About Us
The aim of the Masarang Foundation is to save the environment through the active participation of local people. Through its projects, the foundation works on solutions for the most pressing problems the world currently faces: climate change, extinction of plants and animals, destruction of ecosystems, poverty and underdevelopment. Masarang manages projects that achieve maximum improvement for the people and nature at a minimum cost. The projects link the possibilities of nature, the potential of local people, local traditions and customs, science and technology.
History
The Masarang Foundation was founded in 2001 by Willie Smits (Indonesian, born in The Netherlands). The organization is strongly rooted in the local Indonesian community and currently has about 40 local employees. In December 2010 Masarang International was launched, which makes the Masarang projects in Indonesia visible outside of the country. This foundation is run solely by volunteers. Masarang has experience, most projects have been running for several years. For the good results Masarang and her staff have received a number of environmental awards. The foundation won the Padma Award 2009 granted by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and was a finalist in BBC World Challenge 2007 for charities (was among the top 12 charities in the world). In addition, three individual employees have won the highest environmental prize in Indonesia, the Kalpataru, handed out by the president. Willie Smits has received nine awards and is often asked for his opinion as an expert by (international) media including the BBC, National Geographic and CNN. Masarang has experience, most projects have been running for several years. For the good results Masarang and her staff have received a number of environmental awards. The foundation won the Padma Award 2009 granted by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and was a finalist in BBC World Challenge 2007 for charities (was among the top 12 charities in the world). In addition, three individual employees have won the highest environmental prize in Indonesia, the Kalpataru, handed out by the president. Willie Smits has received nine awards and is often asked for his opinion as an expert by (international) media including the BBC, National Geographic and CNN.
Objectives
Activities
The foundation currently has several environmental and social projects in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its activities include reforestation, education and research, saving wildlife and sustainable production. Masarang takes many initiatives to educate the local population and offer sustainable alternatives. In the projects the local people, wild animals and nature influence each other in a positive way so that they all win. Local environmental solutions can have a global impact because they can be applied elsewhere as well. For more information.
Masarang is a small foundation whose (non-profit) activities cost money but are creating a great return for nature, the development of locals and in the end: the world. So far, Willie Smits has paid much of the funding by himself. Due to insufficient resources it is often hard to keep the projects running, while we actually would like to expand them in order to have a bigger impact on a better environment and social conditions. The people in the West also benefit from preserving ancient forests and biodiversity. This is the main reason Masarang International was founded: to inform more people about the distinctive approach and projects in Indonesia and to receive foreign donations.