Bring it on!

The Project Managers have now returned to fieldbase with much excitement after carrying out their planning visits at their respective project sites. For venturers about to make their way out to India, there's no doubt that whatever project you are allocated, you are all guaranteed to have a fantastic time. And if you don't believe me, here’s what the PMs have to say about their experiences!

Charlie 1 – Charlie and David

Our trip to Multimoola was an emotional occasion. We arrived to a welcome ceremony from the villagers – garlands of flowers and traditional music, and then keys to houses built by the previous expedition (which Charlie was also involved with) were handed over to the new residents.

We saw the old school (a flimsy building with little protection and a mud floor) and realised what a difference a proper school building will make.

Also during the project, toilets will be built for each house and smokeless stoves will be installed, which will be much more healthy than the open fires used for cooking in houses. Finally they will be building some walls to protect part of the village from mudslides during the monsoon.

And for all the venturers about to leave the UK for Bangalore we would like to appeal to you to try to find space in your rucksack for a few crayons, colouring books, or even small toys for the children of Mutilmoola. Anything ‘UK-related’ particularly welcome!

Charlie also recorded a message to the previous expedition's Charlie 1 who built the village houses. Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzxksA4kof8

Echo 4 – Katie, Amy, Vijay

We’re really excited about being on this project! Our aim is to renovate the Chowdhalli Ranger Station to aid the anti-poaching project in the forest. We’re going to be living in Bandipur National Park – a forest where very few people are allowed and only with permission from senior government figures. By living in the forest we will be very close to the animals we are working to protect eg elephants and tigers – we might even see them on our doorstep! Due to the remote location, the campsite will be entirely what we make of it. We’re only going to be limited by our imaginations and resourcefulness. We really can’t wait to ‘go wild’ there with the venturers.

Echo 5 - Frankie, Kate, Neil

The Echo 5 PMs have kept it short and sweet...Make your own survival camp in the remote Bandipur Tiger Reserve (www.projecttiger.nic.in/bandipur). Enjoy jungle living and hardcore conservation work with Echo 5’s finest PMs. As for wildlife, you name it, we’ve got it, sleep tight in your jungle basha.

Charlie 2&3 – Alison, Claire and Mili

Phase two and phase three will see the start of the two remaining community projects. We went off to the villages of Halsur and Hosaheggudilu to see firsthand what invaluable work Charlie 2 and 3 will be undertaking. “These projects will provide the means for more sustainable agriculture for two tribal communities. The venturers will work with the villagers digging trenches and building bunds. They will be directly involved in something hugely worthwhile that will boost the farmers’ future income and make a real difference to the area. Venturers will be living in the local schools in the heart of the communities and will be able to help the children learn English, something they are extremely keen to do, there’s lots of scope for games!”

Tango 6&7 – Jeff (green Raleigh T-shirt), Lewis, Leti, Davina (aka Dave), Miriam, Helen

We are all extremely excited to spend the first phase in the rainforest in Kerala. We’ll be trekking in the Western Ghats and building our own rafts to travel down the Periyar River. Every night we will set up camp in a different beautiful and remote wilderness location. We will pass through tea plantations, climb the second highest peak in India outside of the Himalayas and see wildlife in its natural environment. We will enjoy exposure to unique habitats and large tracts of remote protected national parks and the reserved forests of Southern India. We will be pushing ourselves to the limit while having a lot of fun along the way and together everyone will complete this ultimate challenge.

Behind the scenes

None of these project planning visits could have been possible if it wasn’t for Raleigh India's Operations Manager of nearly two years, Amanda working hard behind the scenes to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Thanks Amanda!

Here in Mysore we have had cause for more celebrations with the announcement that Anna Tate has been appointed as the new Country Programme Manager for India. Lots of Raleigh participants and staff will know Anna who has worked on no less than five previous expeditions in India and Costa Rica and I’m sure will want to join us in congratulating her on this new role. 09J are extremely lucky to be the first expedition to benefit from her wealth of experience and her incredible catalogue of tried and tested recipes including her now infamous “energy bombs”.