11 March 2011 – Jakarta.  The showroom of the main Ford Indonesia dealer in Jakarta was the site of the official “key presentation” ceremony from Ford Indonesia to the Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative Indonesia (OUREII). The event was an opportunity for the Orang Utan Republik Foundation (OURF) to explain to the local press the importance of the US-federally funded program it received and to thank the Indonesian and foreign supporters who provided matching funds or services to the Mobile Education & Conservation Unit (MECU) program.  OURF President Dr. Gary Shapiro and MECU Grant Manager Dan Benveniste were in attendance from OURF.

 

The ceremony was opened by Mr. Ridhwan Effendi, Chair of OUREII, who negotiated the purchase of the vehicle, a new Ford Ranger 4x4. The Ministry of Forestry’s new Director of Biodiversity Conservation, Mr. Novianto Bambang, spoke on behalf the Minister of Forestry applauding the importance of programs like the MECU that conserve biodiversity.  Mrs. Angelina Sondakh Massaid, OUREII Ambassador, also spoke very eloquently about the value the MECU will have in helping CPOI take its education program to the villages. Indeed, the importance of having the mobility and ability to bring educators and supplies to remote areas is one of the major justifications of this US Fish & Wildlife funded program.  Gary Shapiro also delivered a brief statement about the program, its intended mission, and the current status of the orangutan. He also thanked the specific donors and supporters of the program that included the Australian Orangutan Project, Excelso Café, Jamsostek, BPKEL (Aceh Conservation Agency), Ministry of Forestry, and Ford Indonesia. Shapiro noted the MECU program was consistent and supportive of the recently signed US-Indonesian Comprehensive Partnership that addresses education and environment.

The MECU program involves providing conservation education and technical assistance to 16 villages during the first year of operation. The main goals are to reduce conflict between villagers and orangutans and hylobatids (gibbons and siamangs) and to help improve the local environment and village livelihood. A train-the-trainer approach is being taken by the implementing organization, Club Peduli Orangutan Indonesia-SUMUT (the Orangutan Caring Club of North Sumatra).  CPOI-SUMUT, a chapter of OUREII, recruited Mr. Rivai, an experienced and respected conservationist, to provide the young MECU educators with the necessary information and training to deliver the program to the local villagers. Meanwhile, the MECU team has been coordinating with other NGOs who have been conducting similar programs and recruiting villages interested in receiving the MECU team’s program.

CPOI-SUMUT will take delivery of the vehicle in the next few days. The vehicle will be driven to Medan after crossing the strait between Java and Sumatra by ferry.  Once the vehicle has been prepared and fitted with additional equipment, it will begin service as part of OURF’s main education and conservation initiative in the field.  OURF and OUREII will work with CPOI-SUMUT to access the effectiveness of the MECU program and to report back to USFW as per the grant agreement.

OURF is also seeking corporate and foundation support to cover costs in years two and three. For more information and to notify OURF of your interest to help fund MECU program, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..