Volunteer program Indonesia

Although all activities are optional, the VISITORS OF PROJECT are priced on the assumption that you will help with the upkeep of the reserve. Most days we get up around 7:00am, have a leisurely breakfast, and work from 8:30-11:00am and then stop for a long lunch during the maximum heat of the day. In the afternoon, we usually work from 14:00-17:00pm, depending on the weather. Showers are usually late in the day and do not last long. The Tiger Patrol likes to set off early, around 7-8am. There is no set time for sleeping, but VISITORS OF PROJECT will be expected to make sure they get sufficient rest for the next day’s activities.

The Green Life reserve is part of the forest and we try to minimise our impact on it. Apart from requiring all visitors to use environmentally friendly washing products, we also have rules about the playing of music and noise generally. Music or radio may only be played through headphones and we ask everyone to make as little noise as possible, especially at night. The forest itself is not quiet, and you can enjoy a variety of bird and monkey calls during the day and a concert of cicadas and crickets in the evening.

If you want to go into the forest without a guide, it is essential that you tell someone where you are heading and your expected return time, or it can be written in the camp book. It should be remembered that the Green Life valley and surrounding forest is tiger territory, therefore we recommend that you do not go walking in the evening or after dark.

CONDITIONS

• All participants must be 18 years of age or over. By agreement, younger people may participate if an adult who is responsible for them at all times accompanies them.

• All participants are responsible for their own actions and must comply with the advice and instructions of Green Life representatives and the Gunung Leuser authorities.

• In the case of gross violations of decent behaviour towards other visitors or nature, any participant may be expelled by a majority decision of the other participants.

• We do not recommend that anyone who suffers from panic attacks or extreme phobias, or who might have a life-threatening allergic reaction, to join the program.

• The terrain can be quite challenging in places, so you must be confidently able to climb and descend steep hills, and wade through moving water. The website photos show typical examples. If you have any concerns about your abilities please contact us for more information.

ORANGUTANS IN GREEN LIFE AND BUKIT LAWANG

During your stay on the Green Life reserve there is a good chance you will see wild orangutans but we cannot guarantee it. Visitors of project may want to visit the orangutan rescue station in Bukit Lawang. While we recognise the value of their work, we do not promote this organisation, as we are opposed to it as an attraction. We believe that the regular feeding and human contact disturbs the natural behaviour of orangutans and prevents their full return to the wild. It also exposes them to human diseases.

VISITORS AND WILD ANIMALS

The Green Life project is committed to the preservation of the rainforest in its natural state and seeks to minimise any disturbance to wildlife. We ask you to follow these basic rules:

The feeding of animals is prohibited. They do not need it. The action creates an unnatural attachment between animal and human, and there is a risk of human disease being passed to animals. The capture or manipulation of animals for study or photographic purposes is prohibited. Fishing for sport or food is prohibited. The collection of plants or seeds is prohibited.

Any breach of these rules will be reported to the Gunung Leuser authorities with the intention of prosecution.

Project blue-life is based on initiative to protect ocean from pollution and devastation. Fishing, consumption of any sea animals or walking on coral reefs is not part of the program. We are an ethical bunch, mindful of Ocean life and its inhabitants. Vegans, vegetarians and people with an ethical way of life, started the project blue life; therefore, meat consummation is out of the question. Let us find a common ground and take a global responsibility, which will be natural to the human race in the future.

Thank you very much for your interest in Green & Blue Life projects. We look forward to work with all people whom are concerned and interested in protecting world’s natural heritage of Rainforests, critically endangered animal species and oceans.

FLIGHTS

Several international airlines fly directly to Medan – Kuala Namu airport. Otherwise, the easiest way to reach us is to fly to Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore and take a connecting flight with Air Asia or Lion Air for example.

Please send us details of your flight and arrival time and let us know your preferred method of travel to Batu Katak so that we can make any necessary arrangements. We can also put you in touch with other volunteers to help you synchronise your journey from Medan airport to Batu Katak.

