Towards the end of Phase One

Hi there blog fans. Welcome to our latest installment. Once again I'm filling in for our PRO Peta who will be back at field base tomorrow. All our alpha groups will be returning to field base tomorrow as well, and we're really excited about welcoming them all back. Field base has been pretty hectic as we get everything ready for their return and we're especially looking forward to a big barbecue tomorrow night.

Most of the groups are spending their last day packing up their kit and getting ready for coming back to Mysore. Alpha one are already on the bus back from Kerala and have an overnight stay on their way back tonight. We will let you know some of the things the groups have been up to this week. We have also got some great photos from Annie who has been visiting alpha two, three and four. Many thanks to Liz and Paul for alpha one photos too.



News From the Groups





Alpha 1 Misappuli Mala trek group: The whole of alpha one successfully completed their trek yesterday evening. CONGRATULATIONS!! They were delighted to finish in one piece,despite being a little exhausted. Their final day of walking was on Tuesday and their last two days have been spent rafting down the Periyar river in Kerala. The group made rafts out of bamboo and powered their way along 13 kilometres during Wednesday and Thursday. They reached their camp site at Hornbill yesterday evening with big smiles on their faces - this morning the bus would be picking them up to take them back to proper showers and beds. The field base staff have clothes pegs at the ready to put on our noses when they arrive back.


(Below left: Hamish and Sarah at a tea plantation, below right: a well earned rest)









(Below left: sunrise during trek, below right: riverside camp)














(Below left: rafting, below right: the Periyar river)























Alpha 2 Kalainhnahalla eco-sanitation project: Alpha two have been making fantastic progress with their eco-sanitation units. They have built and plastered all the units they were planning to during phase one. They have even had a bit of time during this week to make some improvements to the village playground.










Tom and Chris managed to cleverly capture this image with a camera, a flag pole and a head torch - good work guys.












(Pictured above left: Tom in an eco-sanitation unit (literally), above right: Sumith and Murgesh with a local child, below left: coracle fisherman on reservoir, below right: Alpha two group photo)













Alpha 3 Kappikadu tribal housing project: Alpha 3 have been making great progess on their project site. All their foundations have been completed and they have successfully built the first of their houses. They especially enjoyed the loop visit from Annie, whom they recruited in to doing a bit of plastering on the houses. As you can see alpha 3 are looking forward to getting back to field base to use some proper laundry facilities.








(Pictured above: Felicity washes her Raleigh T-shirt at the alpha 3 laundrette, below left: Gunar and Sreejith mixing cement, below right: alpha three group photo)






















Alpha 4 Anaikatti elephant-proof fencing project: Alpha four have been making great progress with the elephant proof fencing and are looking forward to a chance to relax and unwind at field base. On Wednesday the group went to Teppakadu to visit a wildilfe sanctuary. They had the opportunity to see elephants (and other animals) without the worry of keeping the fence in good condition. Earlier in the week, the group spent some time in the local school where they taught the children some basic English. Apparently some of the kids were able to count to one hundred after just an hour of Raleigh tuition.


(Pictured right: Emily making Damper ,below left - letters from home: Holly, Emily and Angel open their mail, below right - alpha four group photo)



















Well guys, that's all from me for now. Enjoy your weekend and see you soon.