Help Our Penyu (HOPE)
Website: www.helpourpenyu.com
E-mail: General Enquiries: saveturtles@helpourpenyu.com
Volunteering: volunteer@helpourpenyu.com
Phone: +601 2217 3208
Who they are
Help Our Penyu (HOPE) will be the first independent (not formed by the government or university institutes) non-profit organistion focused on nesting sea turtle conservation throughout Terengganu. Malaysia was once famed for its Leatherback turtles, but now this species is virtually extinct from Malaysian waters and the other three species are not far behind – Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Green. HOPE works with community-based volunteer projects and outreach programs to empower the people of Malaysia to act and save the sea turtles for future generations.
What they do
The threats to sea turtles in Malaysia are all human induced so HOPE bases its sea turtle conservation takes a community approach where they involve the local people as much as possible and attempt to create significant benefits for them when sea turtles are conserved.
HOPE is committed to providing extra income for the villagers at its various project sites by employing local people, using local craftsmen, local focus groups, using homestay facilities when possible, running awareness programs for the children through the Turtles Need Trees Program and by facilitating other alternative livelihoods for turtle egg collectors.
What they offer
Option 1: Perhentian Turtle Project
This turtle volunteer project in Perhentian is striving to unify sea turtle conservation in these beautiful Malaysian islands. The project has the backing of all four major stakeholders – the villagers, the Perhentian Islands Operators Association, Marine Park and the Department of Fisheries. Through collaborating with all the stakeholders this project is truly a sea turtle community conservation project supported by of course our volunteers and facebook fans. The local community (villagers and tourists) are the main cause for turtle declines in the Perhentian Islands and this project aims at rectifying the problems they cause to these majestic creatures.
What you will be doing
Intro week
If you are a non-Malaysian volunteer you will be starting your program at Bubbles Dive resort where you will learn about sea turtles, coral reefs and the forest of the Perhentian islands. This week will also involve nightly patrols of the sea turtle nesting beach at Bubbles and talking to the guests about sea turtle conservation. The purpose of this week is to first teach you about the environment and then help you to share your new knowledge to the guests so you can make the most out of your following weeks.
In the village (weeks 2+)
The volunteers loved spending the night in the village in 2010 and the villagers started to see how they benefit from turtles financially. Therefore in 2011 after the intro week as a volunteer you will be based in the village providing direct financial benefits to the local villagers. It is so important the villagers see financial benefits from the a healthy sea turtle population and its this which will stimulate a love for turtles amongst the villagers.
Protecting Pinang Seribu
The beach at Pinang Seribu is only 50m long but with over 150 turtle nests per year it is the number 1 beach for sea turtle nestings in the Perhentian Islands. On a rota system each night volunteers (only volunteers based in the village) will guard this beach and collect data about the nesting turtles. The volunteers are assisting the Department of Fisheries by collecting this data and the sheer presence of volunteers deters the poachers. Volunteers will be accompanied by Help Our Penyu staff and a villager. You will be sleeping in tents among the rocks fringing the beach.
Turtles Need Trees and English Club
We had such great success with our fortnightly Turtles Need Trees Club in the pilot year 2010 that we will continue this program but also introduce a fortnightly English club as well. The clubs are a great way to engage the local school children on the island and help them to not only develop a love for the marine and island environment but also improve their English.
Option 2: Terengganu Turtle Expedition
2 week Terengganu Turtle Expedition in Malaysia on the endless, untouched beaches of mainland Terengganu and ending on the idyllic island paradise of Perhentian Besar on the East Coast of Malaysia. This expedition is a fantastic opportunity to be part of collecting vital sea turtle population nesting data, visiting 3 turtle conservation projects and getting to experience the real culture of the Malay’s. first hand. The expedition will allow you to understand the issues regarding turtle conservation whilst getting beneath the nails of the Malay culture.
What you will be doing
Turtle track survey
As a team the expedition will walk along the beach to find visible turtle tracks and nests. When a nest is found a dGPS will be used to determine the exact location of the nest. After the location is recorded the width of the track will be measured and the nest assessed as to whether the turtle laid eggs or not. The presence of a fill-in by the nesting turtle is the standard method for assessing if eggs where laid. During the stay at Kg. Mangkok a ground-truthing survey will be conducted to assess a group specific human error. The ground truthing survey will consist of three night surveys and then one morning survey. The night surveys will be used to locate nests where we know 100% that eggs have been laid, then after three nights the morning survey will be conducted to see what percentage of nests the group can accurately record. The expeditions will be conducted 3 times May, July and August with the Walk for Turtles 2011 event surveying the area in June. The data collected will be used to calculate the nesting population and also used by WWF to assess the percentage of eggs they protect at their hatchery.
