General information for ProFauna Volunteering Program

Program objectives:

While there are many worthy projects in the developing world that are in need of assistance, except in a few cases where, usually larger, organisations are in need of people with particular skills, there are very few opportunities for short term volunteers unskilled in development issues, no matter how enthusiastic and motivated they maybe.

This is hardly surprising as there is no shortage of unskilled labour in the third world. The main problem of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in third world countries is not people power, it is the difficulty of raising funds to implement their projects. Put simply, the problem is funding.

On the other hand, there are many people in developed countries who would like to do short term voluntary work in the third world. These people want to help in a hands on manner and are looking for a direct and personal way of being able to contribute to projects they consider worthwhile. They want to be there, see what it's really like, have an experience, and be able to say that they made a personal difference.

ProFauna Indonesia therefore provides short term volunteering programs to allow volunteers to make a significant contribution, both physically and financially, to aid wildlife conservation work, whilst giving them a unique view of the life, culture, and local region of the people being helped.

ProFauna Indonesia's Volunteering Program aims are:

  1. to raise funds for Indonesian wildlife conservation programs, to improve animal protection, to increase capacity on wild animal rescue, to promote better animal welfare, to educate the community on wildlife conservation issues
  2. to allow the volunteers to work and help hands on, on the project at the Wildlife education centre and/or at the wildlife rescue centre.
  3. to give the volunteers the experience of living in a third world country under local conditions
  4. to allow the volunteers to meet and integrate with the indigenous population and experience their culture
  5. to show the volunteers the conservation programs that ProFauna Indonesia is involved in
  6. to show the volunteers the local area that the ProFauna Indonesia is working in
  7. to provide some organised visits to local heritage and/or cultural sites and/or areas of conservation interest

Volunteering placements:

Volunteers are placed to support and work in the educational centre and/or at the wildlife rescue centre. The educational sector is run by P-WEC providing workshop, training and seminar to young generations, public and the local community on wildlife conservation, animal protection and animal welfare issues.The PPS Petungsewu wildlife rescue centre care and provide medical treatment to rescued wild species, providing rehabilitation program to animals as a preparation to return animals to their natural habitats. Human contact is minimised.

Accommodation:

Volunteers will be staying at P-WEC (Petungsewu Wildlife Education Centre) camp in the provided dormitories, single or shared rooms, depending on the number of volunteers.Bed, mattress and blanket are provided. There will be shower cubicles, traditional Javanese wash room, WCs. The compound is gated and manned by security guards.

Electricity:

220 volts (2 pin plug).

Water:

For shower & wash = filtered well water.
Drinking water = bottled mineral water (will be provided)

Food:

hree main meals per day are provided, food will be traditional basic Javanese cooking. Primarily, rice and vegetables, occasionally noodles. Only organic food material and ingredients are used, sourced locally to benefit the local farmers. We do not serve meat in the camp, only eggs or dried fish. Volunteers may have the opportunity to learn to cook the traditional local Javanese meals.

It is not possible for ProFauna to undertake the preparation of special meals or diets during the program. Such provision will be wholly at the discretion of the supervisor.

Volunteers can purchase their personal supplies from Malang city once a week, whenever transport and itinerary permit. Permission from staff must be obtained.

Clothing:

In order to respect the local customs, it is required that ladies wear clothing to cover shoulders, cleavage, midriff and knees. Short sleeved t-shirts/blouses, knee length skirts, jeans or light weight trousers are ideal. Revealing garments such as strappy tops, mini/short skirts, bikinis, bare midriff, see through clothing, are not advisable. Swimming costumes, if required, should be one piece style - not bikinis.

For trekking: One pair of good trekking shoes required + 1 warm fleece type jacket (If your trip includes a visit to Mount Bromo, then the temperature at night could drop to about 10 - 15 Celsius) + a small back pack.

Temperature and season:

Day = 20 - 24 Celcius
Night = 14 - 19 Celcius
Rainy season: November till April

Currency:

PS 1.00 = Indonesian Rupiah (pronounced roo-pee-ah) approximately Rp.15,500. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted in large stores, but it is advisable to carry small cash. ATM (cash point) machines are available in most towns.

