteers pay to join

us on our projects an% through this "ee are actually "un%ing a huge amount o" re9uire% materials

essential memers o" sta"" an% wor(sun%erta(en on the groun%. imply e:pecting

to wor( +oluntarily is not always use"ul. @

success"ul meaning"ul +olunteer program

ta(es a lot o" har% wor( to manage an%

rehailitation centres are e:pensi+e to run. t

is there"ore the only logical mo%el that a

+olunteer shoul% ma(e a signi"icant "inancial

contriution as well. *rangutan Project is a

"inancially transparent company an% will

happily share pulically any an% all "inancial

recor%s so you can e sure your money isuse% on the groun% at the centres "or the ene"it o" the animals you care aout.


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Your role – general information

To participate on this project a goo% le+el o" "itness is re9uire%. The wor( is physical an% the heat

an% humi%ity a%% a challenging e:tra layer to this. Though there is a wor(ing sche%ule an% plan "or

each +olunteer group please e aware you are coming to an operational rescue an% rehailitation

centre an% we cannot pre%ict what may happen each %ay with potential new arri+als or any o" the

current animals un%er the centres care. We as( that +olunteers are willing to e "le:ile an% are

tolerant o" potential %elays in or changes to the planne% wor( as %i""erent projects may get re-

prioritise%.

ou will also nee% patience as you a%just to Borneo time ! +olunteers o"ten come to the project

with huge amounts o" enthusiasm an% energy to plough into

the wor( which is a massi+e asset an% positi+ely impacts on

the energy le+els o" the "ull time sta"". 7owe+er please e

aware that within a "our wee( project you will simply e

a%%ing a help"ul an% necessary piece to a much larger puDDle

an% you shoul% not expect the worl% o" orangutan

conser+ation to ma(e great stri%es "orwar% in the time"rame

o" your project.

The $alaysian approach to wor( is also +astly %i""erent "rom

the Western mentality. pee% an% e""iciency are replace% y

rela:ation an% a %istinct lac( o" urgency regar%less o" the

importance o" the tas(. ou will not change the min%-set o" a

nation in a short perio% o" time so please prepare to

embrace this cultural %i""erence rather than %isplay

"rustration an%Aor incre%ulity at the local laouring

techni9ues an% ethos. Perhaps a"ter a %ay or two o" ac(-rea(ing wor( in 35EC heat you may come to appreciate the

more lai%-ac( rela:e% approach/

Please e aware that you are coming to wor( at an animal centre in a %e+eloping country. tan%ar%s

o" animal wel"are are not the same as woul% e

e:pecte% o" many capti+e institutions in the West.

Things are "ar "rom per"ect an% many animals are

(ept in con%itions elow stan%ar%. *rangutan Project

sta"" are "ully aware o" the est capti+e management

enrichment an% husan%ry techni9ues though it is

not always straight "orwar% to implement what we(now to e the i%eal gi+en "acilities "un%ing e:ternal

support an% a+ailale wor("orce.

ou shoul% rememer thatF

• " all con%itions were per"ect "or the animals

there woul% e no on-going nee% "or

+olunteer "un%s or laour at the centre. *ne

o" the reasons you are there is to "acilitate the

impro+ement o" con%itions "or all the animals

in the "uture.

•

ou can always as( 9uestions ! there aree:planations as to why each in%i+i%ual animal


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has en%e% up at the centre an% is in its current housing. These reasons can e comple: an%

+arie% ut we "eel that to get the most out o" your e:perience you shoul% learn aout some

o" the issues "acing oth conser+ationists an% animal (eepers in the %e+eloping worl%.

Gn"ortunately there is not a simple solution a+ailale "or many o" the animals that "in%

themsel+es in centres li(e $atang ut we are committe% to $atang "or the long term with

the hope to realise many impro+ements o+er time.• t is not always possile to impro+e the con%itions "or one in%i+i%ual animal or group o"

animals in the short time you will e with us on the project. This is not to say we will not e

wor(ing towar%s such %e+elopments in the "uture.

When with us you are treate% as temporary

memers o" sta"". We e:pect you to

participant in any an% all jos that are

re9uire% "or the centres maintenance an%

%e+elopment. We %o not necessarily sa+e

est jos "or +olunteers or worst jos

=though it may sometimes "eel that way/>< wewill %istriute your laour to areas in nee% o"

attention at the time you are with us as we

woul% with any memer o" sta"". To this en%

you may also get to witness e+ents that are

only the pri+ilege o" "ull-time memers o"

sta""F +olunteers ha+e een ale to participate

in animal releases< other groups ha+e also

een ale to join the team on rescue an%

con"iscation missions =ta(ing a purely

oser+ational role o" course>.

