I am always impressed when I hear of the fundraising exploits some of the challengers have been up to, and think it's always worthwhile mentioning them- not only for recognition but also to give some ideas to anyone who may be struggling to raise the funds.
Since Christmas I've heard of Amy, Charlotte and Emma from our Project Uganda team doing a 5 course (!) Burns Night Meal for friends and family, a Bingo Night, a Quiz night, raffles and getting sponsored to do the 27km Belier Mountain Challenge. Well done on organising some serious fundraising events!
Sophie and Kathryn going on the Namibia expedition have also been out in cold raising money by playing their saxophones and busking. One of our challengers in Australia has also done busking for her expedition to Borneo- you can check out what she's done here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2EfEgZeRNo
A couple of girls on the Madagascar Team have been babysitting over the holidays, and I've had lots of people telling me about their raffles, tuck shops, car boot sales and quizzes!
There has been a lot of effort put in to raising the money for expedition by everyone this year; it's definitely a hard task, but one which will certainly pay off. If you need any ideas or tips for organising your fundraising event, contact our Fundraising Support Team at fundraisingsupport@world-challenge.co.uk
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Friday, 21 January 2011
Project Destinations!
The summer of 2011 will see the very first Independent teams going on a project based expedition, and they will be travelling to "the pearl of Africa"; Uganda! Although the school programme within World Challenge has been running project expeditions for years, we have traditionally run expeditions with only trekking or ones with just a few days spent on a project site. However, as Uganda has been met with such high demand we have looked into what it is that makes these expeditions so popular, and what this means for our expeditions in 2012!
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| One of the World Challenge community projects |
Back in 2007 I spent time working in Uganda for an NGO (non-governmental organisation) called 'Straight Talk', a charity promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual health education amongst young people throughout the country. They do this through publishing newspapers, leaflets, posters, their very own radio station and teaching in schools. My time there, although often hearing about very tragic situations and difficult circumstances was extraordinary, as we all met such fun and friendly people and saw and experienced amazing things (the white water rafting in Jinja was pretty good!!).
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| The local children at one of the project sites |
So when a group of students asked if we could run an expedition to Uganda so they could work on a project out there, I was really excited! The World Challenge projects in Uganda are usually based in very remote communities, often ones which aren't reached by bigger non-governmental organisations. The teams work on education based projects and in conjunction with the local people: builders, plumbers, the children and their parents. There is also plenty of opportunity for cultural exchange as there is lots of interaction with the children and families through teaching and organising group activities.
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| A challenger helping construct a classroom |
As two teams are heading to work in Uganda this summer, we have launched the same expedition for 2012 with the hope that more teams can continue to offer help to the communties we support, and have a great experience in such a beautiful country!
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| School children in Sri Lanka |
We have now also launched another project-based expedition for next summer to somewhere a little different...Sri Lanka! Many of the schools out there have basic facilities, so we hope our teams will work with the communities to help construct desks, chairs, do maintenance repairs, and help out in the classrooms. Our Product Team are heading out to Sri Lanka in the next few weeks to also source out some brand new project sites...so watch this space!
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| Decorating a classroom wall in Sri Lanka |
For more information...
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Winter Walking
Happy New Year! And an exciting year especially for those going on expedition this summer!
Amidst the Terry's Chocolate Oranges, Monopoly and numerous BBC 'specials' this holiday, I also managed to fit in some winter walking- which reminded me of a few kit and trekking tips which are really useful for expedition.
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| Stick together! |
Pacing: If you've done the Duke of Edinburgh Award, or any trekking with a group, you've probably heard of walking "at the pace of slowest person". This means that you are able to keep altogether- very important for safety reasons (if the Expedition Leader can't see you they can't warn you of potential risks) as well as team morale, it's much more fun to keep together! Also the 'slowest person' can change day to day on expedition; although you may be the fittest in the team a bout of 'Delhi Belly' or a bad night's sleep in the tent can change things round- so work together and help each other out!
Walking Poles: These are completely a matter of preference; when we were trekking in the Cairngorms I found that they were really useful when going uphill (especially on steep and slippy terrain), but they can also get in the way when you're walking on the flat. If you do choose to take them on expedition make sure you practice with them first so you know what length they should be and how to walk with them.
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| Walking poles- if you decide to take them- practice first! |
Clothing/Layers: Rather than a t-shirt and a thick coat it's best to wear lots of layers when you're trekking so that it's easier to control your temperature. Usually this consists of a 'base layer' (made of 'wicking material'- to wick sweat away), a fleece or jumper and then a rainjacket/windproof. If it's cold you can also add t-shirts and extra layers which you can take off or add depending on the weather.
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| Take lots of layers to keep warm! |
Boots: Make sure you wear them in! This means walking around in them before you go away; it will make them more comfortable and reduce the risk of blisters. If you are taking older boots with you remember to 're-waterproof' them before you go...there's nothing worse than wet wrinkly feet.
