THIS SITE gives viewers a glimpse of the beautiful but unsung parts of Malaysia. As a social aid movement, fund generated from activities and adverts helps sustain OO’s operational cost and fund community projects in the Malaysian countryside.
OO is a nominee of 2008's Geotourism Award organized by National Geographic and Ashoka Changemakers. The award identifies and recognises organization that enhances the geographical character of a place: its environment, heritage, culture, aesthetics, and the well-being of its residents.
OO is listed in 
OO is the regional partner of 
Voluntary simplicity is living a life that is outwardly simple but inwardly rich. With less consumerism lifestyle, our ecological resource suffers less impact.
About us & contact
Combing the length and width of Malaysia for interesting outdoor tales have nudged us to some of the best vistas for nature, heritage, history, and ah yes, our favourite - food. On the flip side, it has also opened up our eyes to poverty that plague rural communities. We never get use to that part of traveling. In all honesty, they are the soul of the country and there is nothing more human than to ask “What can I do to help?”.
So, here it is, our little contribution to backwaters community: Linking urbanites to rural communities through community work, conservation drive and learning-based activities. Being a socially responsible movement, fund generated from advertisement, activities and trips help sustain our operational cost and fund community works in the countryside. We prefer to remain small, informal and low profiled as it gives us the flexibility to work.
As a spin off, our community work includes keeping this blog cranking to help viewers take a peek into the beautiful but unsung parts of Malaysia. We hope this would dispel fear for venturing into the wild interiors and encourages people to learn more about hidden communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why the name Outskirt Outreach ?
First and foremost, we are a social movement and we believe that charity begins at home. All projects, events and activities pieced together by us go to support the sole aim of highlighting and helping hidden communities that pepper the countryside of our home state Perak, Malaysia.
This blog is one of our prime projects in opening a window for urbanites to take a peek at the countryside and learn about its unsung beauty and diversity - warts and all.
2. How do OO fund itself ?
We usually kiss people who ask that question. No matter how noble, running social aid work needs money to pay for administration, utilities, transports, as well as our financial obligations to projects and people we promised to help.
But we don’t want to beg.
This sets us apart from many social movements that rely on money donation and supporters’ generosity to make ends meet. We prefer to fend for ourselves with the skills and knowledge that we possess. So, little offerings like excursions, photo field trips, giving talks and jungle-based learning programs help us raise fund. By keeping this blog well stocked with the best information on off grid travels, visitor hits also churn some income through Technorati Engage, Nuffnang and Google Adsense.
3. How do OO help hidden communities ?
Special skills offered by volunteers, fund raised and support received from our friends, guests and affiliates are channeled to rural communities in jungle fringes, most which are located off-grid and difficult to reach, via our monthly visitation and distribution trips usually done over weekends.
To see examples and how we keep ourselves busy with community work, look up the Charity page of this site.
4. What is it like combing the countryside with OO ?
We pair urbanites with natives. However, due to lower level of education in the countryside, language is a major barrier. Hence, our English-educated volunteers to be the link and to ensure that you also enjoy like-minded companionship. They will interpret and help you identify plants, wildlife, sea life and just about everything there is to know about the eco-system that forms the lungs of our country.
See Guest Book & Photo Album page.
Everyone knows venturing into off-road locales steeped in hidden gems present a whole new set of challenges. Hence, the small group style is ideal to experience the thrills, minus the frills. Small group journeys ….
- allows us to stay hands-on with everyone.
- promotes up-close effective learning and communication.
- assists participants to blend in and creates less noise.
- leaves less trace and inflicts less damage to the ecology.
6. How should I blend-in ?
Rural villagers and natives have different concepts of time, personal space and communication, which are not inferior, just different. Be perceptive of your own cultural values and adapt to the situation, rather than the other way around. Keep your voice and footsteps noise to the minimum to avoid being intrusive. It is usual for the locals to be wary of outsiders but a smile can work wonders where words fail. Be courteous and do not expect special privileges.
7. As a city slicker, how can I contribute or volunteer ?
Support rural economy - this is our integral drive. Whenever you travel outside cities or towns, use local services and buy local products whenever possible. This provides an extra economic source and helps to protect natural environment from disappearing in the name of livelihood. Always make an effort to go holiday in places not mentioned in any guidebook or touristy maps.
If you have a special skill or knowledge which you think would be of good use to OO, ping us. We would be glad to have you as part of our volunteering team.
8. As a reader of this blog, what can I do to help ?
Tell everyone to make an effort to see Malaysia’s countryside. If your friends need a nudge, forward them a link from this blog. While most blogs are written by people in the comfort of offices or rooms, we spend a lot of time in the outdoors digging, photographing and writings pieces for this blog, apart from the usual community work. Hence, you will find this site riot with in-depth information and captivating photos. The real work is out there.
Travel blogs link us as tour providers, which is not actually correct because it’s only 10% of what we do. And normal citizen blogs link us as a “window” into what’s happening in the Malaysian countryside; which is more accurate. Some interact with us and offered help, which we are grateful.
Just Add Wilderness
OO’s ragtag team of Orang Asli talents and walking jungle encyclopedias.
Founder - Casey Ng, 41, is a respected personality in editorial, consultation and field work related to Southeast Asian ecological and environmental projects. View his website.
“Regardless of colour, class, gender or creed, our destiny is bound together. We are committed to move forward as one”
Co-Founders - Shahzeri Saidin, 26, Abang Sum, 55, and Andrew Ng, 36.
“We are believers of aboriginal conservation, though it makes us very lonely”
What The Media Says About OO
1. The Expat magazine - “The world is becoming one”
2. Malay Mail news daily - “Have you seen an Orang Asli ?”
3. National Geographic / Ashoka Changemakers Geotourism Challenge 2009
4. New Straits Times news daily - “Jungle Joe”
Contact Us
OO is based in Perak state, Malaysia. We run an administrative office and workshop that string all key social work and activities together.
No. 9 Persiaran Ind Bercham 9
Kawasan Perindustrian Ringan Bercham
31400 Ipoh, Kinta Valley, Malaysia
Phone 05 5421006 Mobile 019 5717008 Fax 05 5421008
Skype ID - adven7u
To email us, address it to Salina Idris or Helena Tang at outskirtoutreach (the account is with @gmail.com) and don’t forget to cc it to travelscenes (the account is with @yahoo.com.my).
PLEASE NOTE: Emails whizzing to and fro Asia may be filtered off as spams by mailbox servers in US/Europe; no thanks to get-rich-quick scams originating in Asia. If you do not get a reply within 2 working days, it is possible that our email has been mistakenly blocked. Kindly resend. We always reply within 24 hrs if it’s a working day.