Working closely with the community, the Raleigh group in Phase Three have put in a huge effort to finish the project on time, and the building has transformed within a matter of days. As Jim, Mark and Anna drove into Tampasak yesterday morning from Field Base, last-minute finishing touches were being added - paint was still wet and lino was just going down on the floor.
After speeches from the head of the village, known as the JKKK, the local project partner PACOS Trust, Raleigh Country Director Jim Clements and the Alpha 1 volunteer project managers Clare "Betty" Bethell and Izzy Noble, the assembled crowd was treated to a show of traditional dancing performed by some of the village's women and children.
Keen not to be outdone, after a slap-up lunch of rice and wild boar laid on by the community, Alpha 1 performed their own song-and-dance routine - to the tune of YMCA and featuring a motley assortment of fetching yellow hard hats usually worn on the construction site.
On that note, sadly that's it for the Raleigh Malaysia Spring 2008 expedition. Tomorrow, all six Alpha Groups will leave their projects for the final time and head back to Borneo Paradise for the end-of-expedition wash-up, closing ceremony and, on Tuesday 15th, the farewell beach party (featuring a final bout of fancy dress, with a disco theme this time!) Then it's time for goodbyes on the 16th, with all participants either heading off to the airport or continuing their travels.
We'll post a final update and some photos here next week...
14 comments:
Congratulations to all alphas team members...We are truly proud of all your contributions and achievements in Kampung Tampasak...Cheers...
Dear Milly (Alpha 6)
Have just given your camera and a few things to the Hearns. Fliss is looking forward to meeting you on Thursday - I have given you a letter for you. I see that you will get back to the Borneo Paradise tomorrow (Sunday). Will be glued to the 'phone. It snowed this morning!
Love Mum
Yo Mic, Alpha 5,
I see from the blog that you wil be back at Borneo Paradise tomorrow (Sun). Can't wait to hear from you. Dad was really pleased that you emailed for his birthday. Hope all went well with the diving. It's been fantastic being able to follow everyone's progress on the blog.
Take care, love, Mum xxx
Dear putt putt!
Conrats! a great achievement.Give them a fish and they will eat for a day teach them how to fish (make a school ) and you give them a meal for a lifetime. That's what your group has achieved.
You and your Ralegh-ian team mates have done allof us parents... proud.
We now look forward to hug and kiss you. All our loves and kisses to your mates.
Here's saying loves to you bahbee.
Say Hi! to all the project managers ,raleigh managing team,communications team and all malaysians for what we are sure is the experience of your lifetime .They have held your hand and made your path less travalled a memorable time.
Loves and KiXXXes.
mom and dad ...mad
Hi Steph (Alpha 4) and Rosie (Alpha 1)
Well you made it! Hopefully without any more burning of the shoes! Great pics of alpha 1..the kindergarten looks fantastic. Well done to all of you. Lovely to see you in the photos Rosie - would love to have seen you do the YMCA!
We're looking forward to getting a phone call soon Steph. Have posted some latest pics on facebook just to remind you of home in case you're missing it! (not) Dad collided heads in football this afternoon and needed stitches - he never learns!
Enjoy your last few days chilling out and partying. Speak to you soon. Lots of Love MD&D xxxx
Hi Lizzie, on to the next bit now! We hope you've had a brilliant time, sad that this phase must end but with you new found friends the next few weeks could prove just as rewarding and probably less arduous.
Get in touch as soon as you can, we've just received your letter from the Phase 2/3 changeover. Enjoyed the pics.
All the very best to everyone there and look forward to hearing from you.
Love MBK
Hi Cat (Alpha 2)
Thanks for the letter, i got it on Saturday. How jealous am i, sounds like you've had a fab time.
Get in touch with me when you can and let me know what you're up to - and when you'll be back here in England! I wouldn't rush if i were you, make the most of where you are. I wish i was still there...
To the phase 1 alpha 4 bunch.
I've missed you all - hope you've all had a great time. Keep in touch.
