International Volunteering in Indonesia
Batu Kapal Conservation Sanctuary is located in the heart of the forest on the peaceful Landak River overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site Guning Leuser National Park.
The sanctuary is surrounded by nature and geological formations, with frequent visits from orangutans as well as occasional epic pigs and civets.
Wild populations reside on the property, including the Thomas Leaf Monkey, Silver Monkey, macaques, monitor lizards, gecko, Slow Loris, and many birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and insects.
By working at the Batu Kapal Sanctuary, you will contribute to the protection of the endangered orangutan and the rainforest ecosystem.
Sumatra is the last natural habitat of the orangutan in Indonesia. Sumatra’s forest cover declined by 61% between 1985 and 1997, due to logging, infrastructure development, internal migration and plantation development (especially palm oil).
The Sumatran orangutan population has declined by 86% over the past 100 years. The latest calculations estimate that there are about 7,300 individuals left in the wild, with continued losses each year.
The Sumatran orangutan is now classified as critically endangered.
The experience
Goal of the project and the Batu Kapal conservation program
The goal of the project is to protect the orangutan, wildlife and plants that inhabit the buffer zone on private property bordering Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra and adjacent to oil palm, rubber and agricultural plantations. The long-term goal is to develop and implement an environmental awareness education program in schools and communities adjacent to the corridors.
Survey, map, identify and monitor the area, habitats and animals with GPS.
Identify private property (primary land use and existing native vegetation).
Map orangutan habitation, major tree corridors, and feeding areas, as well as GPS mapping of travel routes used by orangutans and primates.
Develop a comprehensive list of fauna and flora and identify the ecosystem systems produced by each living thing. As well as develop a better understanding of what is missing.
Develop a recovery program for vulnerable or threatened species.
Create corridors between the national parks and the buffer zone on private land, to connect the natural habitats of orangutans and animals.
Develop best practices in agriculture and ecotourism with minimal environmental impact.
Biodiversity Identification
Your schedule
Please be aware that the exact nature of the work you will be doing will depend on the needs and priorities requested by the Sanctuary, the school and the communities at that particular time. As a volunteer, it is important to remain flexible and keep in mind that sometimes priorities and/or emergencies may arise and therefore your duties may change quickly. But for some volunteers and depending on your skills, your tasks will be defined before you leave.
A typical day of volunteer activities is flexible and can be built with a combination of environmental and educational activities.
6:30 am – Early morning wildlife viewing – GPS, take photos and observation notes. This is often the time when animals are most active during the day!
8:00 am – Assist with breakfast preparation.
9:00 a.m – Start of conservation activities (monitoring, survey and creation of wildlife corridors).
12:00 – Assist with lunch preparation.
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Depending on site needs, activities will include:
- Continue with the conservation program – monitoring, surveying and creating wildlife corridors.
Data entry of monitoring sheet and orangutan profiles.
Plastic projects – waste collection, making ‘Eco-Brick’, plastic eco-construction.
Nurseries – maintenance, seedling collection, reforestation, construction of bamboo tree guards.
Maintenance of the vegetable garden.
School Project – Supporting the Selang Pangeran Jungle School – planning English classes (Monday to Wednesday from 1 to 3 pm only).
Assist in the English classes in Selang Pangeran Jungle School and Sunchine Class (Monday to Wednesday only from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.) and raise environmental awareness in the classes as well as assist with French correspondence.
Develop social networks.
5:30 pm – Help with dinner preparation.
6:30 pm – Dinner.
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm – Optional activities:
Once or twice a week – optional night walk to spot nycticebes (‘Slow Loris’), civets, leopards or porcupines – take photos and observation notes.
Relax and play cards/games.
Campfire and guitar.
Exchange with the Indonesian/English team.Each evening the volunteers have the opportunity to share their daily experiences and plan the next days activities.
Cost of the mission
Cost of a mission (excluding airfare) : 1100 EUROS + 25 EUROS MEMBERSHIP FEE OR 382 EUROS AFTER TAX DEDUCTION.
*The expenses of missions are tax deductible. Article 200 and 238 bis of the general tax code.
- 10, 15 days to 1 month maximum
During your volunteer mission, SAS takes care of the transfer from the airport to the mission base, of your supervision during the solidarity mission with the communities, of the nights, of the morning, noon and evening meals and of the local transportation.
The approximate additional costs of the mission: airfare (800 euros), vaccinations and mandatory medication (100 euros). These costs are tax deductible. SAS organizes a mandatory pre-departure training day either remotely or in our offices. The training is given by international solidarity graduates (Bioforce Lyon Humanitarian Institute).
We organize short missions to allow an effective immersion on the community projects that will be entrusted to you. You are then free to extend your stay and discover the country. You are responsible for the cost of activities on your day off.
Flight cancellation and medical and/or repatriation insurance (including Covid 19) are mandatory.
Do not hesitate to contact me for any further information. Good preparation for the mission!
Delphine Thibaut
phone : 06 73 76 60 13
contact@sensolidaire.org
Useful informations
- Formalities
You will need your valid passport (more than 6 months).
Advice for airlines to find you the best price: Silkair, Lufthasa, Emirates Airline, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines…
- Health
No vaccinations are mandatory but some are recommended: make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations. The recommended vaccinations are: tuberculosis, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis A and B.
An antimalarial treatment is also recommended. Vaccinations are the responsibility of the volunteer. In addition to vaccinations, it is necessary to use protective measures against mosquitoes, sunglasses, local disinfectant, medication for intestinal problems, a multipurpose antibiotic, eye drops, painkillers, bandages, water purification tablets and your usual medication.
*Within the framework of the vaccine, make an appointment with the service specialized in tropical diseases, the closest to your home at least 2 months before departure (public hospital, vaccination center, airport …)
- Tips for travelers
Mission's Base
