Welcome to the official blog for Raleigh India 12I | July - August 2012



Welcome to the Official Blog for Raleigh India 12J September - December 2012.



Tuesday 27 October 2009

Big up the FB crew

While we're waiting for the next news feeds back from the project sites, I thought it seemed like an appropriate time to point out what a fabulous job all the field base staff are doing and what attracted them to their respective positions. Raleigh is always looking for new staff members and there are plenty of jobs to fill away from the project sites. And India has so much to offer!

Our newly appointed Country Programme Manager Anna, kicks us off.




Why did you choose India?
India chose me. An opportunity came up over the summer for a bespoke expedition - and well, I've pretty much been here ever since!

What has surprised you about India?
Pretty much everything. I still can't get over the scenery and how beautiful it is. I expected the stereotypical cities and slums and am so constantly amazed at the natural beauty of the place. I especially love the forests and the tea plantations.

What's the best part of your role?
I just love getting to know the venturers and supporting them to have a life changing experience. And no two days are ever the same!

One half of the logistics team, Mutley, feels similarly...



Mutley conquering Chamundi Hill

Why did you choose India?
For the diverse cultural mix and to see the real India, out in the villages. It's a land of many contrasts; mountains and beaches. The people are also very friendly and helpful.

What has surprised you about India?
How green it is! And the order and structure that exists beneath the chaos. Everything seems to work most of the time!

What's the best part of your role?
Trying to buy equipment and tools etc in the chaos of the market! The job is quite varied. You can be moving around from project site to project site to project site! It's great seeing the venturers change through the phases of the expedition. Oh and the peanut brittle is pretty good too!



Andrea takes part in the trek training

And here's the other half of the logs team, Andrea:

Why did you choose India?
Many reasons! Some due to time and the length of expedition and the rest for the culture and wildlife. I wanted to have the experience of being able to participate in the culture from the inside out and I think India is one of the few places in the world where you are truly accepted by the community and you get to see the many religious festivals that happen throughout the year. To be able to see animals that are on the verge of extinction and to be a part of a programme that could help turn that around is amazing.

What surprises you about India?
India surprises me on a daily basis from the lush green environment to the beautiful saris the ladies wear to the hustle and bustle of daily life. But what has surprised me the most is the people; their openess to share, their happiness and ability to help you in any way they can.

What's the best part of your role?
Helping the Project Managers with every aspect of their project from sourcing nails down to a pair of wellies and condensed milk. In addition, being able to go out on the loop vehicles and see firsthand the progress in the community and environmental projects from start to finish.

We'll be putting on some field base staff info from time to time and if you know anyone who might be interested in one of the voluntary staff positions in India, see the main Raleigh website.

Myself and Andrea have an early start tomorrow to visit Charlie 1 and the two Echo groups, and Moycey and Claire are currently with Tango 6, so when we all return we'll be adding much more to the blog. In the meantime, a few messages from venturers have found their way back to FB, stand by for more when the loop vehicles return!

To Mothership

Got your letter today! Thank you I LOVED IT! My letter to you was sent three days ago so they overlapped but will reply properly to you letter soon! Loads of love, Vole xxx

From Chris Braggs:
To Libby
I’ve written a letter – hopefully you’ll get it soon. RWARRR!
To Juliette
Hi, I’m writing a letter, hopefully speak soon. X
Mille mercies pour tous gentils meg Maman, Papa & Alix! Et Livia quelle suprise J trop sympa
PS ils ne publient pas les msg “rude,” ils en out censue un qui m’etait dedie! (vi, Matth?) Kisses to all x Claire

20 comments:

  1. Hey ChristopherAndrewJohnBraggs. =)
    awrrrhhh so your righting me a letter.. :) cant wait to get that in the post. you gottah let me no when youve got the one ive sent too you. and youu gottah smell the paper. :) i was kinda soppy... so be prepared. :) hehee.
    i RAWWRRRIEEES YOU MORE! <3

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  2. hi there chris braggs nice to hear from you on blog lots things been happening here all funny lol took libby to town today cant wait for the letter have you got yours yet. get in some more pics would love to see some of you hard at it lol miss you cant wait to see you again. 3 weeks gone quick love mum and family xx

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  3. philip and sarah stephenson27 October 2009 at 22:58

    Dearest Chloeeeee - received a letter today - how exciting your trip is!!D and I are really envious,u sound pretty cheerful and will let the boys know about the sacred cows.I'm glad you managed to see abit of the Monsoon. It is dark by 5 o'clock now and the shops are beginning to fill up with Christmas stuff. Not much progress on the farm except cn we put completion off until end of Feb..we might be in by next summer! Love you and miss you very much. Mum