Love Nat xxx
Dear Chrissie (alpha 3)... cannot believe how quickly your time has gone...and how much work you have all done out there. Well done. You should all be proud: some amazing memories & leaving behind positive influences to the children at Tampasak.
Safe journey home. (debs flies out on 20th! wehad leaving drinks on friday - sob)
Take care.
Laura x
Hey Mozzbaby,
Sooooooooo good to hear your happy voice this morning, particularly as the news was full of the death of 4 gap year girls in a road accident in Ecuador. Gran was feeling quite jumpy about you being so far away - normally she's just excited for you - so you can imagine how chuffed she was when i brought in her tea with news that you'd phoned!
Not sure i got all your travel plans but the gist being that you stay in Borneo for some extreme diving until your visa runs out, then travel onwards - Thailand?
Hope you manage to contact Dad (I've left message today but he must be in meetings) and can perhaps even meet up with him when he's out in Jakarta at the beginning of May.
B&B have just invited me to their place in Thailand for a holiday next February as a thank you for doing their French house plans. NICE!
Enjoy your last days with Raleigh - i hope it was everything you wanted and more. I'm really looking forward to more frequent contact in the next phase of your travels but will miss being able to post comments on the blog.
Will i contact you on facebook or separate email?
Anyway, better do some work.
Keep it real baby girl. You know it makes sense.
Love youxx Meems ('n Foons) xx
Hi Lizzie,
Despite the intermittent connection it was really great to speak to you yesterday. The marathon went well on Sunday, Ayo sends best wishes, she completed it in 4hrs 40mins and still came in to work today.
Can't wait to hear from you again, E tickets have been sent via Email, so let us know that you've received them ok.
Speak to you again soon,
lots of love MBK.
Hi Bec
Hope you enjoyed your final trek; sounds long, hard, wet muddy.. and LEECHY!! Bet you loved it anyway. Hope diving was good too, even if not too much sunshine during your 'chillaxing' phase (new word on me that!).
Do hope you are keepng fit and well. I am just fine (cabin finished; just building desks/shelving to move in!!).
Very best wishes to you and team. Hope it all finishes with you feeling really proud; you should be. And I most certainly am.
Take care in the next phase of your adventure. Much love. DadXXXXX
Hi malcolm, dad here
Sorry to have missed ur phonecall. Hope you had a fine end to the exped. and that u enjoyed the trek and had some good diving. If u need anything, e.g. a few days at the KK Shangri-La I will arrange and pay it.
When will u be able to answer my e-mail? We got your letters, which we enjoyed - weeks after the letter for Alex. Your computer has not been touched since u left and all else is safely stored.
Congrats on all the work the new kindergarten looks great - u did the foundations!
Rain here, but sunny spells and warmer. Penny got a 9.5 in chemistry! Her teacher gets out of intensive care in a few days!
Luv from all
To Anna Underwood,
Dear Anna,
We were so pleased to speak to you on the phone on Sunday. I'm glad you enjoyed the Kindergarten phase; you have all achieved something very worthwhile there. The whole trip must have been so strenuous, and very hard work; congratulations on doing so much!
I tried to get a YHA hostel for you in Singapore, but in the end I reserved a dorm bed at Sleepy Sams - they will have sent you an email, as you need to email back to confirm. I hope it's OK. On their website it seemed paradise on earth, but then it would - they're writing it! You need to check your email for all this.
Please keep in touch by email - I can't reach you any other way.
I hope everyone has a great time on the last day or so, relaxing and celebrating.
I am envious of all your travels - here's hoping Singapore and Malaysia are as fantastic as they look in the books!
Lots of love,
Mum
Hi Sieb, I hope you get this information in time. You will arrive in Sydney on 17 apr 19.50 uur. I mailed the Mees family. You are very welcome. They know your arrival time and might be at the airport. For Friday they arranged that you can stay with Maurijn. They have friends over for the weekend. And what happens afterwards... We hope to hear from you as soon as you get there. Have a good trip, en lieve groeten ook van Claar, Rick, Pluis en de Worteltjes. Tante Hennie staat ook in de startblokken. xx mam
Post a Comment