ou %o not nee% any special s(ills or

e:perience to e o" use as a +olunteer on this

project. We ha+e many years o" e:perience

creating programs an% jos that people "rom

all ac(groun%s can participate in an% get real

satis"action "rom %oing so. " people %o come to the project with prior e:perience an% s(ills we will

certainly try to ma(e the most o" this where we can though it is not always possile. We generally

create jos an% projects that anyone with a reasonale "itness le+el can help us with as the majority

o" our +olunteers %o not ha+e prior s(ills. t is there"ore not always simple to reassign tas(s an%

create projects to accommo%ate speci"ic s(ills or re9uests ut we will certainly ma(e use o"

uil%ersAcarpentersAwel%ersAmechanics etc when an% where we can/


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Matang Wildlife Centre

0ue to our wor(ing partnership with arawa( ,orestry Corporation there is a %ual sta""ing system at

$atang with those employe% y *rangutan Project an% those employe% y ,C. The Par( War%en

an employee o" ,C is the o+erall manager o" $atang Wil%li"e Centre an% it is "rom him that we

nee% to see( appro+al "or any %ecisions ma%e on the groun% with regar%s to the animals or theenclosures. ,or any new areas we woul% li(e to uil% we nee% to pro%uce proposals that re9uire his

appro+al an% sometimes the appro+al o" managers in higher positions within ,C.

The main a%ministrati+e o""ices o" ,C are locate% in Huching an% positions senior to the par(

war%en o" $atang are ase% in the city. t can there"ore e a somewhat lengthy process to secure

appro+al "or proposals we create as it re9uires meetings to e hel% in the city with people who may

not prioritise paperwor( "or $atang o+er an% ao+e the other roles they "ul"il within the company.

;olunteers sometimes "in% it strange that it is not easier "or us ma(e %ecisions aout the animals at

$atang or to uil% new areas that we %eem necessary. 7owe+er $atang is not our centre ! it

elongs to the go+ernment o" arawa( an% is not manage% y us either. We are a "oreign groupwho woul% li(e to help the go+ernment ut we cannot e:pect to e allowe% to simply ta(e o+er one

o" their rehailitation centres. 8eing a Western group that cares a lot aout orangutan %oes not gi+e

us any authority o+er a go+ernment ! an% nor shoul% it. We ha+e wor(e% har% o+er the years to

ensure we are a truste% partner an% any a%+ice we gi+e or proposals we sumit are ta(en seriously

! ut not necessarily treate% as a priority o+er an% ao+e anything an% e+erything else that arawa(

is wor(ing towar%s.

Rehabilitation centre, or animal sanctuary

@ lot o" the me%ia surroun%ing animal rescue centres "ocuses on the goo%-news stories pro+i%ing

the "eel-goo% "actor =o"ten to elicit %onations "rom +iewersArea%ers> an% creating the impressionthat rescuing animals an% suse9uently releasing them is the stan%ar% proce%ure an% easily %one.

Gn"ortunately this is incre%ily far from the truth an% the reality on the groun% o"ten lea%s +isitors

to rehailitation centres "eeling ja%e%< as i" they ha+e just spent time in a ma(e-shi"t Doo rather

than a rehailitation centre. People assume all the animals will e outsi%e o" enclosures again %ue in

large part to the Western me%ia portraying close encounters with wil% animals as sa"e %esirale an%

common place in centres li(e $atang.

The +ast majority o" the animals resi%ent at $atang ha+e een confiscated or surrendered "rom

illicit pet tra%e< this means ta(en "rom their natural haitat =o"ten as a result o" their mums eing

(ille%> (ept in highly ina%e9uate housing "or %aysAwee(sAyears "e% an incorrect %iet an% eingincre%ily humanise%. @ll o" these "actors mean that an animal rescue% "rom this is unli(ely to return

to a success"ul li"e in the wil% ! see the GC ?ui%elines "or the Placement o" Con"iscate% @nimals

"or a more thorough loo( at some o" these issues.

,or the small percentage o" animals that may e consi%ere% "or release it is important to not simply

%ump them ac( in the "orest an% consi%er the jo a success. Where scientists ha+e trac(e% e:-

capti+e animals a"ter release ac( to wil% they ha+e reporte% close to 100% mortality o+er a 12

month perio% with a +ariety o" species. The most common causes o" mortality are con"lict with

humans an% star+ation. Where release is possile it is important to %o so responsily an% trac( the

animal in 9uestion to ascertain success =or not>. 7a+ing ina%e9uate housing at a rescue centre is not

reason enough release an e:-capti+e animal into the wil% an% assume it will lea% a happier li"e.emo+ing the prolem "rom your imme%iate sight has %one nothing to tac(le the actual prolem.


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Your daily wor!

