I Will Survive (Simon's Singing and the Scary Suspension Bridge)

This is it, my last contact with the world as I know it for 10 weeks. Tomorrow the first participants arrive and I go off to jungle camp to teach them how to survive in the jungle with only a penknife, spoon and 3 washing up bowls (don't ask). I'm working with a girl called Madeline (from Eastleigh as it happens) and have the pleasure of two projects to complete during our time here. Phase 1 is a Gravity Water Feed Sytem is a small Muslim community set high in the hills, stunning views and apparently for Raleigh some pretty plush accomodation in the form of a rest house and community hall. The pressure is on for this one as we have the press and local Minister coming on the 24th March for an opening ceremony - let's hope we get the water there.

(For anyone who doesn't know - and I include myself in that category - a gravity water feed involves damming a water source, laying some piping and putting in some tanks - for storage or pressure or something....)

Fortunately phases 2 & 3 are also a gravity water feed system so hopefully after doing it once I might have a clue what I'm doing. And the second village is incredible. The people have nothing (making money from rubber tapping) but they were the friendliest, smiliest people and there was a brilliant feeling to the whole place. The village is in a valley, surrounded by mountains and full of piglets, cows, dogs, chickens, goats etc generally running everywhere along with the children.

Only slight issue with this project is we have 6km of piping to lay, uphill through steep jungle and we have to lay the pipe across the bridge above. Might not show on the picture but it's a good 150m and rather less secure than I would like... Anyway, prior to us starting we're getting it properly assessed, we didn't cross it on our planning visit - particularly when the locals kind of shrugged their shoulders and didn't seem too sure at all about how many people it could take and how often it's used. (Don't worry mum - I won't be trying out any Lara Croft style legging it across falling bridges to escape the marauding wildlife)

Each of the villages basically drys out for a few months each year and they have to either collect water from a river (long way away and not clean) or collect rain water. Raleigh has sponsorship to do the projects and for the participants running and doing the project is a chance to 'develop their soft skills'. Thank god I've managed to leave most of the jargon back in Staines (good luck David - guessing you have to be done by now and get a well deserved break??)

By the way, check out the orange and green chosp shirt (they get everywhere... :0)

So last night we had a final staff evening out, has anyone ever in the wildest dreams ever imagined Simon up doing Karaoke?? No? Well check him out strutting his stuff to the Weather Girls and there was definitely some I Will Survive action going down too. I can feel a phrase coming on... something to do with you've changed....

All the best x