Customs:

Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunitions, TV sets, radio/radio cassette recorders, pornographic object/publications, Chinese medicines are prohibited.

Language:

National language spoken is Indonesian. However, there are about 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Typical local language in Malang is East Javan language. Staff communicate primarily in Indonesian and very basic English.

Internet and international calls:

Access to the Internet, email and international calling facilities are in Malang town at the internet cafe or telecom shop which volunteers can visit during the weekly outing, subject to permission from the supervisor.

Time:

Indonesia is divided in to three time zones. Western Indonesian Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is 7 hours ahead at GMT, Central Indonesia and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara), is 8 hours ahead and East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Irian Jaya) is 9 hours ahead of GMT.

P-WEC (Petungsewu Wildlife Education Centre) camp:

Located in Petungsewu village, 10 km from Malang town, on the foothill of Kawi Mountain. The camp is next to our Wildlife Rescue Centre. The surrounding climate is much cooler than in the cities of Jakarta or Surabaya with fresh mountain air. East Java has many unspoilt awesome natural beauty spots and a variety of attractions, from ancient temples to scenic beaches, highland-lakes to volcanoes, marine gardens to wildlife reserves.

Nearby local attractions include: bird and wildlife watching, nature trekking to waterfalls, visiting traditional farmers' communities, visits to nearby coffee or tea plantations. A trip to Malang, an attractive town which has a small expatriate community, opportunity to see East Javanese history, art and culture. A visit to Sempu Island nature reserve, 2 hours by car and a short boat trip will take you to this breathtaking exotic island, still natural and unspoilt. Spend the day trekking and wildlife watching.

Malang is one of the most attractive towns in Java. A strong sense of civic pride can be noticed from the well maintained and painted becaks (rickshaw), the neat Main Square, buildings and streets. The cool climate is one reason why it is highly desirable amongst the Javanese people as a place to retire. 20km from Malang on the southern flank of Mt. Arjuna, are Selecta and Songgoriti, popular hill resorts with hot springs. The climate is cool and (five km nearby) is Batu, famous for its apples and flowers.

For further information about P-WEC please visit P-WEC's

Local tradition and culture, East Java:

It is generally regarded inappropriate for ladies to smoke or drink in public. Most local people do not imbibe alcoholic beverages and are therefore not comfortable seeing people drinking.

The majority of the population is Muslim (many are practising Muslims), but modern and tolerant. There is freedom of worship. Women have equal rights with men in education. Traditional customs play an important part in community life. People are generally polite. Hand shaking is customary for both men and women on introduction and/or greetings.

Javanism also has a mystical, magical dimension in its religiously syncretic belief system, which integrates pre-Indian, Indian, and Islamic beliefs. Its practices include animistic survivals, which invest sacred heirlooms (pusaka) with animating spirits, and rites of passage whose antecedents are pre-Islamic. Javanism also encompasses the introspective ascetic practices of kebatinan (mysticism as related to one's inner self), which seek to connect the microcosms of the self to the macrocosms of the universe.

Temples:

Between Surabaya and Malang is the town Singosari where remnants of the 13th century Singosari Kingdom include a temple and two gigantic statues of guardians to what many believed to be the main gateway to the capital of the kingdom. Jago temple dates back to 1268, and is one of the most attractive temples in east Java. Scenes from folktales as well as from the Mahabrata epic decorate the side panels.

Kidal temple, nor far from Jago temple, was completed in 1260 to honour one of the kings, and is a gem of singosari temple art. Located 120 km south west of Malang and 11 km North of Blitar, is Penataran temple in the Singosari - Majapahit temple complex, dating from the mid fourteenth century. Its structures are laid on a large and vast field. The main temple is well preserved.

Volunteers would be given the opportunity to visit places of interest, subject to the scheduled itinerary, either camping and trekking to the stunning Sempu Nature Reserve Island, or to the popular volcano, Mount Bromo (2300 mtr). The volcano is noted for its spectacular sunrise and majestic views.

(c)2003 - P-WEC (Petungsewu Wildlife Education Center) Update & maintenance by Admin