Meet the Team

Founder

 

In 2003 Rebecca founded the Bukit Lawang Trust as an emergency aid station. In response to a disastrous flood that destroyed much of the community. Now almost 18 years on, she overseas the Trusts global growth strategy, manages donor and grant acquisition & is responsible for the Trusts vision and ethos. 

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Mel was Head of Operations at the BLT from 2023-25 and now supports the Trust remotely from Bali. While at the Trust, she led on the Sustainable Business Programme and was also our Hub yoga teacher and karaoke enthusiast!

Her passion lies in coaching and helping others to grow, through education, training and 1-1s.

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Head of Operations

 

Tavie is the new Head of Operations at Bukit Lawang Trust! She is passionate about the transformative power of education and its impact on individuals and communities. With a background as a qualified secondary school maths teacher in the UK, Tavie has extensive experience working with children and young people.

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After leaving the classroom in 2023, Tavie expanded her expertise in strategic operations as Programmes and Impact Lead at a London-based non-profit, designing adult apprenticeship programmes and managing day-to-day operations for a growing team.

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At BLT, Tavie is excited to bring her curriculum design experience to support sustainable development and ensure there is a lasting impact on the local community. In her spare time, she enjoys running, yoga, swimming, and cycling, and looks forward to exploring the stunning environment around BLT.

Head of Volunteering

 

Cole has worked with community development programmes across the world, and he is thrilled to be heading up our volunteer programme and supporting other initiatives at the Trust.

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He has worked with peanut farmers in Zambia, social justice projects in Edinburgh, psychosocial support in the DRC and environmental activist movements in Mumbai. He spends his free time writing about people and places and the invisible lines that connect us all together, and he one day hopes to tell stories of community movements that inspire kindness and empathy. Cole also loves being around nature, and he has already found some peaceful jungle spots among the rivers and trees.

 

As Head of Volunteering, Cole focuses on maximising our volunteers’ impact, both on and off project. Volunteering, he believes, is both about helping your host community and learning lessons that you can use to change lives at home.

Education Manager

 

Olya became passionate about education at 15 and has worked in various related settings - running summer camps, ski instructing, working in a nursery, helping struggling children learn how to read – and so much more! After completing her studies to become a teacher, she decided to leave Canada to travel and teach English around the world. Prior to joining the Trust Olya spent two years in Austria and Germany but decided it was time to explore Asia and see what she could contribute in other parts of the world.

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Olya is responsible for the development and delivery of the ESL and YR programmes.

Community Development and Regenerative Farming Manager

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Maya has over eight years experience in sustainable agriculture and rural development. Specializing in advancing Community, Commodity, and Conservation, she has collaborated with local communities, NGOs, and government entities to improve the welfare of Indonesian farmers.

 

Over the past five years, she has led various initiatives in Aceh and Tapanuli, including regenerative agriculture, village and social enterprise development, and humanitarian activities.

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Committed to sustainability, Maya has returned to Langkat and continues to drive innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to enhance economic opportunities for community in Bukit Lawang

Facilities Manager and Community Engagement Lead

 

Yola is in charge of organising and running many of the day to day operations at the hub and managing the building. She leads on developing our relationships with the local community and other NGOs and partners.

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Yola is a Bachelor of Education, majoring in English. She really enjoys teaching students as they have a passion for studying even though living in a rural area. She loves arts and culture, and the BLT helps her discover more about them. In particular, Obrolan Wanita (Women’s Chat) has taught her knowledge and she’s shared lots with the women.  She believes everyone deserves to have access to the same education so that they can learn about and see more of the world that we share.

Programme Coordinator - EFL Lead

 

Prior to joining Trust, Yessie worked as a Teacher and Community Engagement Facilitator in remote areas of Indonesia, such as South Nias, West Papua, and Mentawai Island. She is passionate about education and community development.

