Mantanani

OVERVIEW

Pulau Mantanani is a small island in the South China Sea off the West Coast of Borneo. Home to an isolated community, our volunteers at Camp Mantanani aim to help improve the day to day life of the islanders as well as learn about the unique marine environment that makes Mantanani island one of the most important locations for turtle conservation in the world.

To date, our volunteers have helped to construct a new sports facility for the local school, planned a community recycle centre for collection of trash that would normally be burnt, implemented a Marine Conservation Awareness programme with the local school leading to a new after school “enviro club” which aims to educate on the dangers of bomb and cyanide fishing, both prevalent around the island. They have taught English as part of the curriculum helping to improve standards of a school officially regarded as one of the worst in Malaysia and in 2010 started the construction of a new environmentally sound Kindergarten. Other activities include learning local handicraft techniques like making hammocks, learning how to craft a dugout boat from a piece of driftwood and joining in with local music and dance recitals helping a new generation embrace the fascinating culture and traditions as they are passed down.

What ARE THE MAIN ISSUES?

Poverty
No education for under 7’s and poor support for local school
Few local employment opportunities
Obtrusive and harmful fishing practices
Erosion of culture
Little understanding of waste management leading to marine pollution

PROJECT TIMELINE

2008:

Camp – New beachfront camp built

2009:

Marine Environment – Started cleaning immediate area of marine debris and pollution. Large amounts of plastic bottles collected
Magellan – Started construction of driftwood and marine debris “Galleon” to be used a multipurpose playground and teaching area for our Marine Conservation Programme (MCP).

2010:

Kindergarten – Started construction of environmentally sound kindergarten
MCP – Implemented our Marine Conservation Programme in Borneo

2011:

Kindergarten – Continued construction of kindergarten, completing foundations, shell and roof
MCP Centre – Built the first Marine Conservation Programme Centre on Mantanani in partnership with Arkitrek
School Library – Refurbishment of school library started with building the foundations for the extension
Community Survey – Completion of survey to assess waste management by the communities and resort operators on Mantanani

2012:

Kindergarten – Continue construction, completing flooring and starting bamboo wall panels
Marine Research – Impacts of blast fishing on marine life experiment completed to measure effects of fish bombing on turtles

YOUR ROLE AS A VOLUNTEER

Project work will vary depending on the needs of the community and environment at the time but may include: