Volunteer in Malaysia | Perhentian Islands Community & Conservation Project
Experience Malay dinner, assist in the school clubs, recycling & composting, snorkeling and learn about the Malay culture.
Volunteer in Malaysia on the Tropical Paradise Islands
Marine conservation via environmental awareness whilst you volunteer in Malaysia
Volunteer in Malaysia and discover the beautiful Perhentian Islands and experience first-hand the life of the villagers. Through community tourism, environmental awareness and environmental activities the Ecoteer House volunteer project is aiming to inspire the villagers to care for their island environment and at the same time allow volunteers to have a valuable cultural exchange. Volunteer in Malaysia and help inspire this island community.
The Ecoteer House volunteer in Malaysia project is located in the middle of a Malaysian village on the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia. The house is open to the village children in the afternoon and volunteers play games with them, football, puzzles, Frisbee, snorkel and conduct beach cleans. On Tuesdays you can help with the Eco-snorkeling Club where volunteers teach the children the do’s and don’ts whilst snorkeling, Wednesdays we host a 2 hour English tutorial for the year 5 & 6 children and on Friday mornings, volunteers teach years 2 to 4 about an environmental topic during the Environmental Club.
In 2012, Ecoteer initiated the Perhentian Island Ladies Association (PILA) to help increase the income and environmental awareness of the village ladies. The association has created full time jobs for the ladies at the PILA Bakery where bread and cakes are supplied to various resorts around the islands. Once a week the entire group of ladies gather to host traditional Malaysian cake (kuih) making session for volunteers and tourists to join in. This gives a good opportunity for volunteers to interact with the villagers, learn about the Malaysian culture and gives a new form of income for the ladies.
Volunteers usually spend their mornings on house painting/ mural painting, snorkelling, lesson planning for the school clubs or conducting beach cleans. Lunch is normally at a local village restaurant and then the afternoons are spent doing various DIY jobs, gardening, composting, running school clubs or managing the Recycling competition. In the evenings we cook communally or dine in one of the local food stalls. Twice a week volunteers will get the chance to eat dinner at one of the villager’s homes and experience a true Malaysian Dinner. Sundays are off days for volunteers where they could choose to have a dive or just relax at one of the picture postcard beaches dotted around the islands.
This volunteer in Malaysia project is truly unique as volunteers will get to experience the beach and sea of the islands as well as the culture of the villagers. This is a true island conservation & community experience that shouldn’t be missed.
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Cost
PROMOTION: 10% discount for volunteers coming in March – May 2013
1 week: MYR 864
2 weeks: MYR 1728
Extra weeks: MYR600
MYR – Malaysian Ringgit
Compulsory: Ecoteer Responsible Travel lifetime membership: GBP 55 (approximately MYR270)
Cost includes: Return boat transfer to Perhentian Islands, 3 meals per day, accommodation (mixed gender dorm), 1 snorkle tour per week; 1 session Malay dinner.
Excludes: Scuba diving, flight fare, transportation to Kuala Besut Jetty, travel insurance, ecoteer Responsible Travel lifetime membership
Scuba Diving (Optional): PADI Open Water – MYR 980; PADI Advanced Open Water – MYR 850
Booking
Please allow a minimum of 3 weeks for us to process your application and payment.
Download the application here
To make a booking, please complete the application form and email to explore@ecoteer.com. We will then email you back confirming your reservation and how to make the deposit payment. If the deposit is not received within 2 weeks from the date your reservation is placed, your reservation will be cancelled automatically. Full payment is required no later than 1 month before departure. You may pay online by credit card or a direct transfer to our account. Once a deposit has been paid we will email you our Know Before You Go guide, which will give you useful information to help you prepare to volunteer.
Cancellation Policy
a. Cancellation of reservation must be made in writing to avoid any misunderstanding. If the company receives notice to cancel 30 days or more before the date of departure, a minimum administrative fee of RM100.00 or 10% of the tour deposit (whichever is lower) per person will be levied.
b. If notice of the cancellation is received 29 days or less before the date of departure the following charges will apply:
c. 15 – 29 working days before the date of departure = 50% of deposit
8 – 14 working days before the date of departure = 20% of FULL COST
3 – 7 working days before the date of departure = 40% of FULL COST
2 working days or less before the date of departure = 100% of FULL COST -
Volunteer in Malaysia Activities
Conduct English, Environmental and Eco-snorkeling clubs with the school children from the local school
Conduct beach cleans & assist in the composting and recycling project
Assist in managing the community garden and facilitate in the community cooking/ baking classes
Weekly snorkeling tour and conduct coral bleaching surveys
Weekly Malay Dinner organized by the local villagers
Occasionally volunteers will be involved in small construction projects such as mural painting, creating recycling bins, redecorate the school etc.
Group activities: This only applies for volunteers who will be volunteering during weeks with large group of volunteers (20 pax or more)
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Accommodation
At the village rented rooms
Mixed gender dorm, either a quad or a triple room
Communal sharing toilet with cold showersAt the Ecoteer House
Mixed gender dorm, quad room.
