In which our venturers deploy!!

Previously on Raleigh India...

The venturers shouldered their rucksacks and set off at ridiculous-o’clock in the morning for a twelve kilometre trek through the country tracks of Karnataka. It was a scorcher of a day (well, hot for wet season anyway) and factor one million sunblock proved to be as great an ally as more basic things like water and boots. If I know anything about chemistry though, it’s that heat makes bonds and, by the time all of our venturers found themselves at their destination, the Raleigh love was in full flow. Despite the fact that project team allocations hadn’t been settled at this point, many found that their trekking groups for that day had become like family or very old friends. In fact, as Harriet pointed out, the atmosphere felt “strangely chilled-out” given that the venturers had only known each other for forty eight hours. Such is the way with Raleigh! Just imagine the tears that will be shed once these guys have bonded for five whole weeks. I might buy shares in Kleenex right now....

Onwards to project allocations! Our mighty venturers found out yesterday which group they’d be in for the coming phase. Here are the team photos:

Foxtrot One will be in Bidarahalli building eco sanitation toilets

Foxtrot One: Back row - Anna-Josie, Amy, Camilla,
Lars, Helena, Patrick, Arunprasad,
Middle row: Francesca, Harriet, Tony
Front row: Johanna (VM), Victoria, Jakhya (VM), Ahbik
Not pictured (Steve Dhiman - PM)

Foxtrot Two will be in Hagranahalli also building eco sanitation toilets

Foxtrot Two: Back row - Pandi, Tony, Fred, David, Jay, Alice (VM), Katherine (VM)
Front row - Nasim, Emma, Katie, Ella, Lizzie, Lauren, Sophie, Laura.

Foxtrot Three will be in Manalvayal building two biogas units

Foxtrot 3: Back row - Laura (VM), Deepti, Tiffany, Sara, Nicky
Middle row - Myriam, Wesley, Niovi, Maddy, Sunil, Richard, Daisy
Front row - Alex, Dan (VM) and Bipin

Credit must go to our Field Base team for managing to accommodate the venturers’ preferences so effectively. Thanks to their efforts, we now have three very merry troupes heading out to the farthest flung corners of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, ready to take on the adventures ahead: adventures which you’ll be able to read about right here on the Raleigh blog. Bring it on!

And onto this morning’s deployment...

I write this post from a recently emptied and therefore rather sombre Field Base. Just a short few hours ago, our VMs and venturers loaded up their buses with kit and set a course for their respective project sites. Au revoir for the present, good volunteers of Raleigh! The mood of their deployment could not have been more different from when we picked them up at the airport last weekend. When they first arrived, they were weary with jet lag, getting to grips with the humidity and unsure of what to expect (though still excited). Now, fully briefed and bonded, they scurried around wide-eyed, seemingly immune to the 6am start time and full of energy and anticipation for the next few weeks’ experiences.

Smiles and chortling could be seen and heard everywhere and, as I sat there looking on, I suddenly realised that I envied them wholeheartedly. In fact, I momentarily debated climbing aboard the bus, in disguise, under the name of “Tony” since we have two Tonys here already. Thankfully I came to my senses, waved them off and went back to my laptop, otherwise who’d be here to keep you updated?

Lars with team mascot!

We’ll be keeping you in contact with your loved ones whilst they’re out working on their projects, so keep those messages coming! It’s been great to see so many venturers writing back and sharing their experiences. Expect a torrent of tales and happy memories when they return home at the end of August.