Community Development
Kindergarten Construction – Kg Paus, Ranau District
Kg Paus is a small community on the Kegibangan River mid way between Telupid and Ranau who have been exposed to a Raleigh team previously. In early 2006 a project team spent 3 weeks within the community helping to repair a gravity water feed system, ensuring a steady supply of fresh water into the village. This was such a successful project it was decided to try and go back into the community in the future. Currently there is a primary school within the village but no pre-school arrangements – these are very ad hoc and hence do not provide under 6 year olds with the best start to their education. It has therefore been proposed to build a small pre-school building for the community and working with PACOS Trust (a grass roots community based charity) to help the village to organize themselves to train and sustain at least one if not two teachers for the school. PACOS Trust’s aim is to assist remote indigenous communities to improve their quality of life, help with land rites issues and encourage a continuation of traditional culture and ways of life.
The community survive by subsistence farming and some rubber tapping to earn a small income. The team will live in the small community hall within the centre of the community and will be fully immersed in the Kadazan Dusun way of life. This will involve traditional dancing and teams will have the opportunity to see and experience life in a rural village at first hand. The project is being sponsored by Nestle who Raleigh have worked with extensively before, building several other pre-school buildings around Sabah.
School Hostel Construction – Kg Togudon, Penampang District
Kg Togudon is an extremely small kampung on the edge of the Crocker Range National Park, on the main KK to Tambunan road. Due to the mountainous conditions the houses are spread out and mean the community is very dispersed. The community has a well established primary school which caters to approximately 70 young children. Many of these children come from distant houses/villages some as many as 8 hours walk away within the Crocker Range. Hence these children stay within the community itself during the week so they can study at school. During busy times of the year prior to the national examinations the school uses the classrooms themselves as temporary accommodation to house the flood of local children.
PACOS Trust are a local grass roots charity who work with remote communities across Sabah to increase the standard of living, provide basic health and education facilities as well as assisting with land rites and capacity building. PACOS have been working with the community of Togudon for several years building a school canteen and storage shed for the school. Raleigh International has worked with PACOS Trust for 4 years in Sabah, building a number of school kindergartens and community facilities.
The local community through the Parent and Teachers Association approached PACOS for assistance with building a school hostel in order to house between 30 and 40 outside students. PACOS then approached Raleigh International for assistance in late 2006. The aim of the project is to construct a small brick hostel for the school. The hostel will consist of 2 large bed rooms (male and female), a canteen and dining room as well as toilets and showers. Initial plans have been drawn up and a site next to the school identified.
Environment Projects
Danum Valley – Bridge and Camp Construction
Danum Valley is a highly protected world-renowned conservation and research area famous for its rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. The 438 sq. km. Danum Valley Conservation Area provides facilities for research, education and wilderness recreation in one of the Sabah's last strongholds of undisturbed lowland rainforest.
Sited beside the Segama River, the Research Centre is located 81 km west of Lahad Datu and more than 20 km from any other habitation - a truly remote setting. Research efforts have revealed a tremendous variety of plants and the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including such rare and endangered species as the Sumatran rhino, banteng (tembadau), elephant, clouded leopard, orangutan and proboscis monkey. Birdlife is equally varied with some 275 species recorded to date in the area.
The project group will help complete the construction of a hanging suspension bridge started by a Raleigh team in late 2005. The purpose of the bridge is to increase access into the conservation area for scientists in order that they can carry out further research. The site is approximately 1 hours trek from the Danum Valley Field Centre and the group will live in a minimal impact jungle camp close to the work site. The other main project there is to build a satellite camp site near the bridge in order to allow scientists to base themselves there whilst conducting research. This will mean that they will be able explore deeper and longer into the area. This will also involve developing further the trail network on both sides of the bridge. Additionally, the project team will assist international scientists with various conservation projects and receive rainforest education in this amazing jungle setting.
Imbak Canyon – Trail & Infrastructure Development
Imbak Canyon is the last remaining untouched and relatively unexplored area of Sabah. Less than 200 people have ever entered this virgin primary jungle area while the last research team discovered a new tree species. The region is home to wildlife including elephants, orangutans and 100’s of rare bird species. Yayasan Sabah (the concessionary) now wants to reserve this area as a natural gene bank to help protect future biodiversity of the whole region and has asked Raleigh International to play a major role in the development of this area.
In early 2004, a Raleigh International project team worked closely with the staff of Yayasan Sabah to plan the location and type of necessary infrastructure needed to protect and allow access to the pristine protected area of Imbak Canyon. The first stage included mapping the area to determine points of interest, possible trail networks, sources of water and best locations for a field centre. The second expedition to Imbak in late 2004 started putting in place basic infrastructure including a Ranger’s camp, visitors’ accommodation and basic trails. This is the first permanent structure built as part of the master development plan for this conservation area. The infrastructure has been gradually expanded by a number of Raleigh teams during the two expeditions in 2005. In addition a new trail as been recce’d along the ridges and into the centre of the canyon by groups during expedition 05G in late 2005.