The wor( at this project site is always varied an% we will arrange a wor(ing sche%ule "or each

+olunteer group ensuring that you will e set on a %i""erent tas( each %ay. $ost o" the wor( is

physically %eman%ing an% always out%oors meaning you also ha+e to cope with the tropical

elements. ou shoul% truly e prepare% "or anything/ The main wor(ing groups through 2)13 wereF

• Construction ! construction tas(s in the past ha+e een +arie% an% inclu%eF

Climing structures "or orangutan sun ears clou%e% leopar%s inturongs

an% other animals

8uil%ing pon%s "or croco%iles sun ears orangutan an% turtles

Creating %rainage "or the centre

8uil%ing oar%wal(s "or easier tourist an% (eeper access aroun% the centre

Creating "ee%ing plat"orms in the jungle "or animals that are so"t-release%

@ ranger station uilt "or rehailitation o" orangutan

8ri%ges in the jungle "or ease o" access to rehailitation sites

ew enclosures ! o"ten +olunteers are assisting an e:isting local team o"

contractors with these projects

• $aintenance ! the rain"orest is a harsh

en+ironment "or the longe+ity o" any man-ma%e

structures. There"ore anything that we uil%

nee%s regular maintenance to ensure that is

%oes not rustArotAget eaten y termites within a

couple o" years. This wor( is usually a lot o"

cleaning painting an% repairing.

• Bnrichment ! enrichment is o+iously an

essential tas( to maintain the mental an%

physical health o" the many animals that are

capti+e at $atang. This is one o" the most

important jos that you will ha+e at the centre as without +olunteers enrichment %oes not

get ma%e. Without a stimulating en+ironment capti+e animals can ecome incre%ily

stresse% ore% an% sic( as a conse9uence. Bnrichment is really only limite% to the

imagination o" the animals carer so please %ont e shy to suggest i%eas that we coul% try

out when you are here/

• ,arming ! in 2)12 *rangutan Project ought lan% close to $atang Wil%li"e Centre with the

intention o" growing "oo% "or the many resi%ent animals. The "oo% ill "or a centre li(e

$atang can e incre%ily e:pensi+e so we thought it woul% e sensile to create our own

"arm to enale a sustainale "oo% pro%uction "or the "uture. This project has only een

possile than(s to the har% laour o" our +olunteers an% e:pan%ing an% maintaining it is

now a regular tas( o" our +olunteer project.

• 7usan%ry ! husan%ry simply means cleaning "ee%ing an% caring "or capti+e animals an%

through 2)12-13 +olunteers were helping out with husan%ry "or orangutan sun ears an%

smaller primates at $atang.


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When wor(ing aroun% the orangutan you will e e:pecte% to "ollow est practise gui%elines "or

+olunteering with great apes which inclu%eF

• No physical contact at any time with any o" the orangutan. This is "or two main reasons

1.

The aim o" the rehailitation centres is to return the orangutan to the semi-wil% or

wil% in some cases. Close physical contact with many %i""erent people has ane:tremely %etrimental e""ect on the eha+iour o" these animals. *rangutan are +ery

smart an% learn +ery e""iciently through oser+ation an% imitation. There"ore the

more humans they are e:pose% to the more they try to eha+e li(e us rather than

li(e orangutan which only impedes their return to the trees.

2. There is a +ery real ris( o" disease transmission "rom humans to orangutan

=Doonosis> an% in the )-3 year ol% orang-utan e+en a common col% can e "atal.

ncreasing the numer o" people who ha+e close contact with the orangutan simply

increases the chance that a potentially "atal pathogen is transmitte% to these

animals. Permanent sta"" that ha+e contact with the animals are all suject to loo%

screening which we %o not insist on "or +olunteers.

Please see Orangutan Projects No !ontact Policy for further discussion ofthis issue

• "acemas#s are to e worn at all times when in close pro:imity to the orangutan. When

participating in orangutan enrichment you will o"ten e just 2-3 metres away "rom the

animals with only a cage etween you. There"ore a physical arrier to pre+ent the sprea% o"

communicale %iseases is man%atory "or all +olunteers.

• o "oo% or %rin(s =outsi%e o" the %iet pro+i%e% y the centre> to e gi+en to the orangutan

at any time.

• @lways listen to an% "ollow the instructions o" your super+isorAthe animal (eepersAthe

rangers.

• When oser+ing semi-wil% orangutan %o not ta(e "oo% or %rin( into their areas (eep a sa"e

%istance "rom the animal an% always "ollow the %irections o" the memer o" sta"" you arewith.

These gui%elines are "or the sa"ety oth o"

yoursel" an% the animals that you are

coming to help.

,or a +olunteer program to truly e o" the

most ene"it to the orangutan the

+olunteers shoul% not really e+en see the

orangutan. The %etrimental impact o"

haituation an% humanisation on theseanimals cannot e o+erstate%.

