I have been given the chance to spend a month in Borneo with Camps International. I will be working on a community project that will have a life changing impact on the community it serves. As a group we will be working alongside the locals on a project within the community that they themselves have identified.
I will also be working on a wildlife reserve and on a conservation project. I may digging waterholes or vaccinating livestock, collecting marine refuse or building a bridge.
In addition I will be taking a 5 day trek through the rainforests where I may be sleeping in a hammock, tucking into local delicacies (!), visiting waterfalls and climbing mountains.
I will have the opportunity to work alongside others from a diverse cultural background and learn from it.
I don't expect it to be an easy ride, in fact, quite the reverse. I am sure that for a great deal of the trip I will be pushed outside of my comfort zone, but I see this as more of a reason to do it than not. I realise I am lucky to lead the life I do, and sadly others, through no fault of their own are not as honoured to have all that I have. I see this as a way of giving back to others.
I have researched Camps International and feel confident that the work they do is ethical. They work with the local community, build locally, employ locally and work towards conservation projects that protect the wildlife and the environment. I feel comfortable with all these principles and would really like to do my part to help.
The cost of the month long expedition is £4028. Whilst I have the support of my parents to take this life changing trip, and my own part time job I would like to go some way to trying to fund raise a portion of the costs, and so have set myself the goal of trying to raise half, around £2000.