A few words from Tifini

Project Managers
by Tifini Clark – Alpha 4

A Project Manager, isn’t a Project Manager,
Unless you can trust them, unless you can speak to them,
Unless they become part of your team.

Having them as part of your team,
To go through the same as you, to do the same as you,
To feel what you say.

On this phase, the Project Managers are part of the team,
To be seen as a senior team member,
To be shown respect as you would want yourself.

But most of all, we’d like to thank them for being there,
For keeping us safe, for keeping us sane.
THANK YOU.

The Team
by Tifini Clark – Alpha 4

Everyone was different, everyone was nervous,
Till we spoke to each other,
We came together with just a word of good luck.

Now the everyone, is not just everyone,
But a team to be proud of,
A team that works together, a team we all love.

That team is know as Alpha 4, the one and only Alpha 4,
This group will never be forgotten,
A team that became one.

End of Phase 2

Phase two will be coming to a close at the weekend. The Alpha Groups are due back in KK over the course of Sunday 19th August. They will have just enough time to do some laundry, buy additional supplies, phone home (if they want) and catch up with their friends. On Monday morning they will find out where they will be going for the last phase.

The Loop Rally

Just over half way through each phase, field base sends out a vehicle to visit all the project sites to take in supplies if needed and mail and to make sure everything is ok with the groups. On the second phase field base sent out the three wise monkeys - Chris, Tom and Colin. Here's what went on......or so they say!

THE LOOP ROTI RALLY; The “official” inside story.
August 14th Kota Kinabalu
Wooooo!!! Yeah baby yeah! On the 10th August Raleigh International Malaysia’s 3 hottest playboys on expedition, jumped into the low rider Pimp Mobile (Bravo 2) and cruised round Sabah to check out the hot spots of the hippest social circuit.

Leaving early with new Welsh Medic Matthew Morgan, the crew wheel spun out of Field Base and roared off in the general direction of Mount K. With a quick refuel in a Roti shop in Ranau, some inspired driving from Logs Guru Colin around some logging trucks of dubious safety, we arrived at Party Location #1 - first stop Imbak Canyon, home of the mighty Alpha 3! ROAR!

The welcome was subdued, as A3 peered out of corners and cautiously approached the car like frightened orang-utans, but all such inhibitions were swept away as the overpowering siren like call of clinking coke cans and rustling of snickers wrappers brought them running. Leading the charge was “I left my boots on the balcony at Borneo Paradise” Heather, wallet in one hand and sticking two fingers up at the world, she dived into the back of the Bravo, quickly followed by Beth and Kim.

Yes guys, the reason you had no Mars or Snickers for the rest of the loop was because Alpha 3 shovelled them away like Sainsbury’s crate packers on overtime.
Having satiated their desires we were entertained with a pleasant walk through primary rainforest to A3 HQ where we swam in the river and were transported back to the smells of home with a good ol’ fashioned beef curry and rice.

Unfortunately our time at A3 was brief as we had to make tracks to get to the next event on the social calendar – Pirates of Danum Valley! Ooo arrr! With the wind in his hair and half a ton of dust in our mouths, Tom Carter, the local ladies man took us out of the jungle. A quick stop in Telupid for a cheeky roti before we crossed never ending palm oil fields to make it to Batu Puteh, where we picked up our own personal paparazzi (well, there’s not point being on the social circuit if there is no one to take photos of you!). With one eye on the elephant dung, one eye on the look out for monkeys and a general jedi sixth sense on the road for the ever menacing logging trucks and Malaysian drivers we made it into Danum for best dinner event in town.

The spread was phenomenal as all hands went on deck to prepare this veritable feast – deep fried breaded mushrooms, garlic butter, sausage rolls, chocolate crunchies to name but a few of the culinary delights conjured up by Alpha 4 under the guidance of Natasha, Emma, Tara, Harriet, and “Changeover-is-cancelled” Jess.. The Playboys were so impressed that rumour has it a 7th Alpha Group will be specially created for the 3rd phase – Alpha Fieldbase – Project Cooking.

Surrounded by the vulture like bearded pig searching for cast-offs, to the wild sounds of unidentified insects and in the potential presence of several “Kill You in 20 Minutes” Spiders, the group battled with piratical panache and swashbuckle to defeat the spread, but needless to say left overs were left….over?

