Working with the local community is at the fore front of HOPE

Working with the local community is at the fore front of HOPE

The threats to sea turtles in Malaysia are all human induced so to save sea turtles in Malaysia the human actions which are reducing turtle numbers need to be addressed. This is why HOPE bases its sea turtle conservation projects using the community approach. The community approach is to involve the local people as much as possible and create significant benefits for them when sea turtles are conserved.

HOPE is committed to providing extra income for the villagers at its various project sites by employing local people, using local craftsmen, local focus groups, using homestay facilities when possible, running awareness programs for the children through the Turtles Need Trees Program and by facilitating other alternative livelihoods for turtle egg collectors. Furthermore at each project site HOPE will donate 5% of all volunteer contributions and RM5 of all t-shirt sales to a community fund which the local people can decide how to use. HOPEs commitment to empowering the Malaysian public towards turtle conservation is iterated by the discounted rate for volunteers with a Malaysian IC card.

Money makes the world go round, it is a sad fact but nevertheless true, and only through making sea turtle conservation a sustainable economic option will sea turtles be significantly protected.

Ultimately If the community approach is conducted properly the local people will ensure their actions do not harm sea turtles due to its implications to reducing their income.

To donate, buy something from HOPE’s wish list or buy HOPE’s merchandise please go to the following pages: donate, wish list, HOPE shop