After being suspended for one year, the Teaching Volunteer Program in Nanga Hovat Hamlet resumed in 2025. This program was first introduced in 2022 as part of an effort to support education in remote areas. Nanga Hovat Hamlet, the last settlement in the sub-watershed of the Mendalam River, serves as a buffer zone for Betung Kerihun National Park. This area is also the nearest location to orangutan release sites managed by the Betung Kerihun and Danau Sentarum National Park Authority, with the Sintang Orangutan Center (SOC) as an implementing partner.

Nanga Hovat is rich in natural resources, including biodiversity and the potential for sustainable forest products. However, the local community faces significant challenges in accessing education. The hamlet has only one elementary school with a single teacher handling all grade levels. To continue to higher education, students must leave their village, a step that is often difficult due to economic constraints and a lack of academic preparation.

Many students in Nanga Hovat still struggle with basic skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, making it difficult for them to compete with students from downstream regions. Consequently, most students who cannot compete return to their village to assist their parents.

To address these challenges, SOC designed the Teaching Volunteer Program to improve access to education and the quality of learning in Nanga Hovat. The program aims to provide basic education, foster environmental awareness, and build community capacity in managing natural resources.

This year, the program adopted a new approach to volunteer recruitment, using a more open and organized process. Previously, recruitment relied on word-of-mouth referrals; now, volunteers are recruited more broadly through various communication platforms. SOC also hopes this initiative will become sustainable, with monthly rotation schedules for each volunteer group.

Over a one-month period, volunteers will teach using interactive methods specifically designed to meet local needs. Lesson topics include the importance of forest conservation, biodiversity, and the benefits of education for the future. The program not only focuses on students but also involves the broader community to create a wider impact.

With the resumption of the Teaching Volunteer Program, SOC hopes to bring about significant positive changes in education quality and environmental awareness among the people of Nanga Hovat. Furthermore, this initiative strengthens the relationship between the community, SOC, and the Betung Kerihun and Danau Sentarum National Park Authority, fostering better synergy in conservation efforts and improving community welfare.

This program is a small step with a big impact, representing a tangible commitment to creating a better future for the people of Nanga Hovat and preserving the surrounding environment.