So just a few tips and pictures from my winter adventures- let me know if you have any more!
For more advice about expeditions, visit our website http://www.world-challenge-expeditions.co.uk/page70/expedition_advice.html
Monday, 20 December 2010
Fundraisers & tips...from you!
As the end of the term is upon us and a freezing Christmas is just around the corner, I felt it would be a good time to mention some of the fundraisers and advice some of you have written in to tell me about. Hopefully it will come is useful for everybody!
Sophie on the Malaysia and Borneo team sold cupcakes door to door (telling them who she was and what she was fundraising for) and charged 50p or a donation for each cake. Along with a friend they made £200 in one cupcake selling-session which is great! As Sophie said there will often be a mixed response, some people will be very generous whilst others may just shut the door...but don't give up; "you win some, you lose some"!
Alasdair, also on the M&B team, did a bag-pack at Marks and Spencers and in one shift raised over £100! The Christmas/New Year period is great to do this, and sample letters to supermarkets can be found on the member's website.
Sophie on on the Madagascar team is also planning doing the Lyke Wake Walk; a 40 mile walk across the North Yorkshire Moors, within 24 hours! Very impressive, and we look forward to seeing how she gets on and how much she manages to raise next year!
Sarah's website: http://www.sarah.gairackroyd.co.uk/Sarah_World_Challenge/Lyke_Wake_Walk.html
Carl, Jack, Tom and Joseph on the Borneo team are also planning a Valentines Ball for next Spring- a big event like this is likely to raise a lot and everyone will have a great time as well; good luck boys!
Thank you also for sending in your updates including the recommendations of going to Soccer Sports and checking out Ebay for kit, what you're doing for fitness training (there are people doing the Challenger Run next spring, some people have started a 'fitness programme'- found on the member's website, and others have started swimming because of the cold weather!) and letting me know which of your team member's haven't contacted on the website or Facebook groups so I can let them know!
If you do any events over the holidays or have any great tips or bits of advice that others may find useful, let me know!
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| Sophie making cupcakes! |
Sophie on the Malaysia and Borneo team sold cupcakes door to door (telling them who she was and what she was fundraising for) and charged 50p or a donation for each cake. Along with a friend they made £200 in one cupcake selling-session which is great! As Sophie said there will often be a mixed response, some people will be very generous whilst others may just shut the door...but don't give up; "you win some, you lose some"!
Alasdair, also on the M&B team, did a bag-pack at Marks and Spencers and in one shift raised over £100! The Christmas/New Year period is great to do this, and sample letters to supermarkets can be found on the member's website.
Sophie on on the Madagascar team is also planning doing the Lyke Wake Walk; a 40 mile walk across the North Yorkshire Moors, within 24 hours! Very impressive, and we look forward to seeing how she gets on and how much she manages to raise next year!
Sarah's website: http://www.sarah.gairackroyd.co.uk/Sarah_World_Challenge/Lyke_Wake_Walk.html
Carl, Jack, Tom and Joseph on the Borneo team are also planning a Valentines Ball for next Spring- a big event like this is likely to raise a lot and everyone will have a great time as well; good luck boys!
Thank you also for sending in your updates including the recommendations of going to Soccer Sports and checking out Ebay for kit, what you're doing for fitness training (there are people doing the Challenger Run next spring, some people have started a 'fitness programme'- found on the member's website, and others have started swimming because of the cold weather!) and letting me know which of your team member's haven't contacted on the website or Facebook groups so I can let them know!
If you do any events over the holidays or have any great tips or bits of advice that others may find useful, let me know!
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Films, books and articles...research list!
With some time to relax over the Christmas holidays you may have the opportunity to do some research and reading on your expedition destination. The more you learn about your expedition destination before you go the more you'll understand the people, culture and history, and the more you'll get out of the whole experience! Have a look below for some recommended reading (B= book, W= website, F= film!) for each of our destinations!
Africa:
B: 'The State of Africa', Martin Meredith
B: 'The Last King of Scotland', Giles Foden
F: 'Madagascar'- not exactly factual...but good fun!
W: The Comic Relief climb of Kili! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgly6nEtU90&feature=related
South America:
F: 'The Mission'
B: 'The Motorcycle Diaries'
B: 'Inca Kola: A Traveller's Tale of Peru', M. Parris
B: 'Marching Powder', Rusty Young
W: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_civilizationSouth East Asia:
B: 'Sightseeing', R. Lapcharoensap
B: 'Touch the Dragon', Karen Connolly
Let me know if you have anything you have read or seen that has been useful!!
Friday, 26 November 2010
Teaching, Construction & Conservation... doing your project!