Gn"ortunately the me%ia an% charities

particularly surroun%ing orangutan

rehailitation centres an% conser+ation

are saturate% with images o" white people

hugging the animals especially ay

orangutan. This creates the mislea%ing impression that to e o" use in a primate rehailitation

centre all you nee% %o is lo+e the mon(eys an% "uss o+er them as you woul% a human chil%.

We are wor(ing to create a new mo%el o" tourism an% +olunteering where the interaction with the

orangutan is (ept to an asolute minimum yet the impact an% e%ucational +alue to the humanparticipant is incre%ily high.


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1)

"rangutan at Matang


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"ther animals you will meet


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Where you will li#e

There are 1) houses within $atang Wil%li"e Centre set asi%e "or sta"" an% +olunteers.

Bach house is a separate unit consisting o" 2 or 3 e%rooms a communal li+ing space (itchen toilet

shower an% +eran%a area.

our own room cannot e guarantee% so please e prepare% to e twin-sharing.

There will e a ma:imum o" 4 +olunteers to a house.ome o" the single rooms ha+e %oule e%s so i" you are ringing a mos9uito net it is est to uy a

%oule as o+iously this will "it either e% type.

There is mains electricity in the houses an% there is a "an in each room to help (eep you cool. There

is no hot water so the col% showers are also going to help (eep your temperature %own/

These houses are +ery asic ! do not expect things li(e toilets showers an% (itchens to e anything

li(e you are use% to in the Western worl%/

ou will e sel"-catering with only asic (itchen appliances such as a gas ho =2 ring urner>

"ri%geA"reeDer (ettle an% toaster.

$alaysian cuisine %oes not ha+e a nee% "or

o+ens so they will not e "oun% in yourhouse =or generally in the country at large/>.

ou are gi+en a u%get "or shopping !

$2)) "or a 2 wee( project an% $ 4)) "or

4 wee(s ! an% ta(en to a supermar(et once

a wee(. The closest grocery shops are a

3)min %ri+e "rom the centre.

$ost things that you woul% uy at home

can now e "oun% in $alaysia an% Bnglish is

wi%ely use% an% spo(en so the supermar(et

shoul% not pose too much o" a prolem.

*ne notale e:ception is %airy pro%uce !goo% cheese utter mil( an% yoghurts are


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+ery har% to come y so e prepare% to go %airy-"ree "or the time you are there.

;olunteers will usually coo( communally in their separate houses though some groups will ha+e

%inner all together each e+ening.

The e+enings are 9uiet in the jungle so you may want to ring oo(s iPo%s or other entertainment.7owe+er you are li+ing on a street with the local sta"" an% other +olunteers an% past groups that

ha+e come e9uippe% with many oo(s e:pecting lots o" time to themsel+es ha+e actually "oun% that

the time passe% incre%ily 9uic(ly in socialising. ome +olunteers ha+e participate% in %aily "ootall

games a"ter wor( in the local +illage.

Bach house has amasse% a collection o" oo(s le"t y other +olunteers so you will not e wanting "or

rea%ing material. We also ha+e many oo(s an% journal articles relating to orang-utan other wil%li"e

an% conser+ation issues i" you are intereste% to learn a little more o" an e+ening.

Personal $afetyou are tra+elling to a relati+ely sa"e area though as with all places opportunistic crime can e a

prolem an% the"t o" +aluales can occur. There is a se+ere penalty =%eath> "or ta(ing an% %ealing in

%rugs. ;olunteers shoul% astain "or any %rug ta(ing acti+ity. We hol% a Dero tolerance policy on

%rug use. 0rin(ing alcohol is acceptale ut row%iness an% e:cessi+e %rin(ing is "rowne% upon.


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$ree time

The wor(ing wee( is $on%ay to ,ri%ay an% you will ha+e wee(en%s o"" =%epen%ent on your arri+al

%ay ! i" you arri+e on a Thurs%ay we will ma(e you wor( that wee(en%/>. ,or many people this will

e a once in a li"etime trip to 8orneo an% +olunteers generally ta(e a%+antage o" the wee(en%s to

e:plore the surroun%ing area.

nclu%e% in your project is a trip to

emenggoh arawa(s secon% orang-utan

rehailitation centre. This centre was

estalishe% in the #)s an% has a small

population o" semi-wil% orang-utan. t is a

goo% opportunity to see orang-utan li+ing in

the trees an% a chance to un%erstan% the

relationship etween tourism an% the

rehailitation centres. emenggoh operates

limite% opening times so in the a"ternoon

o" this %ay you will e ta(en to the Win%

an% ,airy ca+es which are spectacular.

