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By YISWAREE PALANSAMY GEORGE TOWN

FRIENDS of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society (FRIENDS) and Penang Botanic Gardens Department (PBGD) are launching the Botanika Volunteer-Guide Programme (BVG).

(From left) Rashidah Begum, Salasiah Yusop and members of FRIENDS admiring some plants. Pic by Yiswaree Palansamy

The volunteer training programme, scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year, will support the development and enhancement of the Penang Botanic Gardens (PBG) and surrounding areas.

FRIENDS president Rashidah Begum said the programme would make optimal use of local resources, and allow the people to contribute toward developing and enhancing natural public assets, and maintaining their high standards.

“We hope to have volunteers who can contribute their best in terms of time and energy to preserve the natural heritage of Penang,” she added.

BVG programme facilitator Ben Wismen said the training would be fun, easygoing, inclusive and knowledge-oriented so that it would suit all types of participants.

“It is designed for participants aged 18 and above. Applicants will be screened for suitability.

“Owing to the limited availability of places, we will select 40 participants… If all goes well, we will train another batch when this phase is over,” he said.

Wismen added that FRIENDS and PBG planned to train two batches of volunteers per year.

“The programme will require candidates to complete 24 hours of indoor and outdoor module training, and 30 hours of voluntary service with FRIENDS or PBG within a year.

The first module starts on March 4. Participants are required to commit to 12 modules and provide 30 hours of voluntary service at PBG or the Penang Hill Complex.

“They will also undergo eight hours of advanced training annually,” added Wismen.

In return, the participants will enjoy benefits such as unlimited access to the literary resources of FRIENDS and the PBG.

They can take part in FRIENDS’ activities at members’ rates and subscribe to four issues of the organisation’s e-newsletter.

PBGD assistant chief director Salasiah Yusop said the department was happy with the collaboration.

Application forms can be downloaded from the FRIENDS website at www.botanikapenang.org.my.

Completed forms can be submitted from Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 4pm at the Botanika Outreach opposite the “Moon Gate” or at the PBG before Jan 15. [News link]

Posted by admin on December 24, 2011 under Tourism News.