Turtles need Trees Club
In 2011 HOPE are expanding their Turtles need Trees Club to the primary school in Kg Mangkok. The club has been successfully run in 2010 at the primary school on the Perhentian Islands. The club seeks to introduce the concepts that the land is linked to the sea and marine conservation starts on the land. The club at Kg. Mangkok will last for approx 3 hours and incorporate moving and craft activities. The program is great for the children to increase their confidence in English language as well as to learn about the environment. The club additionally involves an activity book which needs to be completed after each session to encourage learning outside of the club and a pen pal scheme with primary schools in the UK.
WWF hatchery assistant
WWF-Malaysia run a sea turtle hatchery based at Kg. Mangkok where the expedition will stay from days 3 to 6. You can join WWF staff on their nightly patrols looking for nesting turtles. The first hatchlings will start to hatch from May and if any nests erupt when you are at Kg Mangkok you will be able to help release them and then excavate the nest the following day.
Location
Main office
Help Our Penyu
45, Jalan K3, Fasa 7,
Taman Melawati,
53100 Kuala Lumpur
Perhentian
Help Our Penyu
Bubbles Dive Resort
Tanjung Tukah, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Kuala Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
Accommodation & Amenities
Perhentian Turtle Project
The accommodation will be triple share fan rooms at both Bubbles Dive Resort and the village. During your nightly duties at Pinang Seribu you will be provided tents to sleep in.
Terengganu Turtle Expedition
The first nights accommodation is at the Awi’s yellow house which is in a traditional Malaysian water-village style. The rooms will contain 4 single beds but they are spacious. The second night will be in twin share tents. The third to sixth night will be spent at a local homestay which will be twin share rooms.
The bathroom is open air with a special toilet for a great introduction to the Malaysian culture! When camping, toilet facilities are close by.
Perhentian Turtle Project
While you are on the project your meals will be covered. During the first week you will be given 3 meals a day at the open air restaurant at Bubbles Dive Resort. 1 breakfast which includes toast, cereal, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee, 1 western style lunch which includes dishes such as pasta or sandwiches or fries and a Malaysian style dinner which will normally consist of rice and two local dishes (one vegetable and one chicken dish). Seafood dishes are not included in the menu. Water is readily available throughout the day as well as bread at the refill point in the restaurant. Then during your stay at the village you will be given an allowance of RM25 per day so you can buy your own food at the local shops or restaurants. If you eat at the restaurants in the village breakfast normally costs RM2, lunch RM8 and diner RM10 so you will have enough money.
Terengganu Turtle Expedition
While you are on the expedition you will have your food provided at local restaurants. The expedition will enable you to be able to taste traditional Malaysian food and it includes rice for breakfast in the form of Nasi Lamak. Whilst on the Perhentian island you will be given 3 meals a day at the open air restaurant. 1 breakfast which includes toast, cereal, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee, 1 western style lunch which includes dishes such as pasta or sandwiches or fries and a Malaysian style dinner which will normally consist of rice and two local dishes (one vegetable and one chicken dish). Seafood dishes are not included in the menu. Water is readily available throughout the day as well as bread at the refill point in the restaurant.
Please bear in mind that you will be staying on an isolated island with limited supplies so food choices are limited.
Perhentian Turtle Project
Malaysian volunteers
1 week: RM999
2 weeks: RM1799
Each extra week: RM 900
Foreign volunteers:
2 weeks: GB599
Each extra week: GB200
Included: Return boat transfer to Perhentian Islands; marine park fee; food and accommodation; triple share fan rooms; 1 snorkel tour; all boat transfers.
Not included: Scuba diving; travel to Kuala Besut; travel insurance.
Terengganu Turtle Expedition
Malaysian RM900 (8D7N) does not include 1 week in Perhentian
Non- Malaysian GBP995 (15D14N) includes 1 week in Perhentian – if you want to extend your stay volunteering in Perhentian you will be charged the Malaysian rate.
Three weeks – ultimate turtle experience
Non- Malaysian GBP1095 (22D21N) includes 2 weeks in Perhentian – this is the ultimate volunteer experience with HOPE as you will visit all three HOPE project sites – Highly recommended.
Includes: Airport transfer from Kuala Terengganu to Awi’s Yellowhouse homestay; return boat transfer from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands; marine park fee; twin share fan accommodation (camping two nights); 3 meals a day; all equipment; 1 weeks volunteering with HOPE or R&R; RM100 donation to WWF-Malaysia; RM100 donation to Turtle Conservation Centre;
Not Included: PADI scuba diving course (Open-water, Advanced open-water or rescue only); scuba diving leisure dives; international and domestic travel to Kuala Terengganu and from Kuala Besut; insurance; extra travel expenses and spending money.
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