OUR Accomplishments

Learn about the Orang Utan Republik Foundation's work and impact.

Programs

• Established the Community Education and Conservation Program (CECP) through YSHL to provide education and training to villagers near Gunung Leuser National Park, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and to improve overall stewardship of the park and buffer zone for wildlife including orangutans (2019-2024).
• Sponsored and awarded 304 scholarship and research grants to deserving Indonesian and international students through the LP Jenkins fellowship and the Orangutan Caring Scholarship (with OIC, Yayasan Palung, Borneo Nature Foundation, and Center for Orangutan Protection) (2006-2024).
• Created the Mobile Education and Conservation Unit (MECU), a program that provides education and training to villagers near orangutan habitats to reduce conflict and to improve sustainable community development (2010-2019). We created this program in 2010 by administering funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&W).
• Established and administered tree-planting programs in and around Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra with CPOI/YPOI/YSHL and MECU/CECP to improve future habitat for orangutans and wildlife, buffer zone protection, and other environmental benefits (2007-2024).
• Established the Pongo Environmental Awards to recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed to the improved understanding and appreciation of orangutans, endangered species, and rainforest habitat; and for improving conditions for orangutans and other animals globally (2014-2021).
• Administered funds from USF&W to deliver standardized curricula to target groups in Sumatra by four Consortium partners (2007).
• Created and funded an Indonesian documentary program producing two DVD products: "Sumatran Orangutans" (2006) and "A Princess Meets Princess" about Bornean Orangutans (2009).
• Facilitated agreement to install wildlife and conservation graphic displays in Sun Plaza Mall, Medan with Consortium members (2007).
• Conducted regular outreach activities with consistent volunteer support at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market (2005-2008), Whole Foods (2008, 2009), and other venues throughout California (2005-2019).
• Created and implemented a North Sumatra ecotour program to support the local economy and OURF following the Indonesian Ecotour Network principles (2008, 2009). Partnered with Orangutan Odysseys (Australia) to promote responsible ecotourism in Central Kalimantan to support the local economy and OURF (2012, 2013, 2018, 2022/23). 
• Created the collaborative program called ROCKET (Rainforest Orangutan Conservation Knowledge Education with Technology) with Lord of the Trees for select students within the Orangutan Caring Scholarship program.

Capacity Building and Support  

• Sponsored library enhancement for the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (2005).
• Sponsored various outreach projects to organizations and individuals, including documentaries, public service announcements, and orangutan video road-show to villages in North Sumatra, and Orangutan Festival in North Sumatra (2005, 2006, 2007).
• Supported Sumatran Orangutan Society's Road-show Program (2007, 2008).
• Supported International Animal Rescue through TOP-USA (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Borneo Nature Foundation through TOP-USA (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
• Supported Wildlife Asia through TOP-USA (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).
• Supported Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Centre for Orangutan Protection through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Frankfurt Zoological Society through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported HaKa through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Hutan through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Orangutan Information Center through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Orangutan Conservancy through TOP-USA (2018, 2019).
• Supported Orangutan Veterinary Aid through TOP-USA (2018).
• Supported Scorpion through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme through TOP-USA (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Orangutan Foundation UK through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported FOTO through TOP-USA (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Pro Natura through TOP-USA (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• Supported Forum Konservasi Leuser through TOP-USA (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Supported PT HOPE; PT SSL; PT ABT through TOP-USA (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Supported Sumatran Rescue Alliance through TOP-USA (2021, 2022, 2023)
• Established partnerships with prominent Indonesian business owners including Excelso Coffee Shop, The Body Shop, and Sun Plaza Mall in Medan, Sumatra (2006).
• Joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to promote industry actions that benefit wild orangutans and the environment (2011-2020).
• Established a partnership with King-Chavez Community High School to create an OURF chapter to promote conservation education and activities in the school setting (2013).
• Established the Volunteer Writers group through VolunteerMatch.org (2013, 2014).
• Established the Grant writing group through VolunteerMatch.org (2015-2020).
• Established the Social Media group through VolunteerMatch.org (2016-2020).
• Established Project Management groups through VolunteerMatch.org (2017-2020).
• Established a formal volunteer program with numerous committees (2020)
• Supported an Indonesian led ecotour program geared towards Indonesian tourists (2024).

Events

• Established and supported Orangutan Caring Week as an officially proclaimed annual event in Indonesia by the Minister of Forestry (2005) and the Indonesian Legislature (2006). Provided leadership in promoting the weeklong event annually (2005-2022).
• Organized and sponsored a conference/workshop/summit on orangutan conservation education in North Sumatra (14-17 November 2006).
• Sponsored national poster and regional art contests about orangutan conservation in Indonesia (2006).
• Sponsored national essay contest about orangutan conservation in Indonesia through OUREII (2008/2009).
• Co-created World Orangutan Events with The Orangutan Project and Orangutan Land Trust to oversee International Orangutan Day and Orangutan Caring Week (2014-2019).

Organizational

• Established the Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative (OUREI) as a project under Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE) (2004-2016).
• Established and supported Orang Utan Caring Club of Indonesia (CPOI) under OUREI & OURF (2005-2015).
• Launched and supported CPOI and later YPOI in North Sumatra (2006- 2019).
• Organized and sponsored the Sumatran Orangutan Education Consortium comprised of five NGOs: Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program, Sumatran Orangutan Society, Fauna & Flora International, Leuser International Foundation and Orang Utan Caring Club of North Sumatra (2006-2007).
• Established the Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative Indonesia (OUREI Indonesia) as a legally incorporated NGO in Indonesia with all-Indonesian Board of Directors (2007).
• Established the Orang Utan Republik Foundation as a US-based 501c3 nonprofit with tax-exempt status (2007).
• Opened and maintained Medan office of CPOI and later YPOI in North Sumatra (2009-2019).
• Partnered with The Orangutan Project and Orangutan Land Trust (2013-2019).
• Co-created California Orangutan Alliance with Orangutan Conservancy (2014-2018).
• Became USA-chapter of The Orangutan Project and have funded numerous projects (2015-2024).
• Supported the creation and support of the Sustainable Green Sumatra Foundation in North Sumatra (YSHL) (2019-2024).
• Joined the UN-based Great Ape Survival Partnership (GRASP) as a NGO member (2024).