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Raleigh Tanzania PO Box 729 Morogoro Tanzania E-mail: [email protected] www.raleighinternational.org Expedition Report for Patrick Huang on the Raleigh Expedition to Tanzania October - December 2015 This report outlines Patrick's time spent working as a Volunteer Manager on Raleigh’s Tanzania Expedition in a community development and youth leadership project; and the learning gained from his time, energy and commitment to 13 weeks recent volunteering in Tanzania for Raleigh International. About Raleigh International Raleigh International is a sustainable development charity. We harness the passion and energy of young people to effect positive change in sustainable development. Our programmes focus on providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building resilient communities. Our work is delivered through young people and is a collaboration between local communities, partners and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and life stages. We operate in partnership with communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Nepal and Tanzania. Since our foundation as a charity in 1984, Raleigh volunteers have become a global community of more than 36,000 people committed to building a sustainable future. We support people on transformational journeys that develop crucial personal and professional skills, values and attitudes, through the achievement of expedition challenges in a positive act of international service. Expedition Overview This expedition undertook a number of community and youth leadership projects. 41 volunteers took part in the expedition supported by a Volunteer Manager team of 19 and permanent staff. Each project was supported by a specialist team, based at Raleigh’s office in Morogoro, otherwise known as Fieldbase. Before the beginning of the first phase the Volunteer Managers participated in and then led an induction programme consisting of theoretical and practical exercises designed to prepare themselves and the volunteers for the expedition programme. This training included Health & Safety protocols, basic first aid and incident management, expedition skills such as navigation and camp craft and cultural awareness sessions. They then participated in sessions on International Development in Tanzania with discussions on the Global Goals before receiving

Expedition - Raleigh Int. 15K Expedition Report

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Raleigh Tanzania PO Box 729

Morogoro Tanzania

E-mail: [email protected] www.raleighinternational.org

Expedition Report for Patrick Huang on the Raleigh Expedition to Tanzania October - December 2015

This report outlines Patrick's time spent working as a Volunteer Manager on Raleigh’s Tanzania Expedition in a community development and youth leadership project; and the learning gained from his time, energy and commitment to 13 weeks recent volunteering in Tanzania for Raleigh International. About Raleigh International Raleigh International is a sustainable development charity. We harness the passion and energy of young people to effect positive change in sustainable development. Our programmes focus on providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building resilient communities. Our work is delivered through young people and is a collaboration between local communities, partners and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and life stages. We operate in partnership with communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Nepal and Tanzania. Since our foundation as a charity in 1984, Raleigh volunteers have become a global community of more than 36,000 people committed to building a sustainable future. We support people on transformational journeys that develop crucial personal and professional skills, values and attitudes, through the achievement of expedition challenges in a positive act of international service. Expedition Overview This expedition undertook a number of community and youth leadership projects. 41 volunteers took part in the expedition supported by a Volunteer Manager team of 19 and permanent staff. Each project was supported by a specialist team, based at Raleigh’s office in Morogoro, otherwise known as Fieldbase. Before the beginning of the first phase the Volunteer Managers participated in and then led an induction programme consisting of theoretical and practical exercises designed to prepare themselves and the volunteers for the expedition programme. This training included Health & Safety protocols, basic first aid and incident management, expedition skills such as navigation and camp craft and cultural awareness sessions. They then participated in sessions on International Development in Tanzania with discussions on the Global Goals before receiving

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training on the programmatic planning tools used in the development of the project and M&E. Additionally, all project managers undertook project planning visits to their various project sites to become familiar with these areas, the stakeholders and to organise the finer detail of their allocated projects, documented in the Team Planning Tool. They also compiled and reviewed a casualty evacuation plan to cater for any eventuality and visited local hospitals to assess their capabilities for dealing with emergency and non-emergency evacuations. At the same time the Fieldbase team continued preparation of the complex administrative and logistical needs of the expedition and carried out their own casualty evacuation plan practice to ensure they were ready to offer emergency support and guidance when needed. When back, each Volunteer Manager took part in leadership skills training, sessions on managing conflict and activities designed to get participants thinking about how they can be an Active Global Citizen. In the field, each project was led by the volunteer Project Managers who performed the role of safety supervisor, facilitator, counsellor, and instructor, with overall responsibility for the project. However, the volunteer teams were expected to make the decisions affecting their working targets, living arrangements, and effective day to day life. Projects Overview The following projects were undertaken on this expedition: Community Development – Raleigh International volunteers work alongside the local community and project partners on sustainable development projects that enable access to basic services. Projects are often in remote, rural and marginalised communities. Living and working so close to local people is a great opportunity to learn and share about each other’s culture, traditions, languages and lives. Youth Leadership Trek – these projects are designed as the most physically challenging phase of an expedition. It is often found to be the hardest and consequently most personally rewarding element of the expedition. The groups make wilderness campsites overnight and carry and cook their own food and water. The groups learn that they are capable of exceeding their own expectations of both mental and physical stamina. The scope for personal development, discovery, environmental awareness and cultural experience can be very powerful. The Raleigh trek is a challenge for the whole team to work and support one another through some incredible landscapes. Its focus is the team’s journey rather than the destination. Patrick's Expedition Patrick took part in the following projects on this expedition: School, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Endagikot, Mbulu The Raleigh team worked alongside the community to construct a girls latrine block in Endagikot Primary School, Mbulu. The block consisted of ten latrines with doors for privacy, a burning bin for sanitary rags and pads, one shower, one drying room, a sink and mirror area and a fully functional hand washing station outside. They also worked hand-in-hand with Project Partner DMDD (Diocese of Mbulu, Development Department) to promote a variety of