Communal sharing toilet with cold showers
Washing machine and kitchen
Communal sharing laptop and internet dongle.
Safe deposit boxVolunteers staying at the village rented rooms are allowed to use the facilities at the Ecoteer House.
Shops selling toiletries, drinks and snacks as well as restaurants are all within 5- 10 minutes walking distance from both accommodation.
All activities conducted in this programme except the snorkeling tour will be held at the village. All of the locations are within 5 – 10 minutes walking distance from each other.
Volunteer’s bedroom at the Ecoteer House
The kitchen at the Ecoteer House
The living area at the Ecoteer House -
Itinerary
NOTE: This is rough guide of the activities which will be conducted at the village. However take note that some activites maybe swapped around within the week depending on the weather and the progress of the project.
Monday: Afternoon – Arrival. Volunteer briefing & village orientation. Water confidence session to assess if volunteers are comfortable in water, learn the do’s and don’ts of snorkeling, how to wear the life jacket & snorkel gear.
Evening – composting.
Night – dinner & rest.Tuesday: Morning – lesson planning for the English Club held on Wednesday.
Afternoon – assist in the recycling programme.
Evening – composting.
Night – dinner & rest.Wednesday: Morning – Light construction/ community development work (mural painting, signboard painting, mini DIY projects, herb garden maintenence, beach clean etc).
Afternoon – Assist English club at the school.
Evening – Composting.
Night – dinner & restThursday: Morning – Lesson planning for the Environmental Club held on Friday.
Afternoon – Assist in the Eco snorkeling club.
Evening – Composting.
Night – Malay dinner at one of the villager’s home.Friday: Morning – Light construction/ community development work (mural painting, signboard painting, mini DIY projects, herb garden maintenence, beach clean etc).
Afternoon – Assist the Environmental club at the school.
Evening – Baking classes with the Perhentian Island Ladies Association (PILA). Composting.
Night – dinner & rest.Saturday: Morning – Snorkeling around the island.
Afternoon – Light construction/ community development work (mural painting, signboard painting, mini DIY projects, herb garden maintenence, beach clean etc).
Evening – composting.
Night – dinner & rest.Sunday: Off day/ depart.
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Start Dates
Every Monday starting from March til November 2013
Not available on the 27th May 2013 – 9th June 2013 & 15th August 3012 – 18th August 2013 due to school holidays. No school clubs will be run during these period.
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FAQs
1.What are the requirements needed to join this program?
Anyone above 16 years old are able to volunteer. Volunteers below age 18 will need to fill in the parental consent form. Volunteers will need to have a positive attitude and willing to carry out tasks and facilitate the activities organized by the Ecoteer House. Volunteers will also need to respect the culture and traditions while living in the Malay village.2.How do I get to Perhentian Island from Kuala Lumpur?
Take a plane to Kota Bharu airport. Then a 1 hour taxi ride to Kuala Besut Jetty. From the jetty, take a 30 minute boat ride to the island.
Or take a bus from Hentian Putra Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Bus station.3.What vaccinations do I need before going to the island?
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria4.Any details on visa?
Tourist from the following countries will receive a 90 day free tourist visa upon arrival:Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kirgystan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Lienchestien, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherland, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, St Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Yemen.
5. What it the minimum age to join?
Volunteers age 16 years old. Volunteers below age 18 will need to fill in the parental consent form before they can participate.6. Is this program suitable for families with young children?
Families with young children (above age 6) can participate. They do not need to take part in any construction or heavy work, but still experience the life and culture of living in a Malay village.7. Is it possible to have our own room?
Volunteers can opt for a double room with extra charges included. However this room is not always available. Kindly confirm with Ecoteer for any double room availability.8. Is there internet access?
There is limited internet access on the island. However volunteers are able to use the communal shared internet dongle at the Ecoteer House.9. How many hours per day do volunteers volunteer per day?
The volunteering activities starts from morning until evening with a lunch break in between. For volunteers staying for more than a week, Sundays are usually the off days.
Testimonials
I hope to come back to see what is accomplish in a year. This is a great project since the effects are tangible and directly help those we live amongst.
Ian, July 2012
The best part of this volunteering programme is having a fun time with the local kids and not to forget the snorkeling tour!
Shyenne, July 2012
I really enjoyed the Malay Dinner as it was something that I would have never done before and would not usually do at home. I love my time here and my only regret is just staying for a week.
Bethany, June 2012
Working with the children was the most beneficial and enjoyable experience. It helped finalized that I want to work with children in the future. I would recommend this placement to anyone who wants to travel. It was amazing!
Alexandra, June 2012
I loved the experience and it is great to see how Ecoteer has embedded itself in the life of the villagers. Good job guys!
Yumesh, May 2012
I really enjoyed the Malay dinner and did enjoy teaching the kids and I think it benefited me personally because I learnt about their culture and developed my teaching skills. Volunteer in Malaysia and experience the best of Malaysia.
Madaisa, June 2012
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