June, 2025
Dear Friends,
The relentless pace of news in the US can overwhelm me at times. In these moments, I’m so grateful to be able to turn to our work in Sarawak and reflect on the impressive impact our campaigns and advocacy have had. When I take a breath and look at the bigger picture, the power of grassroots action and the tangible change we’re creating together becomes clear.
Our work is achieving remarkable impacts – and the world is noticing. As our reach and reputation grow, so does the demand for our support. More communities are reaching out for help. More opportunities are emerging. And more than ever, we need to meet this moment with the resources it requires.
We’re growing – and with growth comes fresh challenges. Our budget needs to rise to meet the scale of our ambition. That’s why we’re turning to you, our community of supporters, to help fuel this next chapter.
In the past year, our work has helped Indigenous communities in Sarawak stop a destructive logging project before a single chainsaw touched the forest. We’ve supported frontline leaders as they’ve spoken on the international stage, instigated real change in Malaysia’s forest certification systems, and pushed back against policies that threaten Indigenous rights and rainforests.
The impact of our work often takes some time to materialize. We’re not offering quick-fixes – we’re engaged in long-term campaigning, community organizing, and relationship-building. Progress may seem gradual, but it’s real and it’s gaining momentum.
We witnessed the results of our efforts when the Malaysian Timber Certification System proposed major policy overhauls after our reporting exposed serious shortcomings. Our impact was evident again in a large public meeting, where a timber company manager admitted on video that the company was withdrawing from multiple timber concessions due to “NGO and community resistance.” And our influence reached the federal level as well – after we published a report urging ratification of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Prime Minister’s office put forward a proposal for new human rights legislation.
Your donation is not just a gift – it’s an act of solidarity. When you give to The Borneo Project you’re directly supporting work that’s smart, strategic, and deeply rooted in justice. Your donation helps us train Indigenous communities in legal land rights, develop community-led conservation, challenge harmful development projects, and bring local voices to national and international decision-making tables.
We’re proud of the impact we’ve made – and we have a lot more to do. With your support, I know we can meet the urgency of this moment.
This summer, two generous donors will match every donation up to $45,000. Double your impact and help us meet our fundraising goal of $90,000. Your generosity helps us grow stronger, move faster, and do even more of the work the world needs right now.
When the noise of the world feels too loud, I return to the forest – to our steady work unfolding in Sarawak. There, amidst the trees and the courage of communities, I find hope. This is what your support makes possible: not fleeting headlines, but lasting transformation. Thank you for standing with us – for believing in the power of people, the resilience of forests, and the long arc of justice.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
Jettie Word
Executive Director, The Borneo Project