Community, conservation and adventure projects in Malaysian Borneo with Raleigh International

I am a qualified Nurse and volunteered for 3 months in Borneo as a project manager/medic. This means I was leading a group of younger volunteers (17-25 year olds) on their trekking and environmental projects, and was also there to look after them if they became unwell. For most of the time I was in Imbak cannon. This was an incredibly special place. I have never before or since been to a place that was so pristine and untouched by humans. We where in ancient rainforest- sleeping in hammocks, being woken up by gibbons in the morning, working hard on our conservation project.

I think it was probably the best 3 months of my life! I learnt to much- both personally and professionally. My eyes were opened to the value of protecting the worlds most precious places. And perhaps most importantly, I had SO MUCH FUN! The kind of wholesome, silly fun you can only have when you are with a bunch of amazing people and cut off from the rest of the world. There was no internet, no phones, no alcohol - our only contact with the outside world was via radio to feildbase twice a day.

Somehow Raleigh managed to make the expedition felt both really adventurous, and really safe. We where going to quite extreme places, but had incredible training and support I got from the Raleigh feildbase team meant that I always felt prepared and supported.

Fantastic experience meeting new people from all over the world, especially the locals, and learning about their cultures. Made loads of new friends and learned a lot about myself - it is important to note that Raleigh's main goal is youth development. The work you do in the host countries is obviously of huge benefit but there is always a big focus of personal development (leadership, teamwork etc). I wasnt aware of this before I went, but it was really useful and absolutely doesn't stop you having a great time! Some of the best 3 months of my life!

Awesome time was spent working on wash (water and sanitation), youth development and environment projects for a renowned company in a wonderful location. There is a big emphasis on teamwork and youth development and the support provided by the Raleigh fieldbase staff was great. It was such a good opportunity to spend an extended period of time in an incredibly diverse environment and play a part in making a lasting change to the projects and communities.

I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer in Malaysia Borneo as Raleigh International's staff photographer. It was such an exciting adventure I couldn't be happier for going. You get to work on sustainable development in the rainforest, a place most of the world will never get the opportunity to experience. You get to live in the jungle, learn about yourself, make differences in communities, and make life long friends with people from all over the world.

Working with communities, not for them, is such an amazing experience. You learn about a culture you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to learn about. The communities accept you into their homes and make you a part of their families. You learn about sustainable development and change your life for the better as you're helping to better the lives of others.

Raleigh teaches you what you are capable of accomplishing and you come out a stronger, more confident individual who will go on to greater things. I would encourage everyone to participate in a Raleigh program.

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend 3 months in Malaysian Borneo with Raleigh earlier this year. It was possibly the most rewarding and renewing experience of my life. I was able to help people who have so little and my group made a huge impact on their lives. We worked with conservationists and learnt about the environmental issues this incredible country is facing. I made so many friends and many many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I also learnt a lot about myself at a time when I really needed to.
The fundraising you have to complete to go on a Raleigh expedition is daunting and might seem a ridiculous amount of money (I certainly felt so)
However, I could never put a price on the incredible experience I had, the wonderful people I met and connected with and the positive change I helped create.
Borneo and its people and the memories we created will forever have a very special place in my heart.

It's difficult for me to put into words how much I value my Raleigh Borneo experience. I didn’t only learn about myself, and what I was truly capable of achieving, but also about sustainable development which has inspired the career I have chosen to pursue - I now study an International studies degree. Raleigh Internationals 10 week expedition consists of three different phases - community, adventure and environmental. For my community phase, I worked in a small, rural town called Terian - along with 10 other volunteers, and two project managers - working on a kindergarten project. In Borneo, children need to have a basic level of maths and English in order to enrol in primary school at the age of four; therefore providing pre-school education is essential. When we arrived at Terian, we could instantly see how much our presence was appreciated. We were greeted with cultural song and dance, and we were invited to a community dinner on the first evening of our arrival - this shows how hospitable the people of Sabah, Borneo are. The work was challenging, and we worked hard, but that is what the Raleigh experience is all about - putting yourself out of your comfort zone, and proving to yourself what you are fully capable of achieving. When you see the children your helping, day in, day out, nothing motivates you more to do all that you can for them. Knowing that I was a part of a team who provided a kindergarten to the small, rural town of Terian, which will provide pre-school education for future generations, is something I will cherish forever. And this was only one of three phases of my Raleigh Borneo expedition.