Cutting Cake Ceremony

The YB didn't have a chance to cut cake.

But some January birthday babies did.

Of course one of them is not really young anymore, even though he pretends to be *whistle!*.

Group Pics..

Alpha

pha pha

(sorry no Bravo)

Charlie

chit bom bom

Delta

ra ra

Expedition & Fundraising Brunch @ Starbucks

Hello good citizens of the Raleigh KL community!

How's everyone coping with the post Introweekend trauma? I bet you guys are all missing the rain...

Anyhow, amongst the other things that has been happening since the Introweekend, Siaw Ling (Expedition Officer) has gotten a few rounds of enquiries and confirmations from a few participants of the past Introweekend to participate in the upcoming FEB/SPRING '07 expedition!! Yay!!

So, we are having a little meet-up to brief them on the expedition processes as well as fundraising the expedition cost. Details of the meet up :-

Date: Saturday (20th January 2007)
Time: 11am
Venue: Border's Starbucks @ Berjaya Time Square

We would like to invite those of you who are interested to embark on an expedition and want to find out more on how to go about it, to join us on the abovementioned time and location. The primary focus would be on the February 2007 Sabah Expedition, but the content would generally be applicable for an International expedition as well.

Very casual. No presentation, no slideshows, just a bunch of Raleighians hanging out, sipping Hot Chocolate, and talking about expedition!

But please, please, please CALL us - Siaw Ling @017 322 1377 or Nathrah @012 268 2403 to inform us that you will be coming beforehand. Public space, crowd control, i'm sure you guys understand. :)

Hope to see some of you there. And don't sweat it because this will not be the only meet-up, definitely more coming soon... ;)


Peace!

Nathrah Johar Salim
Fundraising Officer
funds@raleighinternational.org. my
+ 6012 268 2403

Blog Roll.... Amos

Read on Amos' wonderful experience last weekend.

http://squeeze-me-out.blogspot.com/

Blog Roll.... Abbie

Abbie shares her highest & lowest points during IWJan07!

http://expressreading.blogspot.com/

As the dust (or more accurately, mud) settles...

As the muscle aches wear off, the mosquito bites stop itching, and the dust (or more accurately, mud) from the last Introduction Weekend settles, we stop to reflect on what we’ve learnt, the relationships we’ve built , the new things we’ve discovered about ourselves and the bad habits we hope to leave behind.


Now, that all seems nice and peachy written down, and no matter how much the Raleigh staff members (and our parents) try to believe that’s what we participants are doing, the truth is we are more likely to be cursing staff members for the treacherous trek, giggling at the thought of the absurdity of some activities/games (Giants, wizards and dwarves, anyone? Special thanks to Adrian for letting team Bravo know what its like to be cockroaches killed by Ridsect), and revel in the moments where we didn’t have to listen to the coordinators righteous instructions for at least a little while (who knew being stuck in the middle of a large body of water on a shoddy raft would be the most serene thing ever?)

In order to talk about my Raleigh experience thus far I’d have to start at the last thing we did, which was get on the bus and fill up those cliched survey forms. I had the privilege of getting to know a number of the staff members prior to IW through Reaching Out and maintained contact with some of them. While filling out my form it seemed impossible to write model answers that one usually does for these kind of things, it seemed a too ludicrous considering the kind of people I’ve discovered the Raleighians to be. Not to mention how unhelpful those type of responses would be. Instead, I gave honest and individual specific responses, which I know for a fact entertained many of the staff. (webmaster: yes all the forms gave us a big laugh!)

The best way to give a serious reaction was to give an unserious one, since that was exactly the way the staff really reached us and made us think during IW. No doubt they were serious when necessary, one would expect no less, but as young people who have pretty much grown up being told what to do by being talked down to, it was refreshing and effective to be looked in the eye and be spoken to from the same level.

‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’ by Garbage with one of my team coordinators (the lovely Miss Siaw Ling). A team mate of mine also taught my whole team (Bravo) the ‘Worm Song’ that we sang so much during the trek some actually hummed it as they went to sleep. Yes, we were very musical indeed.


Although there was always plenty of joking and teasing going on, the amount of respect and admiration we participants have for the staff members is undeniable. This was confirmed during the trek and towards the end of it, when the river water levels rose, there were injuries and people were so cold they could barely move. It was amazing that the situation was always organised and under control, handled completely by young people (yes, I mean ALL of you). It made us think what we were really capable of too, if only we wanted to be.