VISA

A free 30 day visa is available to the United Kingdom and 90 other countries for the purpose of tourism, but there are restrictions on the airport or harbour of entry and exit. The free 30 day visa cannot be extended for any purpose. If you think you might want to stay longer or leave by a different route, you should purchase a 30 day VOA (Visa On Arrival) which can be extended by 30 days if necessary. If you are certain you will be in the country for 30-60 days, it is less time-consuming to organise this in advance in your home country.

All visitors to Indonesia will require

• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Indonesia.

• A passport that has at least one complete blank page.

• Proof of a return flight or onward flight out of Indonesia.

GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO BATU KATAK

BY LOCAL TRANSPORT

There is only one exit from Medan airport, follow it and turn right for the bus station. Find the orange ALS buses and take the one heading to Binjai. Tell the driver that you are going in the direction of Bukit Lawang and ask to be let off at Pinang Baris bus station. The cost is about Rp 35-40,000.
From Pinang Baris take the minibus heading to Bohorok (approx Rp 20,000 plus extra for luggage).
Once in Bohorok, text us of your arrival and we will send a pre-arranged car (Rp 150,000 up to 4 passengers) or motorbike (Rp 70,000 per person) to take you to Batu Katak. Sometimes a larger car with seating for 6 passengers is available, but it needs to be booked in advance.
Although this journey sounds complicated, good prior communication with us about your travel plans will avoid many problems.

BY TAXI

This is the simplest option. Email us with your flight details and time of arrival and we will arrange for a taxi to pick you up at the airport and take you straight to Batu Katak. A taxi can carry up to 4 passengers and costs approximately Rp 750,000. Minibus travel can be arranged for groups of up to 7 people. We can help coordinate your journey if you would like to share a vehicle with other volunteers. Depending on traffic, the journey from the airport to Batu Katak can take 4-6 hours.

Volunteers will be met in Batu Katak and accompanied to the Tiger House (10 minute walk) where they can meet each other, enjoy a meal and get a good night’s sleep. The Green Life reserve is only accessible on foot and we walk there the following day.

SPENDING MONEY

There is no need to take a lot of money; £200 will be more than enough. All the food is already part of the program and most of your time here will be in the reserve. The only thing you really need money for is the transport from/to the airport and entrance fee to Gunung Leuser national park. Please exchange your money at the airport and do not leave this for a later opportunity, you might not have a chance. In case you forget, there are few shops along the way that you can stop by with ATM facilities, please ask the driver.
Cost of groceries in Indonesia: drinking water 1,5L (50 Pence), meal in a local warung – £0.80 – 1.30, Soft drink 0,5L (30-60 Pence), fruit – Bananas (30-60 Pence), Clementine’s 1 kg (30-60 Pence), biscuits and sweets 70 Pence.

ELECTRICITY IN THE GREEN LIFE RESERVE AND IN PULAU BANYAK

Electrical sockets in Indonesia are the same as EU so please bring one adapter with you. There is no electricity in the reserve, the only place you can charge your devices is the Tiger House. The house is about 1/1-5 hour walking distance from the camp 2 and 2 hours from camp 1.

The opportunity to go to tiger house will not be every second day, so please take enough batteries or a power bank with you. In Pulau Banyak we use a petrol generator for a few hours in the evening to give us light and the opportunity to recharge battery-powered items.

In the Green life reserve:

There is nothing to fear from the many creatures of the forest if sensible precautions are taken. It is worth noting however that this is a wildlife reserve, there are small animals, and insects everywhere, we do not discourage them, as they are harmless.
Although not numerous on the reserve, mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk and bites can be prevented by the use of repellent and appropriate clothing at these times. They are not known to carry malaria.

In the wetter places there are also leeches. You will encounter them but they are easily removed and cause no problems.

During the day, small bees that like to suck sweat are active. They are not dangerous. There are potentially aggressive territorial bees that we sometimes come across, but as long as you move away and do not hit out at them, they will not attack you. Anyone who is likely to have an allergic reaction should bring appropriate medication and carry it with them.