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  4. Hi Holly
    Hello - thinking of you taking in all the sights and sounds - any elephants yet? Saw Linda at the weekend and she sends you the best.Popped in work this afternoon, Helen's just been catching up on your latest news, she's doing half-term film show for little ones. Everyone's fine, enjoying hols - lots of coffee shops. Off to Sheffield on Thursday,dad's busy - double booked tonight! Enjoy it all doll, MumXX

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  5. chris braggs hello im nursing libby she slipped and bruised her toes got bag froze chips on it. god she needs the attention lol sympathy vote needed lol she ok . ocean annoying her lol. well dfg hfdhg thats from ocean xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. Heyy ChristopherAndrewJohnBraggs.
    Hehe i like this name off yours, im gunna call you it foreva. :P
    i had a shock yesterday night! my mates from wales drove all the way down too see me and my cosien ben! ive picked up my artwork from my mums, its now at mummys, sitting in sams room.
    i dunna wat im doing todayy just yet.
    have youu seen any tigers yet!?
    i hope youu sent my letter to your mums address. :/
    Well i dunna wat else to write apart from... i love youuu bubb.. 48days. :)
    RAWWRRRR. X] xxxx
    Libby. xxx

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  7. Hoi lieve Nanette,
    Thanks for your letter. Just received!! GREAT story! We really don’t now the procedure if you have any access tot this blog or at least when you can read any messages. I just spotted that they removed the picture with you with the “Gorgeous girls” :-) Perhaps the webmaster can check this?

    We hebben dinsdag de 27e onze brieven verstuurd met allemaal een mooi verhaal hoe we je missen (Mango ook) en wat hier gebeurd. Veel plezier, take care, maak veel foto’s en leuke aantekeningen voor een mooi boeiend vervolg verhaal :-).
    Liefs papa, Mama, Ro en Daph
    xxxxxx

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  8. Hey Charles Lockhart
    Loved the latest pics of you and the rest of Charlie 1 outside a hut. What's with the big S round your neck? - is it because you is special??
    Great to get your latest email to Sophie and thanks for the vitamis advice. Can't find it in Boots but may try Claire up at the farm...
    Grandma is at William,s with bronchitis at present but mending fast and says "hello/ooh Im so proud of you etc etc" (-mothers eh?)Weather here still very mild. Sophie is in Paris now (Euro disney today),Back Friday. Camera bit has arived and will be posted tomorrow. Love Mum

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  9. to john in echo 5 went to the bridge last night chelsea 4 bolton 0 in carling cup kalou malouda deco and drogba (sturridge and alex played) also joe played he was excellant wouldnt know he had been out since january. Have you received our letter yet if not perhaps delayed as postal strikes are happening following your progress on blog and have seen photos and reports love mum and dad

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  10. Hello Christina,
    We have had a busy half term with the family staying, some damage to the branches on trees in garden when the boys and Pippin were climbing and swinging - we will dig some CPT's when you come home. Hope you are still enjoying the whole experience, despite the hard work. It is amazing to think that what you are doing could help to ensure the survival of endangered species of animals. Carry on the good work - miss you but proud of what you are doing.
    lots and lots of love Mum and Dad xxxxxxxx
    ps Jiffy bag on way from children, post permitting.

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  11. Heyy ChristopherBraggs
    I cooked dinner for the fam last night, it was shepards pie, they all loved it, sam help me with somethings, so i spose it was a team effort. :L
    but i did do the main stuff. your mummy dont want me to go home now, cause i clean, look after summer and ocean.. off my own backk might i add. But i love helping out. (Y)
    i think they all love me bubb. :)
    i went to the park with summer aswell, sam came with me and your mum. we had a right laugh, got pictures to show you for when your backk. and hopefully we going to the ball bit.
    bless your mum, she;s brought me this massive bar off chocolate for helping her out. :) its gunnabe eaten soon. :) its in the freezer atm.
    Thinking bout youu lot babee. and i really am missing youu..
    dont forget to tell me when youu get your letter from me. :)
    ohh i heard youve ran outtah money cause you spent it all on fags. :L ahaha, there you where saying you was gunna give up. :O
    well at lest your alright tho. :)
    i dunna bout youu but the time seems to be flying by, this week has anyways! all the weekends ive spent with your family have aswell.
    well im gunna goo...
    i really lovee youu, and im proud off you. keep up the good work. :)
    dont miss me too much.
    RAWRRIEES (L) XXXXXXX
    LibbyB. xx

