Raleigh Summer 2008

Source: Summer 08 Project Summary by Raleigh Sabah
PS: I'm not sure if disclosure of project sites in this manner breaches Raleigh expedition ethics. Please let me know if they do. :P
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The projects that I'll be undertaking during my 5 weeks in Sabah.

Community Development Projects:
Gravity Water Feed Systems (2 project teams)
Working in partnership with the local parliamentary representative and sponsored by Coca Cola, it is intended to construct/refurbish two gravity water supply systems.

During the whole process the local community assist with the work and are educated on how to maintain their system in order to provide a sustainable solution to their water requirements.

School Hostel Completion – Kg Togudon, Penampang District (1 project team)
Kg Togudon is a small kampung at the edge of the Crocker Range National Park. Due to the mountainous conditions the houses and community is very dispersed. Many young children come from distant houses/villages as far as 8 hours walk away.

PACOS Trust are a local grass roots charity working to increase the standard of living, provide basic health and education facilities as well as assisting with land rites and capacity building of the local comminuties. Raleigh International has worked with PACOS Trust for 5 years in Sabah, building a number of schools, kindergartens and community facilities.

Last year a major part of the hostel was constructed by Raleigh groups, consisting of 2 large bed rooms (male and female). However the toilets, showers, kitchen and a water supply have yet to be completed. Once finished, this projected sponsored by HSBC will provide young schoolchildren with a safe hostel accommodation.

Kota Belud - Kindergarten Construction (1 project team)
Kota Belud is a small town located a little over an hour north east of Kota Kinabalu, just okf the road to Kudat. Larger than most communities that Raleigh works in, it has a population of over 60,000 people, evenly divided between ethnic Dusun and Bajau.

An area of land has been offered for the construction of a Kindergarten and Nestle are providing the funds for this project. This will be a very unique project as Raleigh is operating in a larger community than normal, the construction of structure is to be completed in only three weeks. Thus requiring long hard days working alongside the local community.

Environmental/Community Project:
Eco Lodge (1 project team)
Working with a small local community cooperative, the Raleigh International team will assist in finishing off an ambitious eco lodge project. It is hoped that the eco lodge will be the key to raising income of the community, increase the economic value of a depleted forest resource, and, in the process, raise funds to support the protection and restoration of the last remaining wetland forests and wildlife of the area.

Built on the edge of a large oxbow lake formed by the former course of the mighty Kinabatangan River, this project has taken many years meticulous planning.

The team may also assist local tradesmen with finishing off the lodge, but they are more likely to help develop trails and plant trees in designated areas, as well as help the local community in its continual battle to rid the oxbow lake of an invasive weed called Salvinia.

And lastly the epic...
Adventure Challenge (All project groups)
Teams will come together after their community or environmental phase for their jungle adventure challenge; well off the beaten track and deep within the pristine jungles of Borneo.

The terrain will be arduous and physically demanding; remote and wild. Teams will have to consider their impact of their actions on the local environment when carrying out designated tasks. A scoring system will be used to gauge the performance of each team.

The final phase of the challenge will see teams going head to head in a physically demanding race which will take into account their previous scores. This final challenge would take place over 24 hours and will see individuals pushed to their limits

The team crossing the finishing line first will be crowned champions!!!!!
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I'm looking forward to everyone of them. So it doesn't really matter which one I'll be posted to.

Prolly the 'bonus' of doing the gravity waterfeed is that I'll (to quote ZY) get to see Jimmy buka paip.... You get to see Rory doing it, I'll tengok Jimmy... :P

PS: Having taken time off the threadmills for 2 months, I hope I'll be fit enough for it.

-LV-