Panut Hadisiswoyo

How did you get into the work you do presently?

I have always been obsessed with being able to help Sumatran orangutans and their forest homes and in early 2000 when I met Lucy Wisdom, founder of Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) when I worked for Leuser Development Programme (LDP), an EU funded integrated conservation and development project to conserve the Leuser Ecosystem in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces back, I told Lucy that I wanted to set up an NGO that would help the survival of orangutans through generating collective actions on the ground. Lucy encouraged me and soon I founded the OIC in 2001 and since then I have been dedicating myself to develop the NGO and with support from SOS, OIC has now become one of the frontline conservation organizations in Sumatra working to make a real and direct contribution to protect orangutans and their rainforest habitat in Sumatra.

Describe the main aspects of your work:

I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and the office, including project development, budget management, reporting, and staff management. I am also responsible for overseeing project staff in implementing, monitoring and evaluating programme activities. I make contacts and maintain good working relationship with main stakeholders for orangutan conservation such government officials, NGO fellows as well as donors.

What do you like best about your job?

I have a magic career as I am able to make a difference for orangutans and their forests and this is a rewarding achievement for me. Also, by helping the survival of orangutans and their forests, this also means that I am helping the people and the ecosystem. My job is my passion and I will keep devoting myself for this good cause.