So ultimately, I believe whatever IW was intended to achieve, it managed most of it. Even though groups of us sit at home thinking this experience was really different from other camping trips and team building activities in the way that everyone was just plain freaky and nuts (in the best way possible), the truth is through the insanity, I believe the real message of Raleigh really got through. As staff make crude wagers on how many from IW are to continue with Raleigh, know that you’ve piqued the interest of most, have convinced at least one to carry on (me) and hopefully impacted more than just a few.

To my team (Bravo!) and cuckoo coordinators, Siaw Ling and Lymun (we’re still talking about you guys!) your support truly meant the world. To all the staff members, coordinators and facilitators, on behalf of all the participants I’d like to say a big thank you for a great time. We hope to see you soon and take the opportunity to terrorise you from now onwards with our annoying sprightliness and barely feasible ideas. Blame yourselves.

Personally, as someone who has been apart of many volunteer/environmental organisations led by boring governmental geezers, the crazy/stalker/loony/screwball/unhinged/nutty Raleighians seem like the best deal ever. If you’re the kind who’s pretty straight laced or timid, a few lines from a George Michael song comes to mind :

‘...And I’m dancing with the freaks now, I’m havin’, havin’ so much fun...
Yes I’m dancing with the freaks now,
We’re havin’, we’re havin’ too much fun...’

And if you’re a participant, I sincerely hope that even if you can’t make it to an expedition, don’t just let go of this. It really is a chance of a lifetime. (webmaster: If you learn 'this' much in IW, you'll gain 10X more in expedition!)

All my love, and have a good year everybody.

Lali

Introduction Weekend January 2007

Name:	Introduction Weekend January 2007
Date:	6.00pm Friday 12 Jan - 3.00pm Sun 14 Jan 2007
Venue:	INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CENTRE, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Click here for directions.
Registration:	Xin Tong OR Christal OR email at info[at]raleighinternational.org.my REGISTRATION CLOSED
Camp Fee:	Fee: RM30 / participant
Download:	Download Introduction Weekend Application Form here Download Introduction Weekend Press Release @ TheStar
Brief:	Updated 11 Jan 07 Registration has been overwhelming and we had to turn down some late applicants. We will organise another Introduction Weekend in the next quarter or so. Please do keep the application forms coming in, you will be the first priority for the next edition! Updated 8 Jan 07 Please call Chung Ming or Xin Tong for directions to IYC / Meeting Point. Click the map below to download. Dear potential participants, The above application form is handed out only to individuals who are embarking on a 10-week expedition with Raleigh International. This document is your application on Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur’s Introduction Weekend and is your first step to a chance of a lifetime. Please fill in this form and submit to the person and the address printed at the bottom by January 5th January 8th 2007. This document once completely filled and submitted will be your request to be accepted on a Raleigh International expedition. Please note that incomplete applications (incomplete fields, lacking a referral or photo) will not be considered. Overview A Raleigh International expedition is typically 10 weeks long and broken down into 3 phases. You will have the opportunity to meet and work with over 100 people your age from across the world on worthy community, environment and adventure projects. These projects have an important and lasting impact on the community and/or environment. Previous Raleigh International projects include building gravity feeds to supply fresh water to villages, building houses, schools, bridges and libraries; geological surveys, marine conservation work, working with rhinos & orang utans; as well as trekking across the Crocker Range, sea kayaking in Chile and trekking across some of the most arid parts of Namibia. There are approximately 10 expeditions a year and expeditions are currently in Ghana, Costa Rica, Namibia and Malaysia. To qualify for an expedition as a Venturer, you have to be between 17-25 years of age, speak basic English and able to swim 200m unaided and qualify yourself at an Introduction Weekend. This Introduction Weekend is designed to simulate the rigors and challenges you will face on expedition. The details for the upcoming Introduction Weekend are as follows: dates: 6pm on Friday, 12th January to 3pm on Sunday, 14th January 2007 rendezvous: Rakan Muda Clubhouse (behind Bank Negara). contact persons: IW Secretariat – Xin Tong - Christal ************** Ever fancied a life of adventure, discovery and excitement? Join a hundred strangers. Walk a hundred miles. With no change of socks. To sleep with bugs and bathe in streams. Would you give up the comforts of home in pursuit of a crazy dream? This year Raleigh International gives young Malaysians the opportunity to embark on life-changing expeditions to Malaysia, Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Namibia & Ghana. These expeditions challenge young people, between the ages of 17 and 25 through community and conservation work in some of the world’s most remote destinations. Volunteers help build homes, community clinics and work with wildlife experts on some of the world’s most endangered species. To participate on a Raleigh International expedition you will first have to undergo a rigorous Introduction Weekend (IW). For more information, please call Xin Tong OR Christal or email to us at info[at]raleighinternational.org.my