The next phase of this exciting project is to further expand the infrastructure including finishing the field centre complex, developing the newly recce’d trails into the canyon for researchers and upgrading existing tracks to a waterfall and jungle camp. In addition one of the key priorities identified was the need for a bridge crossing the Imbak River to the entrance of the conservation area. In the dry season this river can easily be crossed by foot. However, during the rainy season the river often becomes swollen cutting off access to the conservation area. This would be approximately a 200ft span hanging suspension bridge to be constructed from scratch. This bridge will enable scientists to access the canyon for research purposes as well as enabling a gravity feed water system to be fed across the river into the field centre.
Adventure Projects
Trekking and Diving
The trekking element of this project will see teams trekking in the south western corner of Sabah on the Kalimantan and Sarawak border starting from the small village of Long Pasia. The trek will be 10 – 11 days in duration and will involve teams carrying all their own supplies and equipment for the duration. Long Pasia is a very remote area and is steeped in tradition and folk lore. The surrounding jungle has been under threat for many years from logging and the community has suffered from a gradual decline in numbers as young people move away from the area. In order to halt this decline and re-establish the community as well as help protect the surrounding environment, WWF worked closely with the community to develop an eco tourism plan. This has been going for several years but is starting to decline as new areas are opened up in Sabah. The area is one of the richest plant diversity sites in Borneo in particular for orchids, rhododendrons and pitcher plants. In addition the people of the area have an interesting history as fierce head hunters. There are many ancient legends passed down through the generations which make this a fascinating place to spend some time as well as being thick and untouched jungle.
The trekking will be across arduous and physically challenging terrain, which will often mean they are extremely remote and will need them to be fully self sufficient. Teams will camp wild near the trail, ensuring they have a minimal impact on the local surroundings which will include leaving nothing behind. Where necessary teams will assist local guides to upgrade the trail through the dense vegetation since the jungle very quickly grows back across trails. Teams will obviously have the opportunity to learn about the pristine rainforest environment as they progress. They will then trek the second highest peak in Sabah, Mount Trusmadi.
All adventure groups will be involved in a SCUBA diving conservation program in Tungku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in partnership with Borneo Divers and Sabah Parks. The team will spend 3 to 4 days doing their PADI Open Water diving qualification followed by 1 to 2 days of an underwater clean up, where they will collect litter and other waste from selected areas of the marine park. During this time they will live on their very own paradise island from where the diving is carried out.
Kindergarten Construction – Kg Paus, Ranau District
Kg Paus is a small community on the Kegibangan River mid way between Telupid and Ranau who have been exposed to a Raleigh team previously. In early 2006 a project team spent 3 weeks within the community helping to repair a gravity water feed system, ensuring a steady supply of fresh water into the village. This was such a successful project it was decided to try and go back into the community in the future. Currently there is a primary school within the village but no pre-school arrangements – these are very ad hoc and hence do not provide under 6 year olds with the best start to their education. It has therefore been proposed to build a small pre-school building for the community and working with PACOS Trust (a grass roots community based charity) to help the village to organize themselves to train and sustain at least one if not two teachers for the school. PACOS Trust’s aim is to assist remote indigenous communities to improve their quality of life, help with land rites issues and encourage a continuation of traditional culture and ways of life.
The community survive by subsistence farming and some rubber tapping to earn a small income. The team will live in the small community hall within the centre of the community and will be fully immersed in the Kadazan Dusun way of life. This will involve traditional dancing and teams will have the opportunity to see and experience life in a rural village at first hand. The project is being sponsored by Nestle who Raleigh have worked with extensively before, building several other pre-school buildings around Sabah.
School Hostel Construction – Kg Togudon, Penampang District
Kg Togudon is an extremely small kampung on the edge of the Crocker Range National Park, on the main KK to Tambunan road. Due to the mountainous conditions the houses are spread out and mean the community is very dispersed. The community has a well established primary school which caters to approximately 70 young children. Many of these children come from distant houses/villages some as many as 8 hours walk away within the Crocker Range. Hence these children stay within the community itself during the week so they can study at school. During busy times of the year prior to the national examinations the school uses the classrooms themselves as temporary accommodation to house the flood of local children.
PACOS Trust are a local grass roots charity who work with remote communities across Sabah to increase the standard of living, provide basic health and education facilities as well as assisting with land rites and capacity building. PACOS have been working with the community of Togudon for several years building a school canteen and storage shed for the school. Raleigh International has worked with PACOS Trust for 4 years in Sabah, building a number of school kindergartens and community facilities.
The local community through the Parent and Teachers Association approached PACOS for assistance with building a school hostel in order to house between 30 and 40 outside students. PACOS then approached Raleigh International for assistance in late 2006. The aim of the project is to construct a small brick hostel for the school. The hostel will consist of 2 large bed rooms (male and female), a canteen and dining room as well as toilets and showers. Initial plans have been drawn up and a site next to the school identified.
Environment Projects
Danum Valley – Bridge and Camp Construction
Danum Valley is a highly protected world-renowned conservation and research area famous for its rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. The 438 sq. km. Danum Valley Conservation Area provides facilities for research, education and wilderness recreation in one of the Sabah's last strongholds of undisturbed lowland rainforest.
Sited beside the Segama River, the Research Centre is located 81 km west of Lahad Datu and more than 20 km from any other habitation - a truly remote setting. Research efforts have revealed a tremendous variety of plants and the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including such rare and endangered species as the Sumatran rhino, banteng (tembadau), elephant, clouded leopard, orangutan and proboscis monkey. Birdlife is equally varied with some 275 species recorded to date in the area.
The project group will help complete the construction of a hanging suspension bridge started by a Raleigh team in late 2005. The purpose of the bridge is to increase access into the conservation area for scientists in order that they can carry out further research. The site is approximately 1 hours trek from the Danum Valley Field Centre and the group will live in a minimal impact jungle camp close to the work site. The other main project there is to build a satellite camp site near the bridge in order to allow scientists to base themselves there whilst conducting research. This will mean that they will be able explore deeper and longer into the area. This will also involve developing further the trail network on both sides of the bridge. Additionally, the project team will assist international scientists with various conservation projects and receive rainforest education in this amazing jungle setting.
Imbak Canyon – Trail & Infrastructure Development
Imbak Canyon is the last remaining untouched and relatively unexplored area of Sabah. Less than 200 people have ever entered this virgin primary jungle area while the last research team discovered a new tree species. The region is home to wildlife including elephants, orangutans and 100’s of rare bird species. Yayasan Sabah (the concessionary) now wants to reserve this area as a natural gene bank to help protect future biodiversity of the whole region and has asked Raleigh International to play a major role in the development of this area.
In early 2004, a Raleigh International project team worked closely with the staff of Yayasan Sabah to plan the location and type of necessary infrastructure needed to protect and allow access to the pristine protected area of Imbak Canyon. The first stage included mapping the area to determine points of interest, possible trail networks, sources of water and best locations for a field centre. The second expedition to Imbak in late 2004 started putting in place basic infrastructure including a Ranger’s camp, visitors’ accommodation and basic trails. This is the first permanent structure built as part of the master development plan for this conservation area. The infrastructure has been gradually expanded by a number of Raleigh teams during the two expeditions in 2005. In addition a new trail as been recce’d along the ridges and into the centre of the canyon by groups during expedition 05G in late 2005.
The next phase of this exciting project is to further expand the infrastructure including finishing the field centre complex, developing the newly recce’d trails into the canyon for researchers and upgrading existing tracks to a waterfall and jungle camp. In addition one of the key priorities identified was the need for a bridge crossing the Imbak River to the entrance of the conservation area. In the dry season this river can easily be crossed by foot. However, during the rainy season the river often becomes swollen cutting off access to the conservation area. This would be approximately a 200ft span hanging suspension bridge to be constructed from scratch. This bridge will enable scientists to access the canyon for research purposes as well as enabling a gravity feed water system to be fed across the river into the field centre.
Adventure Projects
Trekking and Diving
The trekking element of this project will see teams trekking in the south western corner of Sabah on the Kalimantan and Sarawak border starting from the small village of Long Pasia. The trek will be 10 – 11 days in duration and will involve teams carrying all their own supplies and equipment for the duration. Long Pasia is a very remote area and is steeped in tradition and folk lore. The surrounding jungle has been under threat for many years from logging and the community has suffered from a gradual decline in numbers as young people move away from the area. In order to halt this decline and re-establish the community as well as help protect the surrounding environment, WWF worked closely with the community to develop an eco tourism plan. This has been going for several years but is starting to decline as new areas are opened up in Sabah. The area is one of the richest plant diversity sites in Borneo in particular for orchids, rhododendrons and pitcher plants. In addition the people of the area have an interesting history as fierce head hunters. There are many ancient legends passed down through the generations which make this a fascinating place to spend some time as well as being thick and untouched jungle.
The trekking will be across arduous and physically challenging terrain, which will often mean they are extremely remote and will need them to be fully self sufficient. Teams will camp wild near the trail, ensuring they have a minimal impact on the local surroundings which will include leaving nothing behind. Where necessary teams will assist local guides to upgrade the trail through the dense vegetation since the jungle very quickly grows back across trails. Teams will obviously have the opportunity to learn about the pristine rainforest environment as they progress. They will then trek the second highest peak in Sabah, Mount Trusmadi.
All adventure groups will be involved in a SCUBA diving conservation program in Tungku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in partnership with Borneo Divers and Sabah Parks. The team will spend 3 to 4 days doing their PADI Open Water diving qualification followed by 1 to 2 days of an underwater clean up, where they will collect litter and other waste from selected areas of the marine park. During this time they will live on their very own paradise island from where the diving is carried out.
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