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Excellent 4.80rating (5)

Conservation Education in the Sumatran Rainforest!

location
8 - 16 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Learn about regenerative farming methods and sustainable farming practices
  • Discover a wide range of local fauna and flora and learn about their many uses
  • Be a leader in our local environmental education programme, educating Bukit Lawang's next generation of farmers

Highlights

  • Learn about regenerative farming methods and sustainable farming practices
  • Discover a wide range of local fauna and flora and learn about their many uses
  • Be a leader in our local environmental education programme, educating Bukit Lawang's next generation of farmers
  • Gain valuable experience working in a community-development based NGO and prepare yourself for a career in conversation

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Support conserrvation initiatives at the edge of the Sumatran rainforest, one of the last places on Earth where you can see wild orangutans!

    We are looking for people to join us who share our passion for social projects, who wish to give back and help communities & who care about education as a means for sustainable development – people who'd love to work in and support our team and people who are looking for a challenge and a once in ...

    About the program

    We are looking for people to join us who share our passion for social projects, who wish to give back and help communities & who care about education as a means for sustainable development – people who'd love to work in and support our team and people who are looking for a challenge and a once in a lifetime adventure! You've also got to love children, we work with adults too, but the kids are always around. You should love and care about the environment, love to have new experiences and want to build relationships with the local community!

    • You must speak fluent English
    • We ask all our international volunteers who come for a full 8 week cycle to raise £1000 before coming out to join us in Sumatra. Alternatively, some people choose to pay this fee if they can afford to and are not able to fundraise.
    • No experience or qualifications are needed. But what is essential is that you have a positive attitude, you are willing to work hard and get stuck into whatever is thrown at you.
    • You must have a desire or passion to support others and make a meaningful difference in the world
    • You need to be able to travel to Indonesia for a minimum of two months
    • It's great if you care about the environment or have a love for nature. All our education programmes at the Trust have the aim of empowering local people, so that they can shape a positive, environmentally sustainable future for themselves.

    We are looking for anyone bold enough to bring their English skill to new corners of the globe. The work is meaningful, and you'll grow so much while having the experience of a lifetime:

    As part of your volunteer placement, all of our volunteers receive:

    • Accommodation in a shared dorm (no more than three people per room);
    • Breakfast and lunch served Monday - Friday;
    • Transportation to and from Medan airport;
    • Three fitness classes per week: Jungle Fit, Zumba & Yoga;
    • Full programme training;
    • Weekly 1-on-1s and development sessions;
    • An overnight, 2 day jungle trek in Gunung Leuser National Park;
    • A team building weekend away;
    • A workshop with a local business (basket weaving, carving, fabric painting, etc)

    Why volunteer with us?

    • Our location is unforgettable! Bukit Lawang is a breathtaking community at that borders against the Sumatran rain forest, one of the last places on Earth where you can find wild orangutans
    • We are a small, community-based NGO. Our impact is direct and measurable. We are deeply engrained in our community, and we worth frequently with them to design our progammes
    • Your volunteer fee goes directly into the community!

    This opportunity is ideal for sustainability for new conservation workers wishing to gain experience abroad OR for people pursuing a career in NGO work.

    We are the Bukit Lawang Trust, and we deliver high quality, free education to communities which are run by our local team and supported by volunteers. All of our education programmes at the Trust aim to empower local people so they can shape a positive, environmentally sustainable future for themselves. We wish to create opportunities to turn away from the environmentally harmful industries that have decimated the region.

    We are currently recruiting volunteers for our late 2025 & 2026 cycles.

    • No previous is required - but we ask that you have a passion for education and for the environment
    • You must have a positive attitude and be willing to work hard to help deliver our progrmames
    • You must be able to travel to Indonesia for a minimum of two months
    • We ask that our volunteers fundraise GBP 1,000 locally prior to flying out on project. This contributes hugely to our programmes, as we are a small grassroots NGO

    As a volunteer, you will:

    • Have the opportunity to learn about the internal operations of a grassroots NGO
    • Work alongside our full-time teachers and farmers in delivering our programme material
    • Spend your time on project supporting our teaching staff and helping implement our community-development programmes
    • Maintain our regenerative agriculture farm & be a leader in our charity's conservation activities
    • Take part in cultural workshops and a two-day jungle trek
    • Receive full training & weekly 1-on-1 sessions for career and personal development
    • Have the opportunity to apply your skills and passions to improve our programmes
    • Bond with a multinational team and form global connections


    Typical day

    Our working days at the Trust start at 08:00 and finish at 17:00.  Howeverm the typical day for our EFP volunteers and staff starts a little earlier than the rest of the team and that's because we like to beat the heat and get an early start at the farm. You'll be waking up at about 06:30 to head ...

    Typical day

    Our working days at the Trust start at 08:00 and finish at 17:00.  Howeverm the typical day for our EFP volunteers and staff starts a little earlier than the rest of the team and that's because we like to beat the heat and get an early start at the farm. You'll be waking up at about 06:30 to head to the farm for a 07:00 start and work until 09:00. The middle of the day is very hot and we avoid working outside, especially with international volunteers. 

    The afternoon is when we teach our lessons at the farm. You will work with out permanent staff to help create lesson plans for these and help support and teach the lessons at the farm. We will always give you plenty of support and training to do this and make sure you feel comfortable. 

