August MM - Cooking in the Jungle

Hello people,

Time of the month again! It's time to catch up with fellow Raleigh-ians, to get updates from Raleigh KL and other support groups as well as to learn some new skills.

Have you been wondering how is it like to set up fire in the jungle? Cooking yummy dishes in open fire? Using bamboo and banana leaves as utensils? Hey, you'll be able to learn all these skills if you join us this Monthly Meet.

Besides that, we will be cooking a feast to celebrate Justin TimberDrake's homecoming. Yea, he's back from Australia. After being quarantined for 7 days, he'll be making his second official apprearance at Raleigh KL's Monthly Meet. Come meet Justin bear as well as learning backwood's skills from experienced ex-scout! Don't pray pray k...

What?

Aug MM - Backwood's skills + Raleigh bear's Homecoming
When?

8th Aug 2009 (an auspicious date for celebration)
Where?

Templer's Park
Meeting point?

As usual, KL Sentral (KLIA departure exit) @ 7.30am SHARP!!

Agenda?

7.30am - meet up @ kl sentral + registration

8.00am - depart to templers

8.30am - ice breaking + start trek

9.30am - meeting 10.00am - start backwood's + party for justin bear

12.30pm - trek down

1.30pm - transfer back to kl sentral

What to bring?

YOURSELF, mess tin, extra clothes if you would like to dip in the waterfall

How much?

Raleigh KL members RM10

Non-members RM15

* small token fee covers ingredients for cooking and shared parking + petrol costs

To register, please log on to: http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?key=t3DSzURb9e_aP1CKuYop2AA

Registration deadline is 6th August (Thursday) 11pm.

Oh ya, the best chef of the day will be awarded a date with Justin for a week. So show us your skills this MM. See you guys there!

cheers,

Luyi

Sabah villagers harness power of river water

Note: Another article about the micro-electric project in Kampuing Buayan. Ex-Venturers in the past trekking phase passed by Kampung Buayan.

PENAMPANG: Though their village remains inaccessible by road, 400 villages of Kampung Buayan on the Crocker Range here are enjoying round-the-clock power supply.

The electricity is not only free but is produced in a pollution-free way by harnessing the power of a nearby river.

Versatile: The power house incorporating the mini-hydro system.

This mini-hydro system was launched by Penampang MP and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, on Monday.

Having power supply means so many things to so many people here.

“Schoolgoing children are now able to study at night and use a computer at home,” said Robert Gubal, 33, headmaster of the village’s only primary school which has 53 pupils.

Kampung Buayan chief John Sabating, 45, said the system was capable of generating up to 10 megawatts of electricity.

The villagers no longer needed to rely on kerosene lamps and small generators that used expensive petrol, he said.

“The system also means there is no longer a need to carry fuel from Donggongon town, which required a three-hour walk and a hour’s ride on a four wheel drive,” he added.

Village technology: Dompok (right) being briefed about the system by Pacos Trust

member Adrian Lasimbang (left).

The villagers built the system with help from Raleigh International volunteers and technical support from local NGOs namely Partners in Community Organisation, Tonibung and Jaringan Orang Asal seMalaysia.

Danish International Development Agency (Danida) contributed RM250,000 for the system that cost RM450,000.

Another RM100,000 was contributed by Dompok and Moyog state assemblyman Donald Mojuntin.

Pacos Trust president Dr Felix Tongkul said the Kampung Buayan mini-hydro system was the fifth to be supported by Pacos, with the earlier ones being built in Long Lawen, Belaga and Bario Asal in Sarawak and Kampung Terian and Kampung Bantul in Sabah.

The system produces electricity via a small turbine with an electronic load controller for stability and safety.

The project included enrichment planting and mapping to ensure sustainability of the water resource that ran the system.

Dr Felix said the system incorporated a rice mill and an irrigation system as well.

Source of Article: The Star

Micro hydro power best rural option

Note: Expedition Autumn 08H Venturers contributed to the micro-hydroelectric project in Kampung Buayan.

Penampang: Micro hydro power systems which are now supplying round-the-clock electricity to a few remote villages in Sabah may be the answer to lighting up the farthest reaches of the State.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said he had mooted the idea to the Government as the only alternative for villages in rural areas.

"It is because you can't connect every village to the power grid. I'm very happy there are NGOs interested in this. Otherwise, it is something the Government has to do."

Dompok, who is also Penampang MP, said this after launching a 10kw micro hydro powere system for residents of Buayan, a remote community tucked deep in the foothills of the Crocker Range, Monday.