The boys were knackered by this point having sustained several injuries, mainly caused through over eating and to the gentle strumming of Alan’s guitar, Colin soon added his own beats remix as he accompanied Alan with his bass like snores.

Unfortunately this continued through the night with the undersigned being subjected to the surround sound like nocturnal rumbles (nasal and anal) of Colin, Tom and Travonte “Motherf**ker!” Saunders! The morning brought little relief as a maestral rendition of Eddie Murphy’s “ROOOOOXAAANNNE” rang out through the jungle to wake the party pooped Alpha 4.

The boys were sad to go, but go they had to, to make it to the final party on time – the crème de la crème, the place to be seen – CAVE MAN PARTY IN PAUS with Alpha 1! OOGA OOGA!!

With the standard Roti stop in Lahad Datu, Colin moved us marine style like a knife across the throat to Paus. Things were a bit hot and so the boys cooled down by the river, colin got confused and thought it might be a nudist beach, but once that was clarified and he got his shorts back on, the playboy players got their party gear on – 2 leaves and a stick – and rolled into Paus!

Aaaaaggh!! AMMBUSSSH! Those pesky A1 tried to tricks us my precious, but no worries, Colin wasn’t in the marines for nothing and his inner eye foresaw the danger so that we could arm ourselves with…..water balloons!!

The original cavemen and women of PausBut Rome wasn’t built in a day (what does that have to do with this article? Nothing I just like the sound of it) and having got past the initial Neanderthal like communication we eventually came to an agreement that food, rounders and games should be had. Alpha 1 had prepared a special day for our Birthday Boy Colin who turned 64 on Monday – Happy Birthday in the style of Marilyn Monroe, a lap dance by Chris Bailey and a kiss and a cuddle from none other than myself (all in the name of protecting Helen who had originally been sitting next to our very own living OAP – I didn’t think she could have taken the sandpaper like features on her cheek, nor would it have been within Raleigh Rules. The sacrifices I have to make…..)

And so The Playboys and the Pimp Mobile returned home, knackered, stuffed, dusty but extremely happy with the 72 hour Party Marathon.

We’d like to thank The Crazy Cavemen of PAUS, The MIGHTY IMBAK and the Pirates of Danum Valley for their kind hospitality on Loop! We’d also like to thank all the ROTI shops of Sabah, last count was 15 rotis in 3 days for Chris!

Looking for the 5 weekers

Hi,
Just to let you know - those of you looking for the 5 week participants - please go to their blog site: http://www.malaysia-summer-07n.blogspot.com/ where you will find a bit more information about what they are getting up to.

News and views

Here in Kota Kinabalu, we have our very own Raleigh newspaper - written for the most part - by the participants, for the participants, the Sabah Sun. The latest edition of the Sabah Sun was full of interesting articles....some of which I would like to share with you.

Many thanks to all the participants for their contributions.

HOLIDAY IN 5 STAR LUXURY
KAMPONG PAUS.

Team Alpha 1 invite you to join them in the luxury 5***** resort of Kampong Paus for three weeks of light exercise, numerous leisure activities and the best food in the whole of Sabah.
The accommodation leaves nothing to be desired! The hotel building is wind and rainproof – no more nights of waking up wet. A separate kitchen / dining area is provided and equipped with gas cooker and electric lights.
All facilities are top of the range. Alpha 1 are extremely proud of the enclosed toilet, that comes complete with seat and toilet roll and is always properly maintained by the camp Queen.
Hot running water and fresh mountain spring water come out of the strategically placed taps and a functioning shower has been erected for your convenience right next to the accommodation block.
The food is second to none! With a menu comprised of such treats as freshly baked cheesy bread, oven baked pizza, fresh fruit and vegetables and the finest organic meat. Alpha one takes pride in catering for a wide range of tastes, offering dishes of risotto, curries, soups, pasta and not forgetting authentic dishes courtesy of their live in chef Brilliant Betty.

For those with work on their minds, it is only a two minute stroll to the worksite. The working day also includes a mid-morning brunch and afternoon tea where hot refreshments, chocolatey goodness or newly harvested crops will be served. There are multiple shops in the area catering to the holidaymaker’s every whim.

