This short story is simply brilliant… bringing awareness of orangutan habitat loss through illegal logging for palm oil plantations.

Through Orangutan Eyes

This video was put together by Iceland Foods, a UK based organisation who have removed palm oil from all of their own labelled products.  As consumers our choice of which product we choose matters – choose wisely.

Funds raised through our online store goes towards orangutan rescue, rehabilitation and conservation initiatives.  This Christmas choose wisely when giving a loved one a gift…  our store.

The students at Singleton Heights Public School (Hunter Valley, NSW) in years 2 to 4 had just completed a geography/science unit called, ‘It’s In Our Hands’.  This Project Based Learning (PBL) unit of work allows students to discover how our actions and decisions affect wildlife around the world.

During their research on the topic they discovered Daniel and William’s quest to save the orangutans from extinction and, so inspired, they sought permission from their Principal to write their own email and organise for Daniel and William to come and present to their school.

On the day…

On the day of Daniel and Williams visit, and as soon as they arrived, the boys made a surprise visit to Mrs Janelle Cox’s class who had written the email.  The class were all extremely excited and thrilled to meet the boys before the whole school presentation.

Around 500 students packed the hall from years 1 through to year 6.  Everyone even joined in together singing the song, ‘Try Everything‘ which features in Daniel and William’s video.  The hall was a buzz with excitement, enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge.

The questions after the presentation came thick and fast.  As soon as one question had been answered there were 50 hands held straight up in the air to ask more questions.

Questions ranged from, “What was your most memorable moment on your trip?“, “What was your funniest moment?“, to technical questions around how they put the video together.

The students were so engaged with the post presentation discussion the teachers had to step in to end question time so the students wouldn’t miss out on their lunch.  During the lunch break, and while William signed the students books, more and more students came back into the hall to ask even more questions from the boys.

During the lunch time break one student remarked that he had so much joy today meeting Dan and Will and that he wanted to tell all his family about the orangutans.  He said, “I learnt so much more from their presentation that I am going home to tell everybody!”.

Conservation Art

Also on the day, Years 3 and 4 held an Art Show in the school hall displaying their art work depicting how wildlife around the world still needs our help to survive.  The students took great pride in showing their work to Daniel and William after their presentation.

It was a privilege to meet everyone at Singleton Heights Public School today.  Their enthusiasm and passion to want to know more about orangutans, their habitat and to help save them inspires us to keep going and strive even further to make a difference.  William Clarke

When leaving at the end of the day, Daniel was approached by one young student who was so moved by the boys plight that she said, “I wish I could be your sister“.

Thanks Singleton Heights for an incredible day.  Your whole school community has touched our hearts.  Daniel Clarke

We would love to come back again and visit your amazing school in the near future.

 

Stage 2 students (Years 3 and 4) at Eastwood Public School have been raising awareness of orangutans throughout the school by holding a couple of orangutan fundraisers this term.  An ‘Orange Fun-day Monday’ was very successful with students coming to school in mufti for a gold coin donation.

The Year 4 students came up with another unique orangutan fundraiser, “Orangutan Badges For Sale”.

Under the guidance of their teachers, Mrs Cuasay, Mr Griffiths, Miss Locke and Mr Leslie, the students created, the students created their own artwork picturing orangutans and held a competition to choose the best designs to be made into badges.  The designs were chosen and the badges were made (by the students).  Two extra designs were created by the teachers which became, “Special Edition” badges which sold for $2 each with all other badges selling for $1 each.

The unique fundraisers were so successful the students sold out of badges the morning of the fundraiser raising $1,200.  All the students and teachers were wearing their badges with immense pride.

Wow! What a fantastic idea !

Throughout this term the students have been learning about the orangutans through Daniel and William’s books.  Using the books as a basis the students have become engaged in poetry and informative writing, creating PowerPoint presentations on deforestation and palm oil and, after holding their successful orangutan fundraisers, the students were keen to meet Daniel and William and present them with their own badges.

Daniel and William were delighted to visit Eastwood Public School on Monday presenting to 500 students from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 including several parents.

William said, “The students had some really well thought out questions including, How heavy are the nests orangutans make? and the best question of the day was, If the orangutan is the smartest ape? why did they send the Chimpanzee into space?”.

Thanks Eastwood Public School for such a great afternoon and for your incredible effort to help save the orangutans.

“Always remember to TAP into your passion and encourage others to help you.  Let’s make a difference in our world together.”

Daniel and William

Stage 3 students at St Patrick’s Primary School, Blacktown, organised a fund raiser at the school after studying Daniel and William’s books this term.  It was an ‘Orange Day’ where everyone wore something orange and gave a gold coin donation .  The students raised $775 with all money raised going to orangutan conservation and protection.  Their teacher, Mr Justin Browne, said how the students have become very passionate about the plight of the orangutans with the whole school becoming aware of the issues facing the orangutans and the students being very knowledgeable about the products containing palm oil.

After learning about the orangutans this term the school asked the boys to visit and speak with the students about their journey to Borneo. After the presentation the students had many great questions for them.  Many questions were about Palm Oil such as, How long has palm oil been used? and discussing the many products that use palm oil from cooking oil to foods we eat and cleaning products we use every day. Other questions included,  what will happen if the orangutan goes extinct?   They also wanted to know all about the rehabilitation process of the orangutans and  how to adopt an orangutan 

Thanks to Mr Justin Browne and St Patrick’s Primary School.  It was a great day and thanks for all your hard work in fund raising for the orangutan.  We can all make a difference. Thanks for your passion St Patricks !