He was responding to Malaysian Environmental NGOs (Mengo) Coordinator (Community-Based Natural Resource Management), Adelaine Tan, who said besides being a renewable energy system it would contribute to the watershed conservation programme in this area.

"This micro hydro system should be emulated in other remote parts of Sabah and Malaysia and our government should seriously consider financial support for this system under the 10th Malaysian Plan," she said.

The micro hydro power system is an integrated system that incorporates renewable energy and watershed conservation as well as rice mill and irrigation system for socio economic development.

At Buayan, villagers who used to depend on fuel-powered generator now get to enjoy uninterrupted power, thanks to the RM450,000 facility which has been up and running since last month.

This will certainly bode well for the farming community of about 30 families, comprising more than 300 people, as they look to improve their lot in the village which is about six hours walk from Donggongon town.

The facility was put up through a gotong-royong effort by the community with organisational and technical support from Partners of Community Organisations or Pacos, local organisation Tonibung and Jaringan Orang asal SeMalaysia (JOAS).

A delighted Dompok had nothing but praise for those involved in the project. "I think it (effort) is very laudable (and) very encouraging to see the working relationship between the people, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government.

"This is a very do-able project with everyone throwing their weight behind it," he said to reporters who were taken by helicopter to the village.

"Hopefully the residents would continue with the cooperation among themselves and probably the NGOs to ensure this (effort) is continued.

"I think this is working and it is a good thing that the community is getting together to organise themselves, with the help of NGOs and the Government."

Initiated in 2006 following preliminary survey works at the Tomboining River, the system design and full proposal was completed in March 2007 with collaboration from Era Wira Sdn Bhd, a local company promoting alternative technology, and Indonesian-based company specialising in micro-hydro technology, Heksa Hydro.

Through the proposal, a total grant amounting ton RM250, 000 was secured from Danida (Danish International Development Agency) through JOAS, and UNDP Global Environment Facility's (GEF) Small Grant Programme through Tonibung.

The MP and Assistant Finance Minister-cum-Moyog Assemblyman Donald Mojuntin also contributed RM100,000 to the project through various allocations.

The micro hydro site was completed in 2008 through cooperation between the local community and volunteers from Raleigh International.

Pacos Trust President, Dr Felix Tongkul said the Kg Buayan residents were itching to get a micro hydro system ever since their neighbours in Kg Terian, about three hours walk from the village, obtained theirs about four years ago.

Among the problems they faced were funding and getting the villagers to support the project which was not too difficult to do.

"The important thing was whether the community really wanted it and they did (and) they were also supported by nearby villages," he said, calling for continued assistance from NGOs and the government in implementing more community-based projects.

This micro hydro power system is the fifth of its kind supported by Pacos since 2001, with the previous ones implemented at Long Lawen in Belaga, Kg Terian, Kg Bantul in Pensiangan and Bario Asal in Bario.

Source of Article: Daily Express

Kinabalu Project 0909, Sign up now!

Hi All!

The long-awaited announcement is finally out!

Kinabalu Project 0909 priority registration is officially open for members ONLY (until the 31st of July). From 1st August onwards up to closing date 8th of August, the application is open to all.

Details:

Date: 10th - 13th September 2009

Schedule: September 10th and before (arrival) - Make your own travel arrangements! You have your full flexibility and flight arrangement options!

September 11th - 9am morning meet up at Kinabalu Park entrance, start hike and 3 hours of environmental conservation work

September 12th - hike to peak, 6.30pm, leave Kundasang back to Kota Kinabalu

September 13th - Own arrangement to fly back to KL
Fee:

RM300 for paid Raleigh KL members

RM350 for non-members
(Includes entrance fee, accommodation on the mountain, guide fee, certificatem insurance, "Project Volunteer" T-shirt, transfer from Kinabalu Park to Timpohon Gate)

Note: A non-refundable deposit of RM100 is to be paid 5 days after application to secure a spot for the project. Remaining amount is to be paid latest by 10th of August 2009. Due to limit of spaces at the accomodation arranged, application is strictly based on first come first serve basis!

There will be more information coming up soon on list of equipments to bring, recommended flight arrangement and transfer from KK to Kundasang, training and moreee!

So do watch out this space!

Click here to download form. Please send completed form to secretary2[at]raleighinternational.org.my

Weeee, what are you waiting for? 2-in-1, you get to give back to the environment by helping out with infrastructure upgrade work with Sabah Parks, while getting a good deal to conquer Mount Kinabalu! Register now!!!

