The Most Wonderful Time

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.