My name is Widi, and I am the manager at our BORA rescue centre in East Borneo. I'm excited to thank you, our amazing community, for standing with us! Every step we take for orangutans is only possible because of your support.
On 24 August, I joined four others from our BORA team in the 5km Bupati Berau Independence Run here in East Borneo. Rara, Indah, Cici, Dea, and I came together–keepers, trainers, biologists, and office staff–with one shared goal.
To raise awareness for Indonesia’s most amazing animal, the orangutan!
But we weren’t running alone. We were running with you. Your support gave us the courage, the energy, and the reason to bring orangutans into the spotlight at this community event.
Just days before the race–on International Orangutan Day–we had the idea to turn this run into a wild campaign. With 2,800 participants, it was the perfect chance to share our message. At first we planned to wear orangutan-themed shirts and hand out stickers. But thanks to the inspiration and hope your support gives us, the idea grew. We decided to run in full orangutan costumes, carrying a banner that symbolised orangutans running for their survival.
It wasn’t easy. The heat inside the costumes was intense, and sometimes we had to slow down. But every clap, every cheer, every child’s high-five made it worthwhile. People stopped for photos, asked questions, and learned more about the urgent need to protect orangutans. After the race, we kept sharing, handing out stickers and sparking conversations.
And you were at the heart of all of this. Thanks to you, a simple fun run became a powerful platform for awareness. Every smile we saw, every moment of connection, was made possible because of your generosity and belief in our cause.
Together–with you, our team, and the community–we showed that every step counts in the race to save orangutans from extinction.🧡
I am so proud of what we achieved that day, but even more grateful to you for making it possible. You are part of every orangutan rescue, every awareness campaign, and every glimmer of hope for our orange cousins. Together, we can create real change. For orangutans and for the forests they call home!
Thank you!
Are you now feeling inspired to run for orangutans? Whether you take on a fun run in an orangutan suit, or simply wear orange to show your support, you’ll be raising vital funds to save orangutans and protect their forest homes. Please get in touch today via email at help@theorangutanproject.
Program: Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA)
Location: East Borneo, Indonesia
Program Partner: BORA is a collaboration with our COP partners, and the Ministry of Forestry 🌳