*n wee(en%s +olunteers ha+e +isite% numerous locations inclu%ingF

• 8a(o ational Par(

• Huching City

• 0amai 8each

• arawa( Cultural ;illage

• ?unung ?a%ing ational Par( ! home o" the ra""lesia the

worl%s largest "lower

•

antuong ! "or (aya(ing trips

• Huah ational Par(

With u%get "lights o"ten a+ailale it is possile to hea% "urther

a"iel% "or your wee(en%. *ther %estinations some +olunteers ha+e hit

areF

• aah ! $alaysias secon% state on 8orneo "amous "or its %i+e sites an% $ount Hinaalu

• ingapore

• $ulu ational Par( ! within arawa( ut a "light is nee%e% to get there. ou may o" seen the

iah Ca+es o" this par( "eature% on the 88Cs Planet Barth

When you are onsite you can tal( to your "acilitators aout organising possile trips "or you. We are

more than happy to act as your personal tra+el agents ! this is one o" our many hats/

" you are on a tight u%get you can o" course stay at $atang %uring the wee(en%s. We cannot

guarantee that we can o""er you wor( at the centre though as sta"" will o"ten ta(e these %ays o"" or

are re9uire% to per"orm other roles such as tourist management.

Please note that though there is a eauti"ul ri+er running through $atang we recommen% that you

do not swim in it ! croco%iles are a rare occurrence there ut they are a +ery real ris( i" you are

unluc(y enough to encounter one/ There are many lo+ely picnic areas an% trails to e:plore. ou

shoul% tal( to the sta"" on site aout sa"e areas to tre( as there are semi-wil% orangutan li+ing

aroun% $atang. ou are a%+ise% to ne+er +enture into the jungle alone "or your own sa"ety.


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16

Your arri#al day

hat to do when you arrive

ou will arri+e in Huching the capital o" arawa( $alaysian 8orneo. There is no airport ta: on arri+al

or %eparture that nee%s to e pai% at the airport. These ta:es woul% e pai% with the "light tic(et.

-

ou must %eclare you are staying "or a ma:imum o" 3 months an% tic( o"" purpose o"

+isit eing "or social or holi%ay purposes.

- ;olunteers with +ali% Buropean passport will e gi+en at most 3 months socialAholi%ay

+isa on arri+al ! "ree. B:tension can e applie% "or at mmigration in $alaysia "or an

e:tra 3) or 6) %ays.

- ;olunteers shoul% a+oi% mentioning IvolunteeringJ. Though it is not illegal to +olunteer

mentioning +olunteer wor( woul% pro+o(e a lot o" con"usion at immigration =wor(ing

"or "ree let alone paying to wor( is an utterly strange concept to %e+eloping countries>

which coul% result in a +ery long unnecessary %elay "or you/

-

;olunteers "rom Burope an% G an% @ustralia will not nee% a letter o" in+itation "rom us.

- 8y law +olunteers shoul% always ha+e their passports on them or to han%.

hen will we be met&

We will e pic(ing you up at the airport an% "ailing un"oreseen %elays will e awaiting you at the

arri+als lounge. We will then %ri+e you to 8asaga 7oli%ay esi%ences where you will e spen%ing the

"irst night o" your trip.

ou will then ha+e a welcome %inner with us an% your "ellow +olunteers at 6pm. " your "lights arri+e

some %ays prior please ensure you are at 8asaga at this time. Trans"er to $atang will happen the

"ollowing %ay at aroun% 12pm.

hat to do if we dont meet you&

t is incre%ily unli(ely that we will not e at the airport awaiting you in the arri+als lounge. @t

worst we may e a little late %ue to a% tra""ic or terrile weather. " we are running late thoughan% you% li(e to call us to ma(e sure were coming please useF

• =))6> )13&456531 "or Keo 8i%%le or

• =))6> )14&&564&& "or atasha 8ec(erson


17/22

1#

Project itinerary

'ay (ctivity

1

@rri+e to Huching arawa( $alaysian 8orneo.Trans"er to 8asaga Ko%ge a com"ortale an%

stylish guest house to meet *rangutan Project

sta"" an% your "ellow +olunteers "or a welcome

%inner an% rie"ing. $a(e the most o" the hot

shower air con%itioning an% swimming pool

e"ore %eparting to more simple amenities/

2

$o+e to $atang/ ou will enjoy a catere% lunch

e"ore eing ta(en on a tour o" the par( y

resi%ent *rangutan Project sta"" to meet all theanimals an% start to get to (now the resi%ent

orangutan. our %ay will "inish with a trip to the

shops "or groceries local $ car%s an% anything

else you may nee% "or your time at the centre.

3 !

