Arkitrek Volunteers

Introduction

The Arkitrek Volunteer Program is a site based opportunity to get hands on construction experience together with design responsibility. Volunteers must be self motivated and able to work responsibly as they will be given autonomy to liaise directly with clients and end users and to direct their own learning experience. All placements will be on projects which support the Arkitrek philosophy of working responsibly in natural areas to promote sustainable development and conservation of natural resources.

Arkitrek Volunteers blog history

Duration

Minimum 3 months. Longer periods can be arranged by mutual agreement

Roles & Responsibilities

Placements vary and we are continually encouraging our clients to provide opportunities for volunteers to help deliver their environment and community projects. Previous volunteers have been placed with Camps International, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Borneo Rainforest Lodge and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Camps International run community based tourism operations mainly for schools and gap year students. The volunteers’ roles have included implementing sustainable design and innovation in buildings, materials, energy, water and waste management infrastructure. This has included construction work with volunteer tourists and collaborating with local craftsmen and suppliers. Practical work has been complemented by desk based work on the design of buildings and infrastructure, construction logisitics and writing bills of quantities. It is the Volunteer’s responsibility to ensure that building work is advanced efficiently and that design intent is realised on site.

BSBCC is a wildlife sanctuary for the endangered Malayan Sun Bear. Arkitrek manage the Bear Action Teams (BATs) volunteer program on behalf of BSBCC. To date the program has engaged over 500 volunteer tourists. Arkitrek Volunteers are responsible for design and supervision of minor construction projects to be implemented by BATs teams. Past projects have included; a bridge, boardwalks, steps, fencing, bear-proofing, landscaping and a biogas digester. If professional building contractors are on site the Arkitrek Volunteer will also monitor and report on construction progress. Arkitrek Volunteers must be able to communicate designs to young volunteer tourists, run project inductions, write bills of quantities and ensure timely delivery of building materials. Working at Sepilok Forest Reserve, every volunteer is exposed to wildlife conservation issues and will also meet the orangutans at the neighboring orangutan rehabilitation centre.

Eligibility

Architecture, Engineering and Construction students and professionals with an undergraduate degree and minimum 1 year work experience either on site or in a professional office. Mature applicants with relevant experience will also be welcomed.

Terms

All positions are voluntary and accommodation, food and in-country travel whilst on work duties will be provided. Where food is not provided a food allowance will be paid of MYR750 per month. The Volunteer will be responsible for their international flights and their immigration arrangements.

Application Procedure

Camps International take a minimum of 6 Arkitrek Volunteers per year, generally 1 starting in Oct, Jan and March and 3 starting in June. Other placements are ad-hoc and depend on the availability and interests of skilled volunteers and willing clients. Applications are taken continuously 1-12 months in advance. Expressions of interest can be made through the contact form. Please include a brief description of which program you’re interested in and why? We will then send you an email requesting your cv including examples of work

Supervision

Volunteers will be expected to be self motivated and self-reliant. On arrival there will be a 2-3 day orientation process during which guidelines and objectives will be set. Progress against objectives will be assessed regularly by telephone and email and there will be meetings with the program coordinator approximately once a month. Volunteers may be based on a rural site some distance from the nearest town for most of their stay.

Feedback and Research

In addition to their project work, the volunteer will also be expected to produce an article, drawings or photo essay about an aspect of their experience that motivates them. This is for publication on the Arkitrek website and our partners websites.

Feedback forms will be issued on arrival and departure to allow us to assess the effectiveness of our program. These feedback forms are a key performance indicator for our social enterprise.

We’d also welcome enquiries from students or academics looking for research subjects. Potential areas of study could include the following; materials innovation, community engagement, education techniques, social enterprise in architecture, vernacular architecture, performance of passive design buildings, animal enclosure design, architecture and nature conservation etc. Again, this research would help us to quantify our social return on investment.

Record of Experience and Reference

RIBA Part III architecture candidates can log the experience towards their professional qualification, provided they complete the minimum three month program. Every volunteer will be given an employer reference and where applicable, a client reference too.

R&R

Southeast Asia has a rich natural and cultural heritage and all volunteers are encouraged to take extra time to explore the mountains, rainforests, beaches, oceans, food and indigenous culture.

For inspiration, enjoy the following slideshow of past volunteers and the projects they have contributed to. You can also interact with other Arkitrekkers on our Facebook Group .