About Raleigh

Getting out there
Back in 1978 when Colonel John Blashford-Snell and HRH Prince Charles started Operation Drake, they had a vision. They wanted to give young people a chance to explore the world and by doing so discover their potential as leaders and members of a team working together to make a difference. Raleigh still hold true these values today with its two commitments.

Raleigh is committed to inspiring people from all walks of life, ages and nationalities, involving them more deeply with people, places, communities and challenges and empowering them to be all they can be. Its second commitment is working in partnership with local communities to make a much needed difference to their lives.

Raleigh is for life
Raleigh is not just about an expedition; it's about being part of a community of like-minded people. Ordinary people who want to do something extraordinary with their lives, make a difference in the world and new friends along the way. Raleigh's vision is to inspire a generation to be all that they can be; to awaken a sense of life-purpose and belonging, and unite them as part of a global community who can work together to rise to the challenges of the world we live in.

A Raleigh expedition is not just for life. It is a way of life.


Making a difference 
As a charity, Raleigh raises funds to make its expeditions the best possible experience for the volunteers and the local communities. In this role, Raleigh acts as a catalyst for change, bringing local communities together, sometimes for the first time as one team and giving them the resources and motivation to achieve sustainable development. To do this Raleigh works in partnership with local communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in the host countries, following the Millennium Development Goals where it can.

The challenges
From the very first expedition Raleigh was founded on 4 challenges:

1. Being Selected
2. Raising Funds
3. Going for Expedition
4. Contributing Locally


It is these challenges that make Raleigh special. Our values of discovery, courage, drive and integrity have come from the heart and we believe in them and live them in all we do.

Aged 25 and over

Looking for a different daily grind? 
Voluntary work is no longer just for gap year students wanting time out. Perhaps you're taking a career break, considering new career opportunities, have retired or the kids have flown the nest. Whatever the reason more of us want to volunteer, challenge ourselves in a new way and give something back. But be warned Raleigh volunteer expeditions are no holiday. We like to think of a career break as a very different daily grind!

Volunteer managers
On every expedition Raleigh needs between 25 to 40 volunteer managers, aged from 25 to 75, with a variety of skills to lead expeditions or support projects from field bases.

Working alongside the Country Director and up to 120 young people, their role is to make sure Raleigh volunteer projects are safe, successful and to a high standard.

Volunteer managers make a huge difference to the lives of young people, the local communities and undergo a unique, rewarding journey of their own. 

• If you're under 25 and taking a career break or sabbatical you can still join an expedition as a venturer.

The expeditions
Raleigh main expeditions are 10 weeks in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, India or Tanzania.

Length of expedition	In-country training	Total expedition length
10 weeks	2-3 weeks	13 weeks

10 week expeditions
Venturers experience three phases - a 3 week community project, 3 week environmental project, plus a 3 week adventure phase. Volunteer managers will usually work on one project for the duration of the 10 weeks, but this may change so flexibility is a must!

The projects
All of Raleigh volunteer projects are planned with local partners so our volunteers are really involved with rural communities and habitats and you can spend your career break making a much needed difference.

Read the expedition blogs at the side panel or browse word of mouth to check out what life on a Raleigh expedition is really like!

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?

How much will it cost?

As Raleigh is a charity we talk about fundraising rather than costs. This doesn't mean you have to fundraise for your expedition. You can pay any way you like. Some of our venturers save up, or receive donations from friends and family, others write to local businesses, or get involved with fundraising activities such as organising parties or sponsored events. We do encourage fundraising, not only because it raises awareness of Raleigh charitable work but we believe it gets you in the spirit of Raleigh. In many ways this is the beginning of your Raleigh adventure, so start as you mean to go on.

Many of our venturers return as volunteer managers and equally many volunteer managers are looking to take up the challenge again. 

Here's a guide of fundraising targets:
Local 10 week expedition	RM1,500
Overseas 10 week expedition	£1,950

Check out our fundraising page for advice on how to reach your fundraising target.

What it covers

• Travel and medical insurance (excluding personal belongings cover)
• Training and preparation
• Support before you go and when you're there
• Food and accommodation
• Specialist equipment
• In-country transport

What it doesn't cover

Flights 
You will need to arrange your own flights.

Visas 
Depending on your chosen country you may need to apply for a visa before you go.

Vaccinations
Your expedition pack has a list of compulsory vaccinations for your chosen country. 

Kit list
A full list of the necessary kit is included in the expedition pack. Costs can vary hugely from RM500 to RM1,000 and we encourage you to reuse as much as possible.

Related links:

• Where can I go?
• When can I go?
• What are the roles?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I raise the money?
• How can I find out more?

About Raleigh KL

Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur (Raleigh KL) facilitates the Four Challenges and supports the process of Malaysian venturers and staff participating in local and overseas expeditions organised by Raleigh International. In fulfilling the fourth challenge, Raleigh KL also carry out various adventure, community and environmental projects locally.

Based in the Klang Valley, Raleigh KL is a non-profit organisation registered as Pertubuhan Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Registrar of Societies (Reg. 1212).

Our Story

Getting out there since 1978

1978 - Operation Drake
Raleigh has its origins in Operation Drake, which was initiated by HRH Prince Charles and Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Operation Drake was launched to run youth projects from ships circumnavigating the globe. The youths were accompanied by some of the world’s leading scientists, explorers and geographers, with the aim to develop self-confidence and leadership in young people through participation in adventure, scientific exploration and community service. The project, which lasted for 2 years, saw 414 people participate in the round-the-world voyage of the sailing ship ‘Eye of the Wind’, following Sir Francis Drake’s epic route and working on land-based projects in 16 different countries.

1984 - Operation Raleigh
The success of Operation Drake led to the more ambitious Operation Raleigh. Launched with the help of Hull City Council in 1984, the project initially ran for four years, involving two ships, 4,000 volunteers and almost 1,600 staff. The two ships were the ‘Sir Walter Raleigh’ and ‘Zebu’. 

The great ship, Sir Walter Raleigh

HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales 

chatting with Venturers of Operation Raleigh

1992 - Raleigh International 
In 1992, Operation Raleigh changed its name to Raleigh International to reflect the increasing number of volunteers from around the world. The previous successes also led to the creation of permanent land-based expeditions, building Raleigh's position as a unique youth development organisation by widening the diversity of the participants and raising issues of global awareness.

Raleigh today
Today, over 30,000 people have gone on a Raleigh Expedition in over 30 countries, making it a global community of people who want to be all they can be, get out there and make a difference.

Find out more about Raleigh's achievements over the last 25 years by downloading its 25th anniversary brochure

Meet the Team

President: Chong Poh-E

Secretary 1: Ng Zhi Min

Secretary 2: Loo Shen Quang

Treasurer: Sandra Sim

Expedition Officer: Chua Chen Yang

PR Officer: Liow En De

Logistics Officer: Ricky Cheah

Projects Officer: Chin Jia Yee

Introduction Weekend Officer: Chin Liang Keat

Special Skills Officer: Dennis Gan

Please click here for the past Raleigh KL Committees.

Raleigh KL Committee 2010 / 2011

President Tam Kar Lye

Secretary 1 Christal Loh Pei-Shan

Secretary 2 / Membership Officer Farm Woon Chin

Treasurer Choo Geng Qian

Expedition Officer Koong Hui Yein

PR Officer Lum Sow Chan

Logistics Officer Ho Chung Shin

Projects Officer Richard Teh Swee-Aun

Special Skills Officer Vacant

Introduction Weekend Officer Vacant

Fundraising Officer Vacant