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About Raleigh International
Contents
Introduction
Raleigh International formerly Operation Raleigh has charitable status
and runs a series of expeditions across the world for people from many
nations. It aims to provide a unique opportunity for men and women aged
17 to 25, to face and overcome challenges whilst developing skills, self-confidence
and leadership ability. The members of an expedition, known as Venturers,
join together to work on conservation and research projects and community
tasks, spiced with adventure and the suprises that go with living and working
in a remote part of the globe. Each expedition lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The Prince of Wales initiated the development of Operation Raleigh
after the success of Operation Drake, a similar but smaller expedition
taking 400 youngsters over a two year period. Talking about Raleigh at
its launch, Prince Charles said "Such an experience will provide young
people with the sort of confidence and awareness which will help them to
accept responsibility in a difficult world." The Operation began as a four
year project for 4000 venturers and has been so successful it is carrying
on indefinitely.
Raleigh is a series of four challenges: getting selected, raising
the funds to go, the expedition itself, and finally, putting something
back into the community after returning home.
Selection
The expeditions are open to anyone between the ages of 17 and 25. No qualifications
are necessary, the only conditions are an ability to swim 500 metres, to
speak English and appear ready to place service before self. The number
of places is limited, so applicants must complete a taxing selection weekend
before being offered the opportunity of becoming a venturer.
The selection process is specifically designed to choose the applicants
with the motivation, compatibility, endurance, and humour necessary to
cope with the physical and mental demands of expedition life. Conditions
in the field are basic, and the work is often arduous. reflecting this
the selection weekends are tough, but challenging and rewarding in themselves.
"I learned more about myself in 30 hours than in 22 years" was one candidate's
comment at the end of it.
Venturers are selected from all over the world and more than 30
countries regularly send young people on expeditions. The Central Headquarters,
based in Britain, coordinates the activity of a worldwide network of National
Committees who organise selection, assist with funding and generate publicity
for sponsors. An effort is made to select Venturers from the country hosting
an expedition, and many national committees help plan expeditions based
in their country.
Fund Raising
Once selected, each venturer is asked to raise a sum of money (2950 pounds)
to contribute towards the sum of the cost of the operation. Fund raising
demands time and commitment to generate ideas and events for sponsorship,
and to approach commerce and industry. Memorable efforts include paddling
down the Thames in a bathtub, cleaning a double deckerbus with a toothbrush
and living in a tree for a week. Most Venturers gain sponsorship by carrying
out valuable tasks to assist people in their community. Local support is
tremendous and without it many of the youngsters would find it difficult
to raise the necessary funds.
In the UK, many companies see Operation Raleigh as a vehicle to
provide management training for their employees. Raleigh is committed to
taking up to 20% of its participants from designated areas of deprivation
and around 2% are physically handicapped.
The Expeditions
Venturers usually choose which part of the world they would like to visit,
and the particular research, conservation, community and adventure project
in which they are interested. In the field groups are deployed to project
sites, which can be scattered across the country, hundreds of miles apart.
After several weeks' work they change round, ensuring that each person
is involved in different aspects of the expedition.
Community Work
For many Venturers the chance to work with the local community on a project
leaving something tangible behind after they have left, is the highlight
of the expedition. Whether it be building a bridge in Peru, a road in Pakistan,
schools in Kenya, jetties in Guyana or first aid centres in Chile, community
projects foster an awareness of other people's problems and offer a unique
opportunity to learn about a different way of life. In some countries mobile
medical clinics visit outlying villages, where doctors and Venturers provide
treatment and education in health and hygiene to populations otherwise
deprived of such facilities.
Research and Conservation
Across the world, the scientific community offers support, ideas, advice
and encouragement. Some researchers go out into the field to direct projects,
working with Venturers to conduct work which will increase our understanding
of the environment. The information is vital for managing resources effectively
for the future, and for conservation the application of methods designed
to protect species and resources and improve degraded habitats and ecosystems.
As populations increase resources are used faster than they can be replaced,
the clearing of tropical rainforests, for example, results in the loss
of genetic resources whilst overgrazing in fragile and arid zones leads
to accelerated soil erosion and desertification. Venturers also help to
implement established conservation projects.
Adventure
Expeditions are designed to test and stretch Venturers, facing them with
challenge and adventure during their demanding work. Exciting adventure
projects are, however, an essential feature, from climbing the glaciers
and peaks of Chile, to trekking deserts and wilderness by camel, horse
and foot, rafting and canoeing down wildwater, exploring little known corners
of the earth, from swamp to jungle, and diving for hidden reefs and wrecks.
After the Expedition's Over
To beat the post expedition blues, and harness the experience, a web of
Support Groups has spread across the country. Run by Venturers, they help
the community - from repair and restoration work, to organizing adventure
training weekends for kids on probation. Venturers use their new-found
skills to give something back to the society which helped them go on Raleigh.
Chile 93A Expedition Report
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