The Last Visits!

On Thursday, Tim and myself (Christina), headed out on the loop to visit Tango 5 down in Kerala, and Charlie 1 in Kotapadi.

We met Tango 5 on their rest day, and found them emerging from a river after a morning of rafting.



Donya, Kai and Alex's raft





Tango 5





Ashley, Manpreet and Devon





It was obvious straight away spirits were high, after just 5 days the group had already grown close, and they couldnt wait to tell us what they had been getting up to.

Tango 5 at the top of Amba

First off, the weather has been good to them! They have only seen a little 
bit of rain and had clear skies on the previous day when climbing Amba, one of the most peaceful peaks in the Western Ghats.

Back at Camp Manpreet and Ashley got started on making an amazing rice dinner. Impressive for trek dining! It was followed by banoffee pie made my Sarah, it was soon obvious why everyone was so high spirited! The group obviously all make the most of every opportunity.





Receiving post and stocking up from the shop!



  



Siva Writing notes to the other groups







Eleri's snacks







Devon Lauren and Sarah







Manpreet stocking up on shower gel!



They all told us their highlights so far, most featuring Devon and his amusing ways - he has certainly been keeping everyone entertained along the way!

The next day we stayed for a day of cycling with Tango 5. The group, happy to leave their rucksacks to one side for the day, once again had another good day of weather. Arriving at camp next to Banasura Dam, everyone set up tents and made dinner before an early night ready for a 13km trek the next day - when we left them to go visit Charlie 1.

 

Christina and Devon







Kai



Alex - slightly windswept!







Lauren on Lunch break



 

Ashley



Arriving at Kotapadi just before Lunch the group were all busy working. After a tour of their beautiful village, and introductions to all the local families who are looking after them, we were fed lunch by Luthermary, one of the Local 'Mums' who feeds the group. After a delicous carrot, rice and popadom meal, the rest of the group headed back out to work whilst Ben, Emma and Katia joined me to visit a nearby village called Karthadu.

Some of the children in Kotapadi

 

Luthermary and Sarah in Charlie 1





 

Emma and Elvis receiving post!



 

Raleigh worked in Karthadu back in 2009 building 15 sanitation units. We headed back to evaluate the project, we met the locals and were shown around their lovely village, located in the middle of the tea plantations. The children were delighted to see us, and sang songs that the previous group had taught them 2 years ago!

Ben, Katia and Emma with one of the Locals in Karthadu



Being shown around the village



Katia

 

Charlie 1 have been speeding along with the work, the house is looking fantastic ith its recently completed roof!

Fletch and John are heading out tomorrow morning to visit both Echo 3 and Echo 4, so will update with how they are getting on in a few days.

Here are a few messages from Tango 5 and Charlie 1!

Charlie 1

From Emma Williams

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all good! I am currently on community phase in Kotapadi – it is beautiful. The community are so friendly and welcoming and they cook us the most delicious food for lunch and dinner. I went to help cook chapattis (like pancakes), it took me a few goes but I finally got it…sort of =P

I am going on an overnight trip to Ooty on Tuesday, lots of shopping and apparently you can get an amazing brownie! I am currently helping to build four toilets and finish a house, lots of hard work – I think my new profession is a builder – haha.

Still loving India but can’t wait to see you all now. Not long to go, can’t believe how fast the time is going.

See you all on 4^th September J Love you, Emma xxxxxxxxxxxx

From Elvis Ku

Dearest,

I would come back Hong Kong on 4^th September, if you want to know about the details, you can contact Tracey as she helped me to change the flight with the agent.

2 more weeks only in India, I really miss you all and worry about Grandpa’s situation. If there was any emergency please contact fieldbase directly!

I am now working for the community project. Our main duties are building four more toilets and finalizing the housebuilding for the villagers. The meal here is awesome since the villagers cook the traditional Indian food (rice, curry and chappati) for us each day. I am gaining fat now…

For “big” sister, happy birthday (though it is a little bit late to say)! Miss you all! Take care! May God bless all of you!

