The AWF is collaborating with SCP in offering a handful of volunteer opportunities, no more
that 3-4 at any one time at each of SCP´s two bases, to work on a number of research and
community initiatives. The aim is to broaden the funding base of this amazing project so as
to make it more sustainable. Because of this it is expected that all volunteers actively support
fundraising initiatives as part of their involvement with the project. Some fundraising needs
follow. Applications will be selected in part on the proposals for fundraising support.
IndonesiaThis is a unique opportunity to experience life in the rainforest whilst protecting a rich and diverse habitat supporting a variety of species including several primates all of which are considerable conservation interest and one of which is critically endangered, [Kloss’ gibbon, Siberut macaque, Mentawai Langur (all vulnerable) Pig-Tailed Langur (critically endangered)). It is also about living within a traditional village community along with their rituals, customs and traditions.
The centre is run locally by the Siberut Conservation Programme (SCP) and currently financed
through and supported by the primate organisation Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH
in partnership with Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia. It is a great example of best
practice conservation, a biodiversity research programme designed to integrate the needs
of local people into the objectives of rainforest conservation.
Because of the paperwork involved with the Indonesian authorities, which SCT will steer volunteers through, two months’ notice is required of volunteers. The SCT team will also co- ordinate transfers from the international airport at Padang through to its forest bases.
Siberut is the largest of the Mentawai islands to the west of Sumatra. Access is by ferry from Padang and then by speedboat to the village of Politcioman, where SCP has a community base and then further still by river canoe and jungle trek to the research station itself. Half the volunteers will be in the village and half at the research station. There are three areas of volunteering oppourtunity:
1. Politicioman
Politicioman, the village base set on the edge of the rainforest, is a community
of 600 people with 150 houses. Volunteers will live within the community working on a number of community based initiatives: pre-school teaching and Government
school teaching (mainly English); ; nature studies and environmental education;
health and hygiene measures; ; photography; maintenance of project infrastructure;
eco-tourism; recording myths and legends; micro finance; recycling, maintaining
and growing a market garden.
There will be also one-off construction and engineering projects that will need help. All community-based volunteers will also be able to spend time at the field research station (to see the primates first-hand) and at the beach areas. 2. Research - work experience/ internship
Follow the research teams and assist with data collection (eg species abundance,
vegetation plots, invertebrate sampling);;; help habituate primate groups to
facilitate further research; assist with field station operation and the maintenance
of its research transects. All these activities help young researchers validate
their academic learning through real experience.
There will be also one-off construction and engineering projects that will need help. All community-based volunteers will also be able to spend time at the field research station (to see the primates first-hand) and at the beach areas. 3. Research
Full blooded research opportunities will be considered from any
relevant discipline and full support will be given. Normally, we would expect these to
be from postgraduate students but we will also consider exceptional undergraduate
proposals.
There will be also one-off construction and engineering projects that will need help. All community-based volunteers will also be able to spend time at the field research station (to see the primates first-hand) and at the beach areas. FUNDING NEEDS
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