14A

2&

Wor(/ $uch o" the wor( on this project is physical

an% the heat an% humi%ity a%% an e:tra

challenging layer to this. ou will e carrying out a

+ariety o" tas(s inclu%ing husan%ry construction

wor( enrichment maintenance an% "arming. Theest jos are not sa+e% "or the +olunteers ! you

are treate% as pseu%o-sta"" memers "or the time

you are with us an% where+er you may e use"ul

is where we will tas( you/

14A2& eturn to 8asaga "or the "inal night with yourgroupAcontinue wor( at the centre i" you are part

o" a 4 wee( project

15A

2'*nwar% "lights trans"er "rom 8asaga inclu%e%


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1&

%hings to bring

• @ torch ! power cuts are a "re9uent occurrence

• Kightweight clothes that you %o not min% getting %irtyAruine%

• Wellington ootsAgum oots ! these are o"ten +olunteers pre"erre% "ootwear particularly

"or husan%ry which in+ol+e% a lot o" water an% wor(ing in some swampy enclosures. " you

woul% rather not s9ueeDe these into your ag they are +ery cheap an% easy to uy when

you are there. @lso it is worth chec(ing the +olunteer houses "irst "or any le"to+ers as we

generally recommen% that you lea+e your ruer oots ehin%.

7owe+er tall people eware/ $alaysian shoes are rarely "oun% larger than an Bnglish siDe &

Buropean 42 so i" your "eet are igger than this you will nee% to ring your own.

• Kong soc(s ! our most "re9uent +olunteer injury is wellie rash or cha"ing o" the gum oots

on the lower leg.

• $os9uito net ! %oule-e% siDe =see ao+e>

• 8oo(s iPo%s pac( o" car%s etc

• un cream

• ehy%ration sachets

• Tra+el plug a%apter ! $alaysian plug soc(ets are the same as Bnglan% =3 pins> so i" you are

coming "rom the GH you will not nee% an a%apter

• Wor( glo+es ! something li(e simple gar%ening glo+es easily an% cheaply a+ailale "rom

har%ware stores

• Poncho or waterproo" coat ! this is personal pre"erence. " you are caught in a proper

tropical %ownpour nothing is really going to (eep you %ry/ Kightweight cotton clothing will

%ry +ery 9uic(ly anyway an% we always "in% that an e:tra layer simply ma(es you sweat

more so you en% up wet regar%less.

• $oney ! i" you grocery-shop li(e a local =+egetales rice an% noo%les> an% stay at $atang

on your wee(en%s you can pass 2-4 wee(s arely spen%ing anything. There is nothing to uyat $atang with the e:ceptions o" sou+enirs =t-shirts artistic prints photographs etc>. @T$

are easily a+ailale i" your cash car% wor(s o+erseas so you can always %raw out money i"

nee%e%. @ "loat o" $3))-4)) shoul% easily see you through the asics.

- The GH poun% is e9ual appro:imately to 5 $alaysian inggits though this %oes

"luctuate wi%ely. $alaysia is relati+ely cheap once you stay away "rom western

outlets eateries etc. "oo% is cheap at appro:. L1-2 poun%s "or rea("ast or lunch

!inclu%ing juice an% L2-3 "or %inner. @lcohol is more e:pensi+e at L1 "or a can o"

eer. Western ars are same price as at home or sometimes more e:pensi+e.

Kocal ars are much cheaper ut nightclus are same price as Kon%on on

a+erage. 7ostels can range "rom +ery cheap an% grotty at L1.5 to +ery clean an%

nice hostels "or L&-1) poun%s. 7otels can range "rom L25 "or 2-3 stars. 4 an% 5stars will e o+er L4).

• )elephones ! there is =strangely> +ery goo% co+erage within $atang an% Huah ational

Par( so your moile phones will wor( well. oaming charges howe+er can o"ten e

horren%ous. t is o"ten worth uying a local $ car% when in country ! they cost less than

$1) an% international phone calls are incre%ily cheap =to lan%lines calls to other moiles

are more e:pensi+e>. t may e worth unloc(ing your phone e"ore tra+elling or

alternati+ely +ery cheap moiles phones =less than $&)> can e ought.

• The e:pectation to e hot %irty an% sweaty "or most o" the time/

There is no internet at $atang an% no postal ser+ice to the centre. Post can e sent out "rom post

o""ices in the city.


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1'

Reality chec!&

8e"ore oo(ing you will ha+e alrea%y consi%ere% your moti+ations "or +olunteering. 7owe+er please

also consi%er the "ollowingF

• !ultural differences * $alaysian 8orneo is %i""erent to the li"e in your country. ou shoul%

e:pect customs that may seem un"amiliar an% research as much as possile e"orehan% on

@sian an% $alaysian culture. 8ear in min% the realities o" wor(ing in a %e+eloping country

• (nimal care - B:pect %i""erent stan%ar%s than those that you are use% to at home. ome o"

the animals are (ept in what we might consi%er poor con%itions an% (eepers may care "or

the animals in ways that you may not un%erstan% or agree with.

