The Bukit Lawang Education Center

            The Bukit Lawang Trust has been a significant part of the Village of Bukit Lawang since 2003, when Rebecca Coley sought to bring relief to the area after a devastating flood. Since then the Trust has gone through many transformations. Originally raising money to provide basic needs to the struggling Bukit Lawang community and operating a make shift health clinic out of a refurbished building. They were eventually able to raise the funds, and through the efforts of 16 volunteers, build a permanent home for the Trust. The Trust continued to operate as a clinic until 2012 when it was decided that the need for education had surpassed the need for a health clinic and the Trust went through its most recent face lift, becoming the Bukit Lawang Trust Education Center which it remains to this day.
           When I first learned of the many volunteers, Trustees and employees of this amazing organization I was inspired by their ability to adapt to the needs of the community. The Education Center continues to grow and add classes that meet the demands of there many students. They provide free English classes for all ages as well as arts and crafts, math, computer lessons, traditional dance and a free kindergarten every morning. With these classes thriving and attendance booming there is only room for growth.
             This year the Trust has a new focus on conservation education. Bukit Lawang is located right outside the Gunung Leuser National Park which is a rich jungle that Orangutans, Elephants and rare Sumatran Tigers call home. As the modern world continues to develop, and travel to this remote area becomes easier, the number of people visiting the Park, as well as Bukit Lawang, has grown substantially. This has the potential to provide the area with a large economic boom from ecotourism, and a sustainable economic substitute to the rubber and palm oil industry. However, without the right education this beautiful area will not stand up to the influx of travelers for long. This year the Trust aims to develop a stronger conservation education program for professionals working in the park and with park visitors. As knowledge of how to preserve the Gunung Leuser Eco system improves so does the chance that this natural wonder will be around for many generations to come. Plans to organize service projects to help conserve the park, such as litter hikes and trail maintenance efforts, are also in the works.
           This is where I come in. My name is Oliver. Last summer I volunteered in Yosemite National Park for seven months leading volunteer groups on service projects and educating visitors on the importance of conservation. It is not easy to sustain an eco system when millions of people are coming to observe it's beauty every year, but it can be done. This is why Rebecca and the Trusts efforts to bring this knowledge to an area that is just starting to really need it spoke so strongly to me. I will be joining their team of volunteers in June 2016 to start organizing these classes.
           As this wonderful organization continues to expand and grow with the thriving community of Bukit Lawang so does the need for charitable donations and humanitarian efforts from like minded people around the world. If this organization speaks as loudly to you as it has to me please help continue to make a difference. Not only will you be helping the village of Bukit Lawang thrive, you will be insuring that the magnificent beauty of the area will be around for countless generations to enjoy. The wish list below will help you see where the funds from these donations will be used directly. Every minute counts when it comes to conserving The Gunung Leuser National Park. The quicker we can aquire the conservation reading material listed below, and funds for more volunteers, the faster these preservation efforts can start.  Please Visit the Bukitlawangtrust.org for more information about the organization. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read about this incredible cause that has touched my heart, and if nothing else spread the word of our efforts to others. Terima kasih!

WISH LIST:::
Funds for pay/accommodations for 5 permanent employees and 8-12 volunteers per year - cost £400 per month
Inks for printer ( Desk Jet 1010 - INKS - HP 301 Black and colour)
Erasers
Pencils
Pens
Pencil cases
Glue prit stick
Strings
Handicraft material
Big coloured cardboard
Post it notes
Folders
Plastic wallets
Ring binders
Tipex
Scissors
Cellotape
Blu tac (cannot buy anywhere in Indonesia)
Laminator wallets (we have a laminator from WHSmith but need new plastic wallets to use for laminating)
Hammocks
Bean bags
Material for curtains
Litter sticks and buckets for litter pick up

Conservation books:
>
> A Field Guide to the mammals of South East Asia / A photographic Guide to Mammals of South East Asia
>
> Guide to the Birds of Sumatra / Asia
>
> Great Apes
>
> Surveying Palm Oil Production
>
> Orangutan Rescue (any books on orang-utans)
>
> Any books on Sumatran tigers, elephants, rhinos
>
> Rainforests - how do rainforest work
>
> Conservation books - Conservation & development
>
> Any books or learning materials in the areas of Conservation and wildlife are hugely appreciated

Address if anyone wants to post::

FAO:: Janine Peranginangin
BUKIT LAWANG TRUST
JALAN BESAR BUKIT LAWANG
TIMBANG JAYA
Kec: Bohorok
20774
Sumatra Utara
Indonesia