There are many spiders here but they are mainly active at night when they are a favourite subject of macro photographers. They will not bother you; they are only looking for insects to eat.

Scorpions are also present on the reserve but you are unlikely to see them unless you are looking, as they are shy creatures that prefer rotten trees and stumps.

As a precaution, it is recommended that you shake shoes and items of clothing before putting them on in the morning, to dislodge any night visitors.

The snakes will not bite unless you try to capture them. Leave them alone and they will not harm you.

We do not recommend that you touch any animal. Some, such as the red and black centipede can inflict painful, moderately toxic bites if threatened. Others, such as dogs and monkeys may carry rabies.

Encounters with large animals are rare. They will be aware of your presence long before you notice them and will avoid you.

An exception to this is in the evening and after dark. Tigers hunt at night and the reserve is part of their territory, so we recommend that you do not put yourself at risk by being outdoors at these times.

On the islands:

Insects are not there, from dawn until dusk. Small flies followed by mosquitoes start to fly after 4pm. Mosquitoes are active all night until the next morning. Ordinary repellent and long sleeves will be enough to deal with these creatures. Shacks are equipped with mosquito nets, which guarantees peaceful night.

For these reasons, we only really operate in regards collecting garbage and other activities in the morning from 7:00 – 11:00 and possibly in the afternoon around 14:00 – 17:00.
Water in the Reserve and on the islands

The Green Life reserve is right at the border with the national park, water from the rivers that emerge from the NPGL and via the reserve is safe to drink. There is no need to boil the water. This water is used for cooking, cleaning, washing etc. It is possible to buy a bottle or a straw to filter the water if someone is uncomfortable drinking from the river. There is a water supply on the island but unfortunately, it is not drinking water. We do buy a bottled water for drinking.

HYGIENE ON THE GREEN LIFE RESERVE

As the reserve is part of the natural environment and washing done in the river, all visitors are required to use only organic, environmentally friendly personal hygiene and laundry products. These can be easily purchased in your home country.

We can recommend brands such as:

• ECOVER
• TIERA VERDE (YELLOW and BLUE)
• LUSH
• …..

HEALTH & SAFETY AND VACCINATION

Indonesia is generally a safe country with minimal crime. Thieves are more prevalent in big cities, but please take the usual precautions to protect valuables such as passports, money, phones and cameras anywhere you go. Agree a price in advance for all services.

Despite living alongside tigers, bears, snakes and spiders, the Green Life reserve is not a dangerous place as long as sensible precautions are taken. All VISITORS OF PROJECT will be given safety advice on arrival.

We advise VISITORS OF PROJECT to bring a basic first aid kit, but it is important that anyone requiring specific medication bring an adequate supply with them. It is not recommended that anyone who might suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction come to the Green life reserve.

Vaccinations: only hepatitis A, B, tetanus and typhoid are recommended, not mandatory. Please consider this carefully before traveling.

Mosquitos are present on the reserve but they are unlikely to carry malaria. They are most active at dawn and dusk so we recommend the wearing of long sleeves and trousers at these times with insect repellent used on any exposed skin.

MEALS ON THE GREEN LIFE RESERVE

All food is VEGAN (sometimes vegetarian) and is plentiful. With a varied selection of fruit and vegetables, rice, potatoes and beans, we supply three meals a day and no one ever goes hungry. We have a small oven and can bake bread and cakes. Those that are good at it do the cooking, and the others share jobs such as chopping vegetables, washing dishes and fetching water. Fish or any other sea-life is not part of the diet on the islands.

Coconut oil is used in our kitchens, no palm oil at all.

WHAT TO BRING

Sheet for sleeping, head torch, spare batteries, hat, water bottle, protective gloves, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, swimwear, snorkel, mask and fins, small backpack for treks through the forest, medication (be sure to bring sufficient if required), towel, toiletries and possibly laundry detergent. A few energy bars may come in handy for long journeys.

Shoes for the forest: the best shoes to wear in the forest are trainers or canvas rubber soled shoes. They are lightweight, non-slip and you can feel where you are putting your feet. We do not recommend rigid boots.

