Teens do their part for a good cause

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

Want to help the orangutans?; Contact: Jan Russell; Environmental Club; Bandung International School; Jl. Surya Sumantri 61; Bandung, West Java; Tel. O22-2019495

Do we really pay attention to what's going on around us?

Of course, we worry about what is going on in the world. Thoughts about the environment, or those street kids we see every day begging at the traffic light on our way to and from school, cross our mind once in a while.

And, hey, we even fork out something when asked for a donation for a good cause.

Most of the time, it never goes beyond lip service, as we figure it's not our responsibility. You know, get real, like a small good deed can possibly make this world a better place when it's the big boys who really make the decisions.

Meet the teens from the Environmental Club from Bandung International School (BIS), however, and you will probably think again. Their example will certainly be a jolt to your conscience.

The members of the group care about environmental problems and do something about them, even though some of us may think that this land far from their birthplaces is not even "their's" to think about.

For them, wherever they come from, our world is one, and we all have to do our part to help out.

"We want to make a difference even though it's small," said Korean Eun Yoon, 15.

Eun is among nine members of the club, all young women aged between 13 years old and 17 years old and of different nationalities.

"Apparently, young women are the most environmentally aware now," Jan Russell, BIS teacher and the club's coordinator, said, smiling.

"And this group, although small, is very dedicated."

Their concern and dedication is clearly shown when they talk enthusiastically about the reasons they joined the club and their activities.

They also practice what they preach: When Eun was asked to write down all of the members' names in a notebook, the rest scolded her right away when she turned the page.

"Hey, save paper, man. Write it on the same page -- there's still some space," they told her.

Established seven years ago, the club has been actively involved in a number of conservation projects in the Bandung area.

It includes nature walks, garbage clean-ups, painting "No Littering" signs, providing garbage cans and planting trees.

"You know, young people now live in the cities, with machines and computers. We want them to see the beauty of nature, try to protect it and preserve it," Russell said.

In the past two years, however, the club efforts have been directed at improving conditions for the orangutans at Bandung Zoo, as well as raising awareness in the local community of the the plight of this endangered animal, which is native to North Sumatra and Kalimantan.

There are a total of 10 orangutans at Bandung Zoo who up until recently spent their lives in cramped, bare cages. They were real captives, depressed and unmotivated, unable to swing or play. There were even two large orangutans squeezed together in a tiny cage.

"And those orangutans' backs are bent because they always sat instead of swinging in trees," Takako Nakatani, 15, said.

The club then set out to improve conditions.

"But we didn't just rush in. We did some research, with help from an expert who is used to taking care of orangutans in Kalimantan," Russell said.

After that, they worked at raising funds through the sale of T-shirts, stickers and cloth bags, all carrying the message "Save Orangutans".

"We've also tried to go global, like asking my daughter who studies in Sydney to get some funds, too. Takako's mother also helped us when she went back to Japan," Russell said.

They managed to collect over US$2,500. Together with the zoo, who helped fund the project with some Rp 10 million ($1,000), they have constructed a more stimulating, lively environment for the orangutans on an area of some 800 square meters.

Now, the orangutans are taken from their cages and placed in the large open enclosure, surrounded by a moat, where they are able to climb and swing on trees as they would in the wild.

At night, however, the orangutans are returned to their cages in the area as, according to zoo keeper Dikdik Kurniawan, they are still more accustomed to an enclosed area.

"They can't also be taken out together as they will fight. So, we take them out alternately," he said.

Russell said that the club was working on the next phase to get all of the orangutans placed in the open enclosure.

"It needs more funds, though. We're hoping that the zoo will contribute, but it's difficult. The same goes with finding sponsors. We understand that in this time of crisis. So, we always have to think of a new way to raise funds," she said.

"It's an important issue, you know. With the growth of Bandung, there are fewer and fewer parks here. Orangutans are also used as pets while it's illegal."

The zoo itself, while also contributing funds to the orangutan project, does not seem to consider their is much of a problem.

The head of the zoo's planning department, Deden Ahmad, said that there is nothing lacking in the care of the orangutans, even though their cages, like for all the animals at the zoo, are dirty, reek and are too small.

The zoo, which is currently building a statue of the founder of the zoo, received one of its orangutans from a local person who would only part with it if they received a kangaroo in exchange.

Deden assured that the kangaroo was only on "loan", and would be returned when the person grew "bored" of it.

Stories like that are kind of a sad reflection on what some adults get up to. Thankfully, the kids from the Environmental Club, are doing the right thing -- and making a difference -- one small step at a time. We could all learn from them.