Today, blog-writing is again being disrupted by a mad cleaning frenzy, but this time it is for real: at midday, our Host Country Venturers will join the Fieldbase family and then tomorrow, the rest of the Venturers will arrive, scheduled to arrive at Bangalore airport some time early tomorrow morning.
So, a quick update: Yesterday staff learned how to build bamboo and inner-tube water rafts whilst dodging monkeys, resulting in a bit of healthy competition.
The combined Alpha 1 and 2 group (PRO inclusive, thanks) reigned supreme on the day but the opposition (Alpha 3 and 4) did manage to make light of it by singing whilst paddling.
(Left: Mark "Pirelli" Ashby, Country Programme Manager.)
Planning for our phase one projects is pretty much completed with camp
sites, water sources, strategic partnerships, and of course staff training all sorted out.
(right: Students at Kebepura primary school check out the new magazine during an 09C Alpha 2 PPV visit. The children could spot and name Venturers who they remembered from the previous project.)
Fieldbase is spick and span and nerves are running high as it has dawned on the volunteer staff group that our expedition is about to get serious.
And everyone is claiming their project is going to be the best: The Alpha 2 PMs, Joey and Caroline are sure the Kalainahnahalla eco-sanitation toilet project will be brilliant.
Liz says the Alpha 1 Misappulimala trek with Andrew (medic) and mountain leader Peter will be incomparable. 
(left: Liz and Peter descending the Misappulimala mountain, 2nd highest mountain outside the Himalayas, into a tea estate. )
"The views are just amazing," she said.
(right: Views across the tea plantations.)
For Alpha 3's Caz, Lucy and Matt, their new tribal village housing project at Kapikadu will break new ground and as for Alpha 4...
...Well, they're so excited, they wrote a blog entry about it! Read below.
Meanwhile, check back again on Thursday to see photos of the arriving Venturer group. And we have a few answers to Raleighindia blog FAQs below.
Blog frequently-asked questions:
Q: "I have a friend/family member going to Raleigh, can I contact them through this blog?"
A: We do accept (in fact, we encourage!) personal comments for individuals through the blog but they will be posted for all to see. The messages will be conveyed to project participants via communications systems.
Q: "I posted a comment, it hasn't appeared. What's going on?"
A: The PRO had some early blog comment moderating teething problems but they're all sorted out now! Comments will not be edited before posting and will definately get published unless they contain inappropriate content. If your comment doesn't appear, feel free to comment again!
Gilly,
ReplyDeleteWould it not be more fun to just take one of those tyres tubing rather than build a raft from it?
Hope you're having fun, I'm reading about your adventures from the darkest corners of Charing X
Let me know if you require any teleradiology input
hey peta rule..is that you with your back to the camera with the inner tubes..how is all going?
ReplyDeleteRigoll, certainly was me. All going well, managed not to drown in the tubing fiasco which seemed to be the main aim of the exercies!
ReplyDelete