My name is Chong Poh-E, Borneo Spring 09B, IW Oct 2008, and it is my great honour to share with you about the conference happened in London during mid May 2012.
You've probably heard of the Raleigh's very first international alumni conference held on the 12th of May, 2012, and representatives of Raleigh international support groups had 3 days workshops + sharing sesh + conference from 10th to 12th May.
It was a eye-opening experience for me to have attended the international conference and I was totally amazed by what each support group from all over the world has been doing (differently) to inspire youths.
(OK, the above sentence might sounds like an opening of a boring essay but this is a post shared from my true feelings towards the conference)
First day- Arrival of delegates from all over the world and getting ready for the conference
We had representatives from Ghana, Bermuda, Australia, China, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, Borneo and Kuala Lumpur, India sharing their support groups' background, current activities and future plans. Each support group has different and special ways in inspiring youths but all of them share one same objective- to inspire young people as active citizens.
Shih Chung, Raleigh KL official mascot sprinkling his magical dust
Andy Wahid, Head of Youth Development of Bridging the Gap Australia sharing their updates
Every support group has their own unique way of running their support group, and this conference had provided a platform for us to collect as much information/ knowledge as possible in order to make Raleigh KL a better support group.
Besides, there were several workshops organized by UK to allow us to share learning and experience from the experts with the titles ranging from 'Sustainable development issues', 'Risk management and Planning', 'Youth development- Working with the disadvantaged youth (Raleigh Bermuda)' and much more.
Shih Chung paying his attention to all presentations and workshops!
Then, all of the international delegates headed to The Golden Hinde (the replica of Sir Francis Drake ship during his voyage around the world) for social session (I mean some drinks and England signature food- fish & chips)!
On our way to The Golden Hinde , the House of Parliament. It was a good 40 minutes walk from Raleigh UK head office to the ship.
A group shot of some of the international delegates and Raleigh UK staff- lovely ms. Mary-Jane (3rd from right)
From Boats to Biogas
Saturday, 12th May 2012.
Approximately 300 ex-venturers showed up at the Mary Ward house and everybody started keeping their eyes at the tea area in-searching for their expedition mates!
And, I was flattered to meet my project managers 3 years after my expedition! My eyes were like those scanning machines doing at its best level to scan for those memorable faces. And then...
I shouted at their names with full of excitement! Sarah Young and Lorna Fox with me after a long group hug.
Besides the tea sesh, there was an exhibition room showing photos of all expeditions (with some explanations), and a long list of expedition codes from each country.
1984 Bahamas- First Malaysian venturer Max Razak was there
We have Ange- our IW officer 11/12 at the 'Wall of Fame'
We have Ange- our IW officer 11/12 at the 'Wall of Fame'
Building a Kindergarten (Kg. Tampasak), a community project of Borneo Expeditions 2009-2010
Malaysian alumni representatives
(From left: Shih Chung, Poh-E, Sandriano, Kar Lye)
This shot was taken at a mirror in a toilet at the conference.
People started writing down their expedition moments while queuing for the loo and followed by....
...people posting their 'moments' stick-it note onto the mirrors. What's yours?
The conference ended with the evening conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the founder of Raleigh sharing his passions and Raleigh journey.
The conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell
Raleigh KL with the Raleigh founder. What a great smile!
It was a heavy-hearted moment saying goodbye to everyone at the conference though everybody had fully filled pockets of knowledge from the conference.
I have no regret joining Raleigh expedition despite some acquaintance and relatives of mine have labeled me as 'crazy' person. Having Raleigh experiences had made me a special person, and till today, I am still having strong urge to contribute to Raleigh Kuala Lumpur to inspire Malaysian youths. I hope YOU, who are reading this post of mine, would join us in creating your Raleigh experiences and together with us, develop a better Raleigh KL.
Raleigh transforms the lives of young people, for life.
p/s: If you would like to know more about the international conference, please feel free to nudge Shih Chung (president@raleighinternational.org.my) or Poh-E (secretary1@raleighinternational.org.my)
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