Elvis.

From Sarah Whetter

Greetings all,

Having a blast in Kotapadi, a lovely little community on a hillside in Tamil Nadu – yet more toilet building and also finishing off a house. My new found skills are never-ending…!

Can’t believe only 10 more days to go on this crazy adventure, it’s hard to describe it all I must say.

Back to fieldbase on 31^st August for a week or so then probably heading to Delhi and a few cheeky trips around the north.

Take care and be good!?

Love, Sarah x

To: The KGP followers aka fans

From: Katia Philip

Yo / Vanakum! Last msg to all you nutcases in the UK. LOVING this project, the village and families are amazing and so warm. Working hard and the rain hasn’t been AS bad yet! My name here is Nalla and I’m slowly transforming into a good Tamil lady! Sooo excited to see you all SO soon! ARGH! Bare Indian Blessings and lovings. See y’all in 13 DAYS! Xxx

To: Ali

From: Katia Philip

Counting down the days until I see your chumpy fashe! Fancy a date on the 3^rd Sept? Let a gyal know! Love you loads, Katia xxx

Tango 5

From Manpreet

To Steph, Nicola, Katie, Ness, Karen, Sarah, Shetal, Pauline and Trisia

Heyyy guys miss you loads…thanks for the message guys made my dad; tell Nicole I’ll catch up with her when I get back. Been doing such amazing things out here on last phase now; just finishing off water rafting now; so fun. LOL gutting fish lol love it!!As for the postcard I probably be back before it arrives post is lame!! Also Steph I am back on the 3^rd so keep original plans as 11^th my first day back and Fanny I’ll be there J xxx

From Ashley Johns

Hello Everyone! Having loads of fun on trek! We’ve just had a rafting day and it was really fun and four days of walking before that. We climbed to the top of Amba mountain yesterday. Stunning view from the top with loads of leeches but they never got me! Hoping they will stay away. We got to our campsite last night and it was a flashback to that time at Costa – probably more insane! And then we moved to another one this morning which was loads better. We have our first biking day tomorrow and then my birthday will be a biking day too J so we’ll get to have a nice meal. Please may I have a haircut for my birthday? Oh and steak for my first meal!! See you all soon! Big kisses – especially to Stinky, Jamie, Parker, Mam and Dad. Xxx

From Lauren Hopkins

Cat! Hi lovely, thank you so, so, much for your lovely parcel – it’s the sweetest thing EVER and I’m going to share it all with the group tonight – they’ll LOVE it! Everyone has read your note – Siva was laughing A LOT! Hope home life is good – we miss you a lot infact I was just speaking with Manpreet, Devon and Donya tonight and we were all saying how lovely you are! You’ll be pleased to hear I’m staying on later! Anyways – keep in touch! Lots and lots of love Lauren xxxx

From Donya

To Soraya

Hey rayadean! How are you? I was so happy when I got your message! I hope Londontown is not too hectic, I’ve heard loads about the riots etc. Sounds CRAZY! Missing you but I’ll be back soon to catch up on the summer. Hope you’re not too bored without me or Anton lol. I’m sure you are working loads and stocking up your bank account so lucky you. I might be back by september 4th, if not september 17th so i will see you soon.

I’m currently trekking through jungles and up mountains so it’s great out here, having loads of fun but I can’t wait to see everyone back home. Take care of yourself! Love Donya xx

To Ishmael (from Donya)

Hey babe, thanks for your message! Trek is actually amazing, I think it’s definitely my best phase. I’ve seen groups of elephants, monkeys etc and the scenery is just so beautiful! However, there are SO many leeches which I HATE, I even cried on day 4 because so many were on me. It’s all worth it though I suppose because I’m really enjoying this phase and it’s only day 6 out of 19. I went rafting today too which was so fun. I’ve been thinking of you loads and loads and I can’t wait to see you! Not long left now! speak to you soon. Love you loads! Donya. xxx

Photographs by Christina Ambrose

and Lauren Hopkins

Message from the alpha groups

From: Catherine Playfair

To: Catherine/Lady Di/ Aussie

Hey Aussie, thanks for your message! Hope you had fun catching up with Robyn. I’ve been building toilets in a small tribal community in Tamil Nadu with an awesome Kiwi and 11 venturers. I think I must have been a brick-layer in a previous life – it’s so satisfying creating a whole toilet from bricks and cement and knowing the villagers can finally have a Barry in comfort. Would love to hear more about your talks, will email soon.