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| Interacting with the children in Nam Gha, Laos |
Each of our 3 and 4 week expeditions include a project phase: between 5-10 days (depending on destination) to spend in a community getting to know the local people and understanding a different way of life. Alongside this cultural interation teams will also complete or contribute to World Challenge's ongoing work in the communities, and this may include anything from building or renovating facilities, installing sustainable vegetable gardens, to clean up operations in national parks, wildlife conservation work with national authorities, and educational workshops. However, in order to contribute effectively and the get the most out of your project some preparation is required, so have a look below for some Project Top Tips!
- Communication: the project will only be successful if you communicate with your project host so that your objectives and expectations are clear. Remember that you are a guest of the host community so do your research: what language do they speak, what is suitable to wear and are there any customs specific to that community? (for example, a 'high-5' in one country may mean the number '1' in another; the 'ok' sign, although positive in Europe, can be offensive in South America; the 'come here' finger of the US and Europe is usually done by having your palm facing down and closing all 4 fingers in Asia and in a lot of the world pointing with the index finger is considered rude, an open hand or using the thumb is more acceptable)!
- Teaching: you may get the opportunity to teach in a local school on your project. There are lots of teaching resources in the UK to help you plan the best way to interact with your host community including suggestions on arts and crafts, games, songs and lesson plans. Get researching! However, you must also remember to address teachers and elders by their official title (Mr/Mrs followed by surname) until asked to do otherwise. Take your hat off when talking to a staff member, and do not undermine their teaching style whilst you are there.
- Environment: It may be that you are building a fenced vegetable garden in a local school.
Conservation work in
Long Lellang, BorneoAs well as teaching children sound agricultural practices as part of their school education, these gardens allow schools to supplement the maize meal-based diet of their children, and also sell crops to bring in additional funds for books etc. Start researching common crops in the country and what requirements they have for planting (water/sunlight/etc). Conduct workshops and games with the local children. Discuss how to water the crops efficiently and the importance of not damaging or polluting the area and engage local children in the site preparation; flattening earth and collecting stones for boundaries are both ways to spark interest. - Extras: If you or your team is planning on fundraising additional gifts of money for your project site, get in touch with World Challenge first to see what is needed and how this can best be delivered in-country. Sometimes, gifts can cause disruption and competition among children, causing more harm than good. Try to keep gifts as useful to as many people as possible, such as sporting equipment, childrens books, classroom stationary (coloured chalks posters). You will need to think about how you are going to get these from your home country to the project site, or whether it's better to buy all gifts in-country, putting money into the local comnmunity.Do not promise any additional funding if this is unlikely to occur, it sets bad expectations for future teams and can give international development work a bad name.
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| Building a school in Uganda |
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| Teaching at the Malaysian Association for the Blind |
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| Spending time with the children in Tanzania |
Project details for each of our destinations will be on the member's website in the New Year, but it's never to early to start planning! For many challengers the project is their favourite and most memorable part of the expedition...and it will certainly make your experience different from your average school trip or family holiday!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Namibia Expeditions...Up Close
With 300 days of sunshine each year, plenty of space (Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world- after Mongolia) and a spectacular landscape that includes desert, coast, canyons and hills- who wouldn't want to travel to Namibia?? However, for many- including myself- Namibia hasn't been top of the Travel List, but after researching our Independent Expedition to this country, I've been left wondering why on earth it hasn't.
So with a plethora or activities and opportunities the Namibia expedition is definitely for someone who wants a challenge, as well as an opportunity to properly get into some community work overseas. This sunny, relaxed country is certainly one to be moved back to the top of Places I Must See.
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| Dune 45 |
On expedition teams can experience and get up close to all the environments listed above as they complete 4 weeks of trekking, exploring, and community work. Teams acclimatise to the country by trekking and wild camping along the Skeleton Coast- a protected region which World Challenge have been granted the right to roam on. As well as helping with the conservation efforts along the way, the Skeleton Coast is known to host a seal colony and be home to desert elephants and even the odd desert lion! The iconic photo of the spectacular sand dunes (definitely one for the Facebook profile!) will also not be missed as teams visit Sesriem and Sossuvlei.
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| Fish River Canyon |
Qualifying for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, the 5 day Fish River Canyon self-supported trek (i.e carrying all kit and equipment) is a big challenge. Exploring 90km of rockpools, canyon walls, plateaus and boulders teams will camp and cook for themselves. The contrasting temperatures will also be a challenge as it can reach 30 degrees in the day, but drop to freezing at night!
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| Project Work |
The project work presents a great opportunity to experience the culture and people of Namibia. In the past teams have helped plant vegetable gardens to supplement the children's school meals, constructed and renovated important community buildings and worked for local conservation organisations. Working for a common goal brings the team together and also qualifies for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award residential section.
Lastly (and most likely exhausted at this stage!) teams will chill out in Swakopmund and have the chance to go dune-boarding, dolphin spotting, safari and just relaxing on the beach!
So with a plethora or activities and opportunities the Namibia expedition is definitely for someone who wants a challenge, as well as an opportunity to properly get into some community work overseas. This sunny, relaxed country is certainly one to be moved back to the top of Places I Must See.
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