 

Today Yessie leads our EFL programme, providing outstanding teaching and ensuring quality learning for the children and adults in the communities we serve.

Programme Coordinator

 

Dea studied in medical school as well as learning German in her spare time before shifting over to working in the field of education. Dea gained valuable work experience as one of the Trust’s Kindergarten Teachers and is now one of our PCs.

 

She now leads support for out kindergarten (TK) programme and works closely with our TK teachers. Dea also runs our playgroup at the Trust for kids under 4 years old and she supports our Youth Ranger team also.

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Programme Coordinator - Sustainable Business & Eco Farming

 

Agus graduated from the Faculty Mathematic and Sciences from Bogor Agricultural University and prior to joining the Trust, worked as in administration for an NGO and as a laboratory assistant for a few different companies.

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Agus is helping to develop the curriculum for our Eco Farm Programme and was instrumental in helping Mel deliver our Sustainable Business Programme.

 

Aside from work, Agus is passionate about volunteership especially about free knowledge and information.

Programme Coordinator - EFL

 

Prior to joining The Trust, Arya studied at the University of Sumatera Utara, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Communications Science with a focus on Public Relations. Additionally, he worked as an English teacher and interpreter for international education consultants.

 

Apart from that, Arya is passionate about public service, education, and the communication sector, which motivated him to kick-start his professional career. Joining The Trust marks his journey to maximize his potential for the benefit of the community, especially in the EFL programme.

Programmer Coordinator - Youth Ranger

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Before joining the Bukit Lawang Trust, Josu changed his career from journalism and media to work in education. The first contribution that Josu made was when he spent a year teaching in remote villages, including teaching children at the border area, which led to developing both the educational and economic potential of the village and its community.

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Currently, Josu wants to focus on a career in the social and educational field. He is also continuing to develop his media skills and using them to achieve his aims. As the Project Coordinator for the Youth Ranger programme, Josu helps children learn about the importance of protecting nature for the future.

Kindergarten Teacher

 

The vast majority of Rasimah's work experience has been based around delivering education to children of all ages. Rasimah has also worked to adapt educational curriculum through the implementation of conservation attitudes and the ideals of equality and independence into pre primary education. ​

 

Rasimah teaches our Roses class alongside Ida.

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Rasimah has been working at the Trust for 13 years!

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Kindergarten Teacher

 

Butet has been working as a Kindergarten Teacher for the Bukit Lawang Trust for the past 8 years.

 

She works with Selvia in our Lions Class and also delivers weekly fitness classes for all of the Kindergarten Students

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Butet is responsible for delivering the Indonesian 'Saya Suka Membaca' kindergarten curriculum to our Lions class alongside our three other Kindergarten Teachers.

Kindergarten Teacher

 

Ida has been working as a Kindergarten teacher for the Bukit Lawang Trust for the past 8 years. She works with our Roses Class and also delivers craft and circus sessions for the Kindergarten students. ​ 

 

Alongside her fellow teachers, she helps to prepare our students for starting the Indonesian curriculum through the delivery of a 'learning through play' pedagogy and running crafts and activity sessions.

Kindergarten Teacher

 

Selvia joined the Trust in 2022, making her our newest kindergarten teacher. She is responsible along with the other teachers for the delivery of the Indonesian ‘Saya Suka Membaca’ curriculum.

Selvia also helps organise transport for the kindergarten trips and loves taking them out to explore outside of Gotong Royong. 

Caretaker

 

Wati is one of our most long serving team members, having been part of our family for over 12 years. Wati looks after the school building and the grounds as well as looking after all of us! Wati is responsible for cleaning and site maintenance, She also assists with cooking and preparing class materials and events for the Bukit Lawang Trust.  

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Trust Cook

 

Wati looks after the staff team providing excellent Indonesian and international meals every day for the volunteers and staff.

 

She also looks after the many plants in the Trust watering and caring for them daily and assists our Hub Caretaker with the cleaning of the Trust.