Volunteering in Borneo

At this time, we are unable to offer any volunteer opportunities at OFI facilities in Borneo, however we hope that some time soon they will resume. When this happens we will update this page.

All volunteering in Borneo is co-ordinated and managed through Orangutan Foundation International’s US office. We don’t make the decisions here in Australia.

If you have any questions or would like any more information, please contact the Volunteer Selection Committee at ofivolunteer@gmail.com

In the meatime, here is some general information for when the volunteer program resumes.

Volunteering is a fun and exciting way to get directly involved with Orangutan Foundation International’s (OFI) field work on the ground in Borneo. They offer several different programs including long-term and short-term volunteer positions.  These programs all takes place at OFI’s facilities in Borneo, in the areas of construction, enrichment, communications, veterinary care, animal husbandry and field correspondence.

Construction Projects run more frequently and are scheduled several times a year. Here a few points worth knowing before deciding if this is for you.

• Volunteers do not need experience in the field, just a willingness to help, a sincere interest in forest conservation and orangutan survival, and a passion for the work OFI does.
• Volunteers are expected to work approximately 8 hours per day with one day of rest on Sunday. This volunteer experience should not be viewed as a “holiday.”
• You must be a member of the Orangutan Foundation International.
• You must be 18 years of age or above.
• You must be in good physical condition and be prepared for hands-on manual work in a hot, steamy, equatorial environment that may occasionally have buzzing and biting insects and other inconveniences as well as the occasional danger [such as the rare venomous snake].
• Volunteers should also be cognizant that Borneo’s endemic diseases consist of such tropical diseases as malaria, dengue, typhus, hepatitis, etc.
• You will have a lot of fun, meet some like minded people and visit a beautiful and incredibly diverse part of the world!

OFI Australia Construction Volunteer Team

The construction projects are driven by the operational needs of the OFI Team located in Central Kalimantan.  Setting up the projects has many challenges, such as access to areas and the availability of materials.  It is not unusual that the actual project is not defined until close to the time the construction volunteers are due to arrive.

In 2018 and 2019, OFI Australia organised teams of construction volunteers to travel to Borneo and it was a great success!

If you would be interested in being part of a future OFI Australia Construction Volunteer Team, please email us at info@ofiaustralia.com with your contact details so that we can be in touch at a later date.