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Excellent 4.80rating (5)

Rainforest Youth Rangers

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

Highlights

  • Inspire and nurture a love and empathy for the natural world by training the next generation of Jungle Rangers!
  • Live in and learn from one of the last true wildernesses on Earth, the Magnificent Tropical Leuser Ecosystem!
  • Lead your students on expeditions into the Jungle alongside professional Jungle Guides from Indonesia!

Highlights

  • Inspire and nurture a love and empathy for the natural world by training the next generation of Jungle Rangers!
  • Live in and learn from one of the last true wildernesses on Earth, the Magnificent Tropical Leuser Ecosystem!
  • Lead your students on expeditions into the Jungle alongside professional Jungle Guides from Indonesia!
  • Ensure the continued protection and preservation of severely endangered species of animal, such as the Sumatran Orangutan, Tiger, Elephant, Leopard and Rhinoceros, and if you are lucky, see them all!
  • Experience traditional Indonesian culture and cuisine! live and work on the edge of the Tropical Rainforest, the last place on Earth where Orangutans, Elephants, Tigers, Rhino's, Leopards and Sun Bear

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Teach conservation skills 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

    Volunteering at the Trust is no gap year holiday, our volunteers typically work from 08:00 to 17:00 on week days, and occasionally on weekends for training events and action days. We maintain an ethos of hard work and selfless commitment and all of our volunteers are here to serve the local ...

    Typical day

    Volunteering at the Trust is no gap year holiday, our volunteers typically work from 08:00 to 17:00 on week days, and occasionally on weekends for training events and action days. We maintain an ethos of hard work and selfless commitment and all of our volunteers are here to serve the local community. However, that doesn’t stop us having a life changing experience whilst we are at it! 

    On Mondays we have a Hub meeting where all of the staff and volunteers come together to plan the week ahead. Following this, you will begin your sessions. The Youth Ranger Programme and ESL Programme have one or more lessons each day although some days teaching is only in the afternoons. When you are not planning or teaching classes you can join the free fitness sessions here at the Trust or take on your own projects doing renovations or other community work here at The Hub. We also send out volunteers to help out at the local Trashbank, turning plastic into new products and supporting the efforts of rubbish processing and collection.   Weekends are your own, however occasionally, for example on events such as volunteer induction, phase review and volunteer debrief, you may also find that the Trust has arranged some incredible activities for you. On weekends when you are not trekking in the jungle or rafting down rivers you will have a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Sumatran culture and cuisine, with a range of guest houses, restaurants and even one bar Bukit Lawang has plenty to offer! 


    Free-time activities

    Our volunteers love reading in the hammocks or hanging by the river. It is just a ten minute walk to a beautiful waterfall. During the evenings and mornings it is common for volunteers to read, write, play music, relax, and go swimming in or inner tubing on the river.


    At the weekend there are ...

    Free-time activities

    Our volunteers love reading in the hammocks or hanging by the river. It is just a ten minute walk to a beautiful waterfall. During the evenings and mornings it is common for volunteers to read, write, play music, relax, and go swimming in or inner tubing on the river.


    At the weekend there are innumerable places located nearby that are must see!

    Bukit Lawang - Famous for treks to the jungle to spot orangutans and the biggest of the villages in the area. At the weekend there are bars with live music, western restaurants, and local markets for shopping.

    Tangkahan - Has an elephant camp where visitors can bathe elephants in the river. We support bathing them, and the projects but we do not support riding the elephants and hope you will share that belief with us.

    Batu Rongring - Beautiful and peaceful river to chill or have a barbecue!

    Berestagi - For long weekends or traveling before or after volunteers can visit this lovely town in the mountains and go trekking. It is a bit colder here and that makes it a popular place among locals and tourists!

    Lake Toba - A beautiful island (Samosir) in the middle of the lake is home to waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, and much more.


    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)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    CV

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Physically fit, interest in wildlife, environmentally conscious. Data entry, computer and photography skills a plus!

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 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

    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 stay in one of our dorm rooms within the Trust.


    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. 


    Our Trust Hub is located in a village called Gotong Royong, which is approximately 5 minutes drive away from the village of Bukit Lawang. 


    We provide bicycles for volunteers to borrow and there are becaks (like tuk-tuks) which can also be used to get around. 


    For classes, we use motorbikes, which are driven by our staff and we provide helmets for these.

    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

    The dates are likely to be as follows but may change slightly depending on public holidays and events:

    • Orangutan Cycle: January - March
    • Tiger Cycle: Spail - June
    • Elephant Cycle: June - August
    • Leopard Cycle: August - October
    • Rhino Cycle: October - December

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

    Program Fees

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

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    8 - 8 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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