Shoes for water: the best shoes will be flexible rubber or plastic that fit well, drain quickly and do not fall off easily. Shallow streams are often the easiest path through the forest.

Appropriate footwear is very important. It will improve your safety, comfort and confidence on sometimes-difficult terrain.

WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING

Personal sleeping mat (we have mats in camp), pillow (we do not have them) water filter (we drink water straight from the river with no problems, but if you are concerned bring water purification tablets or filters), camera, binoculars, Swiss army knife.

WHAT YOU WILL NOT NEED

Tent, mosquito net, dishes or cutlery etc. as we have these in camp.

We ask each volunteer to bring a small quantity of dried foods (that they particularly like) because many products are not easily available in Sumatra. This makes our menus more interesting, Herbs and spices are particularly useful. Please do not bring perishable foods.

Foods we are particularly happy to receive include: any beans (other than mung), lentils, chickpeas, bulgur, couscous, semolina, powdered plant milk (soy, oat, rice etc.), cocoa, baking powder, custard powder, ground black pepper, paprika, cumin, and dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram.

More stable weather can be expected during January – Feb, April – May, sometimes with tropical rains. They are normally very quick and quite heavy accompanied with strong lighting. June and July tend to be dry and sometimes it does not rain for weeks. The rain season starts in August, but it is at its peak in from October to December. Tropical rains during the season are heavy and rivers are more powerful with higher streams. The reserve is mostly closed off during this period. Fruit around the reserve is getting ripe from February to March and June to July. Although Rainforest fruits ripens all-year round depending on the kind. An opportunity to see wild animals is hard to predict.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – TEACHING IN THE TIGER HOUSE

Do I need to know the Indonesian language?

• Our Indonesian teacher, Dona, will always be present and can translate and explain where necessary.

What do we teach?

• We teach English with an emphasis on the rainforest ecosystem and environmental conservation.

Can I help without any teaching experience?

• There are textbooks and other materials you can use. The teacher will be there to guide you and suggest appropriate activities, and she will help with translation and explanations.

How many students would there be in a class?

• Somewhere between 20 and 30. There are currently around 60 local children interested in our classes. They will not all be taught at the same time. We are trying to organise ability groups.

How old are the children?

• They are likely to be between 7-14 years old.

What is the students’ English level?

• This depends on the age of student. Students are usually able to have a simple conversation and know the names of animals and basic things, but they are often shy to speak in English even when they know the answer.

Do Indonesian children attend a state school?

• Yes. They start compulsory schooling at 5-6 years of age. The school day starts early to avoid the heat and is usually from 7am  to 11am, 6 days per week.

Do the children learn English at school?

• Not in the early years. They grow up speaking the local dialect, so learn standard Indonesian when they start school.

How many volunteers can teach at one time?

• Usually volunteers co-teach with another volunteer. The optimum numbers of volunteer teachers per class is 1-3.

How much time is spent teaching per day?

• Tiger House classes run in the afternoon, usually from 2 to 4pm.

Do I have to commit to spending a specific number of days teaching?

• No. There is no obligation to spend any time teaching. Volunteers can choose to spend 2-3 days at a time at the Tiger House.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – GREEN LIFE RESERVE

What will we be doing on the GL reserve?

• Reserve maintenance – mowing grass, painting cabins, repairing stairs, clearing paths, replacing signage, cooking meals, fetching water – anything that is necessary.
• Anti-poaching patrols – positioning camera traps and checking their records, looking for evidence of poachers.
• Learning about the rainforest ecosystem and its plants and animals and the threats posed by deforestation.

Will I have free time during my volunteering placement?

• Teaching in the Tiger House takes just 2-3 hours in the afternoon, the rest of day can be used how you want.
• There is only one fully free day during the two week stay on the reserve. Generally we work for 2-3 hours in the morning and afternoon, with a long break for lunch.
• There is only one fully free day while in Pulau Banyak but there is plenty of other free time to swim, snorkel or explore the islands.