Love London x

From: Catherine Playfair

To: Mona

Dear Lovely Mona,

Thanks for your blog messages. I’m hoping to visit BD Munti at the end of expedition and make sure they’re using our toilets! I’ve been building a different type of toilets in a small tribal community in Tamil Nadu with Kate’s friend Sarah (an awesome Kiwi who is almost as crazy as you! J). It’s a much more shy and reserved community than BD Munti but we’ve had them playing cricket with us and bringing us PMs flowers every morning! Hope to catch up with you when I’m back in September.

Love Catherine x

From: Tabby

To: Mum, Barry, Alex, Emily, Dad, Marlene and Joey

Hi Everyone!

Back at fieldbase now – relaxing a little and playing around with henna! On the way to the environmental project tomorrow in Karnataka State, not expecting as much from this one but the rumour

Plans are  looking good for after Raleigh – a few others are staying on and thinking of spending a couple of nights in Bangalore before heading to Hampi. Also have a few numbers to call about doing a placement with a charity.

Hope that mum and co are having a great time in Florida. Dad it was nice to speak to you the other day, hope you’re still well. Glad to hear Kiefer’s okay too!

Lots of love, Tabby

Ps – thanks for the amazing parcel. The photos are wicked. Bad news on the deposit Alex!

From: Tabby

To: Guy

Hey! Thanks for the your letter. You said you were keeping up with the blog – so hopefully you will get this. Things are going really well. I’m super busy all the time and there are some amazing people here with so much energy. Really looking forward to travelling on after Raleigh and making my own way, but i will be sad to leave.

Your flatmate sounds like a blessing for now – and glad to hear you have a new funny friend. Can’t believe you are completely immersed in the working world. Make the most of it and enjoy yourself.

You have a letter on the way.

Take Care,

Tabby. 

To: Mum

From: Shaq

Hi Mom!

I miss you. How is it back home? Tell everyone at home I said HI! I miss you all! Especially our church family, gotta love them. Also can you save any money I for the trip in December? Thanks Mum! I love you so much (Nandri Ama!)

Shaq xx

Raleigh India Needs You!!!

Here at Raleigh India we are coming to the end of expedition 11E. As part of the grand finale for the expedition 11E we are planning a 10K & 5K fun-run to raise 1,300 pounds. The money we hope to raise will be used to build a bio-gas unit, provide two cows and a cow shed for a tribal family in Man Godi in the Nilgiris District

The day after everyone returns to field base from Phase 3 of expedition we will be holding the race. It will start at the bright and breezy time of 6:00am to ensure we escape the heat of the sun. There are two options for the fun run, a 10K course and a 5k course. Both options will take the runners around Jayapura and its surrounding countryside with the race finishing back here at field base. We are asking friends and family to support the runners in reaching their fund-raising goal of 1,300 pounds. Funds need to be collected before the end of expedition on the 2^ndSeptember 2011 and donations can be made at our Virgin Giving Money page: 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/11Efunrun

It's also a great excuse to make our Country Cirector, Mark, look like this again!

So more about these bio-gas units! In September Raleigh will be working alongside CTRD to build three families bio-gas units. However there are four families in the village of Man Godi and Raleigh would like to be able to provide all four families with bio-gas plants, including cow sheds for two dairy cows (also given to the families through the funding) which will fuel the bio-gas digester unit.  The bio-gas units work by using the dung that the cows produce and harvest the methane gas the dung creates as it decomposes. The methane gas can be used to run gas cookers in the family homes. The family can also sell the excess milk that the cow produce and sell it to the surrounding communities.

