Our mission is to to facilitate an economically and environmentally sustainable balance between human activity and severely endangered natural ecosystems, through the implementation of a range of community-led development programmes. We aim to empower local people and encourage sustainable development through the education we provide.
We deliver high quality, free education to communities which are run by our local team and supported by volunteers. Our programmes include:
- Regenerative agriculture;
- Sustainable business;
- Conservation;
- Women's groups;
- English as a foregin language;
- Free kindergarten;
- Community classes & events.
Our volunteers work Monday to Friday, 30-35 hours per week to help deliver our education and environmental initiatives. It is a hands-on experience with deep cultural immersion and a real chance to make a difference in the community! Though we all work hard at the Trust, our team is passionate and the work is beyond rewarding.
As a volunteer, you can expect to:
- Support our full-time teachers in their lessons;
- Work behind the scenes to help deliver our programmes, including lesson planning and practical support;
- Design and implement your own projects around the Trust based on your own unique skills and experience;
- Participate in events at the Trust & become fully ingrained within our community.
As part of the volunteer placement, you will also have the opportunity to go jungle trekking, participate in cultural workshops, go on team building weekends and orientation activities, local workshops, cooking nights, karaoke parties and the chance to experience the beauty of Bukit Lawang!
We have slots available in the following volunteer cycles:
- Rhino Cycle: 10 October - 5 December
- Orangutan 2026: January-March, Dates TBD
- Tiger 2026: Dates May-June, Dates TBD
- Elephant 2026: Jule-August, Dates TBD
Your placement will include:
- Accommodation in a shared dorm (no more than three people per room);
- Breakfast and lunch served Monday - Friday;
- Transportation to and from Medan airport;
- Three fitness classes per week: Jungle Fit, Zumba & Yoga;
- Full programme training;
- Weekly 1-on-1s and development sessions;
- An overnight, 2 day jungle trek in Gunung Leuser National Park;
- A team building weekend away;
- A workshop with a local business (basket weaving, carving, fabric painting, etc);
- Weekly Bahasa Indonesia lessons.
We ask all of our volunteers to fundraise GBP £1,000 for the 8 week placement before arriving on project. You may also just choose to pay this fee if you can afford and are unable to fundraise. These costs cover our hosting expenses and allow us to continue our work!
Moreover, we also ask that you pay the cost of your volunteer visa, which is GBP £180 and lasts for 60 days. The total cost to volunteer is GBP £1,180.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! One of the things that makes life at the Trust special are the faces and personalities from all corners of the world working together towards a shared goal. Though challenging, the work is deeply fulfilling and makes a tangible difference in the community. Simply by reading this, you already demonstrate one of the most important qualities in a volunteer: a willingness to help.
Have a great day, and I look forward to speaking soon!
~ The BLT Team
https://www.bukitlawangtrust.org/
