Here at the Great Projects we know that all of our projects are as great as our name implies, however we don’t just want you to take our word for it. That’s why we’ve got in touch with a wildlife conservation volunteer who has previously been on our trips and we’ve gotten them to tell you all about it!
Your first volunteer experience comes courtesy of Iljoesja who is from the UK, and she travelled over to Borneo to take part in the Orangutan and Tribes Voluntour. I’ll let Iljoesja take it from here!
What would you say was the highlight of your trip?
The highlight if I had to pick just one (which is difficult!) was Batang Ai. There was no internet out there and that was so good! We had so much fun in the evenings playing poker and talking, we were like a big family!
Would you like to venture back to the project or even take on some new volunteering trips?
I don’t know about going back purely because the world is such a big place! I would love to do a similar trip in another part of the world though!
Do you have any expert tips for new travellers?
I would advise other travellers to have plenty of good mozzie protection as I was bitten so much I still have the marks on my legs now! You should also bring thin cotton long sleeves for the walks in the jungle and tuck your trousers in to avoid leeches latching on. I had them on my chest, back and side and sometimes you don’t even notice that they are there!
Did the trip inspire you to help with animal conservation in any other way?
I work so it is difficult for me. I do sign the petitions concerning the Orcas in captivity at Seaworld (Kathleen Hase petition on change.org) which I promote on my Facebook.
Why do you think others need to experience travel?
I do believe very much so that people need to travel, if not only to meet new people. It helps open your eyes to different environments, different ways of living, a culture different to that of which you are used to and helps you to gather an understanding of how other people live. I have a lot of respect for the tribal communities I visited and was really intrigued to see how they work together for their existence. They are beautiful people.
So there you have it! Iljoesja loved her time out in Malaysian Borneo and is looking forward to exploring the rest of the world! If you want to open your eyes to new experiences then you can check out Iljoesja’s trip, the Orangutan and Tribes Voluntour here! If you book now (between certain dates) then you will receive 15% off!