Can't wait to climb Mount K,
Kar Lye
mobile: 012 -201 8829
email: secretary2[at]raleighinternational.org.my

Six Malaysians in Raleigh's latest project

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is set to reap substantial community and environ-mental benefits from the latest expedition here by an international volunteer organisation, Raleigh.

In the next 10 weeks, over 70 volunteers and volunteer managers will build a new gravity water supply system and a kindergarten in Pitas district, assisting with the establishment of the Bornean Sun Bear Conser-vation Centre in Sepilok, complete an underwater clean-up and coral planting at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and improve trails and infrastructure at Imbak Canyon.

Six young volunteers from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia will live and work with about 50 volunteers from across the globe including Bermuda, United States, Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom until early September.

Last night, Raleigh, which has run expeditions in Sabah since 1987, held an official expedition opening at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex.

In his opening speech, Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Peter Pang En Yin highlighted the strong ties between the Sabah government and Raleigh, saying that the ministry strongly supports Raleigh’s work and recognises the benefits that can be gained by Malaysian participants choosing to be part of the expeditions.

Raleigh Borneo country director Jim Clements said this particular expedition was the beginning of positive collaboration between Raleigh and new project partners.

“I am more excited than ever about the upcoming expedition programme, due to the fantastic projects we have the privilege to be working on.

“Not only are we continuing our long-standing relationships with organisations such as the Yayasan Sabah and PACOS (Partners of Community Organisations), but we are also beginning new partnerships with BSBCC (Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre), LEAP (Land Empowerment Animals People) and Asian Forestry,” Clements said.

He added: “We have a diverse group of young people joining us to take on a wide range of projects that will not only challenge them personally but, just as importantly, directly benefit the people and natural environment of Sabah.

“Raleigh looks forward to completing many more projects in Sabah over the coming years.”

Volunteers have just completed four days of intensive training on skills they would need to use during the expedition such as first aid, camp craft and radio communications.

They will travel to project sites today and split into six project teams, where they will live and work for nearly three weeks, before coming back to Kota Kinabalu to swap projects.

Source of Article: The Borneo Post.

Raleigh KL welcomes you to the new website!

Hi all!

I'm sure you can notice the new layout, and combination of the old BLUE website and the old raleighkl.blogspot.com. So it's a 2-in-1 starting from today onwards. More interactive, more information, and much much more!

Bye Bye Blue Website!

We are still testing the website out (technical and design), well, that explains why some of the pages are still "under construction", so do watch out this space from time to time for more exciting updates!

Welcome to the new Raleigh KL website!!!

You will notice some slight changes (ie NO MORE SHOUTOUT BOX, ARGHHHH.... HOWWWWW? No worries, you can leave your comments on each individual blog posts! It's thaaaat easy!)


Do not forget to just spend 1 sec to rate our new website (right side of the page, midway). And if you have any comments for us to improve do send it to pr[at]raleighinternational.org.my / pr2[at]raleighinternational.org.my.


Yes, we invite you to write! If you have any interesting stories to tell after IW, monthly meet, expedition, or even an annoucement with regards to youth development, adventure, community, environment, write your wayyyyy now!

July MM - ROARed

Raleigh first ever Amazing Race took place on 11 July 09 at Lake Garden..
it's totaly different from the version you watched on TV... it's a lot more outrageous + exciting + challenging + FUN!!

see, karlye is so excited about the race!

We flagged off with ice breakers + energizer

Next, Meeting = intro of new committe members, updates on PIW projects, expeditions, fundraising, Justin Bear (he's coming back from aussie this friday!!), other support groups..

then we started with Who am I? a warm up activities for the members... i bet that everyone knows each other better now... next, we witness the construction of the great wall of Raleigh... great effort, guys...

kesemangatan raleigh yang tidak terhingga =)

PUT me down

the infamous cucumber game... we had fun running up n down... eating cucumbers... passing bananas... looking for han sai por... answering random questions... n learning more about Raleigh n also the uniqueness of raleigh-ians =) now u guys know who likes peanut butter kit kat n corn... who built a kindergarten...

the teams

strangers - third runner up

Yak yak yak yak - second runner up

R - first runner up

R5 - Winner of USD 1 million (in monopoly lah, haha)

last but not least, the group picture... thanks everyone for joining the very first monthly meet after AGM 09/10... looking forward to August Monthly Meet which will fall on 8 Aug... more updates will be published in our blog and facebook soon...

hope to see u guys next month too =)

First post from Sabah!

Want to have similar amazing experiences as the trio, not just hear stories about others but experience it ALL for yourself? Sign up for an expedition NOW!
Here are the dates:

http://www.raleighinternational.org/our-expeditions/gap-year/when-can-i-go

Contact expedition@raleighinternational.org.my to find out more about YOUR expedition!

