Hi, it’s Maria here from Orangutan Alliance. Welcome to our tribe. Our story started with one question. “How can I truly be helpful to the environment and wildlife impacted by conflict palm oil. You see, before Orangutan Alliance, I wasn’t your stereotypical conservationist. I was a consultant, a mum, and an avid traveller who wanted to preserve and protect endangered species and the planet. I was passionate about a cause but frustrated about the status quo. I wanted to know how I could truly be helpful. However, as a consumer, I simply didn’t feel empowered to do so. I WAS STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATIONISTS WORKING ON THIS ISSUE; THE CONSUMERS WHO WERE EQUALLY FRUSTRATED AS I WAS AND SHOW MANUFACTURERS THERE NEEDED TO BE NEW SOLUTIONS.I had skills and an idea on how we can do things better. It started with lots of research, and conversations to learn what the true meaning of the issue was and how we can empower consumers to be part of the solution starting with their purchase choice. This is how Orangutan Alliance was born.Fast forward, and we have big goals here at Orangutan Alliance today.We are passionate about advocating for the end of conflict palm oil, with all profits from our work going towards rehabilitation and reforestation projects. We also believe that powerful change can be made when we join forces, and when consumers and manufacturers unite.SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE, AND WE BELIEVE THAT WITH PERSISTENCE AND PASSION, AND WITH THE RIGHT COMMUNITY AND ALLIANCES, ANYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WHETHER YOUR CAUSE IS TO REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC OR TO HELP SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES, WITHOUT A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. This is why Orangutan Alliance takes honesty and full disclosure seriously. As consumers, we are a big part of the answer, so it’s only fair that we know the full picture.Today at Orangutan Alliance, we honour our tribe of change-makers who make a positive impact in their everyday lives and communities.