     Volunteer responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

    • Planting - either seeds directly into the ground or you will need to germinate seeds in bags first before transferring to the ground.
    • Maintaining the land - This includes weeding, clearing the land of debris, keeping the drainage trenches clear, tending the soil
    • Building bamboo planting frames 
    • Making organic natural fertilisers 
    • Harvesting crops
    • Creating lesson plans and supporting/delivering lessons

    Working on the EFP will take priority, but you’ll also have time to work on other projects around the Trust. This could be anything from developing our roof garden, decorating the Trust building, community walk arounds, supporting our operations, DIY jobs or anything else you can think of that would be of benefit! We welcome new ideas and creativity, and we encourage initiave from all of our staff and volunteers

    Our days finish at 17:00. Maybe you want to go for a swim in a nearby river?  Or you can chill in our roof garden? Play cards with the team? Go into town and hangout?  It’s your free time and the choice is yours. We have a very social team and a real family vibe at the Trust and so we often all hang out together and regularly there are optional evening activities arranged throughout the week.


    Free-time activities

    The Bukit Lawang Trust is located in an exceptionally beautiful area, from our roof garden you can look out across at the jungle covered mountains of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Exploring the incredible nature the area has to offer is definitely worth prioritising in your free time. From jungle ...

    Free-time activities

    The Bukit Lawang Trust is located in an exceptionally beautiful area, from our roof garden you can look out across at the jungle covered mountains of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Exploring the incredible nature the area has to offer is definitely worth prioritising in your free time. From jungle trekking to see the famous Sumatran Orangutan (you get a free two day trek included in the volunteer package), to visiting the gorgeous rivers, to finding waterfalls and hot springs, to going on snake tours, to exploring caves, you'll be spoilt for choice with what to do!

    There are many rivers in the local area, the biggest, Bohorok River runs through the middle of Bukit Lawang and it's a popular spot to hang out, people often bring a picnic and drinks and relax and swim. But there are some smaller less visited hidden gems that we'll be happy to show you.

    We have a very social team and a community vibe at the Trust and so we often all hang out together and regularly there are optional evening activities arranged like team cooking nights, karaoke parties, a group or arts and crafts nights. In Bukit Lawang there are multiple bars and guest houses too with extremely friendly locals and live music on most nights and we often go into town together. 

    We have a library at the Trust and volunteers are welcome to borrow books from there. The roof is a nice and peaceful place to do some reading.

    We will also arrange optional weekend excursions for our volunteers like camping, canyoning, cave exploring and jungle treks.

    Simply put, you will not be bored during your stay! 


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Required Documents

    CV/Resume and Cover Letter

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    The essential things we look for are a passion to help others, a flexible and adaptable approach, a ability to work alone, an ability to use your own initiative and a desire to work within and support our team and community. Non-Essential but desirable things would be: Experience working with children, experiencing farming or growing fruit and veg to some extent, teaching or instructing (any age), relevant qualifications or professional experience and experience living abroad for a short time.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    We ask all of our volunteers to fundraise before coming out to Sumatra a minimum of £1000 GBP for the 8 weeks. Alternatively, some people choose to just pay this fee if they have no time to fundraise beforehand. We ask for a non-refundable deposit of £150 on booking your place in order to reserve your space and to cover registration costs.    In addition to this, you will need to pay for the cost of your volunteer visa, which is £280 and lasts 60 days.  

     

    This fee covers:

    • Accommodation - shared dorm room

    • Lunchtime meals cooked by our hub chef Mon-Fri

    • Transport to and from Medan airport to the Trust.

    • Free Jungle FIIT exercise classes three times per week at the Trust Hub.

    • Our staff will provide all of the training you need to teach our programs, and support you throughout your volunteering journey. 

    • An overnight, 2 day jungle trekking experience with experienced local guides

    • Orientation challenges

    • A workshop with a local business- e.g basket weaving, carving, fabric printing, soap making, cookery

    • A phase review team building weekend

    • Indonesian language lessons by our Indonesian Programme Coordinators

    • Transport to and from the Eco farm for every session (20 mins by motorbike).

    Airport Pickup at Kuala Namu International Airport

    We provide pick up from Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan to our Hub in Gotong Royong where you will be staying. This is approximately a four hour drive in good weather, from the city centre to the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park where we work! Our Volunteer recruitment team also provide support in arranging your flights and making sure you are in the right place at the right time to meet our pick up! 

    Accommodation

    Our volunteers on the Ecological Farming Program stay in one of our dorm rooms within the Trust, and many volunteers choose to enjoy their weekends in one of the outstanding guesthouses here in Bukit Lawang. Each volunteer is given a key to their dorm, and the front door to the Trust. We have 4 bathrooms: 2 Western style and 2 Indonesian style. We also have a shared kitchen with cooking facilities. 

    Food & Beverages

    Lunch is included in your volunteer fees, and in the evenings we either eat out or we hold cooking nights at the Trust. At the weekends, most volunteers prefer to eat in the village or along the river at one of the guesthouses for dinner.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO) in Kuala Namu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Indonesia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Indonesia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Indonesia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Indonesia. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    WE NEED ESL VOLUNTEERS NOW!  Please check our other listings if you could be interested in this.

    Our volunteer placements run in the following two-month cycles:

    • Orangutan Cycle: January-March
    • Tiger Cycle: April-June
    • Elephant Cycle: June-August
    • Leopard Cycle: August-October
    • Rhino Cycle: October-December
    Visit our website or contact us as [email protected] for more information about specific cycle dates.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $179 per week 8 - 16 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    8 - 16 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.80
    5 reviews

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Indonesia > Bukit Lawang

    Meet your project coordinator

    Head of Volunteering
    5
    reviews
    4.80
    Excellent
    2004
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Indonesian
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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