My name is Ellen Peacock and I am participating in a ten-week expedition to the Sabah disrict, in Borneo, through an organisation called Raleigh International.

 Raleigh International runs expeditions for young people, to work on sustainable community and environmental projects, alongside other young people from the host country and local skilled workers, to achieve something that is truly beneficial to the community. To ensure that Raleigh has an impact where it is truly needed, efforts are focused in some of the remote and poorest areas of Sabah that do not have appropriate housing, sanitation or access to education.

 Whilst on my expedition I will be taking part in a three-week community phase where I will work be working in some of the most remote and poorest areas of Sabah, by building a kindergarten which will help children reach the minimum standard of reading and writing that is required for them to enter the education system in Malaysia. The project will also build dams and install piping so fresh water can be brought into the village. During the whole process the local community assist with the work and are educated on how to maintain their system, in order to provide a sustainable solution to their water requirements, hence benefitting the village for generations to come.

 The expedition will also involve environmental conservation work in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of Sabah’s last strongholds of undisturbed lowland rainfores.  Danum is home to six out of 10 of the totally protected animals (including the Sumatran rhino, pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, orang-utan and proboscis monkey) 124 mammals, 330 birds, 72 reptiles and 37 different species of fish. Here I will be working on a satellite camp for scientists at Ulu Purut – a site 8km into the virgin rainforest from the Danum Valley Field Centre. The camp will allow scientists to base themselves there whilst carrying out research meaning that they will be able to explore deeper into the area. I will therefore be helping to protect class one protected rainforest areas by building infrastructure to support scientists with their research of the area.

To help me achieve my goal of helping to shape the rural communities of Borneo for the better, and to maintain the pristine rainforest of the area, I would be grateful if you could support me in the expedition, by making a financial contribution.

Many thanks.