FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

• What is the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme all about?

New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme is about students playing a role to give new HOPE for the orang-utans.

It is aimed at empowering students with the knowledge to understand the issues threatening the survival of the orang-utans and to spread the message on why the orang-utans need stay alive.

• Who are the organisers behind the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme was created by BOH Plantations, WWF-Malaysia and TV9 to educate students and enable them to make a difference for the orang-utans.

• Why was the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme created for us?

BOH, WWF-Malaysia and TV9 aspire to equip you with the knowledge and to provide you with the opportunity to be the ‘voices’ for orang-utan conservation.

They hope to inspire youths to become orang-utan conservation advocates in the future. 

• By participating in the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme, in what way can I save the orang-utans from extinction?

You can help by creating an awareness campaign with activities to inform your friends, teachers, your social clubs, associations or family members on what is threatening the orang-utans, why these lovable great apes need to be saved and what can be done (conservation) to ensure the orang-utans continue to roam our forests and contribute to our forest ecosystems.

By doing this, you can increase your awareness levels on orang-utan conservation and in turn, get your family and friends to take notice. This way everyone gets a piece of learning.

• How will I benefit from the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme on an individual level?

There is much to gain from this school programme. Here are some benefits to arouse your interest:

• Broaden knowledge about orang-utans in general
• Understand what is threatening the orang-utans continued existence
• Learn about ways to protect the orang-utans from extinction
• Give HOPE to orang-utans, now and in the future
• Be the future voices to protect the orang-utans – making a difference
• Promote your ability to think creatively
• Learn how to use blogs to your benefit
• How blogs can help you express your thoughts, ideas and creativity
• Build relationships with your fellow friends, teachers, community clubs or even your families through support, participation, etc. 
• Win a trip to Kinabatangan, Sabah to have a once in a lifetime experience to see the orang-utans in the wild and have a first-hand experience on the Corridor of Life and reforestation projects

• What does the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme require us to do?

Just remember that there are 3 main tasks that you need to do:

• Raise awareness on orang-utan conservation
• Implement on-ground activities and request for support from your friends and family members, etc.
• Create a blog documenting the campaign, activities organised, support received and collaterals created. Express your campaign with clarity and impact

• Who can participate in the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

Any students from Malaysian government and private secondary schools, from the ages of 14 to 17 can participate in this school programme.

• What is the first step if my friends and I are interested to participate in the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

You first need to register by giving your details of yourself and friends. You can do this by logging on to www.orangutan.com.my and complete the required personal details.

• What if I have only two friends in my group?

1 to 4 friends in a group is allowed as the maximum number of participants in a group is 4. Anything more than 4 friends, you may want to consider registering as another competing group.

• Can just one individual participate in the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

Yes, even one individual can participate.

• What if I can’t remember the step-by-step guide to register?

Don’t worry as you can look up BOH’s dedicated orang-utan website at www.orangutan.com.my for information and details on the school programme.
 
Alternatively, you can browse through the leaflet handed to you by the friendly Kawan TV9 Crew when they visit your school.

• What do you mean by awareness campaign and activities? What sort of activities are you referring to?

A campaign is normally created to create awareness, to communicate messages or to champion a cause. A campaign has activities that would engage your family and friends and communicate your message(s).

Your activities can be an orang-utan exhibition day / awareness day, organising an orang-utan club / orang-utan day at school, orang-utan dedicated website / fan page on Facebook, creating a social community of orang-utan activists / orang-utan team dedicated to promote conservation efforts, orang-utan Pledge Day (students pledge / send a message to get government / companies to support the activity by stopping / minimising deforestation).

You are not limited to organising any of the activities above. In fact, you are encouraged to develop creative activities that would earn you extra points and benefit your campaign.

• Can I conduct a fund raising campaign to collect funds to save the orang-utans?

We do not encourage fund raising activities. Nevertheless, if you wish to embark on such an activity, then all funds collected will be channeled directly to WWF-Malaysia for orang-utan conservation efforts.  

• What do you mean by peer ground-level support?

In any activity that you create or organise, you must get the support of the people you are targeting, be it your school friends, community or family members.

You can do this by having your school mates / communities / family members participate in an activity to conserve the orang-utans. You are the best judge on the most suitable activity to prompt them into action.

And, you must keep a record of this support through pictures, petition letters, Facebook, Friendster, emails or blogs.

• What do you mean by communities and family members?

Spreading the message on orang-utan conversation is not limited to just school grounds. Students can also target social clubs such as karate, art or piano clubs outside of school to spread the awareness.

Students can also target family members to create awareness on orang-utan conservation.

• Where can I source for information on orang-utans?

Libraries and the internet are your best and the most accessible forms of information. The net is abundance with information and various links to orang-utan websites. All you need to do is to search online for articles or websites on the orang-utan plight, the main causes for their decline and conservation efforts.

Tip: BOH and WWF-Malaysia have an on-going conservation project to rebuild the homes of the orang-utan in Kinabatangan, Sabah. Want to learn more and talk about this conservation project to your peers, etc.? Then log on to www.orangutan.com.my for further information.  

• What do you mean by collaterals?

Collaterals are mediums used to promote awareness of orang-utan conservation efforts. It can be in the form of posters, website design, leaflets, letters, murals, packaging, exhibition materials, online – fan page on Facebook / Friendster.

• Are we limited to only using these collaterals?

 
No, you are not! You are free to come up with any creative ideas of your own to spread the message.

Tip: Remember, originality counts and original ideas will garner more points.

• Why do we need to use blogs to record our awareness campaign and activities?

Like any school project paper, blogs is an online way of documenting your campaign activities, support from peers, collaterals, etc. Learning how to use blogs to your advantage can be garnered from this experience. Blogs enables you to express your creativity, helps you to be clear with your messages and content and empower you with the knowledge of using animation (should this be your option).

Tip: Don’t forget, your blog must have content with the relevant sources of information too!  

• How do I create and submit my completed blog?

You can create your blog via www.blogspot.com. The URL link of your completed blog is to be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Can I submit my entry in Bahasa Malaysia?

Yes. Entries in Bahasa Malaysia are acceptable.

• When is the closing date?

The school programme starts on 13 July and ends on 31 August, 09.

So, hurry and get cracking on your campaign now, but remember to register first!

• How will my entry be judged? What are the points awarded for each of the tasks outlined?

For judging criteria and points awarded for each of the three categories, please visit www.orangutan.com.my for further info.

• Who are the judges of the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

The judges are the public and a panel of judges comprising representatives from organising companies - BOH Plantations, WWF-Malaysia and TV9.

• Can my family and friends vote for my blog?

Certainly, your family and friends can cast their votes and the top 10 winning blogs is at the sole discretion of the public and panel of judges.

• How long will it take before I would know if I am shortlisted or a winner?

You will be notified by September 09 if you are shortlisted as one of the top 10 blogs. The winners of the school programme (top 10) will be announced at BOH and WWF-Malaysia’s annual Tea for Trees event at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara in October.

The date will be advised to you in due course.

• What are the top prizes of the New Hope for Orang-utan School Programme?

The top ten prizes are listed on the www.orangutan.com.my. Visit the website for further details.

• Would I get anything if I participate, but don’t win?

You will gain much from the school programme even if you don’t win or your blog is not selected as the top ten.

For your team spirit and participation, BOH and WWF-Malaysia will still award you with a certificate for your great effort.  

• What if I am lost and need guidance?

You can turn to your teachers for help or drop us your questions and we will help to guide you in the right direction. You may email your queries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it