Eileen's first few weeks at Tengah Island Conservation

The beginning of 2021 was a dream came true when I got accepted as Operations Coordinator with Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) on Pulau Tengah. I had some reservation about my adjustment to the nature of work and isolated living lifestyle.  Truth is... I am city girl who enjoys the luxuries of the "first world"; and spent nearly a decade in the corporate sector. However, a certain nagging thought developed the last few years - "...let's drop all the comforts behind, let's start giving back to Gaia, let's save some wildlife, save nature". Before I grew bold enough to take the plunge, I simply volunteered my time with various wildlife organizations, learning what conserving wildlife entails, learning about different species, meeting dedicated persons of their field.  Over time, I realized that there will never be enough preparation, there will never be a perfect time; that if I truly want to influence a change in the world I live in, I just have to do it!  Hence came the 360° transformation. 

It’s beyond words to describe how I felt when I finally arrived on the island - I knew I had made the right decision. The island is surrounded by clear turquoise water, white sands, huge boulders, and a jungle in the middle of it, and this is home for the year! 

Adjustments of settling into my accommodation at "The Ranch" came quickly. An open concept living plan, comfortably set up with couches, a well-equipped kitchenette, and our private rooms. We have a huge beach right in front of "The Ranch" (our personal pool), the dive center is just around the corner and my office faces the ocean. My teammates are very friendly and extremely forthcoming sharing their knowledge with this "science-outsider". I couldn’t’ ask for more as my first job in conservation.

I spent my first few weeks processing knowledge of all sorts - seagrass, fishes, corals, learning the tracks around the island, getting used to spotting turtle tracks using binoculars on morning boat patrols, expanding on my turtle know-how that I've learnt from previous internship, and even completed my Rescue Diving course.  TIC has a wide range of projects under its wing, from marine, terrestrial, working with local community to cultivating island sustainability programs.  That was the core reason I decided on the organization – the exposure is great, and opportunities are vast.  Each component of our work is important as every part is interlinked, encompassing, and impacting one another, just as nature is in an ecosystem. 

I am eagerly looking forward to my many months ahead – alongside my dedicated teammates, in our little fight against all odds, to make positive changes to our beloved Mother Earth.