Banding Together for Borneo

For so many JIS Alumni, Indonesia is an inseparable part of their JIS experience. The archipelago’s unparalleled culture, traditions, and biodiversity are all mainstays of the memories we cherish of our time at JIS. So, when a flight of Dragons from the Class of 1986 gathered at the Bali reunion of 2018, they decided to show their love and appreciation by collecting a sizable donation for the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF). Today, two of the campaign’s driving forces hope to bring it back.

“We all have a connection and a deep love for Indonesia, so we wanted to make an impact in an area where there’s a lot of need, and that’s also meaningful to us — that resonated with our class,” Class of 1986 Alumna Christine de Pagter says on why the group chose orangutan conservation. “I threw out a couple of different ideas and concepts, [but]I think we all felt a connection to this species that was so close to [Indonesia].”

Christine, who has close familial ties to the country, not only came up with the idea of giving back to Indonesia but also led the charge in rallying donors, then ensuring every detail was flawlessly handled.

Thanks in no small part to her persistence and dedication, bolstered by an extensive background in philanthropy, BOSF received gifts from up to 35 JIS Alumni, “most from 1986 and a few from other ‘80s classes”. Applauding their generosity, Christina goes on to reflect on this generation of Dragons as being “brave, outspoken, and breaking the mold”.

Their donation went on to support BOSF’s rehabilitation centers for orphaned and injured orangutans, habitat conservation efforts, the Nyaru Menteng Forest School for infants, and other operational expenses. Established in 1991, BOSF is unique in that it emphasizes the involvement of local communities in its dedication to saving Indonesia’s endangered orangutans and their natural habitats, particularly in East and Central Kalimantan. It currently has over 465,000 hectares of rainforests under its care and has safely released 533 orangutans back into the wild after rehabilitation — remarkable accomplishments made possible by donations such as those made by the JIS Class of 1986.

Fellow Class of 1986 Alum and JIS Board of Trustees Chairman Phil Rickard, who has long and proudly called Indonesia his home kampung, recalls that he was more than eager to throw in his support. He also knew that BOSF, which “was born here” and has worked tirelessly “from the ground up”, would be the right organization.

“BOSF does real, measurable work, not only in saving the orangutans but also improving biodiversity, controlled forestry programs, and looking at more of a sustainable, long-term solution,” he explains. “It was really about protecting [the orangutans’] habitat and making sure that the species has a strong future, especially in Kalimantan.”

He adds that the organization’s founder, renowned microbiologist and conservationist Willy Smits, is a member of the new Capital City of Nusantara’s (IKN) Environment, Sustainability, and Governance Committee. 

“BOSF operates around the area of IKN, where JIS is planning to build a school — Nusantara Intercultural School [NIS]. So, we not only have a current connection to the foundation, but also a future one that I think will play into, for example, the [eco-design] perspective of our new school as we think about what’s best for IKN, what’s best for Kalimantan, and what’s best for Indonesia.” 

So, what of plans to revive the campaign to collect another round of donations for BOSF? Christine is beaming as she nods with enthusiasm.

“Phil and I have chatted about opening it up to make it a larger project. I think this cause resonates with other alumni because it’s so near and dear to a lot of people — I really think we can easily make our case,” she says. “It’s all about giving back to the culture, to the country that has given so much to many of us.”

Contact Christine at christinedepagter@gmail.com if you are interested in supporting their initiative.