The families are from the tribal community, their current living conditions are very basic and they currently rely on firewood to enable them to cook their food. They live in traditional bamboo huts and it is not uncommon for these houses to catch on fire. Alongside the fire risk women and children collect firewood in the forest which is not only illegal but they also put them at risk by attack from the local wildlife which consists of elephants, snakes and tigers. The units also stop the families having to use firewood; presently each family is burning 20K of firewood a day, which is having a negative impact on the environment and has health implications for the families. Having the bio-gas units will help reduce all these risks and the negative environmental and health implications of the current standard of living. 

Raleigh has previously completed this type of project in Vellary and has been back to review the project and assess its usefulness. When reviewed it was found that the bio-gas units were providing each family with five hours of gas per day and the products the families were able to produce from these units increased their financial standing. 

We hope you can help and thank you from all here at Raleigh India 

                                                         

be the change(over) you wish to see in the world

It has been a busy time here at field base over the past few days! First thing Wednesday morning the groups began arriving back, quick to get their kit sorted and cleaned so they could head into Mysore to do some shopping, stock up on food and grab a pizza. 

Once everyone was back the night's entertainment of skits began. A very interesting show, but Charlie 1 managed to clinch it by wearing toilet paper underwear whilst singing a song - I'm not entirely sure why, but it was amusing to watch. 

Charlie 1

Echo 3

Charlie 2 - going tribal

    Thursday was Graduate day. Sam, one of the Grad's has written how the day kicked off.

"We decided to host a Sporting event to kick of Graduate day. Everyone in their phase teams competed in classic sports day rounds. The sack race set things off, with the venturers all hopping towards the finish line in big bags. It was followed by games such as wheelbarrow races, three legged madness and the classic 100m sprint. 

The second half of the events took a slightly more surreal approach with a staring competition. Those who could manage a straight face rose to the challenge of resisting laughter. To conclude we played a game of giant naughts and crosses - everyone watched intently whilst their teammates battled it out on a rather large scale. The events came to an end with Echo 3 being crowned overall champions!" 

The afternoon was a relaxed affair, filled with Henna Painting, a local beautician on site to Pamper and massage, a Silver Jewellery stall and the groups all designed and painted their own bench. The day concluded with a BBQ, followed by some, not so traditional, Bollywood dancing!

Friday began with final phase allocations! As everyone knew which project they would be going on, either Community, Environmental, Adventure, or back home for our 7 weekers! Julia distracted all the venturers whilst all the project managers went off to hide around field base. Everyone had to find their PM's, and once finding the correct ones, hide with them. 

Hayley's magical hiding place

The new Tango 5 

A fond farewell to all our 7 weekers! You will all be missed 

Tango 5!
Alex,  Shiva, Tarik, Devon, Lauren, Donya, Kai, Manpreet and Ashley are joined by Project managers Eleri and Sarah!

Echo 3!
Vandana, Jade, Louise, Jacob, Ganeshan, Nick, Dwayne, Shaq and Charlie and joined by Project managers Lindsay and Julia!

Charlie 1!
Ben, Prasath, Elvis, Katia, Shrida, Emma, Yasmin and Douglas are joined by project managers Sarah and Susan!

The Echo 3 team before deployment!

and Finally, Echo 4!
Rohith, Struan, Roxanne, Tom, Oli, Jason, Tabby, Najee, Sam and Ram are joined by Jen (Donks!) Catherine and Lou! 

All of the groups headed off this morning for their final few weeks! We will be heading out to visit them all next week to see how they are getting on !

the buses all ready to go!

Tango 5 up bright and early to head off on trek

Tom and Ben say a sad farewell

Tom - raring to go

Charlie and Oli 

Dwayne and Shaq 

John - the current Field base Medic, with Lindsay who is heading back to Echo 3!

Sam heading off to Echo 4!

Louise

A few of the field base staff

Julia and Clare 

Photographs by Christina Ambrose, Clare Fletcher and Elvis