This is probably the best time to start, although considering the amount of effort that has been put into fundraising, I'm not mentioning nearly enough! Alas, I leave for Malaysia tomorrow. My bag is packed (well, almost...), and reminds me vaguely of the TARDIS or Mary Poppin's bag, considering how much has been fitted in.
Not only this, 'the last supper' is being prepared down below, which for some reason is reminding me of the whole 'Condemned Man' thing - which really doesn't work, as volunteering in Malaysia for a year is NOT a hardship.
As it is, my particular project is certainly interesting! I'm off to Lumut to work at an Outward Bound School. The centre is the oldest Outward Bound centre located outside the United Kingdom, and is designed to encourage teamwork within its groups of participants. The work I'll be doing is varied - if I'm 'on course', I will be instructing, or support-instructing, a range of activities such as kayaking, wall climbing, jungle trekking, sailing, rafting and team games. When I'm 'off-course', I'm still working, but I'll instead be doing equipment maintenance, forest maintenance, swimming, training and first aid.
As with the activities, hours vary - 'on course', I'm on-call 24/7, with main work hours being 6.30am to 10pm, with no days off. In comparison, 'off course' I get a half day on Saturday and Sunday off, as well as the relaxed hours of 9am to 4.30pm.
The participants themselves are also very different - I could be teaching middle aged Malaysia government workers (which sounds terrifying, considering I'm only 18) to children from international schools, with ages ranging from 10-18.
If you want to know anymore about the project, just ask - though I should warn you, at this particular point in time, I have very limited knowledge. Once I actually arrive there, I should be able to tell you more as well as put up some pictures.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the fundraising, and don't forget to stay in touch! And DFTBA (Don't Forget To Be Awesome, as the Nerdfighters say).
Selamat Tinggal!
Emily
This is actually Kirstie (it seems my sister has an account here) and although, alas, my evil plans to prevent you boarding the plane to Malaysia have failed pathetically, THERE STILL IS TIME LEFT.
ReplyDeleteBut anyways, you and I both know I'm not going to keep you in a basement for the next 12 months, so I'm doing this right now (and hopefully you'll read this before being devoured by primate-eating aliens camping in Malaysian forests) to say bye and good riddance and good luck for this journey. And I hope you find your soul. I never realised you were soulless.
Make sure you climb loads of trees. And fend off any advances from worrying sources. And write to me loads. And look at this blog and fb at least every now and again. And don't forget about me. Or anyone else for that matter. And don't lose any of your special belongings. And BE SAFE!!!
LOVE YOU BIG TIME YOU CRACKED EGG!!!!!!
Oh god, a blog ¬¬
ReplyDelete