Are you ready to make a difference? TakingITGlobal is working together with Microsoft Partners in Learning on DeforestAction, a global action project involving students from around the world in protecting the world’s forests. We’ve teamed up with acclaimed conservationist Willie Smits and Orangutan Outreach to develop a project that will restore a forest and provide a sustainable livelihood to the local community. You can learn more about this approach through Willie’s TED Talk ‘Willie Smits restores a rainforest’: click here.
We’re working with
Virgo Productions and a major TV broadcaster (to be announced) to create a 6-part reality TV series telling the story of this project, which will also be the subject of a feature film to be released in 2012. That’s where you come in! We’re looking for ten amazing young leaders to spend five months in Borneo to launch the project – connecting with the world though the web and providing updates to the students across the globe who are fundraising to make this happen.
More about the location:
Sintang is a district in the interior of West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, where most of the original forest has long been cut or burned down. Here a new forest will be created. This forest will provide income for local people, a home for hundred thousands of protected animals of many different species including orangutans. The forest will provide good quality water for local people and protect the downstream population centres against flooding. The forest will also sequester carbon from the atmosphere and improve the local climate.
The Marakei area is close to the border of Malaysia and consists of an ex-logging area. Inside the area there are seven small villages, five on the border and two inside. All are traditional Dayak villages belonging to the Iban and to the Dayak Ketungau and Dayak Bugau tribes. There is a total of about 7,500 people in those villages, all very poor and in need of the sustainable systems with sugar palms that the project can provide.
The greatest advantage of this area is that it is under direct control of the district head so can be immediately assigned to the DeforestACTION program. In this location we will have to build a base camp with smaller ones near the nurseries, small working quarters, and facilities that will allow both workers and visitors to spend extended periods of time in the field. On the top of a centrally located 340-meter high hill overlooking the area, a new long house will be built as the centre for the DeforestACTION activities.
What you’ll be doing:
Local authorities and the local villagers are excited to host 10 young people to come to the village and live in a purpose built longhouse for 5 months. There is part-time electricity from a diesel generator. Another option is to install a photovoltaic electricity supply, ventilators and a good water filter to ensure good health for all the inhabitants of the long house. Participating in the construction of these additional facilities will provide young people with insight into the risks and difficulties for the local people and make them aware of simple solutions to these problems.
You will be paired with Dayak youth, and will be involved in the planning and setting up of the Sintang Lestari project. Most importantly, you will take part in orangutan rescues, care and rehabilitation. You will work in nurseries; collect seeds and plants, plant trees, measure trees, record biodiversity and survey local needs and water flow. You will map where to grow forests, where to build the new release camp and be involved in building and setting up the camp. You will help set up the satellite monitoring system in the existing forest and will work with the young people of Sintang who are making documentaries about all kinds of environmental issues. You’ll also be an important liaison to the DeforestAction program, sharing this work with young people around the world who are fundraising and taking action to support your work!
What we need from you:
To apply, simply submit a one minute clip telling us:
- Your name and where you’re from
- What does deforestation mean to you?
- Why you want to save forests and orangutans
- What you’ve done in the past to protect the environment
- Why you want to be in a 3D movie and TV series
- Must include the URL – www.deforestaction.com
Your clip needs to be creative, interesting and dynamic. The more hits, interest, votes and media coverage you create around your clip, the more we’ll take notice!
Post it on YouTube, and then submit it to this contest by clicking “Submit to Contest” on the right!
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