Volunteer with us
Gain invaluable experience, connect with nature, and build a new future.
The Ibu Bumi Orangutan organisation has the mission of protecting the rainforest through sustainable economic development, education and wildlife protection programs. To achieve our goals, we have several activities on the ground in collaboration with the rangers from Gunung Leuser NP and USU (University of North Sumatra).
We offer the opportunity to learn in the field and share knowledge, engage with the local community, and develop a range of valuable skills.
This type of volunteering is aimed at people of all ages and families who are 100% able to adapt to work and life in the field.
We are looking for individuals who:
Are passionate
Have a sense of adventure
Are interested in wildlife and nature conservation
Have skills to share
Are resourceful and resilient
Our Volunteer Programs
We have multiple volunteer programs active. The activities listed on the following slides are a guide to what you could be doing; however, this will also depend on the time of year you are joining us and the needs of the organisation at that time.
Option 1: Community Engagement Program
Option 2: Community engagement and wildlife monitoring Program
Option 3: Great Apes research & monitoring Program
Option 4: South Sumatra – Pulau Bangka Rescue Centre Program
Option 5: Remote volunteering
At the end of your volunteer term, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which can be a valuable addition to your resume. If you wish to extend your stay, you must inform our organization.
We greatly appreciate your altruism and trust in us to provide this unique experience. Your support helps make our work possible.
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Community Engagement Program - 1 week
Join our mission to protect the environment and empower the local community. Our volunteer program focuses on high-impact activities, including:
• Teaching: Facilitating lessons in English, environmentalscience, and early childhood education.
• Education: waste management and recycling systems
• Education: creating crafts with recycled plastic
• Manual Support: Assisting with local construction and infrastructure needs as they arise.
€550 per week
Included: Local family home accommodation, meals, assigned local guide, onedayNational Park trek
Not included: transport from Medan to Bandar Baru (can be arranged upon request)
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Community Service and Wildlife Monitoring Program 1 month Basic
Join our mission to protect the environment and empower the local community. Our volunteer program focuses on high-impact activities, including:
• Teaching: Facilitating lessons in English, environmental science, and early childhood education.
• Sustainability: Running organic composting projects and community waste-reduction programs.
• Wildlife Protection: Monitoring local fauna outside the national park
• Education: waste management and recycling systems
• Education: creating crafts with recycled plastic
• Ecotourism: Boosting the local economy through sustainable travel initiatives.
• Manual Support: Assisting with local construction and infrastructure needs as they arise.
€2000 per month
Included: Local family home accommodation, transport from Medan to Bandar Baru, meals, and an assigned local guide
Not included: Weekend accommodation, activities, food, etc.
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Community Service and Wildlife Monitoring Program 1 month Complete
Join our mission to protect the environment and empower the local community. Our volunteer program focuses on high-impact activities, including:
• Teaching: Facilitating lessons in English, environmentalscience, and early childhood education.
• Sustainability: Running organic composting projects and community waste-reduction programs.
• Wildlife Protection: Monitoring local fauna outside the national park
• Education: waste management and recycling systems
• Education: creating crafts with recycled plastic
• Ecotourism: Boosting the local economy through sustainable travel initiatives.
• Manual Support: Assisting with local construction and infrastructure needs as they arise.
€3000 per month
Included: Local family home accommodation, transport from Medan to Bandar Baru, meals, assigned local guide, weekend guest house accommodation, transport from Medan to Bandar Baru, and forest and wildlife monitoring at different locations every weekend.
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Great Apes Research & Monitoring Program 1-month
Ideal for those looking to conduct research on the iconic great apes of Sumatra: Sumatran Orangutans, White-handed Gibbons, Siamangs, Thomas’s Monkey, etc. Includes a full month stay at the Ibu Bumi Orangutan Guesthouse in Batu Katak.
• Certified guide to accompany research activities
• Private room and home-cooked meals
• Data verification and results analysis workshop through the NGO
• Opportunity to track, monitor and study Indonesian apes in the wild
€3000 per month
Included: Guest house accommodation, meals, assigned certified guides & porter, supporting letter for academic institutions
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South Sumatra – Pulau Bangka Rescue Centre Program
Ibu Bumi Orangutan NGO, in partnership with Alobi foundation, have created a volunteering program to support the rescue centre at Bangkat Island. In addition to a range of engaging activities, volunteers have the opportunity to visit some incredible locations and conduct animal observation activities in their natural habitat.
Volunteer activities include:• Zookeeper assistance, animal care, feeding and release
• Veterinary assistance
• Ecotourism activities
• Mangrove reforestation program
€1500 per month
Included: Accommodation, transport from Bangkat Island to the rescue centre, meals, weekday activities
Not included: Optional weekend activities, flight from Jakarta to Bangkat Island
Alobi Animal Rescue Centre program for everyone who loves wildlife and conservation
““I have recently returned to Indonesia after 35 years. Just spend one week as a volunteer to support the education program and wildlife conservation. Life here is about being more rather than having more. The wildlife is spectacular. Thank you for a wonderful experience. ”
““If what you are looking for is wild nature, I totally recommend it””
