5th E-Mate International Volunteer

Small discussion on next E-Mate program and next leader election

E-Mate is long term volunteer project between BCUA and NTHU .First E-Mate started in 2007 and now the 5^th project is still going on .E-Mate volunteer is focusing on Aceh, northern Sumatra Island of Indonesia. After devastating Tsunami and 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Aceh in 2004 .

In summer 2011, There are 9 new volunteers from National Tsing Hua University , a leading technological university in Taiwan will hold 5^th E-Mate workshop. NTHU will also invite 2 representatives from Aceh to Taiwan in the end of April 2011. The main purpose is to strengthen the relationships , experience sharing of E-Mate contribution on Aceh ,and expertise development

The workshop contains 3 sections . 1^st is IT section in which implement free software to local university students and teachers such as Ubuntu , Open office ,GIMP , Google earth . 2^nd is Environmental section focus on waste management in Takengon, Central Aceh. 3^rd is Culture and innovation section focus on Digital archieve learning which is Gayo traditional performance and Acehness coffee bean fieldtrip.

Check it out 2010 E-Mate volunteer

Local Community Development

Meeting on 香山project picture

It’s almost 3 weeks I have been working in BCUA starting from 28dec 2010 . Many new things happen around luckily I can easily adapt to my working environment of course with support from colleagues. 3 weeks pass superb fast !! On Monday , 10 Jan 2011 we had meeting in香山church , Hsinchu . The Keynote speech was given by Synic Mj. Her presentation gives description of BCUA New Project focusing on香山Community Development .

One of Taiwan indigenous people , Naluwan Amis Tribe (那魯彎) who lives in XiangShan area (香山) is facing culture changes and environmental pollution issues . Is it fair thatHsinchu Science Park which is now one of the world's most significant areas for semiconductor manufacturing has enjoyed the fastest growing economic profit while the indigenous people have suffered from various forms of pollution ?

Most of the Industrial waste will end up in the river and waterland (香山溼地) where the Amis lives.The Amis are primarily fishermen due to their coastal location . “ Past industrial pollution data and research paper about (Xiang Shan waterland)香山溼地will be valuable to move forward “ said Prof Lee from Humanity and Social Science department in National Tsing Hua University

I strongly believe that the damage that will occur in certain areas will have an impact not only to the local community, but Taiwan as a whole, because that is the law of nature. People in big cities in Taiwan, should be able to see this as a threat that can suppress the identity of Taiwan. It is clear that present generations is forgetting that what now exists is borrowing from future generations

We hope that this program will open the eyes of the Taiwan government and see the strengths and efforts of local communities in protecting their assets, develop the understanding that the indigenous people of Taiwan for the sake of future generations in Taiwan too .

Look at the beauty of Amis indigenous

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Another story of Synic Mj

Another story of Synic Mj , The Vice Director Of BCUA who has been working in NGO for 11 years and actively engage in relevant field such as E-Mate volunteer team , environmental issues and community development program . In October 2010 , Synic got the opportunity from MOFA Taiwan to do internship in Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) in England

Helen Buckland (Left ) , Synic Mj (Right)

Synic was impressed a lot by the lovely Bruce - 8 years old rescued dog

The most special point that Synic found out from SOS was that their operation expense is mostly generated from fundraising and sponsorship . For instance 2010 Elephant Parade which was the biggest public art exhibition ever to be staged in London , to raise funds for the conservation of Asian elephants. Orangutans and elephants face the same fate from the destruction of the Sumatran rainforest

Indeed , I was impressed by audience’s enthusiasm and curiosity during 90 minutes Synic’s experience sharing . She also found that Taiwan also has successfully raise fund for disabled people . You can see almost every corner of Taiwan convenience store provides charity box to help disabled people . In the future , Synic hope that Taiwan can also raise fundraising program to save endangered species .

Here are some debatable questions from audience
1. Does this fundraising program pays off ? Do Indonesian local government really cares about this conservation projects issues ?
2. How can SOS successfully raise public awareness of the endangered species threats and assure the local society that this fund go to the right place ?

I must say this program is worth going !! Can you imagine what happens if rainforest gone? You no longer can smell the fresh oxygen. My opinion on 2nd question is : you must have good public awareness power , you can use media mass to make your voice heard. Make society aware of the power they have to make a difference. what we can do to take action on the issue.

Volunteer has no boundary

National Chiao Tung University Service Learning Center offers two international volunteer program to Indonesia and India which will take place in summer 2011. Are you mentally and emotionally ready to challenge yourself in this volunteer program ?

No reason to miss it !!!!
The registration deadline : Jan 28 2011 (Friday )
http://service-learning.nctu.edu.tw/news_1.php?nid=99

International Volunteer Preparation

Collaboration and expertise sharing is essential step in training period .Both Team can :

1. Working together in one team

2. Cooperate in Basic Volunteer Training

3. Naluwan Aboriginal Workshop

4. Social learning and community development program

5. Experience sharing from previous volunteer: I-DO , E-Mate , Ghana Team

NCTU Indonesia Volunteer ( I-DO )
Are u ready for the Next I-DO ?

Indonesia Volunteer program is on its second year. The 1^st volunteer took place 15 July -29 July 2010 which 12 volunteers from NCTU held a camp in Bukit Lawang, Indonesia. The name of the camp is I-DO CAMP which merges Information , Digital and Orangutan . We hope to empower the local community to use technology to further ecotourism. Sustainable tourism is crucial to the wellbeing of the local ecosystem and community, providing an alternative to unsustainable logging and palm oil plantations.

The first Indonesian Volunteer program ran successful under the collaboration of BCUA , OIC and NCTU. Meanwhile The second volunteer program to Indonesia is mainly focus on ecotourism promotion , renewable energy program , community empowerment . It's particularly important in Bukit Lawang because many of Sumatra’s critically endangered orangutans live here, including some that have been rehabilitated and returned to the wild. The park forms part of Gunung Leuser National Park, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and World Heritage Site, which holds the dubious nickname of “Last Stand of the Orangutan.”

Check it out what they said about Volunteering

NCTU India Volunteer
What can volunteer do for Jamyang School Ladakh ,India ?
India is the new international program and focus more on education and environmental improvement. It’s located in Jamyang School Ladakh , India . Jamyang school is remote area in Himalayan areas. All admitted children come from the poorest families of the villages with predominantly difficult family backgrounds: divorced family , orphan , unemployment family and society who live in poverty.
After completing their studies, these women will serve as teachers, health care workers, community workers, and mentors to others. They will create similar study programs in their homelands and other needy areas. They will be able to help their people and help revitalize their special cultural heritage.

Ladakh video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6C2NN-DJok