Can I choose where I sleep on the GL reserve?

• To a certain extent. Anyone with specific physical requirements will, by prior agreement, be given priority. Otherwise the use of the reserve cabins is by negotiation and volunteers will be expected to spend time on both sites when we are busy.

Can I share a cabin with my friend or partner?

• Couples and friends can stay together and we try to give everyone privacy if possible, but sometimes it will be necessary to share a cabin with other volunteers.

What do we eat on the reserve? Is the water drinkable?

• We cook vegan and vegetarian food for ethical and health reasons. As animal rights activists, we don’t want to participate in the killing of either wild or farmed animals. Without refrigeration there is no way to safely store meat.
• We provide 3 meals per day.
• We drink water straight from the river Sembelang. We tested the water and it is completely clean. If you want to be sure, you can bring a water bottle with a filter.

Where can I do my laundry?

• In the river Sembelang. We soak our clothes in a bucket and then rinse them in the river, so please only use the minimum quantity of an environmentally-friendly detergent.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – PULAU BANYAK

What will we be doing in Pulau Banyak?

• Travelling from island to island by boat to clear rubbish that has washed up on the beaches.
• Learning about conservation of the marine environment.
• There will also be opportunities to swim, snorkel, kayak, play beach volleyball and generally relax.

Do I need to be able to swim well?

• An average swimming ability is required. The currents in the shallows around the islands are not strong and the clear waters make it easy to see hazards. Buoyancy aids are available for boat journeys into deeper water for those that want them.

I have never snorkelled before. Is it easy to learn?

• It is not difficult to learn and you will have plenty of time to practice. There are many websites offering tips and basic guidelines.

Can I borrow or hire snorkelling equipment?

• We do have a few items that can be borrowed, but we recommend that you bring your own. You will only need very basic equipment that can be bought for £30 or less.

What do we eat on the islands? Is the water drinkable?

• We do not presently have cooking facilities on this site and have arranged with local people for the provision of cooked meals, which will be vegan or vegetarian.
• We provide 3 meals per day.
• We provide bottled water that we buy locally.

TRAVEL, SAFETY AND GENERAL QUESTIONS

Is it safe to stay in the rainforest?

• It is safe if you follow the advice that will be given on arrival. Although the Green Life reserve is situated in tiger territory, tigers will generally avoid contact with people. However, there are other creatures that might bite or sting if you step on them or disturb them in the dark. For this reason we advise volunteers not to wander in the forest in the evening, early morning or at night.

Do I need special vaccinations?

• No special vaccinations are required for travelling to North Sumatra, but tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended for any travel in Asia. Avoid touching animals, especially dogs and monkeys, because they may carry rabies.

Are mosquitos a problem?

• Not really. Mosquitos in this area are not known to carry malaria. They are mainly active at dawn and dusk, and wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers with repellent on exposed skin at these times will usually prevent any problems. There are mosquito nets in the cabins.

How much money will I need during my stay?

• We recommend around €100 – 150 (1.7 – 2.2 million rupiah) per volunteer program. You won’t need money in the forest or on Pulau Banyak, but close to the Tiger House is a small café where you can buy beer for 35,000 rupiah and also soft drinks. It is possible to hire a motorbike or car and travel to another village in your free time. There are also guided trips from Batu Katak into the partially submerged caves or rafting expeditions down the river.

What kind of money do I need in Sumatra?

• In Batu Katak, and most other villages, you will need to pay with Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). In larger towns and cities you may be able to pay by credit/debit card.There are no automated teller machines (ATM) in the Batu Katak area.

Where can I exchange my money for Indonesian rupiah?

• If you haven’t already done this in your home country, the best place to exchange your money is at the airport in Medan, where you may benefit from a better exchange rate. There are ATM at the airport, but if you plan to rely on cards, we advise that you have more than one, check that they function overseas and be aware that there is a limit on how much can be withdrawn at one time.

Are there any restaurants or cafes? How expensive are they?

• There is one small café in Batu Katak where they can prepare simple local food like Nasi Goreng (fried rice with vegetables). Any food is likely to be vegetarian as it is difficult to store meat without refrigeration. A meal costs around 15,000 rupiah. The café (Green Warung) also sells beer and soft drinks.
• There are no cafes within easy reach of where you will be staying in Pulau Banyak

What power adapter /converter do I need for Sumatra?

• A power adapter/converter to suit a two prong plug at 240V AC is required.

Where can I charge my phone?

• In Pulau Banyak we use a petrol generator for a few hours in the evening to give us light. Phones can be charged then.

Is there access to the internet?

• The wifi signal in Batu Katak is very poor and internet access is intermittent. One hour away in Bohorok is an internet café with reliable access, if this is important to you.

What if I need to postpone my placement?

• If there is space on another program, we will be happy to arrange this. Please let us know as soon as possible.

What should I bring?

• light clothes like T-shirts and shorts (daytime)
• light long trousers and long sleeved shirts (evening)
• light waterproof jacket
• comfortable hiking boots/shoes with flexible soles
• free-draining rubber shoes suitable for wading through water
• swimwear and towel
• snorkel, mask and fins
• hat and sunglasses
• sunscreen and insect repellent
• head torch and spare batteries
• strong re-usable water bottle
• waterproof bag for passport, tickets and money
• small backpack to carry water and essential items on trips
• basic first aid kit, which should include sufficient quantities of any prescribed medicine, painkillers, plasters, antiseptic and diarrhoea medicine

Do I need travel insurance?

• Yes. The policy should include medical and repatriation cover, personal liability and loss or theft of personal belongings as a minimum.

Do I need a visa?

• Yes. A free 30 day visa is available to 90 countries for the purpose of tourism, but there are restrictions on the airport or harbour of entry and exit. The free 30 day visa cannot be extended for any purpose. If you think you might want to stay longer or leave by a different route, you should purchase a 30 day VOA (Visa On Arrival) which can be extended by 30 days if necessary. If you are certain you will be in the country for 30-60 days, it is less time-consuming to organise the visa in advance in your home country.

All visitors to Indonesia will require:

• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Indonesia.
• A passport that has at least one complete blank page.
• Proof of a return flight or onward flight out of Indonesia.

Who organises my flights?

• You do. Once you have confirmed your volunteer placement and are ready to book your flight we will put you in touch with other volunteers who are on the same program, as you may be able to travel with them or meet up with them for part of the journey. We can offer help with finding the best route and air fare from your home country.

How do I get from the airport to the Green Life reserve?

• There are details of the various options here. Link

Why volunteer abroad?

• It is an opportunity to experience a new culture and engage with local people in a meaningful way.
• Your commitment to environmental conservation is important to local people who often feel powerless defending their land rights against the activities of big companies and the inability of the government to enforce the law.
• Learning about the incredible diversity of nature will be a beautiful and unforgettable experience here.
• On a personal level, volunteering offers a chance to make friends with like-minded people, develop your skills and increase your self-confidence, independence and social awareness. It can also be added to your CV.

Why should I pay for volunteering?

• We are a non-profit organization and receive no government funding. There are a number of costs involved with the services we offer volunteers and any profit made from the program goes to support the Green Life Project.

How is the Green Life reserve funded?

• The Green Life Project and the activities of NGO Forest For Children are funded from several financial streams:
  • Regular standing orders from supporters
  • One-off donations from supporters
  • Entry fees to public lectures (about 40 lectures per year)
  • Sales of certificates – Save the Forest (for land purchases), Tiger House (for completion of construction and operation), Tiger Patrol (for the operation of anti-poaching patrols)
  • Business sponsors
  • Subscriptions to the Green Life magazine
  • Sales of promotional items
  • The Volunteer Program donates all profits
  • The Green Life Education school program (REPE) donates 2/3 of its profits. The remaining 1/3 funds educational films used by the school program and for fundraising.

Do you have more questions? Please ask us volunteer@justicefornature.org