my Sabah 09E -xpedition

Name : KOONG HUI YEIN

Date: 2^nd July 2009

Expedition : Raleigh Borneo Summer 09E

What are you doing now?

Second Year in persuing my degree in Economics at HELP Academy

What has Raleigh meant for you?

How shall I say, is it expedition which gave a turning point to me? Not entirely.

It’s joining Raleigh which really changed me. And it is the people of Raleigh who really give me the inspiration and confidence.

Before joining expedition, I think my life will be so expected, finish a degree, get a job, get a career and secure the earnings, and die. Not anymore now, after my 09E expedition, I understand that life is always full with surprises and I should never fear of the unexpected.

The journey from introduction Weekend, to fundraising, to expedition and then finally get back to peninsular and being active in Raleigh, these amazing experience had taught me how to achieve things when you put your heart to it. It was really my first time during expedition that I felt I made a difference to the people in need and the environment. The gratitude received from the community I was working with just touched my heart so deeply and I still miss them until now. And for the very first time, I felt that we human actually will not have barriers to each other, if we try to put ourselves in each other’s shoes and give more time to understand each other and live as one.

During expedition, I had really met people from around the world, from UK, Scotland to Bermuda, there were so many people full with passion in them and their confidence in achieving things had awed me and gave me a learning opportunity. Since then, I always had this little motto to remind me, “why not? While you can.” It reminds me that rather feeling regret, give it a try and even if it fails, you learnt something at least. It’s really the people in Raleigh that had shaped most of my amazing experience during expedition. They are so deeply carved in my heart and I will remember them for the rest of my life. That’s the outcome of my expedition, confidence, passion and genuine friendship from abroad and in Malaysia!! Sometimes, you’ll find yourself just laughing to yourself recalling to the good-old-expedition-days. Now, my life goal is not just to get a career anymore, but to get out there, and seek my own adventure!!

“Imagine all the people, living life in peace, woohoo ooo

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one,

I hope someday you’ll join us,

In the world we live as one” -by John Lennon from “Imagine”