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.
.JPG){kind=small}
0 comments: