Worthwhile Gap Year Volunteering Projects in Borneo

  Malaysia

Borneo

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: Raleigh is a youth charity that inspires people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

As a volunteer in Borneo you could be:

* Living and working among communities to improve health and educational services

* Living in an unexplored jungle whilst building a hanging suspension bridge

* Trekking across some of Sabah's most rugged terrain

We run different length gap year expeditions throughout the year to fit your study or work patterns. Choose from our unique 10 week (with 3 and a half and 7 week shorter options) or 5 week expeditions. You will be working with other young people from all around the world, on much needed community projects and environmental projects alongside our volunteer managers (aged 25+) and local skilled workers.

Highlights: * Our permanent presence in Borneo means that we know what is needed to really make a positive difference out there. Because of this all of our volunteer projects are sustainable and genuinely needed by the communities we work in.

* Meet people from all walks of life, nationalities and backgrounds and make friends for life

* Gain new skills and confidence that will help you stand out when applying for jobs or higher education

* Get off the beaten track - Live and work in remote destinations in Borneo few tourists get access to

* Combine community, environmental and adventure projects and experience an exchange of cultures, make a difference and challenge yourself physically and mentally.

"Raleigh was probably the best experience I've ever had. I will never forget the extraordinary people that I met and the friends that I made. It was something that I never had any doubts over at all and I don't regret a thing! Patricia Malpas, venturer, Borneo

"Raleigh has made me appreciate more how privileged we are in everyday society and helped me take nothing for granted. It has provided me with an insight into how others in different countries and different cultures live their lives, beyond the very limited picture that is presented to us in the media. I also feel that I have developed socially and am more aware of the 'soft skills' that often go unnoticed but make such a difference to your life." Lewis Moore, venturer, Borneo

Qualifications: * Venturers must be aged between 17 and 24 and up for a challenge!

* Our expeditions are tough, but enable you to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance and leadership, all of which are sought by universities and employers and will help set you apart from the crowd.

* We advise venturers to sign up between 6 and 12 months before the expedition departs, the reason being the earlier you apply the better chance you have of getting your first expedition choice. This also gives you more time to raise funds and you'll benefit from our training workshops.

Cost in US$: 1500 - 2995 GBP

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17-24

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Malaysia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Raleigh 's Mission Statement: We are a youth and education charity. Since 1984 we have inspired over 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Year Founded: 1984