Digging Deep and Aiming High

Hello, it’s Moycey here again. I have just come back from an amazing five-day loop vehicle trip to visit three of the project groups and as promised here are some of the many highlights.

Charlie 1 - 'Magical Multilmoola'

My first stop was Charlie 1 in Multilmoola where they are making fantastic progress on the school building. I had a great time helping out for the day and working with the group alongside the villagers to shift concrete bricks and sand down a steep hill into the village. I was blown away by the strength of the women in the village who carry huge rocks on their heads without even breaking into a sweat; I was struggling with a bandolee (shallow Indian bucket) of sand!
Sam and India have done an amazing job of painting the toilet and the children in the village are loving playing cricket, and even henna drawing, with the boys! One of my high-lights was seeing the young boys in the village applying Laura’s bright pink nail varnish to their toes!

During the day the group are provided with fantastic chai and simple but delicious meals complete with poppadums and chutney. It’s safe to say I was sad to leave but will be looking forward to returning later in the expedition to see what it such a worthwhile project in a truly wonderful community. 

Charlie 1 next to the foundations of the school

Echo 5 - 'Abseiling caterpillars and a lizard in the long-drop!'

 

Echo 5 meet an elephant calf

After leaving Multimoola, I joined Echo 5 on the second day of their outing to an elephant sanctuary and returned to Bandipur National Park with them to spend a night in their bamboo basher camp. Despite the small area in which they are living they have done an amazing job of turning it into a liveable space and make ongoing improvements and renovations to their communal areas with hand painted signs, bamboo benches and toilet seat transformations!

Matt and Louis working in the EPT

The forest where they are based is more beautiful than I imagined it would be and it felt such a privilege to be allowed to work and stay there. Although we didn’t see any elephants while I was there we heard them during the night so it’s a good job the group are working hard digging out the Elephant Proof Trench around the camp! They have already cleared and deepened one side to the front of the ranger’s building and have also started digging foundations for the toilet block at the rear.

Left to Right: Andrea, Georgie Page, Kate, Christina and Morten

I absolutely loved this project; the group are working so well together in what many people would find a difficult and challenging environment but they make it look easy. No one was phased by drinking lake water or having to dodge the poisonous caterpillars that abseil down from the trees. I on the other hand am hoping the lizard in the long drop has found a new home by the time I return!

Echo 4 - 'Snakes and Bamboo Ladders'
My last night in the forest was spent with Echo 4 who are renovating the 100 year-old guest house so it can be used as a Ranger's Station.

Myself, Claire and Andrea, who came to join me from fieldbase, were greeted in amazing style by the group whose faultless hospitality extended to collecting us water from the nearby pump so we could ‘shower’ whilst watching the sunset behind the trees (a personal high-light for me!).  That night we had games of mafia and beautiful music provided by Luke and Amy. 

The next day saw massive progress with the careful removal of all the original tiles from the roof of the house by a chain of steady hands. The original plaster had already been stripped away prior to us arriving.
Meanwhile another group were deepening the Elephant Proof Trench around the camp (Below left: Tor, Amy and Jamie).

Although the elephants didn’t put in an appearance we did see some beautiful deer and a troop of monkeys swinging by high up in the trees. Despite the hot and sticky conditions and the ever present danger of snakes and scorpions, Echo 4’s enthusiasm for their project doesn’t waiver and they are clearly enjoying and making the most of every day to each and everyone’s credit. 

That’s all from me for a while so I’ll hand over to those doing all the hard work for their messages to you at home…….

Hey All, Just to let you know I’m alive and stuff, having a great time in a village at the moment building a school. It’s lovely. Never done so much exercise in my life! Max – am working on your list of goodies, it’s going well! No etcots though (!) just lots of cool people. Steels man, write me a message, I miss you! And Vicky hurry up and get here. Thanks for messages Mum & Dad. Boots are great. Love you, India xxx

Til Alle, Hej fra Morten her I Indien. Alt fantastisk og kan umuligt skrive alt her. Bor lige nu I midten af jungle I tre uger uden kontakt med omverden. Er faerdig circa 4 November, saa taenk paa mig den 30! Skal nok skrive mere til den tid, haaber alle hard et godt. Massere af kaeruge hilsner fra Bandipur National Park fra Morten. P.S. Der gaar vilde elefanter rundt bare 100m fra lejren! Kys og kram til Mor, Far, Anders, Martin og Niki, O.S.V.

Hi Mum, Dad, Tom and any other friends / relations reading this blog. I’m having a great time in an anti-poaching camp in the middle of the jungle, living in harmony with elephants and even tigers! Hope you’re all impressed. Lots of digging and carrying and have learnt some Kannada (the local language). Have a great half term and party; have written you a letter but it won’t be there for a while. Lots of love, Amy xxx

Hi Mum, Dad, Kate, Lindsey and Chris, Having a great time, very hot though! Living in Bandipur National Park, pretty amazing, elephants a plenty and potentially tigers. Drinking lake water, mmm! Have been into Mysore on rickshaws, swam in a reservoir and drank some insanely sweet coffee and chai. Hope you’re all doing great, loved the message Kate, keep ‘em coming – Faustus info! Lots of Love Matthew xxx

Hi Mum, Dad, Suzanne and David, Just a quick note to say I’m fine and currently based in Bandipur National Park at an anti-poaching camp which is literally in the middle of nowhere. Our group and the rangers are the only people allowed in the park so it is pretty humbling as you can imagine. I have seen and heard so many wild animals, particularly wild elephants which are really intriguing and slightly menacing especially when they stare straight at you! I have so many things to talk about so will attempt a letter (apparently it takes ten days to send a letter to the UK). Hope your all well and keep checking the blog for news! Lots of love John xxx!

Hello Mum, Dad, G, Gill, Alec and anyone else I know reading this blog! Having an amazing time, I’m loving living in the jungle (surprisingly!) Our group have bonded really quickly and everyone is getting on really well. G – I hope work is going alright and you have had some spare time for your bike! I’m missing you loads and looking forward to a letter? So get writing…. Frog – missing you Hope schools been alright, you will have to let me know how hail and Nathan are getting on? I am writing letters it just seems to be taking me ages since we have been so busy. Miss you all, lots of love Christina xxxxx

Dear M, D, C, A & J, I have just read all your blogs, it’s so nice to hear from all of you. Have already seen several elephants quite close but no tigers…. Yet! Really want to see one but not sure for how long! Our bashers are very comfy. Digging elephant trenches has been hot, sweaty and muddy work! For Divali we have gone away for the night and the food was amazing and the shower very much needed! Echo 5 is an awesome group, I get on so well with them. James – I hope 19th was ok wish I could have text. Say Happy Birthday to your mum for 20th. Hands off my wardrobe! Love you all loads, Georgie P xxxxxx

To Mum, Dad, Max and Polly, Missing you all loads and looking forward to hearing from you. Having a wicked time here and making the most of it all. Hope your individual ventures are going ok. Had a luxurious night with a roof and some great Diwali food, along with a real shower! I also love my basha in the jungle, surprisingly comfy. Hope my letters don’t take too long to reach you. Missing you all and lots of love, Louis xxx PS Happy Birthday dad! Hope it’s awesome and enjoy yourself lots.

Hi all, Hope you are all well. Having an amazing time out here in the depths of the forest. Seen elephants everyday. Our camp is getting really homely now, we’re working on a basketball net at the moment!! Missing you all, any football news?! Love Kate xxx

Hey Dan, we’re living in a funky jungle camp, sleeping in bashas and dodging elephants! There’s wildlife everywhere and we’re working really hard on the trenches. I’m so muddy! I miss you lots, can’t wait to see you again, Love Frankie xxx PS There’s a lizard in our longdrop!

To Webbie Parents and Sister, Having a wild time in the jungle digging trenches; we are almost elephant proof. It’s quite similar to living at home with all the trees except with dangerous animals. Not to worry though. Missing you all. Much love, Georgie W xxx

Hello Mothership, Sara, Dad, Hunter Townleys and Egg-Heads, I’m having an amazing time here – saw first elephant yesterday! Maybe it was Ellie in disguise!! Missing Sultana Bran for breakfast most out of everything, but having a shower and toilet in our camp that is open to the forest is unbeatable! Speak soon, Love Tor xxx J P.S. Wish Ferdy luck with the trials and Lauren with the operation. P.P.S. Everyone in Echo 4 thinks I eat a hell of a lot – I’ve become the camp dustbin – it must be the Jewish mother in you feeding me up!

To Mum (Juliette Prodger), Hiya, been getting all blog messages – so many LOL. Keep going – very uplifting when receiving them. India is good, doesn’t feel any different apart from no-one to turn to. Enjoying myself truly. Good experiences and I’m glad I managed to be able to be part of it. Run out of money as well LOL, Help! Don’t have to though. Missing everyone lots, can’t wait to get some of my groups pictures on blog. Lots of love Crimbo.

To Mam, Thank you for my birthday card and the messages/updates. I can’t describe what India is like in words, you’ll have to wait for the pictures. Hope you are ok and say hello back to the boys for me. Get them to write a message on here. Let Jamie and Co know about the blog, as I didn’t tell them. Looking forward and all to your letter J - Dad, glad to hear the operation went well and hope you’re back surfing soon. Hope you had a nice birthday and everyone is ok your end. -Thanks to both of you for the birthday messages – it was amazing. Love to you both, Luke x

Hey I’ve finally managed to get a message on the blog. I read your last message the 3 miles sounded very stressful particularly the chocolate cake at the end. I’m sure you managed to force it down. Hmm you should be more easy on Caleigh I’m sure she was being dragged by the end. I have now discovered that I sleepwalk and have started to play human buckaroo. It is so cool to be out here, I’m having the time of my life. I don’t need more shorts I can manage fine without them! Pass my love to Holly see if you can get her to post on the blog. Love Jammy Dodger x (I can convert trousers to shorts J )

Hi Hamiltons, India is amazing. I am writing this in a little book by the campfire in the forest – and the message is electrically sent to you – how clever! Hope you are all well, let me know the news from home (via blog) Lots of love, Amy xxx

Hey guys, This is gonna be my last message for a while... The PR team are here now so you’ll have lots of pictures soon! The work is going really quick... we’ve been told we might have to slow down!!! Gotta run – the ricebags are ready (our daily lunch...) Much love to you all, Mikey