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  12. Kære, Kære Morten!
    Et STORT til lykke med fødselsdagen, Endnu engang er du i udlandet men denne gang er det lidt anderledes. Igen en udfordring, som vi ved du klarer med bravur. Håber du har fundet dig til Rette og har fået styr på tigerne. Glæder os til at se dit næste projekt. Vi kan Følge lidt med på Google og har sæt billedet af dig og gruppen med elefantungen. Her i DK nyder vi det meget smukke efterår og tænker på dig.
    De kærligste hilsner og Knuz.
    Farfar og Dina

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  13. Hej morten,
    jeg er i tutorial lige nu, ved at download en calculator til Mac. Naa men jeg ville bare oenske dig tilykke, med de 19 aar!! Nu lyder det bare som om jeg er indu yngre end jer to, "mine boenr er 20, 19 og .... 15" jeg er nu officelt den lille forkaellede efternoeller!! haha. Hvordan gaar det i Indien? Set nogen vilde tigere eller andre utrolige dyr? Jeg ved ikke om du har faaet vores breve indu,men jeg skal til Amsterdam naeste naeste ondsdag, og jeg tror at vi flytter ind i Holte dagen efter jeg kommer tilbage, saa det bliver fedt (undtagen hvis de udskyder flyt ind dagen igen igen, igen). Naa men jeg skal lukke ned for computeren nu, saa tilykke og haaber du har det godt!!
    Anders

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  14. Hi Kate

    I hope you are well, keep digging! On the football front, Paul Duffin has gone, Phil Brown still there just. Pearson is set to return as chairman. The club is deeply in the red. Marlon King jailed fro 18 months. More to come I'm sure, watch this space. All well here, Love Ma. Up the Tigers!! xxxxxx

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  15. For Morten!!
    Hej trofaste Morten, jeg vil også lige bjæffe dig en fødselsdagshilsen, selvom jeg ikke er helt tilfreds med at du er væk på din fødselsdag, det er jo MIN dag hvor JEG er i centrum med min sengedans og mit flag i munden :-( Jeg savner dig men har et godt hundeliv i jordhulen. Jeg har nogle gange besøg af naboens hængeørekanin, den er dum nok til a stikke af ind til mig. Jeg kan ikke altid finde den, men jeg tror den gemmer sig i træet, så jeg sidder hele dagen og holder vagt under træet. Jeg har fået ny seng, men har fået lov at gemme den gamle, så jeg stadig har noget at humpe. Jeg har også fået en ny slags hundemad, jeg tror altså mor har købt forkert, jeg tror det er en stor sæk godbidder. Så jeg skynder mig at spise det, inden hun hun opdager det! Hvornår kommer du hjem til mig, jeg savner at gå tur med dig og ligge i din seng! Våde slik og varme hundeblik NIKI hund (Bella hilser også, men hun er altså ved at være en sur gammel madamme, godt hun sover så meget)

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  16. Kære Morten.

    Et stort til lykke med fødselsdagen!! Håber, at du har haft en god dag og er blevet fejret som fortjent.

    Jeg håber, at du nyder det hele, og får oplevet en masse:-)

    Glæder mig til at se dig igen:-)

    Mange knus fra din yndlingsmoster

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  17. victoria "kevin" stephenson31 October 2009 at 04:32

    hey madam chlo-chlo
    Really hope you are having a fantastic time and looking after yourself. Denton St is very quiet at the moment as I am deep in study, but looking forward to seeing you after my dreaded exams.
    Going home to see mum, dad and gran - which you were there as well :).
    Take care and write me a letter.... I am writing you one.

    lol
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  18. Gwannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn johnny boy.
    everyones missing you man. Theres been couple of sick parties in london but not as good as what your doing. haloween today so we gonna do what we do best aye :D. keep up the good work solider and ill holla in a day or two.
    Fasy Family

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  19. Hi my, we are looking forward to hearing more news of Echo 4 in the next few days. By my reckoning you should be heading back to base camp soon. This weekend all the boys came home for lunch and of course we are missing you lots. Good news - re Jan 4th - more details when you get back. We are off to Bangalore ourselves very soon - 14 Nov. Liz and Dave set off 7 Nov! Hope all continues to go well , lots of love Mum xx

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  20. Dearest Mikey, I look forward to having some homebaked bread when you return to Bayswater. It's great having the blogsite to read about your adventures on. You look really happy and healthy in the "tile" photo. Life is Oz is heating up as summer approaches. Darndy seems to love being in London. And I hope to read more about Raleighlife in the next few months. Al love, G'ma. xx

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