Save endangered species / wildlife on a remote island of Togean Islands, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Details

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  Description

  My wife and I live on Malenge Island, Togean Islands, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since 2014 we have tried to save endangered species (animal or wildlife) such as primates tarsier and macaque, endemic babirusa (deerpig), and many kinds of Togian and Sulawesi birds. Therefore, volunteers (couple preferable) who love animals, concern about the extinction of wildlife, like to work on conservation, and are keen to help us sincerely are welcome to our home.
  The tasks are helping me (Dr. Ating) and my wife Meidy to manage the sanctuary: clearing undergrowth, creating trails in the forest, feeding animals, and finishing the construction of our new house (current priority) for 4-5 hours every morning.
  After lunch the volunteers are free to do snorkeling and kayaking in front of our bays. They can also visit Bajo tribe (sea nomad people) village, do trekking in the forest behind our bays. or scuba dive in the clusters of coral-reefs.
  Volunteers would stay in a semi-open building next to our house. Its simple bathroom is about 20 meters from the building and the volunteers are expected to fill the big bucket with water from the well or rainwater containers by themselves.
  As many little creatures--almost all harmless--moving around on the beach and trees around the sleeping place, we do not accept volunteers who are afraid of these creatures (spider, mosquito, lizard, frog, bat, or rat) or allergic to insect bite.
  A comfortable bed with bednet is provided so that volunteers can sleep well with the sound of lapping waves and chirping insects on the trees and lawn and night birds in the air.
  Meal is provided in our house, which consists of rice, noodle, egg, bread, and vegetables. Once a week we buy fresh fish, if the volunteers are not vegetarian, from the villages (15-minute boat from our secluded bay).
  We don't allow volunteers to smoke and drink alcohol in our place. They can buy and drink beer in our resort neighbors while online there because our place has no phone signal or wifi. If they do it, they have to come back by 10 p.m. because we go to bed early.
  Malenge Island is particularly known for its stunning natural beauty and biodiversity. Located in the Togean Islands, the island is home to various endemic endangered species such as Malenge macaques, Togian tarsier (the smallest primate in Asia), Togian babirusa (pigdeer that inspired Alfred R. Wallace to develop theory of evolution), Togian cuscus (marsupial like koala in Australia), Sulawesi hornbill (big bird like toucan).
  In addition, Malenge Island offers stunning beaches, tropical forests, and opportunities for snorkeling,
  diving, and trekking. A 1-km bridge connects two parts of the island, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. And the island is inhabited by the Bajo people, known for their nomadic humble living as fishermen and copra farmers.
  Overall, Malenge Island is a haven for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those seeking a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path destination.
  The sanctuary is a bay surrounded by verdant hills on Malenge Island. The land—bought as the only effective way to save Malenge babirusa and macaque from trapping and killing by local farmers and poachers—has diverse ecosystems. It consists of deep sea, coral-reefs, seaweed, and shore of mixed mud, sand, pebble, and rock; the west cliff is lined by mangroves two hundreds meter inland; and these mangroves scatter to the lagoon behind the shore line, the habitat of water birds and brackish water fauna. Coconut trees cover the lower hills and above them is the monsoon forest.
  P.S.
  Before sending your application, please read the following for your consideration.
  1. PERIOD
  We only review applications with the period from ONE WEEK to TWO MONTHS before the arrival date of the applicants. For example, if today 4 July, the period should be between 11 July and 4 September.
  2. TRAVEL TIME AND COST
  To reach our place on Malenge Island, Togean Islands is rather costly and time consuming.
  Length: 2 nights in hotels and 14 hours on sea ( ferry ship and speedboat)
  Cost: USD 170 (airfare) + 40 (hotel) + 55 (boat) + 35 (airport and harbor taxis) = USD 300 (minimum)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Videography

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The volunteers can learn about the life in remote islands surrounded by wild animals.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Together with us, the volunteers would do the following:
  Make new garden or tend the existing ones;
  Create new trails or maintain the existing ones; and
  Feed the wildlife that comes to our home.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  A semi-open building next to our house we use as a project center. The simple bathroom is outside.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Maya

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