Support conservation in Borneo
Donation protected
Hello, I am Barbara, independent travel professional and owner of Borneo & Beyond.
I am a big believer in travelling with a purpose and that any sort of holiday should benefit local communities and conservation programs. Ever since starting my business in 2016, I have focused on how I can give back through my business. My passion for Borneo very quickly led to hands on involvement and participation in volunteer programs and with that started a wonderful relationship with the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) and APE Malaysia. I continue to regularly participate in their volunteer programs and when I am not there, I assist them from a distance and arrange for other travellers to get involved and become part of the extended volunteer family.
As we find ourselves grounded during the Covid19 pandemic, my support has not stopped and those involved, continue to collaborate and share ideas to find ways to ensure vital conservation programs can survive. Tourism has become the life line for a majority of conservation programs in today's world and all that income was gone in the blink of an eye earlier this year. Meanwhile, the sun bears still need to be fed and trees need to be planted to continue establishing important wildlife corridors for the remaining wild life and those bears who one day will be released back into the wild. Everything is connected.
I have previously organised gofundme campaigns and this one is designed to be an ongoing campaign to allow supporters to chip in at any time, with the peace of mind that the funds will be used to support both organisations on an ongoing basis.
In return, supporters will receive updates on what the funds are used for and we are also working on ways to engage with you all via zoom and facebook to show you some of the amazing work that is being done.
The pandemic has sadly seen 3 new bear cubs arrive at the BSBCC since March with little Betung requiring a lot of special care. Dr Wong, founder of the BSBCC, gave me an update and when I asked him if there is something they are particularly short of he explained that Betung does not take to the normal formula used at the centre and special formula needs to be purchased. This is what the next funds will be used for and I hope, everyone digs deep to assist this little fellow.
Little Betung - her story so far
I am a big believer in travelling with a purpose and that any sort of holiday should benefit local communities and conservation programs. Ever since starting my business in 2016, I have focused on how I can give back through my business. My passion for Borneo very quickly led to hands on involvement and participation in volunteer programs and with that started a wonderful relationship with the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) and APE Malaysia. I continue to regularly participate in their volunteer programs and when I am not there, I assist them from a distance and arrange for other travellers to get involved and become part of the extended volunteer family.
As we find ourselves grounded during the Covid19 pandemic, my support has not stopped and those involved, continue to collaborate and share ideas to find ways to ensure vital conservation programs can survive. Tourism has become the life line for a majority of conservation programs in today's world and all that income was gone in the blink of an eye earlier this year. Meanwhile, the sun bears still need to be fed and trees need to be planted to continue establishing important wildlife corridors for the remaining wild life and those bears who one day will be released back into the wild. Everything is connected.
I have previously organised gofundme campaigns and this one is designed to be an ongoing campaign to allow supporters to chip in at any time, with the peace of mind that the funds will be used to support both organisations on an ongoing basis.
In return, supporters will receive updates on what the funds are used for and we are also working on ways to engage with you all via zoom and facebook to show you some of the amazing work that is being done.
The pandemic has sadly seen 3 new bear cubs arrive at the BSBCC since March with little Betung requiring a lot of special care. Dr Wong, founder of the BSBCC, gave me an update and when I asked him if there is something they are particularly short of he explained that Betung does not take to the normal formula used at the centre and special formula needs to be purchased. This is what the next funds will be used for and I hope, everyone digs deep to assist this little fellow.
Little Betung - her story so far
Organizer
Barbara Katsifolis
Organizer
Reservoir, VIC