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different initiatives amongst the pupils. This included awareness raising around the topics of menstruation, nutrition, safe hand washing practices and clean water measures. The group assisted in the construction of multiple tippy taps in the area, providing community members with a chance to see what simple, lifesaving facilities they could install in their own homes. Alongside these activities the groups conducted a number of action research campaigns which included various focus groups with community members as well as door-to-door visits and demonstrations. Youth Leadership Trek, Southern Highlands, Iringa This phase involved 19 days of trekking in the area west of the town of Iringa and north of the spectacular Kilombera Valley. This challenging and exciting trek allows the opportunity for individuals to focus on developing their leadership and team work skills whilst trekking up to 26km per day through remote and diverse terrain. The group is self-sufficient for the duration of the trek, carrying with them everything they need and camping under the stars at night. With the support of a local Tanzanian guide and Volunteer Managers, the group learn navigation and camp craft skills as well as learning about local wildlife and issues facing the local communities through which they trek. The group will be amongst a privileged few able to experience this level of interaction with the people of rural Tanzania and will make memories for life whilst completing this trek through such a beautiful and unspoilt part of the world. Logistics Coordinator, Fieldbase, Morogoro Throughout this phase, the Logistics Coordinator has responsibilities including; managing the issue, accountability, purchase and maintenance of all materials, equipment and food rations for the expedition, including vital communications equipment such as satellite phones and the accurate record of distribution to groups. The logistics team have to manage all the changeovers and inductions at a mobile site which takes a huge amount of planning and organisation. Expedition Learning & Development The expedition is based on an experiential and reflective learning methodology that is a powerful way of developing skills, knowledge, awareness and capabilities. On each expedition project Patrick worked alongside 6-12 other volunteers, and 3-4 Project Managers in remote locations with basic living conditions. The teams were equipped to be self-sufficient for three week phases. They had to take responsibility for their own personal equipment as well as all the tools, food, and communication equipment. While on project the teams were expected to carry out regular site risk assessments and maintain communications with Fieldbase. In addition, the volunteers took on the role of group leader on a rotational basis during each phase. The 'Day Leaders' were responsible for motivating, organising and leading the group during that day’s activities. This often involved liaising with project partners or community leaders about what had to be achieved on that particular day and then ensuring that the team met those targets.

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While on project the Volunteer Managers were asked about their personal goals and coached and supported by the Fieldbase team on how they could best achieve them. Progress was regularly reviewed throughout the phase, including a one to one discussion at the end of the project on their performance. In addition, open and constructive feedback during group review sessions was also facilitated amongst team members. In this way, Patrick took part in numerous personal and team reviews and was encouraged to record feedback given and lessons learnt in a personal learning journal. Therefore, Patrick had the opportunity for development in the following areas: Leadership In addition to being the overall leader, Volunteer Managers empowered volunteers to undertake the role of group leader on a rotational basis during each phase. The Day Leader was responsible for motivating, organising and leading the group during that day’s activities. This often involved liaising with project partners or community leaders about what had to be achieved on that particular day and then ensuring that the team met those targets. Team working On each project phase Patrick was working in a diverse group with people who all had different motivations, work ethics, attitudes, cultures and life experiences. This team had to live and work together for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, the situation purposefully challenged them to listen to each other, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, allocate roles and responsibilities, overcome conflict and motivate one another to achieve the project goals. Cultural Awareness Raleigh International works in remote and poor communities in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, Nepal and Tanzania. Volunteering on these sustainable projects offers a unique cultural exchange that is rare to achieve whilst travelling independently. Volunteers had the opportunity of either living in community centres, or campsites within or near villages. This gave them a unique opportunity to share the life of the community, their customs, activities and stories, offer basic English teaching in schools or community centres, to play sport together or participate in other cultural events. Each project group included members from the host country, the UK and other countries, giving the opportunity to develop intercultural communication skills and enhance global awareness. Problem solving, innovation and adaptability Raleigh International’s activities are called ‘expeditions’ for a reason. The expeditions work on real projects in real world situations in challenging environments. Although contingences are made for most eventualities, bad weather, vehicle breakdowns etc. can change the best laid plans. Inevitably, such events place the project team under pressure to cope, adapt to, and resolve such issues.

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Interpersonal communication The social nature of expedition offers an environment where listening, discussing, and persuading, as well as interpreting the meaning and implications of verbal and non-verbal communication are practiced almost continuously. Confidence and self-awareness The intense social environment of living with a team 24 hours, 7 days of the week on expedition mean that volunteers learn a lot about themselves. They learn what their boundaries are, how to cope under pressure, solve problems, live without home comforts, adapt to different cultures and learn where their strengths and weaknesses lie. They will have met new people and made new friends, and contributed to their projects success. This experience helps develop participants’ confidence and self-awareness. Mental resilience and a 'can do approach' Expedition life is tough and rewarding. The challenges faced and overcome on a personal, team and project level develops mental resilience and a positive and proactive approach when faced with hardship. Active Citizenship Overall, participants of Raleigh expeditions become more aware of their own values, perceptions and respect the diversity of others; they recognise that we live in an interdependent world; and first-hand experience develops understanding and passion for social justice, sustainable development and our environment. Throughout the projects, Volunteer Managers continually assessed safety, the task progress and the general wellbeing of the volunteers, supported solely by communication with the Fieldbase. There was continual liaison with project partners, suppliers, and members of the local community. At the end of the project, Volunteer Managers produced a Team Debrief Report that provided valuable information and recommendations to the country team and future project staff. Patrick has made a valued and positive contribution to an extraordinary expedition in Tanzania. We are confident that this experience will impact positively on Patrick’s outlook, personal potential and active engagement in their community. Patrick joins our alumni of like-minded people who share the common Raleigh experience. Thank you for committing your time and energy volunteering in a Raleigh expedition.

Ollie Wakile Country Operations Manager