For those who prefer a slightly slower pace of life there is swimming area and a separate bathing area, the latter private and secluded. Luxury hammocks are available to hang up wherever you choose and our team mascot “Kampong Puss” is always on hand to provide cuddles to those in need.
So whether you wish to be serenaded by their guitar duets or prefer to join the friendly locals in their schools, homes or churches, Alpha one and Kampung Paus will be delighted to welcome you.
Text by Michelle Dawson.







All drawings by their very own live in artist, Laura Thompson

Changeover - a whole new meaning to the word!

Some participants came back smiling, others came back smelling, others were dirty, some were clean. A whole other bunch just came back.....changed!!

Been and gone again!

No chance of me getting any tan with the amount of rainfall we have been having over here, that's for sure - however, I did manage to get some photos of the projects I spent time with.
All the Alpha groups arrived back in town for changeover throughout the afternoon of 29th July. It was great to catch up with everyone again and to see the huge smiles on their faces. There was just enough time for the participants to stock up on basic needs, have their laundry done, read their mail, make a few phone calls, catch up with friends and then find out where they would be heading off to next and then get ready for phase 2!
Everyone left again early this morning for their next project sites. We wish them all the best of luck for the coming weeks.
The logistics team will be going out on the loop vehicle to the community and environmental sites to deliver mail, supplies and to check all is well with the teams around the 10th August - any messages will be given out then too.

Who has gone where now...?

There are a few changes to our staff team on this phase. Caroline, Miriam and Karveh, three of our phase one medics, have all gone home – all will be missed.
Two new staff medics, Matt and Henrietta, will be joining us here in the next day or so.
Pauline, Emma and Sam decided they had had enough of field base and have gone out with the Alpha 2 and 4 – Pauline and Sam to put their hammering and construction skills to use at the school hostel in Togudon and Emma to help finish a hanging suspension bridge in Danum Valley.
Mia has also fled field base and will not be back for the next five weeks as she joins the 5 week expedition and heads off tomorrow morning to a very remote area of Sabah to rehabilitate a kindergarten sponsored by The Body Shop.
Betty has also deserted Emily and Anth in Kampong Paus for other committments in Sabah but has said she will be back when the kindergarten opens at the beginning of September - so we look forward to catching up with her there.




This time round............

Alpha 1: Kampong Paus - Kindergarten



Project Managers:
Anthony Hartley
Emily Walpole

Participants:
Natalie Connor, Lisa Gillon, Tam Kar lye, Jevanoslee Mukilin, Shellvina Caines, Harry Hope, Giri Mairon, Nicola Bowman, Helen Slattery, Jacob Whitworth

Alpha 2: Kampong Togudon - School Hostel

Project Managers:
Johleen Koh Tse Boon, Pauline Dunn, Sam Rye

Participants:
Lewis Winder, Isabelle Lomas, Donna Townsley, Rejuhan Ak-usit, Michael Henry, Francisca Robert, Tamesha Wolfe, Claire Shelley, Gukang Selutan












Alpha 3: Imbak Canyon
Project Managers:
Wendy Rizza
Graeme Coll

Participants:
Lucy Best, Sabrina Caie, Chen Kang, Rachel Coates, Tara Grosvenor, Heather Freel, Kim Gardiner, Edward Lasingun, Kenneth Pearman, Beth Rushby, Richard Walklate, Natasha Wilkinson





Alpha 4: Danum Valley


This project group will help complete the construction of a hanging suspension bridge that was started by a Raleigh team in late 2005. The purpose of the bridge is to increase access into the conservation area for scientists in order that they can carry out further research.

Project Managers:
Sophie Sharp
Emma Wrigley

Participants:
Natasha Abraham, Chris Bailey, Des (Yudas Bin Taka), Tiffany Clark, Harriet Corbett, Rosie Morgan, Alan Rooney, Travonte Saunders, Jessica Tate, Laura Thompson





Alpha 5: Adventure Phase


Project Managers:
Wilberforce Robinson
Libby Mayman
Helen Keenan

Participants:
Kasuni Bin Inyuk (Jeff), Tang Chii Chie, Michelle Dawson, Emma Dove, Sade Fox, Phillip Mason, Janine Allan, Ciaran Meachan, Hazel Polge, Michael Pritchett, Nicola Sweeney, Claire Wilson, Walnin Yustin