Good Luck Sunbear Sulan, Water-girl Hui Yein, and Nomadic Shon Lee!

Live Opening Ceremony Update by Shu Woan - The Raleigh KL, KK Correspondent!

It took me quite a while to find the place. As I stepped into the dining area, I saw Dino waving at me. The first letter I received during my expedition was from her. In a yellow colour envelope, on a piece of yellow colour A4 paper (had to put that in).

All three venturers from KL are now good friends with the Sabahan venturers, so much so that they plan to follow them back to Batu Puteh (where they are from, and where I did my environmental phase) after expedition.

Ed, the emcee from NZ

Venturers from Bermuda: exclusive presence only in Summer expeditions!

Since Kar Lye was waiting for my live report back home, I went straight to work. Dino will be working on a gravity water feed system in Pitas, Su Lan is going all the way to Sandakan to be with sun bears and Shon Lee will be trekking at Long Pasia with Pak Nooh. They also received the pos laju parcel of random things that Kar Lye carefully put together.

HCVs with flag

The venturers were then told to take their seats as the Pembantu Menteri was about to arrive. I was seated in the middle table with PMs and volunteer staffs. I got into an argument with Pete, PM in Imbak, who was also a PM in 08H. He said 09B was boring. I lost the argument when he mentioned that one of the projects was not completed.

the girl arh...

asking for tips on how to use the parang...

Here’s what I found out after a little chat with them when the speeches and performances were over.

• None of them have leech socks
• They manage to send a letter back
• They do not have their mobile phones with them

Before they left for the hostel, Dino told me not to stay in Sabah forever. I am officially having Raleigh blues all over again.

Reporting live from KK,

Shu Woan 09B

KL venturers arrive-ed in Borneo!

After this:

Training in Nuang

Airport send-off at 6.15am:

At McD's LCCT

Finally, they have reached!!

(Photo source: http://raleighborneo.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-lot-of-venturers-are-here.html)
Raleigh KL big "R" shirt appearance in Raleigh Borneo Fieldbase

(Photo source: http://raleighborneo.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-lot-of-venturers-are-here.html)
HCVs group photo with staff

For latest expedition jungle stories from expedition 09E, check out (you can also leave them messages on the blog):
http://raleighborneo.blogspot.com

If you fancy the traditional way with stamps and felt pen, here you go:

(Venturer name)

Summer 2009 Expedition,
Raleigh Borneo,
P.O Box 14182,
88848 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah MALAYSIA

All the best, Su Lan, Hui Yein and Shon Lee!

July Monthly Meet - Raleigh Outrageous Amazing Race

Hey folks,

This is the first Monthly Meet after the new committee was formed. You guys must be expecting for some RALEIGH fun from us. YUP, July Monthly Meet will be our very own Raleigh version of Amazing Race. Those who missed the FUN and NOISY BBQ dinner at Port Dickson, you should join us this time. Get the opportunity to meet the new faces of Raleigh KL as well as getting updates from PIW projects, international support groups, Borneo expedition, and a whole lot more of Raleigh news.

What is Raleigh Outrageous Amazing Race?
Fun yet Crazy . Challenging yet Warm . Cute yet Cool . Bumpy yet Wet . Finger licking good yet cozy . RALEIGH but nothing else

Where?

Lake Garden Kuala Lumpur

When?

11th July 2009 (Saturday) @ 8am

Meeting point?

KL Sentral (KLIA Departure Exit)

Itinerary

8.00am (SHARP) Meet up at KL Sentral

9.00am Arrive at start point. Warm up.
9.10am Ice Breakers and Meeting.

10.00am Start RACE.

**Challenges include: Great wall of China, Put me down, Oh I see you, Coco Banana, Splash & Win etc.

11.30am PICNIC Raleigh style (No worries, no yucky Tomato soup)

12.30pm End. Transfer back to KL Sentral.

what to bring?
YOURSELF, you may also bring your favourite potato chips?/ cookies / sandwich / ribena to share with the folks during Picnic.

How much?

Raleigh KL members RM5

Non-members RM8
* small token fee covers light snacks and shared parking + petrol costs

To register, please send your details to skills@raleighinternational.org.my

and include:

1. NAME

2. TEL

NO3. can you drive? and offer the services of your car on that day?

Registration deadline is 9th July (Thursday) 11pm.

*All those who fail to register, and do not drive, will risk a 5km walk on foot to the start point, which is not very tough for a Raleigh-ian but you will not get your snacks.

See you guys there!

Cheers,

Lu Yi