The Chronicles of 8 Part-time Thrash-Collectors.

28th of October 2006
0900
On one sunny Saturday morning, we started off with one car, and two Team Charlie members (CK and I). As planned, we did a door-to-door/ house-to-house collection at the area where we pre-distributed the flyers. With no idea of what to expect, we went knocking on the doors… well, not literally, we rang the doorbells, shouted (Helloooo…! Anybody homeeeee???), knocked the lock at the gate (for those without doorbells), get barked by dogs just to get attention from the person in the house. That desperate we were. However, to no avail, out of 15 houses, only 8 responded, and about 5, I would say, actually had something to give us. Some had newspaper, but claimed that they don’t (even though we can see it all stacked up at the side...). Some do have some newspaper and other scrap metals, but mostly the residence around that area is frequently visited by our day-rival: the paper-lama man (a man who collects recyclable items in a lorry)
Official state at that time: Annoyed, disappointed, upset, lost for ideas, burning hot, dripping with sweat.

1000
As CK’s kind friend, volunteered to help out for the day, I had to drive back to get her and another team member from KL Sentral. In the mean time, our one-and-only RIKL member volunteer came by to help out for the recycling day as well. (Due to unavoidable circumstances, last-minute notice was given out) Hopefully, this time around, the painting on Saturday will have better response from the large pool of members of RIKL. (PLEASE…?) My rough estimation: For one-day notice, one RIKL member, so, can I safely say for a 6-days notice, I can expect 6 RIKL members? Okay, back to my chronicle…
Fast-forward….
At 1130, we have a “larger” workforce; consist of an applauding amount of 6 people! *clap, clap*. We went on separate ways, one group lunch, while my car went around another area, targeting at flat this time around. Again, unsuccessfully, we tried a few houses, same result as the morning. We changed area AGAIN. This time I was trying to figure out where we were, got lost in the area (God knows where!), and then all of a sudden, literally got lost. Then fast-forward…. Ya-da ya-da….
While the other group, changed plan as well. They went to collect in big huge bungalows, where the owners have a store filled with loads of old newspapers.
Oh, while I was lost, we did manage to collect newspaper, and guess what? We went back with the whole car full of newspaper! (I was driving at 50 km/h)

Whole car full of newspapers

Lessons learned:
1) Always plan for the unexpected (“Paper-lama” man rounding every 2 hours to OUG);
2) It is OKAY to get lost once in awhile, you’ll never know;
3) Do not ever give up after the first try…or in our case we have second tries as well!

-Started raining at 3ish, so all workforces gather back at Angels Children’s Home.
We spent time with the kids, playing, talking… well, just basically hung out (?)
While we were waiting for the rain to stop…..

We were back to the serious stuff of collecting thrash from the neighbourhood, and now with a whooping “army” of SEVEN people!! Out we went to collect, and the results were quite satisfying, as we have learnt our lesson: target big huge bungalows. On, and on we collected, loaded, collected… until the cars were full. At about 1800, we headed back to the home. So, we unloaded the cars again and the result is….

Another whole car full of newspapers!!

More newspapers!!

I guess pictures speak a thousand words? So…

Half of Team Charlie IW Sept 2006 POSING!

Working till night…

Enough of pictures, get the idea, how much we did?
Wanna spend some time with the cutie super adorable children? (Check out for more details at the official website)

At the end of the day, I learnt not to underestimate our limited “workforce”. Besides, I realise how important recycling is, to the environment generally, and of course personally. (After collecting thrash for the past week, I expect myself to be a little more environmental-conscious). Just a little note to fellow helpful volunteers, from what I hear on the radio, 1 tonne of newspaper can save 70 trees; so my rough estimation for our Saturday (28th October 2006), fundraise + save-the-tree + help Angels Children’s Home mission, is very much well-accomplished. The least we know is that we save 105 trees from being cut. See? We benefited the environment as well. Public announcement to all: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Lastly, a special shout-out to all who have helped: CK, Ling Ling, HL, Ezra, Christal, Wei Ming, and Adrian. Thanks for all the help!

Signing off with a sense of satisfaction, gratitude, achievement, and… (all the good feelings in the world!),

Kar Lye
(30th of October 2006)

note: This is my current fav quote:
“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” - Helen Keller

My life changing experience on 06E

Contributed by Tho Eilyn, Expedition 06E Malaysia

The long awaited moments have finally arrived. Raleigh International Expedition 06E has officially begun with the arrival of UK and Bermudan venturers. We Malaysians greeted them with a hearty rendition of “Rasa Sayang” at Jungle Camp. The first week was pretty hectic with lots of survival skills to master and getting to know our group members. It was great fun throughout. On the last night at the Jungle Camp, the Project Managers came up with a skit to tell us which was our first phase. Exciting stuff!

Community Phase- Alpha 2: Kampung Panaitan

Kampung Panaitan was the name and building a resource centre/ library was the game. I was extremely delighted to have Patricia in Alpha 2 with me. And together we conquered Kota Marudu! :D 3 Project Managers and 8 venturers spent 19 days living on school ground, working as a team and with the help of local villagers, we completed half of a community library.

Alpha 2 worksite

Our job was to occasionally hammer nails in – badly :P Everyone integrated well and comfortably with the warm, friendly and welcoming community.

Holding a mock key of the library with my PM

Had an amazing time with the Brits and Bermudan in my group as we taught them Chor Tai Ti and got them addicted to the game. Pat and I had a marvelous time there with the locals, had our mini-adventures together and we were invited to the staffroom to makan-makan almost everyday by the ever-so lovely principal.

Fishing with the locals

Phase 1 ended pretty fast and I had to move on, physically and emotionally for Phase 2 in Danum Valley. We were constructing a suspension bridge there and after work it was usually FUN time engaging in activity like floating down the Segama River all the way to Field Centre in rubber tubing. Me and some of the other venturers also went to work with the scientists to do a small-mammals research or frogging.

Environment Phase- Danum Valley

Another banterous and memorable moment from phase 2 was Jungle Valentine. Gifts were exchanged and we dined in a lovey-dovey ambience with love songs playing and candlelight on the 14th August. My project manager, my Scottish chum and I decided to have a little adventure on our last day by going tubing at 5.00am from our campsite to the field centre and then climbed a 100-feet tree to catch sunrise on the last day.

Banana in his mouth!

And finally, the gruesome Adventure phase took place. We were the uncaring, non-sharing, winning Alpha 6. Had an amazing team members and PMs. I started off with diving in Mamutik Island. The place is a paradise - it’s beautiful and relaxing. Diving was really enjoyable and managed to sneak out on a boat dive with the divers on my last day there.

River Crossing

After that, I trekked for 12 days in Crocker Range and enjoyed it, surprisingly. There were some highs and lows during trekking but the highs dominated the lows! :D

Dipping in the cool Crocker stream

My group members were such darlings as they constantly support each other and always helping the slower trekkers, like me. Haha!

Sun salutation Raleigh-style!

Lastly, Mount K was a real challenge. I almost gave up halfway through and giving stupid excuses like “Oh sudah boleh Nampak matahari. Ok lah tak payah naik lagi” to the guide but he was always encouraging me to reach the peak. Not wanting to regret for not reaching the peak, so I continued and phew!!.. reached the peak 10 minutes before the sun rose.

Party Girls

Dressing up for the end of expedition party.. Notice Sailor Moon? :P

This expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am really glad I went for it. It was definitely the best 3 months of my life. Another one next year? Definitely! :D