Build Schools to Give Children Access to Education in Rural Borneo

  Malaysia

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: Live and work alongside rural villages in Borneo to provide educational facilities. Education is a basic need which most western societies take for granted. It is well documented that individuals who fail or drop out of education at any stage are seriously disadvantaged in future life. In Malaysia the Government provides educational facilities for children aged 6 and above with primary and secondary schools but before a child can be entered into school they must have a minimal standard of reading and writing. In the remote Kampungs where many of the elder generations did not attend school this is often not possible.

Raleigh has worked for a number of years with a local grass-roots organisation called PACOS and their aim is to provide the basic level of education needed so that when a child reaches 6 years old they are able to start school, and not find themselves years behind their peers.

For further examples of volunteer projects you may be working on, please see our website. Please be aware that these may change and are just a guide to the types of community projects we work on during a Raleigh expedition.

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.

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.

* Work alongside local communities in some of the remotest and poorest parts of Sabah to Help improve education, health and the standard of living

* Experience a unique cultural exchange by eating locally produced food, living and working alongside local families

"I tried my hand at digging, sawing, cementing, and hammering. We completed that in the first week and spent afternoons teaching the children in the village. We spent one night in a homestay - it was an amazing experience and I really got to know the villagers and understand their culture." Patricia Malpas, venturer, Borneo

"Imbak is a spectacular location, most beautiful place I've been in my life." Stephen Skalecki

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

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Malaysia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of in groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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