• or#ing with animals - @nimals are o"ten wil% unpre%ictale an% can cause you great harm

i" gi+en the opportunity. t is "or your sa"ety that we restrict %irect contact with animals

• !hanges to the project - Changes can happen last minute. " we state that something

MmightM happen or coul% MpossilyM happen it means just that %o not come with the

attitu%e that you will participate in e+ery acti+ity.

• +ungle reality * 8orneo is a eauti"ul rain"orest "ull o" wil%li"e that you will e e:pose% to no

matter where you are. ou may see many animals an% some can cause injury i" you

acci%entally stumle across them so it is important that when you are tre((ing to stay with

the group an% not wan%er o"" ahea%. Carry an open min% an% alert one.

• ,eat and humidity - B+en relati+ely easy tas(s can e incre%ily strenuous when you are not

use% to eing acti+e in heat an% humi%ity. Please e realistic with regar%s to your own

physical capailities ! i" you struggle wal(ing uphill at home an% ne+er %o any physical

e:ercise you will "in% e+en the simplest wor( +ery challenging in the jungle.

Though $alaysian is a $uslim country arawa( is a pre%ominantly Christian state. There"ore there

are not the same regulations an%Aor sensiti+ities as peninsular $alaysia to e aware o" with regar%s

to clothing. horts an% +est tops are per"ectly acceptale attire in arawa(.

7owe+er Western people are still somewhat o" a no+elty. B:pect almost e+eryone that you meet to

say hello to you smile an% wa+e as( "or a photo with you an% attempt to engage you in

con+ersation. " your clothing is particularly s(impy you may %raw e+en more attention than the

a+erage "oreign tourist which may not e welcome. Western women are +iewe% as se:ually

lierate% to the point o" promiscuous so try not to e o""en%e% i" a con+ersation consists o"F

-

7ello/ Where you "romNO ou come to my houseN ! a simple smile an% o than(s

wor(s per"ectly. ou will recei+e a smile in return an% proaly Welcome to $alaysia/.


20/22

2)

%estimonials

@my Wong eptemer 2)11

learnt so much more aout the %angers the orangutan an% many wil% animals "ace at the han%s o"

humans. ha+e a greater respect "or *rang-utan< they are incre%ile creatures to oser+e at such

close 9uarters. also learnt that ha% a lot more en%urance an% perse+erance than thought ha%.

elie+e the special s(ills +e ac9uire% %uring the program inclu%e sawing hammering scruing

mi:ing cement an% coping with the heat humi%ity/

arah Wa%ham @ugust 2)11

particularly enjoye% carrying the roo" through the jungle=/> an% uil%ing the plat"orm "or the aies

as oth o" these acti+ities are +ery %i""erent to things than woul% normally %o at home an% (new

was %oing something use"ul that the orang-utans woul% ene"it "rom. t was nice to ma(e a

contriution.

also enjoye% ma(ing the enrichment as coul% then watch the animals enjoying it.

achel Te%"or% Qune 2)11

There was so much in"ormation you coul% ta(e in "rom this e:perience. learnt so much aout each

o" the in%i+i%ual orang-utan. t was great to learn aout their characters an% to just watch them each

%ay. t ga+e me a great insight into how they care "or each animal in $atang an% the %i""erent nee%s

that they all ha+e. also learnt aout the animals nutritional nee%s an% what they woul% e li(e i"

they were in their natural haitats.

learnt other s(ills such as uil%ing a shelter "or the younger orang-utan painting the cages putting

wire aroun% cages an% also grouting. These were all asic s(ills ut such a satis"ying jo (nowing you

were helping a ?B@T cause.

ou coul% clearly see that the people that wor( there are trying their har%est to ma(e sure that the

orang-utan can one %ay li+e in their natural en+ironment. $any people "rom the outsi%e will not

un%erstan% the processes that each orang-utan has to go through so they can e semi-wil%. 8ut "orthe +olunteers we were ale to learn why some will ne+er e ale to go ac( an% watch those that

are in the process o" ecoming semi-wil% orang-utan.

Bllie 8ragan-Turner @ugust 2)11

The results o" the husan%ry coul% e seen e+ery %ay an% were +ery satis"ying e+en though it only

too( the animals a "raction o" the time to re+erse the e""ects/ The uil%ing was also particularly

satis"ying especially when we got to see the ay orang-utans on the plat"orm we% uilt e"ore we

le"t.

