HELLO I AM NUR SYAMSIAH

Meet Nur, the RHO Community Development Coordinator at BOS Foundation’s Orangutan Habitat Rehabilitation (RHO) programme in East Kalimantan. While her work is not directly with orangutans, Nur’s role significantly impacts BOSF’s orangutan reintroduction programmes.

What does being involved in orangutan conservation mean to you?
I feel a sense of accomplishment. My role might be minor, but not everyone has the opportunity to gain the experiences that I have.

Can you describe your role?
My work focuses on community development, education, health, and alternative incomes for the Wehea Dayak community. I visit the villages supported by the RHO programme in the Muara Wahau sub-district of East Kutai Regency weekly to assist the local communities with waste-bank training activities, collaborate with medical and educational institutions, and contribute to cultural promotion activities.

As part of her job, Nur collaborates with medical institutions.

Do you have a memorable experience while interacting with the local communities?
One example was when I was entrusted to deliver lessons on environmental education. That was a daunting task because my educational background is not in teaching. I’ve had to learn a lot – and fast- including how to deal with students misbehaving and their different personalities.

How do you feel today about taking on this ‘daunting task’?
Even though working with the communities is very challenging at times, and I once considered resigning, I came to the conclusion that learning how to work with different groups of people takes time, maybe more than a year or two. Thus, I remained in the position and am still working hard today.

What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that the RHO programme and the Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation continue leading the way in orangutan conservation and returning as many orangutans as possible to their natural environment. I also hope that the RHO programme continues to assist local people in discovering alternative incomes that do not negatively impact orangutans and their habitat, ensuring their own survival.

Do you have any advice for our supporters?
Be enthusiastic and continue to fight for orangutan conservation because good and sincere intentions will yield positive and progressive results.