Drake says:...

Her name is Koong Hui Yein, as I was told, she just got back from Raleigh Borneo Summer Expedition 09E. She said, she spent an absolutely awesome 10 weeks at Borneo.

Before joining Raleigh, Yein felt constantly trapped in her current life, she keep asking herself, " now, beside studying, what else could I do? ". With this question in mind, she started to seek her own adventure. By chance, her cousin sister, who too joined the 10 weeks Borneo Expedition on 2006 told her about it. Since then, she's determined to join Expedition when there is a chance. In fact, she's bit scared of what would expedition be, she has always doubt if she can face the challenges ahead, expedition taught her that with determination and effort, yes it IS possible to achieve what she desires. It was the type of confidence expedition had taught her to possess. She's more calm and steady when dealing with stuff now. Now, she learns to live and laugh everyday~ she learned that there is always something around the corner, just waiting for her to explore. Expedition triggered her curiosity.

So, I met Yein at Kota Kinabalu on 8th of September, I joined her to visit Kampung Pinapak, a small little village in the district of Pitas, Sabah. It was located somewhere up North of Sabah. I was told that it was one of the poorest region in Sabah. Yein was at Kampung Pinapak for her community phase. Her project aimed to build a water gravity feed system for the village. I was so excited when she told me about the project, so I decided to tag along the group which consist of 4 girls - all ex-Venturers of Raleigh expedition ( Yein, Su Lan, Shu Woan & Kar Lye) for their post-expedition trip to Kampung Pinapak.

On 09/09/09, we departed from Kota Marudu to Kampung Pinapak in the afternoon. We travelled there by a four-by-four. After a 2 hour bum-bumped road, we reached the beautiful Pinapak.
According to Yein, we were going to overnight at Mr. Jeffrin's house, a very generous uncle who gave us such a warm welcome and made me feel that I am not a stranger at all. So, after we stopped by Mr.Jeffrin's house for half an hour, Yein was anxious to see how was the outcome of her hardwork and sweat for the past 3 weeks, and decided to go and see the dam she and her team built. Together, we walked up 2 big and 3 small steep hills before we reached the entrance of the trail. That trail, which was 300 metres, lead us to the water source for gravity feed system and was where the dam was built. It was quite well hidden among the trees. The water was so clean and clear, compared to the river.

Said Yein, before the gravity water feed was built, villagers relied on river and rain water for water. The river was claimed to be polluted, so there's no promise to the villagers that they are having clean and safe drinking water. After seeing the dam, we went to the hall where the tap is located. The girls turned on the tap and saw water flowing out! Yein felt really happy to be part of this project because she felt she has made a difference.

So, after the visit, the girls went to cross the newly-built suspension bridge which its existence will overtake the present low-level crossing at the river. Hmm..I realised that Kar Lye was extremely afraid of heights. Though I am small, it was significant that i was much more braver than her as I could cross the bridge without hanging on the handler, but she kept both of her hands tight on the handler while yelling and can't stand still to her feet.

After some pictures-taking moment, the girls decided to go for a swim in the river. I couldn't join because I saw a tag on my a*s saying that " Dry Clean Only". Oh well, I could just sit there and enjoy the marvelous view of the river and the river bank.

At night, Mrs Jeffrin and the rest of us as well as her daughter went to the river bank and had a mini bond fire. We had corns which were bought from Kota Marudu to roast with. Then, by chance, Mrs.Jeffrin spotted shrimps in the river. They could be easily spotted because the river water was clear on that day. So, holding Yein's parang made in Long Pasia, she bang the shrimps with it. So, all the girls were excited by the catching of the shrimps and started the shrimps hunt. Other than shrimps, they spotted small fish too !! They ended up having corns, shrimps and fish for barbeque, all the fresh food with the natural freshness. I couldn't eat as, you know... Beside the fire, I too enjoyed gazing the stars. Then when it was near 11pm, suddenly, the little girl, Jeffrin's daughter spotted a black figure not far from us. We were scared, especially when that figure became closer and closer. That was when we started to pack our stuff and get ready to leave. So, when it get so close, we all walked quickly to leave that spot, but strangely while we stareted to walked, that figure ran away, so quick we couldn't really see what or who was it! weird.... We really really had a wonderful night. What a day for a night, and what a night for a day~

With strong reluctance to leave in our heart, we departed from Kampung Pinapak to Kota Marudu in the morning. I could say for now, how awesome it was to be part of Raleigh International because it could take you to places where humanity and warmth can be discovered.


my name is Drake, the Raleigh bear.

posted by koong hui yein (the author can be contacted at huiyein@gmail.com),
09E Raleigh Borneo Expedition 2009

feel free to contact expedition@raleighinternational.org.my should you have any queries about expedition.