Protect the rainforest habitat of the Orang Sungai Community
 view from the Kinabata_0.jpg "View of Village")
_0.jpg "Out on the River")
 view from the Kinabata.jpg "View of Village")
.jpg "Out on the River")
Program Overview
Travel to one of the most amazing rainforests in South East Asia, and help the Orang Sungai community protect their home.
This project, located on the banks of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo, is home to a diverse array of animal species, including; orangutans, pygmy elephants, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, otters and crocodiles. Unfortunately, logging and palm oil plantations are currently having a devastating effect on wildlife habitat and on the rainforest as a whole.
Join us and assist the local community’s efforts to create and provide alternative and sustainable ways to make a living that do not negatively impact the local ecosystem.
Living and working alongside the local community, you will get a chance to immerse yourself and experience Malaysian culture from a perspective few foreigners get.
Life on the Program
Most of your time will be spent on community-based initiatives to support local environmental conservation. The focus of this work is on the critical restoration of native forests, wetlands and Orangutan habitats. The work on this project is sometimes physical and challenging, but it is critical in our battle to save the rainforest.
You will live amongst the Orang Sungai, a group of indigenous people who have lived in scattered villages along the Kinabatangan River for hundreds of years. From this perspective, you will truly have the chance to see how intertwined these people are to the rainforest that surrounds them.
Project Details
The priorities assigned to conservation and community development projects and tasks are determined in conjunction with the Orang Sunghai community where we work.
Some examples of conservation work that we help with are forest mapping, trail maintenance, construction projects, conducting basic wildlife surveys, seed collection, plant nursery work, tree planting and teaching basic English.
You may also have the opportunity to assist with special programs, such as assisting the local health clinic, village school or village kindergarten.
How this program makes a difference:
The indigenous Orang Sungai people of the Lower Kinabatangan have been living off the rainforest for food, medicine, household commodities and products of trade for hundreds of years. Recent deforestation has depleted these resources and many locals were forced to poach timber to survive.
GVI assists our partners create alternative income generation for the people of the area whilst also protecting the rainforest and traditional indigenous culture.
Volunteer Testimonials
I wanted to be in a position to observe wildlife and to make a contribution for animals. The best part of the experience was making friends in the village and having the people treat me as though I were one of them. Seeing the way the eco camp developed from the time I arrived and started working on it to when I left and it was ready for tourists was inspiring. The most emotional experience I had was the night before I left when the entire village, 200 people, had a good-bye celebration for me, I cried!
All the local people were so hospitable, kind and caring, that it felt like home immediately. The local manager was awesome - he was so passionate about the project. I also did some trips on my own; I went to Sandakan, Sepilok (the Orang Utan sanctuary) and Semporna, where I snorkelled with turtles. All experiences that I will never forget! I think it's amazing to experience the culture and habits of a country from the inside. When you stay with a host family on a project, you will feel like one of the locals and a part of the family.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