The stories we were tol% ma%e me realise what a "rustrating jo e+eryone in+ol+e% in orang-utan

conser+ation has ut also what an incre%ile jo people li(e those at $atang are %oing an% how

positi+e their wor( an% achie+ements are.

an%ra @Dcona Quly 2)11

n $atang realise% the huge amount o" wor( that must e %one e+ery %ay to help the animals.

(new that woul% contriute in a limite% way ut %i% e+erything coul% an% was really moti+ate%

to wor( har%. @t the en% o" each %ay really "elt satis"ie% aout my contriution an% happy to e

ale to %o something "or the animals.

The accomo%ation was asic ut it was much etter than ha% e:pecte%. B+en the col% shower

wasnt as a% as thought. t was a goo% surprise to see that there were +ery "ew insects in the

house/ also really enjoye% eing ale to sit on the terrace in the e+ening.

This is an amaDing opportunity to e close to the animals to learn a lot aout them an% aout the

country. @n% it is a great "eeling to (now that you are %oing something "or the animals you lo+e / t is


21/22

21

also an opportunity to meet nice people. am gla% staye% one month it allowe% me to get to (now

the animals much etter.

thin( this program is great "or e+eryone who li(es animals. was a it a"rai% e"ore going ut

e+erything is so well organise% there is really no reason to e a"rai%. ,or me it was the est

e:perience in my li"e/ really miss eing close to the orang-utans an% cant wait to return to $atang/

Qain Kair% $arch 2)11

really enjoye% the %i""erent personalities o" the *rang-utans an% am a it in lo+e with @man.

When Chiam came %own on the last %ay an% attac(e% B%%ie it was incre%ily scary an% thought it

was going to en% +ery a%ly ut what a great e:it to the e:perience. t ma%e me ;B aware that

these are wil% animals that shoul% e treate% with respect an% awe. thin( we all got a it

complacent y the en% ecause it is really har% not to humanise the animals an% get +ery

com"ortale ut su%%enly Chiam ma%e us aware o" e:actly who is in charge an% rightly so/

Hatherine 8u Qanuary 2)11

thought it was well run an% manage% it ha% +ariety an% was rele+ant. We werenRt %oing jos "or

the sa(e o" eing (ept usy the wor( really nee%e% to e %one. appreciate the clarity o" where mymoney was going an% the "act it is not run as a Mtourist operationM ut an a+enue o" creating "un%s

"or the animals.

Helsy mith o+emer 2)1)

learnt so much went to some great places an% met some great people. also ma%e a "ew animals

more com"ortale an% entertaine%.

Kis Wei%t @ugust 2)1)

$y "a+ourite acti+ity was the enrichment ecause it "elt li(e it was ma(ing a small %i""erence to the

%aily li+es o" the maca9ues especially an% was a great opportunity to interact an% oser+e the orang-

utan.

0eie pencer $ay 2)1)

ha% secretly hope% that you woul% get to hol% one o" the orang ut a"ter hearing why you %onRt

=an% eing grae% y 0oris> "ully un%erstan% why/ $y $atang e:perience was thoroughly

won%er"ul. The comination o" sta"" "ellow +olunteers animals an% acti+ities ma%e the most

memorale memories "or me that will ne+er "orget. " coul% woul% e ac( there tomorrow/

woul% li(e to thin( that my e:tra set o" han%s were use% where they were nee%e% an% put to goo%

use an% that their presence was more o" a help than hin%rance.

7elene ar+sta% @pril 2)1)

@part "rom a %ripping ceiling an% a mysterious noise in one o" the e%rooms =we T7H it was aar(ing "rog ut you ne+er (now// tRs a jungle out there > the houses were +ery nice. t was a 8?

plus that there were oo(s in there to rea% a"ter wor(/

Rm in lo+e with the jungle/ especially li(e% that it was so remote that you really "elt li(e you were

Rout thereR in the wil% ut still you were ale to go ac( to Rci+iliDationR in Huching in the wee(en%s.

li(e% that it was e:plaine% W7 something was prohiite% =li(e going to near the cages etc> an%

that it was %one with a "air it o" humour - li(e stories aout what ha% happene% to tourists who

%i%nRt ta(e the sa"ety regulations seriously. t ma%e me respect the animals without eing a"rai% o"

them.


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22

$inally, we strongly recommend that you join our faceboo! grou', Project "rangutan, and get in touch with

#olunteers that ha#e already 'artici'ated on the 'roject(%hey can gi#e you an honest a''raisal of their e)'erience

with us on this 'roject, and can also 'ro#ide you withgeneral ad#ice( We ob#iously thin! this is an incredible

'roject and that you will learn a huge amount and ha#e a fantastic e)'erience – howe#er, as its creators we arebound to say this& *o 'lease find our community of 'ast

#olunteers and find out what they ha#e to say

Documents

Matang Volunteer Project