Project Sumatra
You may have heard about palm oil and the devastation it’s farming has caused to the natural environment. But we don’t often take into consideration those people who rely on farming the produce and the impact that banning or removal of this product might have on them.
For some Indonesian communities palm oil farming and production provides essential jobs and stability and is enabling them to achieve better economic status.
Project Sumatra believes there is another way and has been working alongside the Sumatran farming communities to bring back the natural balance of their beautiful environment.
Initially set up to create an educational documentary the non profit project aims to highlight the issues facing Orangutans and their natural environment in Sumatra.
In conjunction with the Orangutan information centre in Sumatra, the project focuses on the charismatic and well loved Orangutan as an umbrella species to represent the entire eco system. The project hopes to educate, promote conservation and empower local communities to promote change.
I was lucky enough to be invited to a recent fund raiser for the project which was held at Tampopo (who have been sponsoring the project since 2017) in Manchester’s Corn Exchange. Guests enjoyed an evening of food, drinks and fund raising activities, followed by a fantastic talk from the projects founder Jack Wootton – who was fresh back from Indonesia and bursting with passion and enthusiasm for the project’s next venture.
Jack’s vision for the documentary is that of a positive one, aimed primarily at educating the viewer but also at encouraging hope and a focus on how we can change things for the better through knowledge, understanding and active engagement.
The documentary is a completely non-profit project and when completed will be a free educational resource, available for download online. As a continuation of Project Sumatra’s work they will also be touring with the finished documentary on a filming and debate tour across universities and colleges.
This small but incredibly dedicated team really are an inspiration. They have been fundraising for over two years to make their last trip to Sumatra – so please give them a hand if you can. Donate, like, or share and help them to continue making a difference.
If you would like to know more about Project Sumatra or get involved contact them via their social media pages, (don’t forget to like and share) and look out for details of fundraisers and their next talk at Reaseheath College, Cheshire later this year.
Instagram Project Sumatra
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/projectsumatra
Twitter @ProjectSumatra